Over the years, Yan had followed Yue Guan and humbly learned about plants and herbs. Together, they had gone through many experiences, fought off powerful enemies, and even faced life-and-death battles.
The bond between them had long since surpassed the simple teacher-student relationship.
In Yue Guan's heart, Yan was not only a disciple who made him proud but also someone close to him, like family.
Yue Guan had served under the Pope Bibi Dong for many years, so he knew well her character.
That woman, who held supreme authority and deep cunning, would never tolerate anyone betraying her.
Bibi Dong, high up and mighty, would not allow any grain of sand in her eyes; any existence that posed a threat to her would be ruthlessly suppressed or even destroyed.
How could Yue Guan bear to betray Yan and hand him over to the ruthless Bibi Dong?
Yue Guan stood quietly to the side, watching Yan with his eyes closed in deep concentration, fully immersed in absorbing the spirit ring.
That shining hundred-thousand-year spirit ring was a treasure that every spirit master would dream of.
Looking at Yan's calm face, Yue Guan's heart was filled with mixed emotions.
He never imagined that Yan would come this far, competing with Bibi Dong for the hundred-thousand-year spirit ring and spirit bone.
If Yan successfully absorbed this hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, he would have two of them.
It was insane.
Yan was only twenty-two years old.
Once Yan absorbed this hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, his strength would reach a new level.
But he would also completely stand in opposition to Bibi Dong.
If Bibi Dong found out about this, the consequences would be unimaginable.
This act of betrayal was an unforgivable crime in Bibi Dong's eyes.
What awaited Yan could very well be endless pursuit and the abyss of despair.
Yue Guan didn't want to see such an outcome.
He longed to protect Yan like before, but he also knew his own limitations.
At this moment, all he could do was respect and support Yan's decision; there was nothing else he could do.
"Don't worry, I won't betray Yan. Bing'er, you hold onto the spirit bone for now."
Seeing Yue Guan's attitude, the others finally relaxed a bit.
Shui Bing'er spoke softly:
"Elder Chrysanthemum, thank you."
"You must not tell anyone about my presence here."
"Elder Chrysanthemum, don't worry. We won't."
Yue Guan nodded.
Then, he took out from his spirit tool a faintly glowing snow-blood-colored Swan Kiss and several pills.
"These are detoxifying pills. You all take them quickly."
After speaking, Yue Guan threw the pills to Shui Bing'er, Feng Xiaotian, and the others.
The group exchanged glances, unsure of Yue Guan's intentions.
Shui Bing'er looked at the pill in her hand and, without hesitation, placed it in her mouth.
She trusted Yue Guan.
With Yue Guan's strength, he could easily kill all of them in a second without needing to poison them.
Seeing Shui Bing'er swallow the pill, the others also followed suit and swallowed theirs.
The snow-colored Swan Kiss floated out of Yue Guan's hand, slowly descending next to Yan.
The mixture, formed from three immortal herbs, immediately released a denser dark red mist that spread out around them.
The others didn't know the principle behind it, but they understood Yue Guan was helping Yan.
"Bing'er, I have to leave now. Once Yan wakes up, you all must leave this forest, as far as possible. Remember, you must make sure Yan remains hidden."
"Okay, I understand. Elder Chrysanthemum, thank you."
Yue Guan nodded, looked at Yan one last time, and sighed in his heart:
"Kid, this parting may be the last time I see you. Take care of yourself."
Before anyone could react, Yue Guan's figure disappeared into the red mist.
In the dense forest, everyone was searching.
Suddenly, Yue Guan's figure appeared.
"Elder Chrysanthemum, you're back."
"Yes, there's no trace of the giant beast within several dozen miles, perhaps it didn't flee in this direction. Let's check another side."
"Understood."
Then, the group continued their search.
On the other side, Gui Mei and Xie Yue's group had found nothing either.
Everyone was still searching carefully.
By the lake in the center of the forest.
Bibi Dong and a group of experts were staring intently at the movements in the lake.
Among the group was a water-attribute soul master.
Under Bibi Dong's command, the soul master had been submerged in the lake for a full hour but had yet to come back ashore.
Everyone knew in their hearts that the soul master had probably met with misfortune.
This lake was bottomless, exuding an air of hopelessness.
"Damn! I don't believe you won't come out."
Bibi Dong unleashed her Death Spider King martial soul, continuously injecting deadly spider poison into the lake, trying to force out the Sky Blue Bull Python and Xiao Wu.
But she could never have imagined that there was a secret passage at the bottom of the lake, leading elsewhere.
At this moment, the Sky Blue Bull Python and Xiao Wu were hiding inside that secret passage.
"Da Ming, how are you?"
The Sky Blue Bull Python was severely poisoned and had even lost one of its horns.
Xiao Wu was very worried.
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't worry. Although I can't remove the poison right away, it won't take my life. As long as I meditate at the bottom of the spring, I'll gradually recover."
"But the horn you lost won't grow back."
"Even so, it doesn't matter. I still have one horn left."
"I wonder how Er Ming is. It's all my fault; I've dragged you all into this."
Xiao Wu spoke, tears welling up in her eyes.
The Sky Blue Bull Python comforted her:
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't be sad. Er Ming is incredibly strong. How could they capture him? Maybe those people are already dead at Er Ming's hands."
"Mm, I hope Er Ming has gone far away and not encountered that detestable Bibi Dong."
Xiao Wu had underestimated Bibi Dong's strength. She never expected that even Da Ming, with nearly two hundred thousand years of cultivation, wasn't her match.
The Sky Blue Bull Python sighed:
"Sister Xiao Wu, even if we manage to escape this time, that venomous woman will still not let us go. This place is too dangerous. You can't stay here any longer. Go to a place with few humans, train properly, and come back later."
"But what will happen to you after I leave? That woman won't spare you."
Xiao Wu understood Da Ming's meaning.
Although the human environment was dangerous for her as a soul beast, she had already taken a human form, and soul masters below the Title Douluo level couldn't detect the soul beast aura on her.
Since Bibi Dong had already found them here, mingling with human society and acting cautiously was indeed safer than staying in the center of the forest.
"Sister Xiao Wu, don't worry. This entire vast forest is our territory. We can't defeat her, but we can hide from her."
"But..."
"Stop worrying. Ever since you came back, you've been feeling down. Er Ming and I both know there's someone on your mind. I think, the person you're thinking about must be very special. If possible, go find him."
Xiao Wu was startled and explained:
"His name is Tang San. He's a genius human soul master with twin martial souls, and he's the human I trust most."
"Tang San? If there's a chance in the future, bring him to meet us."
"Okay."
Mentioning Tang San, Xiao Wu's mood lightened a little.
The Sky Blue Bull Python urged:
"Sister Xiao Wu, there's no time to waste. Hurry and leave. Remember, be careful in front of evil humans."
"Mm, I'm leaving now. You all stay safe."
Xiao Wu knew that staying behind wouldn't help; she would only be a burden to Da Ming and Er Ming.
Leaving the forest and finding Tang San, the one she cared about, might be the better choice.