After their journey to the Star Dou Forest, where Chen Xiaoming had a fierce battle with the Titan Giant Ape and successfully returned, he led Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others deeper into the forest in search of more opportunities.
Due to Chen Xiaoming's intervention, Tang San did not chase after his own and never encountered the Man-Faced Demon Spider. However, as if by fate, on the second day of their expedition, a Man-Faced Demon Spider suddenly leaped out, attempting to ambush them. It was swiftly slain by Tang San, the Child of Destiny, using his hidden weapons.
What followed was like scenes from a drama, leaving Chen Xiaoming stunned.
That Man-Faced Demon Spider had undoubtedly surpassed Tang San's limits, yet, despite knowing this, Tang San insisted on absorbing its soul ring. He justified it with an impressive speech about how if he feared absorbing a thousand-year soul ring now, then a hundred-thousand-year soul ring would be an impossibility in the future.
"One must live without fear!"
Such stirring words! If Chen Xiaoming hadn't read the novel and known that Tang San, as the Child of Destiny, could absorb soul rings beyond his level without consequence—and even gain an external soul bone—he might have actually believed him.
As expected, Tang San successfully acquired his third soul ring along with the Man-Faced Demon Spider's external soul bone, making him look like a complete cheat character.
Meanwhile, due to Chen Xiaoming's presence, Xiao Wu refrained from breaking through level thirty and condensing her soul power.
Thus, after Tang San obtained his soul ring, the group set out on their journey back.
After more than a day of travel, they finally emerged from the Star Dou Forest. The bright sunlight bathed them, dispelling the forest's coldness and lifting the weight from their hearts, allowing them to relax.
"Let's go. We can rest once we reach the town," Chen Xiaoming said with a slight smile, leading the group toward the small town outside the forest.
At the town's inn, they rested for two days before finally making their way back to Shrek Academy.
During those two days, Xiao Wu remained by Tang San's side, her mood visibly downcast. No matter how much Tang San tried to ask, she refused to speak. Seeing this, Tang San chose not to press further and simply stayed by her side in quiet companionship.
After two days, they set off once again. By the end of the day, they finally arrived back at Shrek Academy.
"Finally home! It feels so good to be back!" Oscar exclaimed dramatically.
The journey to the Star Dou Forest had been exhausting, and all he wanted now was to collapse onto his bed and sleep.
"Alright, everyone, go get some rest," Chen Xiaoming said with a light chuckle, understanding their fatigue. However, as he glanced at Xiao Wu, who seemed distracted, a flicker of hesitation crossed his eyes before he spoke softly.
"Xiao Wu, stay for a moment."
Walking beside Tang San, Xiao Wu's body tensed. Her steps halted, and she instinctively grabbed Tang San's hand. Turning slightly, her eyes were filled with determination.
Has it finally come?
She thought to herself, then cast a deep, lingering gaze at Tang San. At this moment, she truly understood the depth of her love for him.
Slowly, her fingers slipped away from his grasp. With a gentle smile—the same smile as when they first met—she stepped toward Chen Xiaoming, making a silent farewell to Tang San in her heart.
"Brother, I'm leaving. Remember me. Don't forget me. I love you."
Behind her, Tang San's expression shifted. It felt as though Xiao Wu's farewell echoed in his mind. Yet, all he saw was her merely walking toward Chen Xiaoming, leaving him deeply confused.
Throughout their journey back, Tang San had sensed Xiao Wu's unease, as if she was afraid of something.
Before, he hadn't understood. But the moment she let go of his hand, he finally realized—the one Xiao Wu feared was Chen Xiaoming.
"Xiao Wu."
Although he didn't fully grasp the reason, Tang San instinctively stepped in front of her, activating his Purple Demon Eyes. His soul power surged, and his three soul rings gleamed beneath him.
"Brother..."
With a trembling voice and teary eyes, Xiao Wu felt overwhelmed with emotion. Tang San's silhouette burned into her memory.
"Xiao San, Xiao Wu!"
The departing Dai Mubai and the others heard the commotion and turned back, only to see Tang San activating his martial soul. Without hesitation, they rushed forward.
Dai Mubai's martial soul flared as he positioned himself beside Tang San. Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun took their places on either side, while Oscar and Ning Rongrong stood behind, their martial souls glowing in their hands.
"Xiao San, is there an enemy?"
Dai Mubai scanned the area cautiously, but the surroundings were silent. Apart from their group, there was no one else.
Still, Tang San did not answer. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Chen Xiaoming.
Dai Mubai was startled by this realization. A bad feeling rose in his heart, which was confirmed by Chen Xiaoming's next words.
"Oh? Xiao San, are you trying to stop me?"
Though his tone was calm, it carried an undeniable chill and killing intent. The surrounding temperature plummeted, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on Tang San, freezing him in place.
"Teacher Chen, is there some kind of misunderstanding?" Dai Mubai quickly interjected, sensing Tang San's struggle under the immense pressure.
But Chen Xiaoming remained unmoved. With a wave of his hand, thick vines erupted from the ground, instantly binding Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others in place.
In mere moments, the Shrek Seven Devils, all with soul power ranging between twenty and thirty levels, were restrained without even a chance to resist.
"I'll ask you one last time. Step aside, and I'll spare you."
With a glint of icy determination in his eyes, Chen Xiaoming increased the pressure on Tang San, whose external soul bone helped him endure. But even with that, it was like trying to douse a wildfire with a cup of water.
"Very well. You've made the worst possible choice."
The pressure intensified, and with a crisp sound, Tang San felt something inside him break. The immense force redirected toward his external soul bone, easing the burden slightly.
Chen Xiaoming's eyes flickered, noticing the change, but he quickly concealed his thoughts.
"Move aside. You're in the way."
With a flick of his wrist, vines shot up, ensnaring Tang San and tossing him aside.
The crushing pressure that had held him down suddenly vanished. Yet Tang San, eyes bloodshot, struggled against his bindings, muffled by the vine gag in his mouth.
Chen Xiaoming surveyed the bound figures of the Shrek Seven Devils with satisfaction. Lined up like that, they looked quite neat.
Initially, he had only wanted to speak with Xiao Wu. How had things escalated to this?
Looking at Tang San and Xiao Wu's predicament, Chen Xiaoming felt a playful amusement rise in him.
Well, he thought, might as well give this star-crossed couple a little push.
They only confessed their feelings during the Soul Master Tournament, only to be separated afterward, and six years later, they were nearly killed. Truly tragic.
Now, with Xiao Wu standing alone, Chen Xiaoming couldn't help but feel like a domineering villain oppressing the weak. A smirk curled his lips.
"I'll give you one last moment. Say your goodbyes."
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