Chapter 424: Grandfather Dragon and Grandmother Serpent, Another Encounter with Meng Yiran

Su Ming's message was clear: reassuring everyone that they wouldn't be in danger, but also advising them not to interfere. Given their level, they might be able to handle a few Soul Saints together, but this time the Spirit Hall had dispatched several Titled Douluos. The real clash had yet to begin; none of the Titled Douluo-level powerhouses had made their move.

Just then, Su Ming noticed two Spirit Hall Douluos heading toward the Thunder Academy convoy—Spear Dolphin Douluo and Porcupinefish Douluo.

Behind them was a female Titled Douluo whose spirit was a Blazing Lynx Eagle, likely from the Spirit Hall's Elder Hall. Su Ming didn't have much recollection of her, but she seemed to be a late-stage character known as Ling Yuan Douluo. Bibi Dong's caution was clear; she had sent an extra Titled Douluo.

The three Titled Douluos would have faced no resistance, but just then, an elderly couple stepped forward—Grandfather Dragon and Grandmother Serpent. Su Ming couldn't help but sigh; it was the Dragon and Snake couple.

Looking around, Su Ming noticed Meng Yiran nearby, sitting with the convoy that must be the Beast Academy. In the original story, the elderly couple stepped in at this moment, hoping to help Tang San as a favor that might one day benefit their small family clan. However, neither Tang San nor Tang Hao took any notice of them, and they faded away later.

Su Ming, out of a past acquaintance and a soft spot for Meng Yiran, decided to lend them a hand. Besides, in this version, anyone helping Tang San and Tang Hao would be on the Spirit Hall's blacklist.

Just as the Dragon and Snake couple prepared to unleash their Dragon-Serpent Fusion Technique, thick branches suddenly wrapped around their feet, silently pulling them, along with Meng Yiran, to Su Ming's side.

Dragon and Snake Couple: ???

Surprised, they felt a powerful spatial force at work. Su Ming couldn't allow them to use the Dragon-Serpent Fusion, which, though powerful enough to contend with a low-level Titled Douluo, would likely end with both of them seriously hurt or dead.

Su Ming's motivation wasn't rooted in any particular attachment to the couple but rather because he didn't want Meng Yiran left without her grandparents. The system was baffled—it hadn't expected Su Ming to intervene like this.

Upon recognizing Su Ming, the Dragon and Snake couple were shocked. How had he managed such a feat? They had last seen him only a short while ago, yet Su Ming now exuded an aura they couldn't fathom.

Grandfather Dragon, a Soul Douluo himself, had not sensed a thing before he was moved.

They had known the black-clad figures were likely targeting Tang San, aware that he had revealed his Clear Sky Hammer in recent matches. They had thought perhaps they could gain favor with Tang San or even Tang Hao, hoping it might benefit their small family clan. But they had been teleported before they could make a move.

Seeing this, Su Ming exchanged a glance with Spear Dolphin Douluo, conveying, "Let these three stay with me. Go handle Tang San. I'll take care of things here."

Nearby, Porcupinefish Douluo commented, "Su Ming seems to be looking out for the Dragon and Snake couple, huh?"

With a slight frown, Spear Dolphin Douluo replied, "I'm well aware." Ling Yuan looked puzzled. "Should we proceed?"

"Leave it," Spear Dolphin Douluo sent a mental message. "Our main goal is to flush out Tang Hao from the shadows and eliminate both him and Tang San. That young man is one of ours. He's shielding them, so let it be."

Ling Yuan, shocked, realized Su Ming was recognized as Qian Renxue's brother. She wondered how he had ended up among the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's convoy, yet his earlier display of spatial skills made it clear he was formidable.

Without another glance at the Dragon and Snake couple, the three Spirit Hall Douluos continued toward Thunder Academy.

Meng Yiran, curious, asked, "Su Ming, when did you join Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Weren't you with Tang San and the others before?"

Su Ming shook his head. "We had a falling out, so I went my own way. They're over with Thunder Academy now."

The Dragon and Snake couple realized that Su Ming's actions had been to prevent them from meddling in matters between the Spirit Hall and Thunder Academy.

"Su Ming, it's only been a year, but your power has advanced so much," Grandmother Serpent remarked with a friendly smile.

Grandfather Dragon added, "So you're Su Ming? Yiran often mentioned you at home. I do have one question, though. Why did you stop us from helping Tang San? Just because of a grudge?"

Su Ming shook his head slightly. "That's only a small part of it. I wanted to spare you from unnecessary risk. Tang San isn't who you think he is."

"I pulled you here out of respect for our past encounters. Let me put it this way—Tang San started as a Soul Ancestor in the tournament. Now, he's reached the level of Soul King!"

The Dragon and Snake couple's eyes widened in shock. Such rapid advancement in such a short period was almost unbelievable.

"That's because his Blue Silver Grass seems to have mutated, allowing him to absorb other people's spirit power and abilities," added Huo Wu and Shui Bing'er. "This is something Su Ming discovered, and even Tang San's teammates don't seem to know."