Chapter 127: The Deepening Conflict and Tang San's Situation
"Absolutely true."
Facing Dragon Duke's question, Lin Qingmo's expression was so calm that no flaw could be found.
"I just came from that direction, so I can confirm it."
In truth, he and his master had encountered it by chance earlier while searching for his fourth soul ring, so he simply remembered the location.
As he spoke, he even gestured with his hand.
"The nest is in a rock crevice halfway up the cliff. It's quite hidden, but it's definitely there."
This was not fabricated.
…
Dragon Duke stared into his eyes.
The young man's gaze was clear; there was no flicker, no sign of guilt.
That kind of certainty either meant he was an excellent liar or he was telling the truth.
Dragon Duke quickly calculated in his mind.
Although the soul ring of the Man-Faced Demon Spider was not bad, it was indeed not very suitable for this girl Yiran's martial soul.
The Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent, however, was completely different. Its speed and flight ability perfectly matched Yiran's Serpent Cane martial soul.
If this boy was not lying…
"Good!"
Dragon Duke suddenly spoke.
"I will believe you this once."
He turned to Zhao Wuji, his tone softening somewhat.
"Zhao Wuji, for the sake of this boy providing information today, we will let this matter go."
As he spoke, he glanced at Tang San and snorted.
"But you should discipline your student properly. At such a young age, yet already so ignorant. He will suffer greatly in the future."
Tang San's face darkened. He wanted to argue, but Zhao Wuji shot him a glare that forced the words back down.
"Yes, yes, Senior is absolutely right."
Zhao Wuji quickly smiled apologetically.
"I will definitely educate him properly after we return."
"Hmph!"
Dragon Duke waved his hand and said nothing further.
Meng Yiran walked up to Lin Qingmo, her bright eyes looking at him.
"Thank you."
Her voice was very soft, carrying the unique gentleness of a young girl.
"Next time… when we meet again."
After saying this, her face turned slightly red before she quickly ran back to her grandparents.
Serpent Lady Chao Tianxiang nodded toward Lin Qingmo as a gesture of acknowledgment.
The three of them did not stay any longer and quickly departed in the direction Lin Qingmo had pointed; their figures soon disappeared deep into the forest.
Only after they were completely out of sight did Zhao Wuji finally let out a long breath.
The way he exhaled made it seem as though he was trying to breathe out his lungs.
"Damn…"
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The clothes on his back were already soaked.
"That scared the hell out of me."
If they had really fought, all of them combined would not have been enough to face Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady.
Their martial soul fusion skill was something that could confront even a Titled Douluo head-on. What was he, Zhao Wuji, compared to that?
He heavily patted Lin Qingmo on the shoulder.
"Qingmo, we really owe you this time!"
Zhao Wuji grinned.
"Otherwise, today's matter wouldn't have ended so easily. I definitely would have lost a layer of skin."
He was sincerely grateful.
Lin Qingmo waved his hand.
"It's nothing, Teacher Zhao."
It was merely a piece of information that meant nothing to him.
Besides, his real goal was not to help Zhao Wuji.
It was to further deepen the conflict between Tang San and Oscar.
"This is not a small matter!"
Zhao Wuji said seriously.
"When we return to the academy, I will definitely have Flender give you some rewards."
While the two of them spoke, Tang San's expression on the other side became increasingly ugly.
He gritted his teeth and squeezed out the words through clenched teeth.
"I wasn't wrong in the first place. Why did he have to meddle?"
His voice was not loud, but everyone present heard it.
Zhao Wuji's smile instantly disappeared.
He turned to stare at Tang San, impatience written all over his face.
"Tang San, are you done yet?"
Already displeased with Tang San for a long time, Zhao Wuji's tone became harsh.
"Didn't you see what just happened? Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady were standing right there. If they really pursued the matter, do you think you could handle it? Do you think I could block them?"
Tang San stiffened his neck.
"The reasoning is on my side—"
"Reasoning?"
Lin Qingmo interrupted him.
He turned around and looked calmly at Tang San.
There was no obvious emotion in that gaze, yet it made Tang San feel uneasy.
"Tang San, what do you think reasoning actually is?"
Lin Qingmo asked bluntly.
"Wasn't that Man-Faced Demon Spider injured first by Dragon Duke and his group? Didn't they chase it for three days?"
Tang San opened his mouth.
"Yes… but—"
"There is no but."
Lin Qingmo spoke calmly.
"In the world of soul masters, the strong devour the weak. Whoever has the stronger fist decides what is right."
"If I hadn't provided that information just now, you would either be fighting Dragon Duke and getting slapped to death, or you would have to compensate them with something of equal value."
He paused before adding,
"And from what I heard, Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady's martial soul fusion skill can even contend with an ordinary Titled Douluo. What were you planning to fight with? Those useless trash hidden weapons of yours?"
Tang San's body suddenly stiffened as shock flashed across his eyes.
How did he know about the hidden weapons?
"Ah Qing is right!"
Ning Rongrong had already been holding back for a long time. She placed her hands on her hips, her small face puffed up with anger.
"Tang San, how can you be so ungrateful? The one who benefited is you. Ah Qing gave away valuable information about a rare soul beast for nothing, yet not only are you not grateful, but you're even making sarcastic remarks here."
Zhu Zhuqing also spoke coldly.
"That's true. If it weren't for Ah Qing, today's situation would not have ended peacefully."
"Exactly. We still need to continue traveling. Who has time to waste here with you?"
Xiao Wu curled her lips in disgust.
After speaking, she pulled Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing aside and walked toward the outer area without looking back.
When Dai Mubai passed Tang San, he let out a mocking chuckle.
"Tsk. Some people really know how to take advantage and still complain."
His voice was very low, but Tang San heard it clearly.
"Do you really think you're the protagonist?"
The sarcasm was extremely obvious.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar followed behind.
Ma Hongjun deliberately bumped Tang San's shoulder as he passed. Although he did not use much force, the meaning was clear.
Oscar's gaze toward Tang San was even colder.
Twice.
This bastard had ruined his opportunities twice.
The first time, his absorption of a soul ring was interrupted.
The second time is now.
Lin Qingmo clearly had information about the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent. It could have been used for him.
But to clean up Tang San's mess, it had to be given to Meng Yiran for free.
He was grinding his teeth in anger.
"You people…"
Tang San stood there, his face alternating between pale and green.
He wanted to say he was not wrong.
He wanted to say Lin Qingmo was meddling.
But when the words reached his mouth, he could not say a single one.
Because everything Lin Qingmo said was the truth.
He could not defeat Dragon Duke.
Even if he used all his hidden weapons, in front of the absolute strength of a Soul Douluo, it would only be a joke.
In the end, he could only close his mouth and swallow the humiliation and anger inside his chest.
His hands hung by his sides, clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Lin Qingmo…
Once again.
Once again, he had embarrassed himself in front of everyone.
Once again, he had "helped" him with that condescending attitude.
This grudge… he would remember it.
Zhao Wuji watched Tang San's expression and shook his head internally.
This kid's talent was indeed good, but his personality was too dark.
In the future, he would definitely cause serious trouble.
"Alright!"
He raised his voice, breaking the awkward silence.
"Since the soul ring has been obtained and everyone is present, let's withdraw immediately. I don't want to stay in this damn place for even one more second!"
He was genuinely frightened.
First, they encountered the Titan Giant Ape, then Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady.
That was already far too much excitement.
If they stayed any longer, who knew what kind of monsters might appear next?
"Teacher Zhao,"
Oscar raised his hand weakly.
"What about me? My third soul ring still hasn't been found."
He looked at Zhao Wuji pitifully, like an abandoned puppy.
Zhao Wuji rubbed his temples in frustration.
"We will search while heading out."
He sighed.
"In our current situation, we can't go deeper anymore. Safety comes first. As for your soul ring… we'll have to rely on luck."
He was telling the truth.
Bringing this group of little ancestors wandering around the Star Dou Forest was far too risky.
Especially that troublemaker Tang San. Who knew when he might cause another disaster?
"…"
Oscar's eyes dimmed.
He lowered his head and said nothing more.
But the hand hanging by his side quietly clenched into a fist.
It was all Tang San's fault.
All because of him.
Noticing the resentment in Oscar's gaze toward Tang San, Lin Qingmo's lips curved slightly.
Heh.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
—
End of Chapter