With bloodstains on his lips, Tang San remained deaf to everything, even though he had sustained internal injuries. He activated his Purple Demon Eye, his vision solely focused on the traces left by the Titan Giant Ape’s departure.
However, his speed and familiarity with the terrain were ultimately no match for the Titan Giant Ape.
It had arrived silently, and even more so when it wished to depart.
After chasing for only a little over two hundred meters, Tang San completely lost the Titan Giant Ape’s trail within the vast soul beast forest.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun lifted his dirt-covered head from the ground, rubbing his rear that had just been kicked hard by Tang San. He could only gasp inwardly, not daring to cry out in the heavy and sorrowful atmosphere.
Ning Rongrong, supported by Oscar, stood unsteadily. The aftermath of the previous roar, imbued with mental shock, still lingered, causing her head to spin. Her legs felt weak, and she leaned her weight against the equally disheveled Oscar, looking worriedly in the direction Tang San had gone.
"Crack,"
Dai Mubai, carrying Zhu Zhuqing who had fainted, snapped a twig underfoot. Zhao Wuji also painfully crawled up from the ground.
The survivors, having narrowly escaped death, exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
If they had merely been a hunting party composed of idle soul masters, they would have felt only sadness at the loss of a teammate, for they had survived.
But they were classmates, future companions who would spend a long time together at Shrek Academy. Even though they had survived, there were still… classmates…
"Bang—"
Zhao Wuji punched a tree trunk, which had been bent by the strong winds, leaving a deep fist imprint. His face was filled with grief and heartache.
He couldn't accept the outcome of his students being captured by the Titan Giant Ape, his inability to rescue them, and the uncertain fate of his students.
"Tap, tap,"
Emerging from the dispersing dust, Tang San appeared with his chest clutched, his head bowed, and his face pale.
Their gazes were involuntarily drawn to Tang San's back. Upon seeing the empty expanse, the light in their eyes turned heavy, and their expressions became solemn as they watched the staggering Tang San.
"Tang San, are you alright?" Zhao Wuji asked, his face filled with guilt as he looked at the pale Tang San.
Tang San shook his head. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly "whooshed" and spat out a mouthful of blood.
After all, the Titan Giant Ape was a soul beast of over ten thousand years.
Even though the Titan Giant Ape had held back, its restraint still inflicted considerable damage on the weaker Tang San and the others.
Furthermore, Tang San, who had directly faced the Titan Giant Ape, experienced immense pain after the close-range shockwave, his blood churning and his internal organs feeling as if they were being crushed out of place.
Ultimately, Tang San temporarily abandoned speaking and silently walked to Oscar and Ning Rongrong's side.
Seeing Tang San's silence, Zhao Wuji felt a pang of distress. "I never expected the Titan Giant Ape to appear at the outer edge of the forest. This is my fault… it's all my fault for not being able to stop it…"
Mentioning the painful event, Tang San's shoulders trembled, his fists clenched tightly, and he said with a hoarse voice, "No, it's not your fault. It's my fault for not protecting my sister and Xiao Wu…"
His voice was unexpectedly calm, like still water, all its vitality and spirit instantly drained.
Zhao Wuji sighed as he looked at Tang San's bowed head, "Alas, let's rest and recover here for now, then find another place to make new plans."
Oscar was about to nod when a hoarse voice, which he had just heard, suddenly drifted into his ears—
'Xiao Ao, if you're my brother, give me a mushroom sausage.'
Oscar was startled. He instinctively looked at Ning Rongrong beside him, only to see her still rubbing her throbbing temples, showing no reaction.
His pupils constricted. Seemingly realizing something, his dry lips moved. He turned his head, and his eyes met Tang San's, nearly making him cry out in surprise.
Tang San's eyes were now a viscous blood-red, like deep whirlpools churning with terrifying undercurrents, exuding an indescribable ferocity and an eerie aura.
He knew why Tang San wanted the mushroom sausage.
Logically, he couldn't just stand by and watch his brother go to his death again. But when he met those blood-thick eyes, the words of劝告 (quàn gào - advice/warning) on the tip of Oscar's tongue refused to come out.
Losing his closest sister and childhood sweetheart in rapid succession within a few minutes, Oscar could barely imagine the blow it was to Tang San, who he knew valued Tang Sui so dearly. Sudan Novel Network.
Even though Xiao Wu wasn't often mentioned by Tang San, the tenderness in Tang San's eyes whenever he looked at Xiao Wu was undeniable.
Forget it!
Oscar gritted his teeth and cautiously began chanting the incantation for his third soul skill.
The mushroom sausage he had just made was nowhere to be found after the violent shockwave. He had to make a new one.
However, making a new one required Oscar to chant the incantation. Lacking Tang San's secret transmission, he had to speak it aloud, which Ning Rongrong beside him would definitely hear.
"Xiao Ao, what are you doing?" Ning Rongrong asked subconsciously, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
Zhao Wuji, in particular, immediately sensed something was amiss. But Oscar's mushroom sausage was already made. Tang San, who had been looking weak and listless with his head bowed, suddenly sharpened his gaze and, with lightning speed, snatched the newly made flying mushroom sausage from Oscar and swallowed the mini pink sausage in one gulp.