At that moment, Xiao Wu curled her body into a ball mid-air before suddenly stretching out, her feet gathering Soul Power as she smashed down on the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's wounded Seven-Inch Spot!
"Thump!"
With a dull sound, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's body convulsed violently, its writhing immediately diminishing.
Dai Mubai seized the opportunity, gathering Soul Power in his fists as he struck fiercely at the serpent's head.
Xue Na gathered Thunderbolt in her palm, directing it through the wound at the serpent's Seven-Inch Spot into its body!
Moments later, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's body stopped writhing, clearly at its last gasp!
Su Yu and Zhao Wuji stood to the side, watching their seamless coordination with satisfied expressions.
Especially Zhao Wuji, whose typically fierce face had surprisingly softened somewhat.
"Well done, Little Monsters!" Zhao Wuji spoke first, his voice booming.
"Your coordination is excellent. Although this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent isn't among the top-tier offensive Soul Beasts, being able to subdue it steadily through teamwork truly makes me view you in a new light."
After speaking, he stepped forward and crouched down to carefully examine the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent.
His fingertips lightly traced the serpent's scales, sensing the residual Soul Power fluctuations before nodding after a moment:
"The age is just right, close to fourteen hundred years. Perfect for Oscar."
He then turned to look at Oscar nearby, jerking his chin: "Oscar, come here."
"Dean Flender planned this for you long ago - your third Soul Ring should be from this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent. Come quickly and absorb its Soul Ring."
Oscar was momentarily stunned before hurriedly running to the dying Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent.
After cautiously touching the serpent's body, he looked at Zhao Wuji with confusion:
"Teacher Zhao, how... how is this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent suitable for me?"
Oscar scratched his head, his tone full of bewilderment:
"Look at it - the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's attack power isn't strong, only its speed is passable!"
"But its speed isn't exceptionally fast either! It can't give my Sausage any special attributes! It doesn't seem compatible at all."
Seeing Oscar's completely bewildered expression, Zhao Wuji knew the kid hadn't properly studied the Soul Beast Compendium and couldn't help glaring at him:
"Oscar, I always tell you to study more, but you insist on selling sausages instead! You don't even know this! Can someone explain it to Oscar!"
He scanned Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun nearby, both of whom lowered their heads under his gaze.
Their understanding of the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent was only superficial. At this moment, Tang San stepped forward:
"Teacher Zhao, let me do it."
"Good, Tang San, you explain it to Oscar!"
"Yes, Teacher Zhao!"
"Although the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent itself is non-venomous, it's a rare non-venomous snake with powerful abilities."
"Its attack methods are indeed limited, mainly relying on body constriction to suffocate enemies, but its speed is extremely fast, especially in short bursts."
"The key lies in the crest on its head, which functions like a 'nutrient storage device' that constantly absorbs energy and nutrients from the surrounding environment."
"When facing danger, these stored nutrients instantly convert into kinetic energy, allowing the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's speed to surge dramatically for a short period."
"According to records, at its peak, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent can reach speeds of up to a kilometer per minute, making it extremely troublesome for either escape or ambush."
"Given your auxiliary-type Martial Soul, absorbing this Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's Soul Ring will likely grant you a speed-related Spirit Ability, and it's highly probable to be a burst-type one!"
"For example, it could allow your teammates to temporarily gain speed amplification similar to the serpent's, which would be highly beneficial for team battles."
"Additionally, due to its weak offensive power, the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent rarely survives past a thousand years in the Soul Beast Forest. We were quite lucky to encounter one with a suitable age for you."
Oscar's eyes grew brighter as he listened, scratching his head somewhat sheepishly as he grinned:
"So that's how it is... It seems this Soul Ring really is perfect for me. Thanks, Xiao San."
"No problem," Tang San shook his head.
Zhao Wuji snorted: "Hear that? This is the benefit of reading more!"
"When we return, copy the academy's 'Compendium of Soul Beasts' ten times to help you remember!"
"Ah? Ten times?"
Oscar made a pained face but didn't dare argue, obediently accepting the punishment.
"Oh... I understand, Teacher Zhao."
"Alright, stop making that face and hurry up to absorb it!"
Seeing Oscar's expression, Zhao Wuji waved his hand dismissively, pulling a sharp dagger from his waist and casually tossing it over.
"To avoid complications, make it quick," he pointed at the serpent's fleshy crest. "Stab right beneath its crest to pierce its brain directly. Be swift about it - this Soul Ring will soon be yours."
Oscar excitedly caught the dagger Zhao Wuji threw.
Now, this thousand-year Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent lay before him like a lamb waiting for slaughter.
Thinking about obtaining his third Spirit Ability, Oscar's hands trembled with excitement.
He took a deep breath and approached the serpent's head. Sunlight illuminated his face, revealing some nervousness but mostly eager anticipation.
"Don't be afraid, steady yourself," Dai Mubai encouraged quietly from nearby. "Just follow Teacher Zhao's instructions."
Just as Oscar positioned the dagger beneath the Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent's crest, a hoarse voice called out:
"Stop! This Soul Beast should be ours!"
Immediately after, two figures emerged from the direction the serpent had originally come from, appearing before the group.
The two were female, one old and one young.
The elderly woman appeared to be in her sixties or seventies, her silver hair meticulously combed and shimmering softly in the sunlight.
Despite her advanced age, she appeared exceptionally vigorous, her wrinkled face bearing a rosy, almost infant-like complexion that suggested unusual vitality.
Her eyes sparkled intensely with hidden sharpness, and her right hand gripped a three-meter-long snake-headed cane. The serpent carving at the cane's tip was so lifelike it seemed ready to flick its tongue at any moment.
More notably, six Soul Rings - Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black - circulated around her, clearly marking her as a Soul Emperor above level sixty.
The girl accompanying the old woman appeared about sixteen or seventeen, with neat ear-length short hair.
Her form-fitting black combat outfit accentuated her already well-proportioned figure, appearing both practical and feminine.
Her large, deep brown eyes were currently fixed intently on the dying Phoenix-Tailed Crested Serpent on the ground.
She also held a snake-headed cane in her hand, though it was slightly shorter than the old woman's, measuring about two meters in length.
Two yellow soul rings hovered around the girl, clearly marking her as a Great Soul Master.