The Serpent Lady shattered the awkward silence, her voice laced with disdain as she eyed Tang San. "We meet again, young friend."
Ning Tian spun around, feigning shock. "Oh, Serpent Lady! I thought those soul beasts were still on my tail, my apologies." He clasped his fists in a polite salute.
"No harm done," she said, her gaze sharpening. "But my husband just saved your skin from those creatures, and you didn't even pause to thank him. That's a bit rude, don't you think?"
Ning Tian didn't flinch. "So that's why the bugs stopped chasing me! I'm eternally grateful to the Dragon Duke. In my next life, I'll repay him as his loyal ox or horse."
Tang San let out a pained grunt, another unfortunate release while the Serpent Lady nearly choked on her own breath. 'Next life? Is this kid screwing with us?'
"You're joking, right?" she snapped, slamming her snake staff into the ground. The earth quaked, sending a shockwave their way.
Ning Tian deflected it with a flick of his sword, but Tang San wasn't so fortunate. Mid-squat, he toppled over, his body betraying him once more.
He struggled to rise, but exhaustion and the relentless purging left him powerless. Just as his vision blurred, a thunderous voice boomed, "Serpent Lady, why are you harassing my Shrek students?"
Five figures crashed into the clearing—Zhao Wuji leading, followed by Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar, all haggard from their pursuit.
They arrived to find Tang San sprawled on the ground, still mid-disaster. A tree mercifully blocked the worst of the view, but the stench hit hard. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong gagged, while Ma Hongjun and Oscar smirked—Ma Hongjun savoring Tang San's misery, Oscar still salty over the lost soul ring.
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed. "Ning Tian, what's happening?"
The Serpent Lady, sensing the odds shift, had already slipped away to fetch her husband. Ning Tian shrugged. "I ran into the Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady while the soul beasts were chasing me. The Duke got caught up with the creatures, and she followed me here, just in time to see Tang San… handling his business. She says the Duke saved me, so I owe them."
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened. "The Dragon Duke's close? Trouble—Oscar, Fatty, grab Tang San. We're out of here."
The pair grimaced but obeyed. Before they could act, the Dragon Duke.
Ning Tian felt a mental sting but swiftly shifted the backlash to Tang San. Already spent, Tang San crumpled, unconscious, yanking up his pants with his last shred of strength.
"Going somewhere?" the Dragon Duke snarled, his gaze icy.
Zhao Wuji forced a grin, his mind racing. Facing the Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady was a losing bet. "Junior Zhao Wuji greets Senior Dragon Duke," he said, bowing slightly.
"You've raised fine students, Zhao Wuji. My husband saved that boy's life, and he didn't even say thanks. Where's the respect?"
Zhao Wuji kept his cool. "A misunderstanding, Senior. Ning Tian explained it, he was running for his life and didn't realize you'd stepped in. And while he's a Shrek student, he's not my disciple. He's got another teacher."
"Oh?" The Dragon Duke's eyebrow arched. He'd seen Ning Tian's prowess—sword energy at his age, a Spirit Elder, surviving that bizarre swarm. His teacher had to be a big shot. 'Ning… Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, maybe? Sword Douluo?'
He traded a look with the Serpent Lady, then turned to Ning Tian. "Alright, kid. For helping my granddaughter with her soul ring, I'll let this go, just this once. Next time, I won't be so lenient. And give your teacher my regards."
With that, they vanished into the forest.
Ning Rongrong tilted her head. "Who's your teacher, Ning Tian? The Duke seemed spooked."
She'd been ready to flex her clan status, but they'd backed off, apparently thanks to Ning Tian's teacher. 'A Titled Douluo, maybe?'
The others leaned in, curious. Ning Tian shrugged. "My teacher's just a vice dean at a junior soul master academy. We share a surname, so the Duke probably mistook him for your Sword Grandpa."
It clicked. Ning Rongrong beamed. "Well, since you've already got a teacher, I won't push. But Sword Grandpa would totally take you as a disciple."
"No need," Ning Tian said with a light smile. "Though if he'd offer some sword tips someday, I'd be thrilled."
"Deal!" Ning Rongrong chirped, patting her chest. "Leave it to me."