Chapter 35: Rescuing Little Dance, Turning Defense into Offense

Ma Hongjun seized the opportune moment, exerting his full martial soul pressure. The aura of the Evil Fire Phoenix rippled toward the Cockscomb Serpent, causing its body to shudder. It twisted, attempting to flee.

"Trying to run? Ha," Zhao Wuji growled, a purple soul ring suddenly rising around him. "Third soul skill: Gravity Enhancement!"

Seeing the beast’s speed severely crippled, Zhao Wuji unleashed his fourth and fifth soul skills, leaping toward the Cockscomb Serpent. While everyone else was filled with excitement, only Xiao Wu hid behind Tang San, her expression full of worry. "Must we hunt spirit beasts?"

"The weak are prey to the strong; that is the law of survival," Tang San said coldly.

When Zhao Wuji returned, dragging the serpent by its head, he drew a dagger from his waist. "Oscar, come here."

Watching Oscar prepare to finish off the spirit beast, Xiao Wu’s face turned even paler. She walked away, unable to bear the sight.

"Here." As Xiao Wu walked past the bushes with her head down, Nian Yun approached and handed her a carrot.

Before Xiao Wu could refuse, Nian Yun had already pressed it into her hand. "For spirit masters to absorb martial souls, it is an ironclad rule that cannot be changed. If I could, I would want to be friends with spirit beasts too."

Nian Yun smiled and walked past, but that sentence—the desire to be friends with spirit beasts—was deeply etched into Xiao Wu’s mind.

"Hmph, Nian Yun must have other good things in his pockets." Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exchanged a look. Rongrong quickly turned and hurried to catch up with Nian Yun, while Xiao Wu clutched the carrot tightly, feeling much better.

"Rustle."

"Stop!"

Just as Oscar was about to finish off the serpent, a hoarse, sharp shout echoed from the bushes. Two figures—an old man and a young girl—slowly emerged from the forest.

The moment they appeared, the old man’s six soul rings rose and fell. Zhao Wuji showed no fear, stepping forward with his seven soul rings glowing. "Is there a problem?"

Through their exchange, both sides learned the other's identity. After much back-and-forth, they decided to settle the ownership of the serpent through a duel.

"My name is Tang San, level 29. I will fight you," Tang San said, stepping forward.

Nian Yun had not intended to stand out, but suddenly:

System: [Quest Triggered: Duel Meng Yiran and win. Reward: +1 level of soul power, +5% chance of exclusive spirit bone drop.]

The sudden notification made Nian Yun tremble. He hurriedly pulled Tang San back.

"It’s getting late. How about this? I am a defense-type spirit master. I will only use my first soul skill. You may attack me freely, and I will stand right here. If you can injure me, you win. How does that sound?"

This suggestion suited Zhao Wuji perfectly; if they waited for the Dragon Duke to arrive, it would be troublesome. "I think that’s acceptable. Little San, step back and let Nian Yun go."

The Snake Matriarch looked at Nian Yun in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Thud." Feeling slighted, Meng Yiran stepped forward. "My snake staff can be quite painful."

"First soul skill: Jade Barrier Rock Shield!" A layer of rock shield coated Nian Yun. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, finding it uninteresting, wandered off to play.

"First soul skill..."

*Bang!*

"Second soul skill..."

...

Only two and a half minutes had passed, and Meng Yiran was already gasping for breath, her hands aching from gripping the snake staff. Just as she prepared to strike again, a longer snake staff blocked her path.

"Enough, Yiran. You cannot break his defense. Let’s go."

Even though Meng Yiran was unwilling, Nian Yun stood there with an expression as if he were about to fall asleep. Eventually, Meng Yiran and the Snake Matriarch departed, filled with frustration.

"I knew Nian Yun would win. If it had been a real fight, that girl wouldn't have survived a single punch from him," Ning Rongrong said, hurrying over to check on Nian Yun.

"I am merely a defense-type spirit master," Nian Yun replied, walking off to rest.

Oscar successfully absorbed his soul ring half a day later. On the return journey, since Tang San had reached level 30, the group searched the forest for another spirit beast.

Two days later, they had made no progress. However, Nian Yun was enjoying himself, as for the sake of his quests, the time was nearly right.

System: [Quest Triggered: Rescue Xiao Wu. Exclusive spirit bone trigger chance +10%, Xiao Wu’s favorability +10.]

"My walking reward chest, how lovely."

At night:

"Everyone, stay alert! Prepare to flee at any moment!" Zhao Wuji’s roar echoed in everyone's ears. They rushed out of their tents, following Zhao Wuji’s gaze to see a massive figure appearing silently before them.

Seeing such a behemoth, everyone’s breathing stopped instantly.

"Titan Giant Ape!"

Tang San began to panic. Zhao Wuji immediately activated his martial soul. "Seventh soul skill: Avatar of the Martial Soul!"

The Vajra Bear clashed directly with the Titan Giant Ape.

"Run!" Zhao Wuji’s roar echoed.

"I am a defense-type spirit master. I can buy you some time. Go!" Nian Yun said resolutely, stepping toward the Titan Giant Ape.

"If Nian Yun doesn't leave, I don't leave." Ning Rongrong stomped her foot, her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda rising. "The Seven Treasures has a name; the first is Power, the second is Speed."

Without waiting for the others to decide, Zhu Zhuqing had already reached Nian Yun’s side. With that same look of trust, she charged out without fear. The others hesitated no longer and joined the fray.

As everyone rushed forward, Nian Yun glanced at Xiao Wu, moved aside in satisfaction, and his 'Zhongyan' shield flickered in and out of existence.

"Oscar, I’ve consumed a lot of energy. Give me a sausage."

Although confused, Oscar tossed him three sausages.

*Bang! Boom!*

Soul skills rained down on the Titan Giant Ape, which countered with equal ferocity. With a roar, Zhu Zhuqing, who was about to be severely injured, was shielded just in time by Nian Yun. When Ning Rongrong was about to fall, Nian Yun appeared to catch her. Gazing at his face, she happily let him hold her, her arms wrapped around his neck.

Observing the battle, Nian Yun knew the moment had arrived.

When Tang San threw Xiao Wu, the Titan Giant Ape caught her in its palm. Tang San, blinded by worry, unleashed all his hidden weapons, while Zhao Wuji poured his remaining soul power into a collision with the beast.

Finally, a massive roar from the Titan Giant Ape sent Zhao Wuji and Tang San flying. The ape then seized the opportunity to leap a hundred meters away and flee.

Zhao Wuji, still reeling, had no time to formulate a plan. Tang San had already grabbed a sausage from Oscar, sprouted his six wings, and zoomed off in pursuit. Nian Yun consumed his sausage, and Ning Rongrong did not hesitate. "The Seven Treasures has a name; the second is Speed!"

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing scrambled to follow. Zhao Wuji cursed under his breath and ordered Oscar to prepare a sausage for everyone so they could give chase.