Rescuing Xiao Wu, Xiao Qing's Little Thoughts

Xiao Qing covered Tang San's mouth with one hand, while his other hand pressed firmly against Tang San's shoulder, which was trembling slightly from agitation.

Xiao Qing's voice was kept extremely low: "Tang San, stay calm. The situation is unclear right now. Acting or making noise rashly will only provoke that Soul Beast and put Xiao Wu in immediate danger."

Tang San's body stiffened. He whipped his head around to look at Xiao Qing, his eyes filled with urgency. His lips moved beneath Xiao Qing's palm, but he could not produce a coherent sound.

Xiao Qing was right; although the Titan Giant Ape was heavily wounded and lethargic, it was still a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast. If he were to charge out and shout regardless of the consequences, he might completely enrage the injured behemoth.

Xiao Qing's gaze moved past Tang San to exchange a quick look with Teacher Zhao not far away.

Er Ming remained half-kneeling, unable to stand. Its abdominal wound rose and fell slightly with its breathing, seeping dark red blood. Clearly, the strike from Tang Hao's hammer had caused severe damage, significantly hindering its mobility.

Yet, perhaps because it had finally seen Xiao Wu, or perhaps because Er Ming was accustomed to being the hegemon of the Star Dou Forest, it was so weak that it failed to carefully perceive its surroundings.

Teacher Zhao naturally saw Xiao Wu as well, and his shock and suspicion were no less than Tang San's.

He could not fathom why this girl, usually so lively and agile, would run alone to stand before a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast that had been hunting them down just moments ago.

What he found even more incomprehensible was how Xiao Wu could stand there so "calmly."

Facing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, even one severely wounded, the absolute pressure on the level of life itself was enough to make an ordinary Soul Master lose their composure and tremble.

But at this moment, Teacher Zhao had no time to delve into these irrational details.

He was a teacher and the team leader; protecting the safety of every student was his primary responsibility.

Regardless of how Xiao Wu managed this, the most urgent task was to take her away from the side of that dangerous Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Teacher Zhao's gaze swept quickly across the scene.

The Titan Giant Ape was heavily wounded, its movement clearly restricted, and its desire to attack seemed low, but the threat remained. Xiao Wu was right under its nose; one slip-up, and that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast could leave Xiao Wu severely injured or even dead.

He had to create an opportunity for Tang San to safely take Xiao Wu away.

A plan quickly formed in Teacher Zhao's mind. He looked at Xiao Qing, conveying his intentions through eye contact and gestures.

He pointed at himself and Xiao Qing, then gestured toward a flank in another direction, performed an "attract and lure away" motion, and finally pointed toward Tang San and Xiao Wu, signaling "rescue and evacuate."

Xiao Qing instantly understood Teacher Zhao's meaning—he and Teacher Zhao would reveal themselves, creating enough noise and threat to draw the Titan Giant Ape's attention away from Tang San and Xiao Wu, buying Tang San the opportunity and time to take Xiao Wu away.

It was just that this plan was extremely risky.

Actively provoking a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, even if it were heavily wounded, did not mean it was something they could bully.

But at the moment, there seemed to be no better choice. A direct assault to save her had too low a success rate and would instantly place Xiao Wu in the most dangerous position.

Xiao Qing barely hesitated, nodding slightly at Teacher Zhao to signify his agreement.

His expression remained as usual, but deep within, a bolder and more adventurous thought emerged.

A heavily wounded Hundred-Thousand-Year Titan Giant Ape—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Normally, let alone hunting it, even getting close was a pipe dream. But now, it had been smashed into a state of severe injury by Tang Hao's hammer, its strength greatly diminished and its movements sluggish.

And on his side, he had Teacher Zhao, a Soul Saint, to assist with all his might, along with Xiao Feng, A'Man, and Thunder Feather, three powerful Soul Beast companions with cultivation levels approaching or reaching five or six thousand years.

Perhaps... there was a chance!

The risk was, of course, immense. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse; if a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast faced the danger of death, its counterattack would be absolutely terrifying. But the rewards were equally immeasurable!

If he could have his Soul Beast companions, especially Xiao Feng, land the final blow to gain experience points, Xiao Qing was almost certain that Xiao Feng could use this to break through the ten-thousand-year bottleneck and become a true Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!

Once Xiao Feng ascended to the ten-thousand-year level, combined with A'Man, Thunder Feather, and himself, it would be impossible for any Soul Master below the Soul Emperor level to threaten him.

This thought grew like wild grass in Xiao Qing's heart. He quickly transmitted new orders to Xiao Feng, A'Man, and Thunder Feather through their mental link:

"Wait for the opportunity, and ensure that Xiao Feng's attack is the final blow that defeats Er Ming!"

Seeing Xiao Qing agree so readily, a flicker of imperceptible appreciation flashed in Teacher Zhao's eyes.

He knew this plan was equally dangerous for Xiao Qing. Asking a Soul Elder in his thirties to participate in luring away a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, even if only as support, was nearly asking him to risk his life.

But he had no choice. Of the three present, Tang San had the lowest strength, and his Blue Silver Grass control would likely be more fragile than spider silk before the Titan Giant Ape. Bringing him along would not only be unhelpful but would become a burden, requiring him to be protected.

As for Xiao Qing, although his Soul Power Level was not high, his three ten-thousand-year Soul Beast companions could exert an effect far beyond his current level.

"Tang San, listen to me. I will lure the Titan Giant Ape away with Xiao Qing in a moment. You take the opportunity to go up and take Xiao Wu away. Whether she is willing or not, you must take her, do you understand!"

Teacher Zhao lowered his voice to emphasize this to Tang San, fearing that Tang San might soften his heart and refuse to take Xiao Wu, which would only waste the efforts of himself and Xiao Qing.

Tang San nodded vigorously; he knew this was the only chance to save Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Qing, are you ready?"

Teacher Zhao looked at Xiao Qing one last time, his expression grave.

Xiao Qing took a deep breath, suppressing the crazy thought of "hunting a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast" in his heart, and his eyes became calm once more.

"I am ready, Teacher Zhao."

Xiao Qing's voice was steady and ripple-free.

Teacher Zhao said no more. He made a "ready" gesture to Tang San, then looked at Xiao Qing and nodded firmly.

The next moment, Teacher Zhao's sturdy frame lunged out from behind the tree where they were hiding. As he lunged, Teacher Zhao stuffed Oscar's Recovery Big Sausage and Blood-Nourishing Sausage into his mouth.

The Recovery Big Sausage turned into a gentle stream of heat, quickly smoothing out the fatigue from his continuous flight and replenishing his consumed Soul Power.

As for the Blood-Nourishing Sausage, it transformed into an even more scorching energy upon entering his stomach, instantly spreading through his limbs and bones.

Zhao Wuji could clearly feel his strength, speed, and even the toughness of his muscles and bones climbing at a palpably rapid rate!

The boost provided by that "extra vitality" was even more significant than he had anticipated; his entire body was filled with an explosive sense of power, and the previous weakness was swept away entirely.

Although this power was temporary, it was exactly what he desperately needed at this moment!

Then, his Martial Soul, the Vajra Bear, instantly possessed him. Two yellow, two purple, and three black—seven soul rings rose defiantly, and the aura belonging to a Soul Saint erupted without reservation, aimed directly at the Titan Giant Ape!

"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Avatar!"

Dark golden light once again enveloped Zhao Wuji. He transformed into a five-meter-tall giant bear, let out a roar, and slammed his massive bear paws heavily against the ground!

"Third Soul Skill, Gravity Enhancement!"

"Fifth Soul Skill, Gravity Squeeze!"

A dual gravity field instantly centered on Zhao Wuji and enveloped the Titan Giant Ape!

Although it could not inflict substantial damage on a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, this sudden sense of restraint and oppression was undoubtedly the most direct provocation and lure!

Almost at the same time, the figure of Xiao Qing flashed out from the other side. He did not release his soul rings, but with a thought, he rode Xiao Feng to a distance and signaled for Xiao Feng and the others to seize the opportunity to launch a fierce attack on the Titan Giant Ape.