Douluo Continent: Beginning with Signing in with Yan Lingji

"Alright, let's proceed," Snake Lady and Zhao Wuji nodded simultaneously.

Zhao Wuji was well aware of Zhao Ming's strength. Even though this snake was venomous, as long as Zhao Ming was cautious, there shouldn't be any issues.

"Be careful," Xiao Wu and the others expressed their concern. Even though they knew Zhao Ming was powerful, they couldn't help but feel a bit anxious.

"Don't you trust my strength by now? Watch me take it down in a single move," Zhao Ming replied with a smile.

"Ming, just… be careful, okay? Don't go getting yourself killed. I still need to spar with you," Meng Yiran muttered, her beautiful eyes fixed on him.

Meng Yiran was genuinely grateful. Zhao Ming had brought her here to find a spirit ring, and now he was risking danger to help her hunt the spirit beast.

She had intended to say something more caring, but the words caught in her throat. After all, they were only friends. If she showed too much concern, his girlfriends might misunderstand her intentions, thinking she was trying to steal their man. That wouldn't do.

For some reason, seeing Zhao Ming surrounded by so many beautiful girls made Meng Yiran feel a little strange. Especially when she watched him laughing and chatting with them while she struggled to find words. It left her feeling a bit disheartened.

Zhao Ming smiled back and kept his gaze fixed ahead.

To Zhao Ming, this Scaled Taipan Snake wasn't much different from the previous Wind-Tail Crowned Snake. It posed no significant threat.

While other soul masters might be cautious of the Taipan Snake's venom, Zhao Ming had no such fears. His body, enhanced by the Immortal Blood, was practically immune to such toxins.

By now, Zhao Wuji and Snake Lady had already engaged in combat with their respective soul beasts.

Both were incredibly powerful. Although Snake Lady was slightly weaker, her deep understanding of snake-type soul beasts gave her an edge.

However, the two of them were extremely cautious, knowing they couldn't afford to be careless.

With a calm smile, Zhao Ming advanced toward the young snake.

"Hisss…"

The Scaled Taipan Snake flicked its tongue, its eyes filled with a fierce glint as it swiftly lunged at Zhao Ming.

"Be careful!" Meng Yiran instinctively shouted, her voice laced with concern.

She knew how dangerous this soul beast was—one bite could mean certain death.

"A mere snake? It doesn't even deserve my attention," Zhao Ming scoffed. Clenching his fists, he punched the snake's body with tremendous force.

Boom!

A resounding crash echoed through the forest.

The Scaled Taipan Snake was sent flying, its scales shattered and broken.

Zhao Ming kicked off the ground, closing the distance in an instant, and delivered another punch straight to the snake's head.

The snake slammed into the ground, its massive form crumpling under the blow.

In just a few seconds, the thousand-year-old soul beast had been subdued.

Zhao Ming wasn't worried about the snake's venom; no toxin could withstand his Immortal Flame. This allowed him to fight with direct, brute force.

His display of power left both Snake Lady and Meng Yiran in awe, and even Zhao Wuji couldn't help but cast a side glance. With renewed determination, Zhao Wuji intensified his attacks. Both he and Snake Lady, despite their caution, easily repelled their respective snakes. Thousand-year soul beasts, though strong, lacked intelligence. After a brief exchange, the two snakes realized they were outmatched and fled.

However, the young Scaled Taipan Snake had no chance of escape.

Snakes are cold-blooded creatures. Living in the Star Dou Forest for a thousand years, they had no loyalty to their offspring and wouldn't sacrifice themselves for them.

"Why are you still standing there? Come and absorb the spirit ring," Zhao Ming called out, looking at Meng Yiran.

During the brief battle between Zhao Wuji and Snake Lady, Zhao Ming had already removed the young snake's fangs, making the process much safer.

"Oh…" Meng Yiran's mind was blank as she looked at Zhao Ming and nodded.

"You're really strong," she said, glancing at the snake's crushed head. She couldn't help but swallow hard.

Is this guy even human?

Despite being younger than her by several years, his strength was overwhelming.

The Scaled Taipan Snake was a creature even Spirit Emperors had to take seriously.

But in Zhao Ming's hands, it was as helpless as a fragile toy, defeated in just a few moves.

"I am strong. Do you like that?" Zhao Ming teased with a smile.

"Yes, I do," Meng Yiran blurted out without thinking. She recalled the image of Zhao Ming's powerful punch, and it left a deep impression on her.

But then, she realized her words and blushed. She shot Zhao Ming a sharp glare with her beautiful eyes. "Don't get the wrong idea; I meant your strength, not you."

After saying that, she glanced at Ning Rongrong and the others, relieved to see they seemed unbothered.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Ming decided to let it go.

After all, they had just met today. Being too forward might not be wise.

But that was alright. He was confident that, eventually, Meng Yiran would fall for him. It was just a matter of time.

"Of course, I understand. We only met today," Zhao Ming said with a gentle smile.

"Hmm," Meng Yiran nodded.

Snake Lady, observing from a distance, sighed inwardly. Decades ago, she had been young too, and had been pursued by many men.

With just a few words, Zhao Ming had managed to fluster her usually proud granddaughter. She saw it all clearly. Zhao Ming, with his powerful strength, monstrous talent, and bold charm, was a combination few women could resist.

As a woman herself, she knew young girls were often drawn to such qualities.

With such immense power and a naturally flirtatious nature, Zhao Ming was bound to have many women in the future.

But even so, Zhao Ming remained her ideal candidate for a grandson-in-law. The young men in their Beast Clan weren't even as strong as her granddaughter. For them, becoming a Spirit Sage would be the pinnacle of achievement.

But Zhao Ming—she couldn't see his limits.

She had lost count of how many times she had been astonished by him today. His unparalleled talent and his unprecedented martial spirit defied logic. Even thinking back now, it all felt surreal.

She had met many powerful figures in the martial spirit world, including several titled Douluos, despite being only a Spirit Emperor herself.

But none of those titled Douluos had ever left her feeling as awestruck as Zhao Ming did. She knew that none of them, at Zhao Ming's age, could match his talent.

A prodigy of this level, even with a few flaws, was still brilliant beyond measure.

After all, everyone has shortcomings; nobody is perfect. If Zhao Ming truly were flawless, it might seem too unreal.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.