Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

Hearing Zhao Ming's proposal, the Snake Lady nodded. It wasn't a bad idea.

But Meng Yiran wasn't happy about it. From Zhao Ming's tone, it seemed like he was underestimating her. She had just lost her spirit ring, and now someone was looking down on her? This made her furious, her chest heaving with anger as her eyes locked onto Zhao Ming.

She had already made up her mind. If she got to choose an opponent, it would definitely be Zhao Ming. She was determined to show him her strength. At sixteen, she had already reached the thirtieth rank. Who in her academy dared to look down on her?

"I agree," Zhao Wuji said first. Among the combat-oriented spirit masters present, except for Zhu Zhuqing, there was no way Meng Yiran could win. So, he agreed without much thought. Zhu Zhuqing was currently close to reaching the twenty-ninth rank, and even if she couldn't beat Meng Yiran, she wouldn't lose by much.

Of course, Zhao Wuji was unaware that Zhu Zhuqing had a spirit bone, or he might have thought differently.

Oscar, standing to the side, also didn't object to Zhao Ming's suggestion. He knew this was the best solution.

If they dragged things out any longer, the spirit ring from the Windtail Cockscomb Snake would dissipate.

"Very well, it's settled then. Yiran, who would you like to challenge?" the Snake Lady asked.

"I choose him." With her jade-like finger, Meng Yiran pointed directly at Zhao Ming.

Seeing Meng Yiran choose Zhao Ming, both Zhao Wuji and Oscar breathed a sigh of relief, their faces lighting up with joy. Meanwhile, the Snake Lady furrowed her brow. Among the young spirit masters Zhao Wuji had brought, she could gauge each of their strengths.

Except for Zhao Ming—she couldn't read him.

But since her granddaughter had already chosen him as her opponent, she couldn't say anything more.

As a member of the Serpent-Dragon Duo, she was proud of her reputation in the spirit world. She never interfered in matters between the younger generation.

With a playful smile, Zhao Ming stepped forward, standing face-to-face with Meng Yiran.

"I didn't expect you to choose me as your opponent. Don't cry if you lose," Zhao Ming said with a grin.

"Hmph, such arrogance."

Hearing Zhao Ming's words, Meng Yiran was instantly infuriated. She activated her spirit power, coldly declaring, "Meng Yiran, martial spirit: Snake Staff. Rank thirty, Battle Spirit Master."

"Zhao Ming, martial spirit: Puppet." Zhao Ming smiled but didn't reveal his spirit power level. He didn't want to scare Meng Yiran off; if she decided not to fight him, that would be a waste.

After a brief introduction, Meng Yiran launched her attack.

In a flash, Meng Yiran appeared in front of Zhao Ming, her two-meter-long snake staff coming down on his head. This speed was slightly slower than Zhu Zhuqing's, and to Zhao Ming, it posed no threat at all.

Zhao Ming didn't dodge or summon his martial spirit. Instead, he stood there calmly, showing no concern for his situation.

His calm demeanor made Meng Yiran pause.

She thought Zhao Ming was intimidated by her. Feeling a bit pleased, she slowed her attack slightly to give him time to react.

After all, Zhao Ming hadn't even summoned his martial spirit. If her snake staff landed, it might split his head open. Though she was angry at Zhao Ming's condescension, she didn't intend to kill him.

But when she saw that Zhao Ming still hadn't moved, she felt a pang of disappointment.

"I didn't expect you to be this weak. I'll go easy on you." She muttered under her breath, slowing her strike even more.

"Has your teacher never taught you that even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit? Being soft-hearted in battle isn't a good idea." Just as Meng Yiran was taken aback, Zhao Ming moved.

His right hand shot up with lightning speed. At least, for Meng Yiran, it was incredibly fast.

Like a bolt of lightning, Zhao Ming grabbed Meng Yiran's fair wrist.

"You're this strong?"

Meng Yiran's eyes widened in shock.

She could feel the strength in Zhao Ming's grip—it was extraordinary. She tried to pull away but found it impossible.

And he hadn't even released his martial spirit.

For a spirit master, not releasing one's martial spirit meant they couldn't unleash their true strength. In other words, Zhao Ming was only using about thirty percent of his power, and yet he could already restrain her.

Just how strong was he at full power?

But her shock quickly turned to anger as she felt Zhao Ming's hand rubbing her wrist. Embarrassed and furious, she couldn't pull away, so she tried to kick him instead.

Without hesitation, she lifted her leg, aiming a fierce kick at Zhao Ming.

Her target was surprisingly precise.

"I say, Miss Meng, we're just sparring—no need to aim for such a critical spot," Zhao Ming said with a smile.

Meng Yiran's face flushed red at his words.

"Hmph, I'll kick you dead if I have to. You don't seem like a good person anyway." Her initial embarrassment turned to irritation when she saw Zhao Ming's playful smile.

Besides, he was so strong; one kick probably wouldn't hurt him.

"Well, you'll have to land the kick first." Zhao Ming smirked.

As Meng Yiran's foot was about to connect, Zhao Ming moved leisurely. His free hand shot out, aiming for her ankle.

"You!" Seeing Zhao Ming reaching for her ankle, Meng Yiran's expression changed. She channeled all her spirit power into her leg, kicking at Zhao Ming with all her might.

Closer, closer—Meng Yiran's heart pounded as she focused on her target. Even through his pants, she felt a bit flustered.

But to win against Zhao Ming, she had to do this.

Zhao Ming was simply too powerful. If he was this strong without releasing his martial spirit, what would happen if he did? However, that spot was one of the weakest parts of a man's body. Even a Spirit Sage would lose their combat ability if she landed a solid hit.

Zhao Ming had already figured out Meng Yiran's intentions. He was moving slowly on purpose to give her hope. It would be more satisfying to dash that hope at the last moment. Just as her foot was about to strike him, Zhao Ming grabbed her ankle.

Meng Yiran froze.

She had been so close.

But in the next moment, her shock turned to anger. Both her wrist and ankle were now in Zhao Ming's grip, leaving her in an awkward position. Embarrassed and furious, she yelled, "Let go of me!"

"I'll release you if you admit defeat," Zhao Ming said with a smile, his eyes glancing at her graceful figure.

"In your dreams." Meng Yiran gritted her teeth, her voice filled with determination.

Although Meng Yiran refused to give in, the Snake Lady intervened. "That's enough, Yiran. You are no match for him. We concede."

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.