Chapter Seventy-One: The Peerless Dragon and Serpent

“Please, Your Excellencies, don’t misunderstand!”

A tall, thin elder emerged from the shadows, his figure stooped as he leaned on a bright silver dragon-headed cane. Bowing respectfully, he said, “I am Meng Shu. I have come to hunt a third spirit ring for my granddaughter. Not long ago, we found a suitable spirit beast and chased it here. Hearing the sounds of fierce battle, my curiosity got the better of me and I came to see. I mean no harm!”

The Dragon Duke, Meng Shu!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu’s brow lifted in surprise. Truly, what one seeks with all their might often comes unbidden—he had just finished hunting the Titan Giant Ape and was preparing to find Meng Yiran and her family, intending to follow them to the legendary Man-faced Demon Spider. Unexpectedly, Meng Shu had delivered himself right to his door.

There was no need to guess; the spirit beast Meng Shu spoke of was undoubtedly the Man-faced Demon Spider.

“So it’s Senior Dragon Duke. I am Xiao Yu of the Nine Star Hall; it is an honor to meet you at last.”

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and saluted Meng Shu with a cupped hand. The Dragon Duke was an established powerhouse, renowned for many years throughout the Spirit Master world. Unlike Tang Hao, destined to become an enemy, Meng Shu was someone worth winning over. A bit of courtesy at their first meeting might leave a favorable impression.

“So you are Young Master Xiao!”

Unlike Tang Hao, who had lived in seclusion in Notting City to protect his son, Meng Shu had continued to travel the continent all these years. Naturally, he had heard of the rising might of the Nine Star Hall. Still, he never imagined their strength was so terrifying; not counting the quasi-Titled Douluo currently absorbing a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, there were already three Titled Douluo present. Even the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan could only look on in envy when it came to such high-end power.

“Grandfather!”

At that moment, two more figures emerged swiftly from the dense forest—Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran had caught up.

Carefree by nature, Meng Yiran paid little mind to her surroundings; in her mind, her grandfather’s Spirit Douluo cultivation was among the best on the continent—what could possibly threaten him? Without a second thought, she ran up to Meng Shu, clinging to his arm and pouting, “Grandfather, let’s not waste any more time! If we’re any later, that spirit beast will escape!”

Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang, on the other hand, was much more cautious. Decades as a Spirit Master had ingrained wariness into her bones. She scanned the area, her gaze quickly drawn to the mound of corpses that resembled a small hill. She gasped in horror, “Ti… Titan Giant Ape!”

Xiao Yu smiled and bowed slightly toward Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang, “You must be Senior Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang and the Dragon Duke’s granddaughter. I am Xiao Yu of the Nine Star Hall; it is a pleasure.”

Hearing Xiao Yu’s voice, Meng Yiran finally realized there were others present. She turned toward the sound and was briefly stunned.

So handsome!

That was her first thought. The young man before her had features as if chiseled by a master, his striking face all sharp lines and angles. Jet-black hair fell freely, and his dark eyes held a faint violet gleam, making them seem even deeper and colder than before. The cold light flashing within them lent him a certain aloofness.

Sensing the heat in Meng Yiran’s gaze, Ye Lingling stepped forward, linking her arm with Xiao Yu’s as if to stake her claim, casting a possessive glance at Meng Yiran.

Unlike Meng Yiran, Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang, though briefly surprised by the youth’s striking appearance, was well past the age of girlish infatuation. She quickly grasped the situation and exchanged a questioning look with the Dragon Duke.

Meng Shu nodded slightly.

Chao Tianxiang’s heart skipped a beat—it really was the Forest King, the hundred-thousand-year Titan Giant Ape. This meant that at least two Titled Douluo were present. If they harbored any ill intent, she and her family would be powerless to resist.

Both the Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady were troubled, neither speaking for a moment, and an awkward silence settled over the group.

Seeing this, Xiao Yu continued, “Senior Dragon Duke, you mentioned earlier that you were hunting a spirit beast for your granddaughter’s third ring. May I ask what kind of spirit beast it is? Perhaps I can be of some assistance.”

Is this young man trying to win us over? the Dragon Duke wondered silently.

But Meng Yiran, ever blunt, spoke up at once, “It’s a Man-faced Demon Spider. Its eyes were blinded by my grandfather, so it’s easy to recognize. We chased it all the way here—it must be nearby.”

Having already lost a Phoenix-tailed Crested Snake that was ideal both in age and martial spirit compatibility, she wasn’t about to let the Man-faced Demon Spider slip away as well.

Since Meng Yiran had already revealed everything, Meng Shu, who had been wavering about whether to accept such a favor, nodded, “If you are willing, Young Master Xiao, we would be most grateful.”

“It is the honor of the Nine Star Hall to be of service to the Dragon Duke,” Xiao Yu replied with a gentle smile. He then turned to Aiolia, “Aiolia, if you would be so kind.”

To a Titled Douluo, a mere thousand-year spirit beast was but a trivial matter. Aiolia nodded and strode away.

Both the Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady, as well as Ye Lingling and Huo Wu, assumed Xiao Yu was seeking to befriend the illustrious Dragon-Serpent couple. None suspected that his true objective was the very Man-faced Demon Spider.

Before long, Aiolia returned, carrying the barely alive Man-faced Demon Spider. Xiao Yu regarded it with keen interest—even now, after suffering Aiolia’s thunderous assault, the spider clung tenaciously to life. Like the Mandrake Snake and the Wind Baboon, it was a spirit beast that had nearly achieved the feat of slaying a god.

As Meng Yiran stepped forward, preparing to end its life, Xiao Yu spoke up, “Senior Dragon Duke, are you certain you wish your granddaughter to absorb the spirit ring of this Man-faced Demon Spider?”

“What do you mean?” Meng Shu was taken aback. He thought that since the Nine Star Hall had helped them hunt the spirit beast, they wouldn’t possibly try to snatch it now.

Xiao Yu pointed at the spider’s legs, his tone grave, “Look at its legs—each one is over three meters long. That marks the Man-faced Demon Spider as over two thousand years old. Your granddaughter is only absorbing her third spirit ring; taking one over two thousand years, especially from a violent beast like this, could be disastrous…”

Before Xiao Yu finished, Meng Shu’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly examined the spider. Having roamed the continent for many years, he was well-versed in the traits of Man-faced Demon Spiders. But his granddaughter’s recent loss of a spirit ring had made him anxious, and in the darkness he had failed to check carefully.

Once he confirmed Xiao Yu was telling the truth, Meng Shu felt a cold sweat. If he had let his granddaughter absorb a spirit ring beyond the safe age limit—especially from such a savage beast—her body would never withstand the impact of its power. The result could only be death. With his son long dead, Meng Yiran was the last bloodline of the Meng family; if anything happened to her, what meaning would life hold for him?

Meng Yiran’s face was deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down; had it not been for Xiao Yu, today would have been her last.

The three, deeply shaken, bowed in gratitude, “Young Master Xiao, words cannot express our thanks. If you ever have need, the Dragon-Serpent Duo will go through fire and water for you without hesitation!”