socalfunplaces Chapter 64: Not fighting? No way!
Chapter 64: Not fighting? No way!
Seeing the unwavering sincerity and confidence in Yan Zu's eyes, Oscar struggled for a moment before finally gritting his teeth and saying to Zhao Wuji, "Teacher Zhao, I... I'm willing to believe Yan Zu! I don't want this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent anymore!"
"Oscar, you..." Dai Mubai was somewhat taken aback.
"Good!" Zhao Wuji patted Oscar on the shoulder. "That's bold! Kid, it's right to have a long-term vision! Yan Zu, I'm trusting you this time. You're responsible for Oscar's spirit ring!"
Yan Zu nodded: "I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Now it was Snake Granny and Meng Yiran's turn to be surprised. They hadn't expected that Shrek Academy would actually give up such a readily available top-grade soul beast? And for such a... seemingly far-fetched reason?
Meng Yiran looked at Yan Zu, her curiosity growing even stronger. This young man not only possessed considerable strength, but also had such insight and a sense of responsibility? He could recognize the long-term development of his companions, persuade them to give up immediate gains, and even make a vow for it?
"Since you've given up, then this soul beast will belong to my granddaughter." Although the Snake Granny was puzzled, she was happy to see it happen and was about to grab the Phoenix-tailed Crested Snake that was lying limp on the ground.
However, Meng Yiran suddenly stepped forward, her snake staff pointing at Yan Zu with a "whoosh," her pretty face frosty, her eyes full of defiance and stubbornness:
"Wait! Who gets the soul beast is one thing, but I, Meng Yiran, still want to have a match with you!"
Her chest heaved slightly. She had issued the challenge herself, but Yan Zu had given up after just a few words. Hadn't she become the clown?
The young girl was having an emotional outburst; she needed a real, fair contest to prove herself.
"You're Yan Zu, right? I don't want you to give way! If you're so capable, then take a few of my moves fair and square!"
These words were spoken quickly and urgently, carrying the spoiled and unyielding pride unique to a young girl. It was less about vying for a soul beast and more about defending her dignity and strength.
Yan Zu was slightly taken aback. Looking into Meng Yiran's beautiful eyes, which were burning with fighting spirit, he instantly understood her thoughts.
A gentle smile flickered in his eyes. That indomitable spirit was rather endearing.
He stepped forward, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said sincerely, "Miss Meng is a woman of few words and a heroine. In that case, I, Yan Zu, will humbly accept your offer. Regardless of victory or defeat in this exchange, the soul beast will belong to you. Consider it... to fulfill your wish to test your skills. Please."
His words saved face for the other party, clarified the nature of the exchange, and reaffirmed the ownership of the soul beast, leaving no room for error and providing ample room for maneuver.
Meng Yiran was stunned. Looking into Yan Zu's clear, open eyes, which were free of any impurities, her cheeks inexplicably felt hot.
She had been holding a grudge after escaping the Phoenix-tailed Crested Serpent, and when she encountered Oscar vying for the Soul Beast, she wanted to teach him a lesson, especially this seemingly "special" Yan Zu. But now, the other party had voluntarily given up the Soul Beast and lowered his stance so much... If she continued to be aggressive, she would only appear petty.
"You still have some manners." Meng Yiran suppressed the strange feeling in her heart, raised her chin, "However, a spar is a spar, and I will not hold back! Come on!" As she spoke, she released her martial soul, the Serpent Staff, and two yellow soul rings rose from her feet.
Yan Zu smiled slightly, without releasing his martial spirit, but simply made a gesture of invitation: "Please enlighten me, Miss Meng."
Before she could finish speaking, Meng Yiran's figure flashed, and the snake-headed cane in her hand shot out like a venomous snake, aiming for Yan Zu's shoulder. The force of the cane was fierce, clearly showing her family's martial arts background, while at the same time avoiding vital points, merely to demonstrate her martial arts skills.
Yan Zu remained expressionless, and with a slight shift of his feet, he gracefully dodged the attack.
Seeing that Yan Zu dodged her attack so easily, Meng Yiran knew that Yan Zu's strength might be above hers, so she stopped holding back and attacked with all her might.
Her lithe body twisted like a serpent emerging from its hole, her snake staff drawing a strange arc as it aimed straight for Yan Zu's face. Her first spirit ring shone brightly—Snake Shadow Assault! It was incredibly fast and its angle was cunning.
Yan Zu shifted his feet slightly, his body moving like flowing clouds, easily dodging the swift attack. At the same time, he pointed his right hand like a sword, sending a wisp of condensed energy towards Meng Yiran's wrist.
Meng Yiran changed her move quickly, her snake staff swirling to block, but she felt a numbness in her wrist, secretly amazed by the exquisite control of her opponent's strength. She dared not be careless, and her second soul ring lit up—Snake Blade Assault! Her figure blurred instantly, sliding to the side, leaving a faint afterimage in place.
A golden light flashed in Yan Zu's eyes, easily seeing through the true form's location. However, instead of pursuing, he stopped and commented, "Miss Meng's movements are agile, and her snake staff techniques are unpredictable. However, her power exertion is too focused on speed and strangeness, lacking in strength and ferocity, and the transitions are slightly hesitant. If she could combine strength and gentleness, and integrate the real and the illusory, her power would increase by another three points."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran was both surprised and embarrassed. She was surprised that Yan Zu had seen through her moves at a glance, and embarrassed that he had actually given her pointers during their sparring session.
But she was stubborn and didn't answer. She charged forward again, displaying her family's snake staff technique to its fullest extent. Sometimes she was like a venomous snake spitting its tongue, swiftly stabbing vital points; other times she was like a nimble snake coiling around, locking and binding joints.
Yan Zu remained calm and composed throughout, maneuvering with only exquisite footwork and techniques.
His footwork was mysterious, always dodging attacks at the last second. Occasionally he would strike, whether with a finger or a palm, but these were not killing moves. Instead, they were aimed at the weak points in Meng Yiran's moves or at the points where her strength was running out.
His movements were fluid and effortless, as if he were guiding or demonstrating rather than fighting.
The onlookers were mesmerized. Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed with a sharp light. He could tell that Yan Zu had not gone all out, nor had he even used his soul skills. He had completely controlled the situation with just his movement and combat awareness. What was even more remarkable was that every move he made seemed to be "feeding" Meng Yiran, allowing her to see her own shortcomings more clearly.
The Snake Woman grew increasingly alarmed. This young man's combat skills and grasp of the battle situation were simply beyond what one would expect from someone his age!
He clearly had many opportunities to quickly defeat Yiran, but he chose this "guidance" style of fighting, and his comments were always to the point. Even she, a veteran who had been immersed in the snake staff technique for decades, was inspired by it.
After fighting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Meng Yiran was drenched in sweat and had exhausted most of her soul power, yet she hadn't even touched the hem of Yan Zu's clothes.
She knew she had lost, and she accepted it wholeheartedly. Her opponent far surpassed her in skill, insight, and demeanor.
She leaped backward, retracting her martial spirit. Her chest heaved slightly as she looked at the composed Yan Zu. Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions: frustration, admiration, and a ripple she herself was unaware of.
She clasped her hands in a fist salute, her voice much softer than before: "I lost. Thank you... for your guidance." The last two words were spoken with exceptional clarity.
Yan Zu returned the greeting with clasped hands: "Miss Meng, you flatter me. You have a solid foundation and excellent comprehension. Given time, you will surely reach even greater heights."
Meng Yiran bit her lip, said nothing more, turned around and walked back to the snake granny, whispering, "Grandma, let's go." She didn't even look at the crested snake on the ground again.
The Snake Woman gave Yan Zu a deep look, nodded, grabbed the unconscious Phoenix-tailed Crested Snake, and quickly left with Meng Yiran.
Before leaving, Meng Yiran couldn't help but turn back and glance at Yan Zu one last time before disappearing into the dense forest.
"Tsk tsk, Yan Zu, not bad! Not only did you win, but you've almost stolen that young lady's heart?" Ma Hongjun winked and leaned closer.
Yan Zu glanced at him indifferently: "Fatty, watch your mouth. Oscar, let's continue looking for your spirit ring."
"Oh, okay!" Oscar snapped out of his reverie after the exciting and "friendly" sparring match and nodded quickly.
However, just as everyone was preparing to continue, a strong fluctuation of soul power suddenly emanated from Tang San! He sat down cross-legged, his face flushed, his soul power surging violently, and his aura rising continuously!
"Is this... about to break through?" Zhao Wuji was stunned.
A moment later, Tang San opened his eyes, which shone brightly. Two yellow spirit rings appeared beneath his feet, and his aura had reached level 30! He had actually sensed something after witnessing the series of events just now, and his spirit power had broken through the bottleneck on its own!
"Congratulations, Xiao San!" Dai Mubai patted him on the shoulder. Everyone else offered their congratulations, though their thoughts varied. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing offered polite congratulations, Oscar was still thinking about his spirit ring, Ma Hongjun was a little jealous, and Yan Zu nodded calmly.
Tang San responded to everyone with a smile, but when his gaze swept over Yan Zu, a cold glint flashed deep in his eyes.
Just now, Yan Zu and Meng Yiran had a "friendly" sparring match, stealing the spotlight; Yan Zu's remarks also convinced Oscar to willingly give up a top-grade soul beast, making him seem farsighted. Now, although he has also broken through, his limelight seems to have been completely overshadowed by Yan Zu. In particular, Meng Yiran's decision to challenge Yan Zu instead of himself has made the thorn in his heart grow deeper and deeper.
"Haha, good things come in pairs!" Zhao Wuji was in high spirits. "Now that Tang San has also broken through, let's find two spirit rings in one go! Let's find them for Oscar first, his is more urgent. Yan Zu, you made a promise, so it's up to you!"
Guided by Yan Zu, the team continued to venture deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest.