Douluo Dalu: The Path of Abyss

Two figures emerged from the direction the Snow Eagle had flown from earlier.

One was an elderly man, appearing in his sixties or seventies, with short white hair, a goat-like beard, and dressed in finely tailored robes that exuded a sense of wealth and dignity. His skin was rosy, almost childlike, and a pair of piercing blue eyes locked onto the fallen Snow Eagle at Ye Feng's feet.

The other was a young girl, likely in her early teens, standing with the old man. She was dressed neatly in an outfit that outlined her slender, growing figure. Her long, aquamarine hair cascaded down her back, framing a face marked by delicate features and fair skin. While she might not have seemed stunning at first glance, her quiet beauty revealed itself upon closer inspection—a subtle allure with an air of mystery. Her blue eyes also fixed intently on the Snow Eagle.

Jian Dao Chen Xin broke the silence, his tone calms yet sharp enough to cut through the air. "What is the matter?"

The elderly man introduced himself politely, saying, "I am Shui Ruohan." As he spoke, seven soul rings appeared beneath his feet, radiating their respective colors: two yellow, two purple, and three black. The configuration marked him as a Spirit Sage.

Behind Shui Ruohan, icy energy condensed into the form of a majestic ice phoenix, revealing his top-tier beast martial soul—Ice Phoenix.

Jian Dao Chen Xin remained quiet, his sharp gaze falling on Shui Ruohan as though dissecting the man's very essence.

"Your Excellency," Shui Ruohan began, "I must request that you allow us to claim this soul beast. It is not suitable for this child to absorb its soul ring."

"Why not?" Jian Dao Chen Xin's voice was as cold as a blade.

Shui Ruohan clasped his hands behind his back and explained, "Because we discovered this Snow Eagle first."

Ye Feng, standing nearby, was taken aback. He glanced at Shui Ruohan in surprise, the events from the original storyline of Douluo Dalu flashing through his mind. But this situation was different. Instead of encountering Meng Yiran and the Snake Woman Chao Tianxiang, he was facing Shui Ruohan, a Soul Sage, and his granddaughter.

Ice Phoenix martial soul?

Ye Feng's heart skipped a beat. His gaze instinctively shifted to the girl. If his suspicions were correct, these two were from Tianshui Academy, and the girl was Shui Bing'er—the prodigy who once made Tang San question his cultivation with the Clear Sky Hammer.

"How do you intend to prove that you were the first to find this soul beast?" Ye Feng asked, his tone steady.

Shui Ruohan smiled. "It is simple. If you inspect the Snow Eagle's belly, you will find several scars. Those are the marks left by my soul skills. If not for its cunning nature, Bing'er would have already obtained its soul ring."

Ye Feng squatted down, flipping the Snow Eagle to inspect its underside. As Shui Ruohan had claimed, there were indeed several bloody scars on the eagle's belly—clear evidence of prior combat. These marks were not from Jian Dao Chen Xin's sword, confirming Shui Ruohan's statement.

"Fair enough," Ye Feng conceded. "But had my master not intercepted this Snow Eagle, it would have escaped regardless of your efforts."

Shui Ruohan nodded graciously. "You have a point, young man. Without your intervention, the Snow Eagle might indeed have eluded us. However, the fact remains that this soul beast was already severely injured by us before you intervened. How about this: let us resolve this matter with a fair competition. My granddaughter and you shall duel. The victor will claim the Snow Eagle's soul ring."

Ye Feng hesitated. Familiar with Shui Bing'er's talent and knowing her first soul skill involved powerful ice control, he was unsure of his chances. His own abilities were limited to auxiliary support and rudimentary combat skills, leaving him at a disadvantage.

Jian Dao Chen Xin's voice cut through Ye Feng's hesitation. "Are you certain this is what you want to do?"

Nine soul rings appeared beneath Jian Dao Chen Xin, glowing with an oppressive aura. The configuration—two yellow, two purple, and five black—marked him as a Titled Douluo of immense power.

"Seven Killing Sword…"

Shui Ruohan froze, his face draining of color. His lips trembled as he whispered, "Are you the Sword Douluo, Jian Dao Chen Xin?"

"Leave!" Jian Dao Chen Xin's voice boomed like thunder, carrying with it a domineering presence that made the air tremble.

Shui Ruohan's expression shifted rapidly, but under the immense pressure of a Titled Douluo, he had no choice but to bow respectfully. "Your Excellency, I apologize for any offense caused."

He turned to leave with Shui Bing'er.

"Wait!" Ye Feng called out, stopping them in their tracks.

Both Shui Ruohan and Shui Bing'er turned back, confusion evident on their faces. Even Jian Dao Chen Xin looked at Ye Feng with a hint of curiosity.

"I agree to the duel," Ye Feng said, his tone resolute.

Shui Bing'er blinked, clearly taken aback. "Are you sure?"

Ye Feng nodded. "I'm sure."

Shui Ruohan glanced at Jian Dao Chen Xin for confirmation. "Your Excellency, do you approve of this?"

Jian Dao Chen Xin's gaze fell on Ye Feng, his lips curving slightly into a rare smile. "If that's what Ye Feng wants, let it be so. A duel it is."

Although surprised, Jian Dao Chen Xin was eager to see how Ye Feng would handle the situation, especially given his limited combat abilities. Could Ye Feng have a strategy in mind—or was he planning to attempt the fusion of man and sword?

The stage was set. The battle between Ye Feng and Shui Bing'er would determine the ownership of the Snow Eagle's soul ring.