Chapter 22: Reward in Hand

As he ran, Zhou Hao observed his surroundings. Based on the speed of the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent and the boost from Ning Rongrong, they should have a distance of over three kilometres from Zhao Wuji and the others by now.

The Titan Great Ape must have headed towards the lake in the centre of the forest. Pursuing it all the way here, they had entered an area densely populated with soul beasts, so he had to be even more cautious. 

However, Zhou Hao knew that Xiao Wu would return on her own and she could also condense her third soul ring in the process. 

Helping Tang San was just a side task, a favour to be done.

Zhou Hao circulated his soul power and swiftly manoeuvred through the forest.

Suddenly, he heard voices not far ahead. He became instantly alert, stopping in his tracks and glancing in that direction.

It was none other than Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran whom they had encountered a few days ago. There was also an elderly man with snow-white hair but a ruddy complexion, holding a dragon-headed cane. He was tall and imposing, undoubtedly the Dragon Duke, Meng Shu!

Zhou Hao held his breath. Being alone now and having just had a conflict with them a few days ago, if he ran into the Dragon Duke and they decided to attack directly, he would be in a terrible situation even if he used all his trump cards to escape.

He didn't dare to approach and could only follow them from a distance, mimicking their steps.

"Don't worry, Yiran. That Man-Faced Demon Spider won't be able to escape. Your grandfather has never dealt with this kind of thing before and was tricked by its spider silk," the elderly man reassured his sulking granddaughter with a wry smile.

"Grandma, my grandfather is the most unreliable! If he were there last time, that soul ring would definitely be mine. The Man-Faced Demon Spider is so ugly, I don't even want that Spirit Ring!" Meng Yiran pouted and complained to Chao Tianxiang beside her.

"Yiran, the Man-Faced Demon Spider your grandfather found for you is definitely the right one. It's much better than the Phoenix Tail Crest Serpent from before. You're actually fortunate in misfortune. Be obedient and listen. It's not about how good-looking the soul beast is, but rather the one that suits you the best is the best choice," Chao Tianxiang spoke with an indulgent tone, reprimanding her granddaughter's willfulness, making Zhou Hao somewhat envious.

The three of them continued walking ahead, and Zhou Hao could only sigh, let's follow first. He concealed his aura and quickly caught up.

It wasn't until they reached a tall and dense thicket that the screeching of a spider could be heard from ahead, accompanied by Tang San's muffled groan. Zhou Hao's eyes lit up; he knew he still had a chance.

The expression on the Dragon Duke's face turned grim, and Meng Yiran had already rushed forward. At this moment, Tang San was practically in dire straits, holding the Godly Zhuge Crossbow tightly in his hands. Whether it was life or death, he could only rely on his final strike.

Seizing the opportunity from his hidden position, Zhou Hao suddenly burst forth. With his Martial Soul's possession, his fierce explosive power caused the ground to crack as he leapt up, leaving only a dark golden afterimage that grazed past the Dragon Duke and the others. His razor-sharp claws, spanning five meters, sliced through with an icy, sharp aura.

In that instant of eruption, no one had time to react. The Man-Faced Demon Spider felt a chilling sensation from behind. Its compound eyes could only reveal a few traces of fear before being torn apart on one side by the giant blade.

"Tang San, do it!" Zhou Hao yelled loudly. Purple light flickered in Tang San's eyes as he shot the Godly Zhuge Crossbow in his hand, precisely piercing the brain of the Man-Faced Demon Spider before embedding itself deeply into the trunk of a tree behind it.

The massive corpse fell heavily to the ground, and purple-black tainted blood splattered everywhere. A brilliant purple Spirit Ring rose slowly into the air.

Zhou Hao stepped on a big tree before he landed steadily. The sudden explosion just now made him a little overwhelmed, while Tang San lost his strength in an instant and fell down with his back against the big tree. Zhou Hao's appearance made him lose the last bit of nervous tension, causing him to slip into unconsciousness.

Beside them, Meng Yiran was suddenly struck by the unexpected turn of events, standing dumbfounded in her place.

"It's you again, what are you trying to do, snatching our Spirit Ring again and again, my old lady will definitely not let you go today!" Chao Tianxiang's face turned fierce, and the snake staff in her hand emitted a faint green light.

"Grandfather, it's them! They took my Spirit Ring a few days ago, relying on that Spirit Saint. And today, it's them again! Wahhh..." Meng Yiran finally couldn't hold back and burst into tears. Zhou Hao actually felt a bit guilty inside.

The Dragon Duke's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot. He slammed his dragon-headed cane on the ground, and an invisible pressure enveloped Zhou Hao, pressing him tightly.

"So, you're the brat who bullied Yiran, the kid with the bear martial soul, Zhou Hao?" The Dragon Duke's voice was old but full of vigour, sharp and domineering. The aura of a Spirit Douluo, along with his spiritual power, suppressed Zhou Hao.

"If you say so, then so be it. We were just exchanging blows," Zhou Hao felt the heavy pressure and spoke with some difficulty.

"Tell me, who is Zhao Wuji to you?" The Dragon Duke's killing intent flickered.

"He's just my teacher," Zhou Hao couldn't help but chuckle. This old man actually thought there was some relationship between him and Zhao Wuji.

"Why were you following us just now, along with Zhao Wuji? What is your purpose in planning to snatch Yiran's Spirit Ring? Explain everything to me, otherwise, the two of you will stay here today!" Zhou Hao smiled. Smiling, feeling the pressure on his body suddenly increased, he couldn't help snorting, and a sweet smell rose from his mouth, Zhou Hao finally reached his limit.

"Tang San's life was hanging by a thread just now. I was just in a hurry to save him. As for following you, I just happened to walk behind you. There is a dispute between us, how could I come out directly."

The Dragon Duke's anger surged as he made a move. The pressure of his soul power had reached the level of a seventy-fifth rank. While Meng Shu didn't show it on his face, he was internally shocked. This child was truly as terrifying as his wife had said, with talent so high it was frightening. With his Spirit Elder cultivation, he could withstand the pressure of a Spirit Saint level.

Zhou Hao gritted his teeth, feeling as if every bone in his body was creaking. Finally, he silently activated his Sign-In System in his mind.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host, Sign-in is successful  ]

[The reward has been temporarily stored ] 

[ Reminder: Two more check-ins will grant the title of Check-In Master with unknown effects ]

"Use the reward!" Zhou Hao didn't hesitate. Although he still had many hidden treasures in his ring, they were not enough for Unrivaled Dragon Serpent.

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, Zhou Hao instantly felt a coolness in his brain. A strange energy enveloped his entire head, and it seemed as if all external forces had lost their connection to him. Even Meng Shu's pressure was blocked out. Zhou Hao's brain started spinning rapidly, and his thinking abilities seemed to have directly improved by a notch.

Meng Shu looked at Zhou Hao, who had already closed his eyes, with confusion, not knowing what tricks this kid was playing. Then Zhou Hao opened his eyes, and his clear and cool gaze emitted a deep blue light as if it could see through people's hearts.

"The things you want to ask about are all coincidences. Actually, we're just here to find someone. Xiao San is running at the front, and everyone else is behind. Teacher Zhao and the others should be coming soon."

Zhou Hao remained calm. With his spiritual power enhanced by the 50,000-year Skull Spirit Bone, he had reached the level of an ordinary Spirit Saint, and Meng Shu's pressure had no effect on him.

"Skull Spirit Bone!" Meng Shu became even more astonished and calculated in his mind. If this child couldn't be used by him, he must be eliminated today. With such a spirit bone, it might not be impossible for him to become a Douluo in the future if he were used by Yiran.

He glanced at his granddaughter, whose eyes were now shining brightly. The eight best-matched soul rings on his body suddenly rose, and he asked, "I'll give you one last chance to join my family. I can betroth Yiran to you, but you must be forever loyal to my family. If you agree, I'll let go of your friend. If you refuse, both of you will die together!"

Meng Shu's words were full of confidence. Here, he believed that nothing could escape from his grasp, not even Zhao Wuji.

Yiran's beautiful eyes lit up as she looked at Zhou Hao's handsome face. It seemed that she wasn't as angry anymore.

"I have to tell you, senior, a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape came here just now and captured one of our people. You better calm down, or I'll call that one over, and none of us will survive."

"You're just trying to buy time. I'll give you ten breaths. I'll kill your friend first." Meng Shu chuckled sinisterly, showing his cunning nature.

"With my abilities, even if Zhao Wujinl were here, it would be as easy as flipping my hand to kill both of you."

"Oh, please go ahead, senior. I would love to see how a furious Titled Douluo would wipe out your family completely in the future." Zhou Hao smiled happily as if he were having a casual conversation.

"Are you threatening me? Where did this Title Douluo come from? Even if he comes, I naturally won't fear him. You're just a small Spirit Elder, and he's nothing more than a Spirit Grandmaster with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul. What background does he have? Your dean, Flender, is only a Spirit Douluo at best! Kid, you've miscalculated. I, Meng Shu, have roamed the soul master world for over fifty years and have never feared anyone." Meng Shu looked at Tang San, his eyes filled with killing intent.

....