The Gui Mei figure sensed that the power behind Tang Hao's hammer just now wasn't as fierce as before.
"Yur Guan, Tang Hao seems to be injured. Otherwise, that hammer strike just now, we might not have been able to withstand it."
Yue Guan nodded.
"I felt it too. Looks like he was badly hurt by the Supreme Pontiff. The last time he tried to smash the Supreme Pontiff Palace, that swing might've worsened his injuries."
"This trip to the Star Dou Forest wasn't completely fruitless. Tang Hao and his son showing up again if Her Holiness the Supreme Pontiff learns about this, she'll be very pleased."
"Yeah. They might've come to hunt soul beasts, or maybe they're looking for that rabbit. They probably won't return for a while. Let's head back and report."
This time, Yue Guan and the Gui Mei had spent a whole month searching the center of the Star Dou Forest for traces of the Sky Blue Bull Python and Xiao Wu, but had found nothing.
Running into Tang Hao and his son was an unexpected gain.
Soon after, the group left the Star Dou Forest.
On the other side—
Tang Hao took Tang San and escaped from the Star Dou Forest.
Tang San knew his father didn't fight those two elders from Spirit Hall directly because he was worried about his safety.
Tang Hao clutched his chest and coughed twice.
"Dad, are you okay?"
Tang San was a bit anxious. He'd always known about his father's internal injuries.
Last time, to save him and Xiao Wu, his father went all out, worsening the internal damage.
Tang Hao patted Tang San's shoulder and comforted him:
"Xiao San, don't worry, I'm fine."
"Dad, this herb can heal injuries. Take it quickly."
Tang San pulled out a Dragon Ganoderma from his Wishful Hundred Treasures Pouch and handed it to Tang Hao.
Tang Hao took it and swallowed it in one gulp.
"Xiao San, ever since your mother passed, I've had a lot of time to think things through. I'm no longer as impulsive as I used to be. With my body like this, I'm not really at an advantage facing those two Title Douluo. Keeping you safe is more important."
"Dad, I understand. Please take care of yourself and don't get upset."
Tang San thought about how, if the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well still existed, with the spiritual energy there, his father could've recovered well. His long-standing injuries might've even fully healed.
But that hope had been shattered because the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had been destroyed.
Thinking of this, Tang San's hatred for Yan deepened even more.
Suddenly, Tang San recalled what Yue Guan said and became worried about Xiao Wu.
"Dad, from what Chrysanthemum Douluo said, it sounded like they came specifically to look for Xiao Wu."
"Seems that way. But you don't need to worry. If they'd really found Xiao Wu, they wouldn't have been asking questions like that. To tell you the truth, Xiao Wu lives in the heart of the Star Dou Forest."
"Xiao Wu lives in the Star Dou Forest?"
Tang San was a bit emotional.
Over these past four years, he'd thought about Xiao Wu constantly and worried about her safety.
He knew that Bibi Dong wouldn't let Xiao Wu go easily after all, Xiao Wu was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast in human form, with a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and soul bone.
Running into people from Spirit Hall in the Star Dou Forest only confirmed his suspicions.
Tang Hao said:
"I originally planned to tell you later. In the core region at the heart of the forest lives a soul beast with nearly two hundred thousand years of cultivation. Even Title Douluo level soul masters aren't its match. Xiao Wu might be living there. Even if those Spirit Hall people find the place, they probably won't make it out alive."
Hearing this, Tang San finally felt a bit more at ease.
"Dad, let's head to Heaven Dou City first."
Tang San knew he still had more important matters to take care of, so he could only temporarily set aside finding Xiao Wu.
Then, the father and son arrived in Heaven Dou City.
"Xiao San, I won't go with you to Shrek Academy. You go on your own. We'll meet at the agreed place."
"Alright, I understand."
Tang San went alone to Shrek Academy.
Over the past few years, the academy had admitted many new students. Strangers came and went.
Looking at the scene before him, Tang San was filled with emotion.
Even though the academy looked the same as before, his closest friends might've already gone their separate ways.
"Mu Bai said that after the soul master tournament ended, he and Zhu Qing returned to the Star Luo Empire. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan encountered trouble and relocated to Heaven Dou City. Rong Rong is probably in Heaven Dou City. I wonder if Fatty and Xiao Ao are here too."
Tang San walked as he thought, when suddenly he saw a familiar back.
"Rong Rong?"
Tang San called out loudly.
Ning Rongrong turned around and saw a young man with long blue hair, looking surprised.
"You called me?"
Ning Rongrong didn't recognize Tang San.
In these past few years, Tang San's appearance had changed greatly due to the transformation of his martial soul. He no longer looked like the somewhat youthful boy he once was.
Ning Rongrong hadn't changed much. The family crisis had made her seem less arrogant than before.
"Rong Rong, it's me, Tang San."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong froze.
"You're… Third Brother?"
"Mm."
Tang San nodded in confirmation.
Ning Rongrong looked Tang San up and down, finding it hard to believe.
Aside from a hint of Tang San in his eyes, everything else was completely different from the Tang San she had known.
"Rongrong, stop staring. I really am Tang San."
"Third Brother, it's really you? That's wonderful!"
Ning Rongrong was a little emotional.
"Third Brother, come with me quickly. I'll take you to see Xiao Wu."
"What did you say? Xiao Wu is also at Shrek Academy?"
Tang San's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Mm. She's been waiting for you, and now she's finally waited long enough."
With overwhelming excitement, Tang San followed Ning Rongrong and was reunited with the Xiao Wu he had longed for day and night.
The two embraced and cried.
Tang San felt as if he were dreaming. Just earlier, he had been so worried about Xiao Wu's safety, yet unexpectedly, she was right here at Shrek Academy.
Afterward, Xiao Wu told Tang San everything she had experienced over the past few years.
Learning about her encounters in the core region of the forest, Tang San felt both furious and powerless.
"So you lived with two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts... Damn that Bibi Dong, she actually discovered your whereabouts. That place is no longer safe. Luckily, you made it to Shrek Academy. By the way, Bibi Dong went in person was Yan among that group?"
"Mm. Bibi Dong, the two elders, Xie Yue, and Hu Liena were all there, but Yan was the only one missing. I found that strange too."
Tang San was also a little puzzled.
"Alright, forget about him for now. It's enough that you're safe."
"Brother, I was the one who brought trouble to all of you."
"Don't say such foolish things. Actually, my mother, like you, was also a hundred-thousand-year soul beast who took human form."
"Really?"
"Mm."
Then, Tang San told Xiao Wu about his background and what he had gone through over the years.
"Xiao Wu, I will definitely protect you, and never let the tragedy that happened to my parents happen to us."
"Brother, thank you. With that promise, I'd die without regret."
Xiao Wu was moved to tears.
Watching the two lean on each other, Ning Rongrong felt happy for them, yet also a bit downhearted.
Back then, Oscar had left Ning Rongrong decisively in order to prove himself, vowing not to return until he had become stronger.
Ning Rongrong already regretted it, and now longed for Oscar's early return.
Little did she know, once Oscar left, he would never return again.