Upon hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Chao Tianxiang was momentarily stunned, a flicker of disbelief flashing in her eyes.
Support-type Soul Masters were inherently more difficult to cultivate than ordinary Soul Masters, and high-level Food-type Support Soul Masters were exceptionally rare—one in ten thousand.
Seeing her doubt, Zhao Wuji directly said to Oscar, "Oscar, summon your Martial Soul for her to see."
Oscar complied, and with a thought, a thick, long sausage appeared in his hand, accompanied by two yellow Soul Rings rhythmically pulsing around him.
Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang stared intently at the Sausage Spirit, her expression growing increasingly grave—it truly was a Food-type Support Soul Master!
After a moment of contemplation, she looked at Oscar, her tone much gentler:
"Young man, may I ask which Sect you belong to?"
Oscar shook his head and answered honestly, "I don't belong to any Sect. The dean said my Martial Soul mutated to become like this."
A talented Food-type Soul Master with no background...
These points quickly intertwined in Chao Tianxiang's mind, stirring a fervent excitement within her.
If she could recruit this youth to her family, wouldn't he be a tremendous asset in assisting her granddaughter Meng Yiran in the future?
As she secretly plotted ways to win him over, Tang San suddenly stepped forward.
"Teacher Zhao, why not let me fight in place of Little Oscar? I'm currently at the 29th rank, which isn't much different from this young lady's level. It shouldn't be considered taking advantage."
Having observed the Serpent Woman and her granddaughter for some time, he knew that delaying here was unwise. If the Dragon Duke arrived, the situation could become unpredictable.
Although Meng Yiran's Soul Power was one rank higher than his, Tang San was confident in his ability to fight.
Seeing Tang San step forward voluntarily, a glint of approval flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes. He turned to Chao Tianxiang and said:
"Senior, what do you think? This disciple of mine is a Control-type Soul Master, which should meet the requirements for a duel."
Chao Tianxiang was taken aback for a moment before turning her gaze to Tang San.
The youth had a slender build, but his eyes were exceptionally steady. Although the fluctuations of Soul Power around him were not ostentatious, they exuded a refined and condensed aura.
After brief consideration, she understood his intention—to resolve the matter quickly.
"Very well," Chao Tianxiang nodded, then looked at Meng Yiran.
"Yiran, you shall spar with this young man. Remember, stop at the appropriate point."
"I refuse!"
Meng Yiran abruptly stepped back, her tone filled with clear resistance.
"Yiran, what are you saying!"
Chao Tianxiang frowned, her voice stern as she scolded, unable to comprehend why her granddaughter had suddenly changed her mind.
"Grandmother, I don't want to compete with him,"
Meng Yiran lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping over Tang San with a hint of disgust.
"He's too ugly. I want to compete with him!"
As she spoke, she pointed her finger directly at Su Yu, who had been standing to the side all along with a calm expression, as if merely watching the scene unfold.
Instantly, everyone's eyes turned simultaneously toward Su Yu.
"Nonsense!" Chao Tianxiang exclaimed, both angry and anxious, her voice sharp.
She had noticed Su Yu earlier, but the other party's Soul Power was so well-contained that she couldn't discern his depth at all.
Someone whose strength was unclear like this was either an ordinary person without any cultivation or a powerhouse far surpassing her.
Meng Yiran's impulsive nature was truly playing with fire!
Su Yu was momentarily taken aback by the sudden nomination, then raised an eyebrow and looked at Meng Yiran, his tone carrying a hint of amusement:
"Me?"
Meng Yiran felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze but still stubbornly insisted.
"It's you! Do you dare to fight me?"
Zhao Wuji was also somewhat surprised. Even without using his Martial Soul Avatar, he couldn't defeat Su Yu, and this little girl really knew how to pick her opponent!
Chao Tianxiang's face turned ashen. She quickly stepped forward and cupped her hands toward Su Yu:
"Young friend, please don't take offense. My granddaughter is young and doesn't know any better. She speaks without thinking. Please don't take it to heart."
As she spoke, she shot Meng Yiran a fierce glare, signaling her to shut up.
Su Yu smiled and waved his hand, his gaze falling on Meng Yiran:
"We can spar, but don't cry if you lose."
"Who's going to cry!" Meng Yiran immediately retorted, "You're the one who's going to lose!"
"Su Yu!" Zhao Wuji spoke up, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "Exercise restraint."
"Understood."
Su Yu responded and took a few steps forward, standing opposite Meng Yiran:
"After you."
Seeing this, Meng Yiran ignored her grandmother's warning look and immediately assumed a combat stance. Holding her serpent-head staff horizontally, two yellow Soul Rings suddenly lit up:
"Meng Yiran, Martial Soul Serpent Staff, Level 30 Two-Ring Great Soul Master! First Spirit Ability - Serpent Blade!"
With her light shout, the serpent head at the top of her staff seemed to be infused with life.
The originally smooth serpent's mouth suddenly opened, and a three-inch-long silver blade shot out from it.
Meng Yiran's eyes turned sharp as she exerted force with both hands gripping the staff.
The Serpent Staff shot toward Su Yu like a poised venomous snake, moving with astonishing speed.
Yet Su Yu remained calm. Just as the Serpent Blade was about to reach him, he lightly tapped his foot.
His figure slid half a step to the right. The movement seemed slow but perfectly avoided the attack.
"Whoosh—"
The Serpent Blade brushed past his clothes and stabbed into the tree trunk behind him, sinking more than two inches deep.
Missing her first strike, Meng Yiran didn't hesitate. She twisted her wrist, and the serpent-head staff swept sideways, the Serpent Blade arcing toward Su Yu's waist.
But Su Yu remained completely at ease, his steps light and his movements elusive, always managing to avoid Meng Yiran's attacks at the last possible moment.
He neither counterattacked nor revealed his Soul Power, as if toying with his opponent.
"You're looking down on me!"
Su Yu caught the incoming Serpent Blade between two fingers. No matter how much force Meng Yiran exerted, she couldn't advance it even a fraction, as if it had been welded in place.
Su Yu looked at her flushed cheeks and the anger in her eyes, speaking somewhat helplessly:
"Miss Meng Yiran, I think you've misunderstood."
He lightly released his fingers, and Meng Yiran, caught off guard, staggered back two steps.
"I'm not a student. I'm a teacher at Shrek Academy."
These words not only stunned Meng Yiran but also surprised Chao Tianxiang, who began reevaluating Su Yu.
Judging by his age, he appeared to be at most nearly twenty years old. How could he already be a teacher at an Advanced Soul Master Academy?
Meng Yiran's face flushed and paled alternately. She had been chasing after a teacher from the other academy, attacking him and making arrogant remarks.
Now she felt her cheeks burning, and her hands gripping the Serpent Staff grew somewhat stiff.
Zhao Wuji chimed in at the right moment, "Elder sister, don't be fooled by our Teacher Su Yu's youth. His strength definitely surpasses mine!"
Hearing Zhao Wuji say this, Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang's mind raced.
To appear so young yet already possess strength surpassing that of the Immovable King Zhao Wuji—this Su Yu must have been trained by one of the great families!
Thinking this, Chao Tianxiang quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, her tone growing increasingly polite:
"So it's Teacher Su. My granddaughter was ignorant and offended you. I hope you can forgive her."
Su Yu waved his hand and looked at Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang, saying:
"In that case, what about this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent?"
Serpent Woman Chao Tianxiang quickly replied, "This Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent naturally belongs to this young friend named Oscar!"