"Hmm?"
"That scream... was it Yu Xiaogang's?"
Tang Yin's figure darted swiftly through the forest, fleeing toward safety. When he heard the agonized, heart-wrenching scream from behind, Yu Xiaogang immediately came to mind.
Had he been overwhelmed by the beast tide?
Zhu Zhuqing, held tightly in Tang Yin's arms with her own arms wrapped around his neck, also heard the scream and looked back.
Behind them, Zhao Wuji, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others were scrambling frantically in a desperate escape. Gone was their usual calm composure. Faced with the terrifying, locust-swarm-like beast tide, survival demanded every ounce of strength they had. Dignity was a joke in the face of death.
As for Yu Xiaogang? During their chaotic retreat, Flender had gone back to assist him. Now, separated from the group, there was no sign of him.
Zhu Zhuqing retracted her gaze and whispered, "Tang Yin, I can manage on my own. Let me down."
Tang Yin shook his head. "No. The beast tide's numbers are overwhelming. Their collective charge is devastating. At our current strength, resistance is futile—escape is the only option. Your speed is insufficient. Hold me tighter."
Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed with happiness. After a soft "Mm," she tightened her grip around his neck.
Ah Yin and Liu Erlong kept pace beside Tang Yin. They fully agreed with his assessment—resisting the tide was impossible; retreat was necessary. As for Yu Xiaogang's fate? Flender was with him. Their own survival was precarious enough.
"Teacher Zhao, what's wrong with those spirit beasts? Why are there so many?" Ma Hongjun gasped out mid-sprint.
"You ask me? Who am I supposed to ask?" Zhao Wuji retorted, his initial terror replaced by frustration. Their luck couldn't be worse.
"Hah... Hah... Too tired... We've been running forever. Can't we rest?" Ma Hong俊 panted heavily.
"Yeah, Teacher Zhao, I can't run much longer!" Oscar was drenched in sweat. He'd exhausted his spirit power making sausages for the group during the escape.
"If you want to live, dig deep and find every scrap of strength you have! This is beyond our control. We run."
"But what about the Master? He hasn't caught up!"
"He'll be fine. Flender's with him."
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others, reassured by Flender's flying ability, pushed their exhausted bodies to the limit, fleeing wildly to escape the tide's reach.
After hours of fleeing, Tang Yin, Ah Yin, Liu Erlong, Zhu Zhuqing, Zhao Wuji, Tang San, and the others were scattered by the relentless beast tide. Initially trying to flee together, Oscar's depleted spirit power prevented him from making Flying Mushroom Sausages. Zhao Wuji had to carry him, slowing them down and nearly allowing pursuing spirit beasts to catch them. This forced their separation from Tang Yin's group.
Tang Yin, Liu Erlong, Ah Yin, and Zhu Zhuqing reached a high slope, its elevation offering temporary safety from the tide below.
"We seem to have gotten separated from them," Liu Erlong said to Tang Yin.
Tang Yin nodded. "True. Unavoidable given the scale of the tide. Staying to fight meant death. I hope they're safe."
Liu Erlong, Ah Yin, and Zhu Zhuqing agreed. Resistance was hopeless against such numbers.
"What now, Tang Yin?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, worry evident. She'd never witnessed such a terrifying beast tide.
"We wait. Once the tide passes, we'll proceed: hunt spirit rings, then leave. We'll regroup with Yu Xiaogang and the others later."
Ah Yin, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing nodded. During the escape, Tang Yin had used his spirit abilities to leave controlling plants along their path. These acted as his eyes, scouting for threats and ensuring their safety. Similarly, Ah Yin, as the Blue Silver Emperor, extended her senses through nearby Blue Silver Grass, confirming their immediate surroundings were clear.
After thorough checks, Tang Yin and Ah Yin confirmed no sign of the rampaging beasts within several miles. Still, they decided against moving immediately. Night had fallen. They would camp here and move out at dawn.
Scouting the area, Tang Yin found a suitable spot near a river, perfect for setting up camp.
As Tang Yin began pitching tents...
Elsewhere, Zhao Wuji, Ma Hongjun, Tang San, Oscar, and the others reached a temporary haven.
Slumping against a boulder, Ma Hong俊 gasped, sweat-drenched. "Safe... now... right?"
"Should... be... Hah... I'm dead..." Oscar wheezed, collapsing beside him.
Tang San, faring slightly better, was still exhausted. He scanned the group, noting Tang Yin, Ah Yin, and the others were missing. "Teacher Zhao, we've been separated from my brother, my mother, and the others?"
"Chaos back there. That tide was monstrous. Separation was inevitable. Your brother has luck on his side; they'll be fine. I'm more worried about Flender and the Master."
Zhao Wuji's words brought back the memory of Yu Xiaogang's agonized scream. Though Flender had gone back, their absence was concerning.
After a moment, Zhao Wuji patted Tang San's shoulder. "Don't worry. They'll be alright."
Tang San nodded firmly. "Yes. I believe Teacher and Dean Flender will be fine."
Meanwhile, Flender had brought the unconscious Yu Xiaogang to a small pool deep within the Star Dou Forest. He was tending to Yu Xiaogang's wounds.
But seeing the utterly shattered remains of Yu Xiaogang's testicles, Flender let out a deep, heavy sigh.
Yu Xiaogang's manhood was completely destroyed.
"Thankfully treated quickly, or his life would have been forfeit," Flender muttered, looking down at his friend, knocked out by the excruciating pain. He dreaded what Yu Xiaogang's reaction would be upon waking to find his manhood gone.
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