Chapter 78: Xiao Wu Returns

Yu Tianyun did not continue searching for Tang San; the soul bone had already been seized, making Tang San worthless. Yu Tianyun headed straight back, the Star Dou Great Forest was fraught with danger, and Zhao Wuji was also injured, which made him worry that Ning Rongrong and the others might suffer another accident.

However, he didn't fly far before encountering the group coming toward him, and Yu Tianyun immediately descended before them. Two little kittens and Ning Rongrong rushed up at once, checking Yu Tianyun from head to toe for injuries.

When Ning Rongrong saw that Yu Tianyun was unharmed, she smiled with delight, pouted and said, "Brother Tianyun, are you okay? From now on you mustn't leave us to adventure alone!"

Yu Tianyun patted her head and replied, "Don't worry, I'll be fine!"

Zhao Wuji, still looking very pale, breathed a sigh of relief at Yu Tianyun's safety, then hurriedly asked, "We just heard a dragon's roar, so we rushed over. What exactly happened? Was Tang San with you?"

Yu Tianyun, hearing Zhao Wuji's question, gave a brief account of what had just occurred, omitting any mention of the soul bone.

"I chased Tang San all the way until I finally caught up with him ahead; at that moment he was confronting a Human‑faced Demon Spider. I blocked the spider for him, then he went off to chase the Titanic Giant Ape. After I slashed the spider down, the legendary Dragon‑Snake couple and their grandchild arrived, and after I sent them away I lost Tang San's trail. I was heading back when I ran into you."

Zhao Wuji nodded after hearing Yu Tianyun's story and said, "Hmm, as long as you reveal your identity, that legendary Dragon‑Snake couple won't dare trouble you. As for Tang San, he's so reckless; we still don't know where he went! We'll have to keep looking."

Zhao Wuji now harbored a lot of resentment toward Tang San; if it weren't for fearing Tang Hao's retaliation, he truly didn't want to bother with Tang San, since Tang San courted death by daring to chase the Titanic Giant Ape! They could only press on, and when they passed the corpse of that Human‑faced Demon Spider, everyone except Zhao Wuji turned pale and nearly vomited—the spider's death was that disgusting.

Yu Tianyun, his expression unchanged, explained, "That Human‑faced Demon Spider had over two thousand years of cultivation, extremely dangerous. I couldn't hold back; it took a huge effort to finish it, so its corpse looks rather tragic."

The Human‑faced Demon Spider, dubbed "the Evil Slayer," isn't as terrifying as the Titanic Giant Ape, but it is a top‑tier Soul Beast. Moreover, it's extremely cunning and sinister; two thousand years of cultivation makes it dreadfully formidable, even Zhao Wuji must handle it carefully. The group's assessment of Yu Tianyun's strength rose another level! As they marveled at the spider's corpse and Yu Tianyun's power, two faint footfalls reached Yu Tianyun's and Zhao Wuji's ears.

Yu Tianyun's soul power was higher, and he instantly recognized the newcomers' identities, yet he remained expressionless.

Because Zhao Wuji's leadership this time left two disciples' fates uncertain, his mood soured; his gaze turned icy in an instant. Without hesitation, he projected his powerful soul power forward and barked, "Who's there?"

"Ouch!" "Hmph!" a startled shout and a muffled grunt rang out together.

"Teacher Zhao, it's us!" a female voice called from the forest.

"Xiao Wu? Tang San?"

Hearing Xiao Wu's voice, everyone except Yu Tianyun was stunned; Zhao Wuji was the first to react, quickly withdrawing his soul pressure, and then two figures sprinted out of the trees.

It was indeed Xiao Wu and Tang San! Seeing them return unharmed, Zhao Wuji was pleased yet puzzled, and couldn't help asking, "Xiao Wu, Tang San, how did you get back?"

Faced with Zhao Wuji's question, Xiao Wu's expression was slightly odd, as if hiding something.

She still explained: after waking, she was left on a meadow; the Titanic Giant Ape had vanished, and many Soul Beasts around her were stunned. By chance a thousand‑year‑old rabbit‑type Soul Beast had absorbed its Soul Ring, making Xiao Wu a Soul Elder. She then met Tang San, and the two returned together! Though the whole episode was fantastical, seeing them safe, Zhao Wuji stopped probing.

Tang San then walked to Yu Tianyun, forced a faint smile, and said, "Yu Tianyun, thanks for shielding me from the Human‑faced Demon Spider. I owe you a favor; whenever you command, I'll do whatever I can."

Even if Tang San didn't thank him, he wouldn't mind, since he had already seized Tang San's External Attached Soul Bone.

Look, now Tang San still has to thank us!

However, a favor shouldn't go unreciprocated; Yu Tianyun nodded and said, "That Human‑faced Demon Spider's over two‑thousand‑year cultivation is indeed hard to handle. Since you put it that way, I'll gladly accept."

Tang San was startled; a Human‑faced Demon Spider with two‑thousand‑year cultivation is a huge debt to Yu Tianyun.

He should recall that years ago, to hunt a six‑hundred‑year‑old ghost vine, he even called upon the Soul Ancestor dean of Nuoding Academy, which secured the kill.

A Human‑faced Demon Spider with two‑thousand‑year cultivation is an absolutely terrifying being; even using his strongest hidden weapons might not slay it.

That colossal favor felt troublesome! Since Tang San and Xiao Wu had returned, Zhao Wuji immediately decided to rest a night and set out again at dawn to search for Tang San's Third Soul Ring.

Near midnight, the group found a relatively open clearing.

They pitched their tents again and fell asleep; the earlier night's events were truly heart‑pounding, leaving everyone mentally exhausted, and they soon drifted into dreamland.

Although Zhao Wuji was badly wounded, as a Soul Saint his mental state was far better, so he kept watch through the night.

At this moment he felt a string of recent bad luck clinging to him!

First, at the academy he was beaten by Tang Hao; then in a town near the Star Dou Great Forest he finally got a chance to vent on Ye Zhiqiu, but it didn't work out; after entering the Star Dou Great Forest he first encountered the Snake Matron, then the Titanic Giant Ape, and even got slapped. The Snake Matron was manageable with some clever words, but the Titanic Giant Ape is a hundred‑thousand‑year Soul Beast that even Tang Hao dares not provoke! He'd rather take a beating from Tang Hao than that slap.

These past few days were richer than anything he'd ever experienced, and fortunately all were thrilling without danger; otherwise old Zhao would have been scared to death.

Next time he'll never lead a party into the Star Dou Great Forest again; let Fland lead himself! At this point Yu Tianyun finally relaxed a bit, cradling the three women in the tent, yet he still didn't feel comfortable.

The tent wasn't very sound‑proof, and Yu Tianyun's skin wasn't that thick, so he could only watch, not eat.

What a real misfortune. (End of chapter)