"You want to save face? Fine. Let's see if you have the strength to earn it."
His voice landed with a resolute weight, sonorous and powerful. Chen Xiaoming considered himself full of dignity, but in Snake Woman's ears, his words were like a heavy hammer crashing down, leaving her momentarily stunned.
Her face turned unsightly as she looked at Chen Xiaoming. The ever-humble posture she maintained stiffened slightly, and within her spirited eyes, a trace of anger flickered.
A Soul Douluo-level expert at the very least — how could he be so shameless? Relying on his profound cultivation to demand proof of her strength? Were her six soul rings not plain to see? Was he blind or just foolish?
If she could overpower him, Snake Woman would have already smashed him with her serpent staff to show him why the flowers bloom so red.
But glancing at her granddaughter beside her, Snake Woman swallowed all her dissatisfaction, forcing a faint smile onto her face.
"Senior jests. Your strength is profound — this old woman is naturally not your match. If there is any offense, I am at your mercy. I only beg you to spare my granddaughter..."
"Stop, stop, stop — how did I become the villain, bullying the weak and helpless?"
The more Chen Xiaoming listened, the more wrong it sounded. Clearly, he was here to uphold justice and punish evildoers — maybe show off a little — but how did Snake Woman's words twist him into the bad guy?
Snake Woman glanced up in confusion. Seeing the genuine perplexity on Chen Xiaoming's face, her heart sank, and she quickly lowered her head, her fear intensifying.
Anyone who could become a Soul Douluo was a veteran of countless battles. While they might not all be wily schemers, a certain level of shrewdness was necessary. The man before her suppressed her with mere soul power, clearly indicating he was beyond Soul Douluo level — but he looked barely over twenty. His youthful appearance was certainly a result of special techniques.
Such people were often the most sinister, especially those who valued their reputation. His earlier words had obviously been a veiled threat. If she continued speaking carelessly, he might truly strike.
Internally cursing Chen Xiaoming's shamelessness, Snake Woman nevertheless bowed her head again, stalling for time while protecting her granddaughter.
"Senior jests. This old woman never intended such disrespect."
"Mhm, mhm. I won't bully you — but with your sixty-plus ranks of cultivation, if you want me to show respect, fine. I've long heard that the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent possesses a Martial Soul Fusion Technique capable of contending with Titled Douluo. I'd like to witness it firsthand."
Martial Soul Fusion Techniques — rare abilities capable of transcending ranks in battle. Chen Xiaoming had never seen one before, and the sight of Snake Woman piqued his curiosity. Perhaps he could learn something from it.
"Hmm? They're here?"
Just as he finished speaking, a ripple of energy approached from afar. Chen Xiaoming's brow lifted as he gazed toward the incoming figure.
A sharp sound sliced through the air — a tall, thin elder emerged from the dense forest. The elder appeared at least seventy, with silver hair like Snake Woman's. He carried a four-meter-long silver dragon-headed staff, exquisitely crafted and shining brilliantly. His wrinkled face betrayed his age, and eight soul rings pulsed around him — two yellow, three purple, three black.
Without hesitation, he moved toward Snake Woman.
"Excellent — the Unrivaled Dragon Serpent is now complete."
Chen Xiaoming watched them calmly. The Unrivaled Dragon Serpent's Martial Soul Fusion Technique had never been publicly displayed. Encountering them today was a rare opportunity, one he was eager to experience firsthand.
Standing beside Chen Xiaoming, Oscar and Fatty Ma Hongjun felt the oppressive aura from the eight soul rings and couldn't help swallowing nervously.
"Little Ao, your soul ring isn't about to fly off, is it?"
Fatty Ma Hongjun leaned toward Oscar.
"Scram, Fatty! You think Teacher Chen is a fool? If he's letting them show their hand, he must have a trump card. Right, Teacher Chen?"
Oscar's starry-eyed gaze fell on Chen Xiaoming. For some reason, that look made Chen Xiaoming itch to punch him.
"Get lost! I'm not into that. Go flirt with Fatty instead."
Waving his hand, Chen Xiaoming couldn't stand Oscar's lovestruck eyes. He took a step forward, direct and unyielding.
"Now that everyone's here, let's begin. Show me your Martial Soul Fusion Technique. If you can withstand one of my moves, you're free to leave."
Snake Woman whispered in Dragon Duke Meng Shu's ear. Meng Shu's eyes sharpened as he fixed his gaze on Chen Xiaoming, his brow furrowed.
He couldn't sense Chen Xiaoming's strength at all — the man felt like an ordinary person.
"Hm? Not making a move?"
Seeing the two merely staring without attacking, Chen Xiaoming chuckled softly.
"If you delay any longer, both of you will die here."
He stepped forward — a terrifying wave of soul power erupted. Meng Shu felt as if he'd plummeted from heaven into hell, his body nearly paralyzed under the oppressive force.
Exchanging a glance with Snake Woman, their years of partnership allowed them to communicate wordlessly. Their soul power surged.
Six soul rings flickered beneath Snake Woman's feet. Her serpent staff trembled, and with a hiss, six rings merged into the staff. A purple light flashed — a three-meter-long purple snake with small wings on its flat head slithered up Snake Woman's body.
Beside her, Dragon Duke Meng Shu's soul power roared. His dragon-headed staff glowed golden, eight soul rings fusing into the radiance. A golden dragon emerged, its twin horns and flowing whiskers exuding majesty as it coiled above him.
Both the purple snake and the golden dragon ascended, converging in midair. Intense golden light erupted, enveloping the pair in a blinding radiance. A terrifying soul power fluctuation gathered, obscuring their figures entirely.
"Gulp — is this a Martial Soul Fusion Technique? Such terrifying power..."
Oscar and Ma Hongjun gaped as the turbulent energy buffeted them.
Meng Shu and Snake Woman merged into a golden pillar of light over fifty meters tall. The once three-meter-long purple snake and golden dragon intertwined, their forms swelling several times larger. An overwhelming pressure radiated outward.
Chen Xiaoming watched the swelling soul power calmly, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"No rush — gather more soul power. I'll wait for you."
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