Two gritted teeth sounds were almost squeezed out from Yue Guan's molars.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei had partnered for over sixty years. Though not as close as blood brothers, they were like siblings, having experienced countless things together.
Just as Tang Sui cared about Qin Ming who was good to her and felt anger and killing intent towards anyone who wanted to kill him, Yue Guan's gaze at Tang Sui was equally enraged and menacing.
Tang Sui glanced at Gui Mei, who was being protected by Yue Guan, and snorted. She splayed her slender fingers, and seven masks flew out in unison, carrying black and red mist towards the group of Soul Sage-level powerhouses.
Yue Guan, who immediately saw through Tang Sui's plan to use a feint to escape, hardened his expression. Just as he was about to move, Gui Mei pulled him back.
"Don't chase. In a one-on-one fight, you are no match for her."
Gui Mei's voice was hoarse, as if he hadn't drunk water for days.
And as Yue Guan had predicted, after releasing the masks and the black mist, Tang Sui had already disappeared by the time the other soul masters' vision cleared.
The masks that had interfered with their attack also vanished without a trace.
Tang Sui, once again employing her Domain's Divine Speed to escape, flew at extreme speed towards the outer edges of the Star Dou Great Forest, intending to reach her next destination, Xilou City, and not waste time with Yue Guan and his group.
If she guessed correctly, Bibi Dong should still be in the Star Dou Great Forest with her people.
If she engaged in a prolonged fight, someone would go to report.
At that point, she would be outnumbered.
Convinced she had thought of everything, Tang Sui continued her journey with peace of mind.
Hei Mian, who saw through everything: [......]
[You've softened?]
Some things, others couldn't see through, but Hei Mian and the others, who were one with Tang Sui, understood her thoughts and intentions perfectly.
Tang Sui paused, lowered her eyes, and replied: 'Our paths diverge, we cannot make plans together. I merely feel that even beings as powerful as Title Douluo are filled with tragedy.'
'If I'm not mistaken, Bibi Dong should still be in the central area of the Star Dou Great Forest, searching for the Sky Blue Bull Python and the Titan Giant Ape, just as in the original timeline.'
'Those who are brought by Bibi Dong are undoubtedly people she values.'
'However, although Ju and Gui Douluo participated in this soul hunting operation, they appeared at the outer perimeter of the forest.'
A dark light flashed in her eyes, a mixture of mockery and light ridicule.
'Despite possessing the Two Extremes Stillness Domain, a spirit fusion skill with an almost cheat-like ability, the two Title Douluo are only assigned to patrol and clear the outer forest, doing this kind of logistical work. This proves that Ju and Gui Douluo are no longer highly favored by Bibi Dong.'
'To be so controlled by others, despite being a Title Douluo... I find it somewhat laughable, and also tragic.'
She became stronger to live more freely and unrestrainedly. They became stronger... to become better tools.
'Doesn't that sound ironic?'
Hei Mian fell silent.
After a few seconds, her voice rang out again: [Since that's the case, let us not be those who are controlled.]
......
By the time Tang Sui arrived at Xilou City, thousands of kilometers away from the Star Dou Great Forest, what greeted her eyes was a scene of devastation, with shattered walls and ruins, bearing the scars of battle.
Scorched earth, the pained moans of the wounded, the lingering scent of blood, and the sight of soldiers, their steps faltering, carrying and collecting the armbands and nameplates of the fallen, gathering them for a mass cremation, all testified that before Tang Sui's arrival, they had fought a fierce battle.
Tang Sui's gaze fell upon a soldier wearing dark gold armor with a Star Luo insignia, who was digging with his bare hands through a pile of crushed stones.
With great effort, the soldier moved aside the stones that had been piled up, revealing the corpse of another soldier in similar armor, crushed beneath the rubble to the point where he was no longer recognizable as human.
Tang Sui saw the soldier pause for a moment, his eyes turning red. His knees buckled, and with a "clang," he fell to the ground, gazing in grief at his fallen comrade.
That deformed, blood-soaked corpse might have been his family, or his sworn brother, but now he was one of the sacrifices.
Tang Sui's gaze darkened for a moment, and she swept her eyes over the others.
No one had the joy of surviving on their faces; all were filled with grief.
"Sui Sui."
A familiar voice rang out from diagonally below. Tang Sui looked towards Xiao Wu, her expression grave, and slowly descended from the air.
Her companions, who noticed the commotion, also gathered around after helping the soldiers beside them.
"Sui Sui, you're injured!" Oscar's gaze fell on Tang Sui's body, which was stained a deep, dark brown by blood, appearing to have dried into a crust from the passage of time.
Tang Sui, who had been hurrying towards Xilou City without stopping since leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, said reassuringly, "It's just a minor injury. I've already used my second spirit ability to treat it. However, there are still some residual toxins in my body, so I'll need your help, little Ao." Su Dan Novel Network
Upon hearing this, Oscar immediately chanted his food spirit incantation and handed Tang Sui a small cured sausage. He asked with concern, "Xiao San said you went to the Star Dou Great Forest to save Senior Qin. You were still injured despite your current strength; did you encounter Title Douluo from the Spirit Hall?"
Tang Sui nodded, "Yes, Senior Qin and the others should be safe now. I fought with Gui Douluo. Just as I was about to kill him, Ju Douluo arrived with reinforcements from the Spirit Hall. I guessed that Bibi Dong might also be in the Star Dou Great Forest, so I didn't continue to engage them and left."
Xiao Wu's expression grew solemn.
Bibi Dong, personally leading two Title Douluo, and possibly more Title Douluo, in the Star Dou Great Forest... that must have been for Da Ming and Er Ming...
If Da Ming and Er Ming hadn't been persuaded to transfer to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with Bo... Father and Mother, they would likely have been trapped by Bibi Dong by now.
Thinking of this, Xiao Wu felt a pang of fear.
Dai Mubai and the others comforted Tang Sui, "It's good that there's no serious harm. Sui Sui, you did the right thing."
Oscar scratched his head, "Then I'll go back to help settle the wounded soldiers. If you're looking for Xiao San, he's talking with His Majesty Xue Beng and the King of the Star Luo Empire."
Tang Sui said, "Okay."
Xue Beng, wearing a golden crown, and Dai Hao, the King of the Star Luo Empire, gazed at the desolate scene in the city. Xue Beng felt the burden on his shoulders grow heavier and said with guilt, "I never imagined that the Spirit Empire would bribe the City Lord of Xilou City. It's my negligence in managing my subordinates..."
He had believed the City Lord of Xilou City to be trustworthy, as the latter had once risked his life to save the late Emperor Xue Ye on the battlefield and was loyal to the Heaven Dou Empire.
Who knew that he had secretly sided with the Spirit Empire and helped them set a trap that nearly annihilated them all.
He was the one who had chosen the location for this secret meeting.
Thinking of this, Xue Beng felt even more guilty and anxiously speculated about the Star Luo Empire's stance, wondering if they would still agree to the alliance...