Identity Exposed

"It seems you chose to trust me in the end, didn't you?"

Su Ge looked at Xiao Wu, his eyes carrying a deep sense of amusement.

Faced with his teasing, Xiao Wu shook her head, staring straight into his eyes.

"No? Then why did you still choose to come back with me?"

Seeing Xiao Wu shake her head, a hint of curiosity appeared on Su Ge's face, so he pressed for an answer.

"No, what I meant by shaking my head was that I have always trusted you."

"My words just now were simply because I was worried about what you would think after learning that I am a transformed soul beast."

As she spoke, a beautiful smile appeared on Xiao Wu's face as she watched Su Ge.

"But it seems I can rest easy now!"

"..."

Su Ge looked at the smile on Xiao Wu's face, and he had to admit that these words truly touched him.

"Alright, let's head back then."

Su Ge jumped down from the treetop and landed lightly on the ground.

Xiao Wu exchanged a greeting with the still-vigilant Er Ming. Under his reluctant gaze, she skipped over to follow behind Su Ge as they walked toward the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest.

On the way, after baring her identity to Su Ge, Xiao Wu seemed to have cast off some sort of restraint, constantly asking questions as they walked.

"Su Ge, why was your first soul ring a thousand-year one?"

"My martial soul has unique properties. Not only does it have a suppressive effect on soul beasts, but it also allows my body to withstand the energy impact of a thousand-year soul ring."

"Then did you hunt all of your soul rings yourself?"

"Yes, I hunted all of them."

"What are your third and fourth soul skills?"

"Why have you become so talkative?"

"I'm just curious..."

"..."

Er Ming stood on the hilltop, watching the two of them chatting and laughing as they walked into the woods, their figures gradually obscured by the trees until they were completely out of sight.

Er Ming then raised his fist, still feeling a lingering ache.

This human's monstrous level of talent was too terrifying; he had to tell Da Ming about this!

Thinking this, he ran toward the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest, preparing to properly discuss with Da Ming how they should treat this human who knew Xiao Wu's identity.

As Su Ge and Xiao Wu gradually approached the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest, following the path they had taken, they soon encountered the Shrek group who had been searching for them.

The first to encounter them was Tang San. His face was still filled with lingering panic, but upon seeing Su Ge returning with Xiao Wu, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Su Ge, Xiao Wu, it's so good that you're both safe!"

Looking at the relieved Tang San, Xiao Wu felt a slight resistance deep in her heart.

On the way back, Xiao Wu had asked Su Ge why he knew so many things, and specifically asked what exactly was going on.

Yet, under Su Ge's narration and supplementation, Xiao Wu discovered that the circumstances surrounding Tang San's mother were filled with suspicious details.

Even if she believed Tang San had no ulterior motives, that was based on the premise that he did not know she was a soul beast. And even if Tang San didn't, could she say the same for Tang Hao, who had clearly identified her?

Therefore, even though Su Ge told her not to act rashly, she had already developed an involuntary sense of resistance toward Tang San.

"We're fine. We'll talk about the details when we get back. I assume everyone has been following our trail to find us."

Su Ge waved his hand, interrupting Tang San, who was about to say more.

"Besides, this is the Star Dou Great Forest, after all. The Titan Giant Ape passed through here, scaring away the surrounding soul beasts, but that might not last for long."

"Even in this area, there is no shortage of ten-thousand-year soul beasts."

Under Su Ge's reminder, Tang San nodded in deep agreement. He then joined the two of them in heading toward the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, intending to reunite with Teacher Zhao Wuji and the others.

After traveling for a while longer, the three of them found the main group.

However, they were currently staying in place, the group remaining vigilant of their surroundings.

In the center, Zhu Zhuqing sat cross-legged on the ground. A soul beast lay dead beside her, and a purple soul ring hovered over her body; it appeared she was in the middle of absorbing her third soul ring.

"Su Ge, Xiao Wu, Tang San!"

"You're safe, that's truly great!"

Ning Rongrong stood where she was, noticing the three emerging from the depths first. A look of joy flashed across her face as she greeted them happily.

Zhao Wuji and Oscar looked over as well, and upon seeing the three walk out, they all let out a heavy sigh of relief.

The reason they had stayed here was because of the message Su Ge left on the path, stating that Zhu Zhuqing should absorb this suitable soul ring and that he would bring the others back safely.

Ultimately, Zhao Wuji decided to trust Su Ge and rely on his assessment of the current situation.

After all, his own state had declined after using his Martial Soul Avatar, leaving him at only fifty percent of his peak condition.

If he were to lead the others deeper, he feared that, let alone protecting the others, he might even fall into danger himself!

In the end, they could only remain where they were, guarding Zhu Zhuqing while she absorbed her soul ring and waiting for the three to return.

Now, it seemed that fortunately, everything was fine!

"Su Ge, I never expected you brat to actually bring everyone out!"

Zhao Wuji also let out a heavy sigh of relief. After all, Flender had told him that Tang San's background was not simple, and if anything happened to him, he would likely not have an easy time either.

However, although this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had been filled with anxiety, the final outcome was good.

"Since we're out, we'll wait for Zhu Zhuqing to finish absorbing her soul ring, and then we will immediately set off to leave the Star Dou Great Forest!"

"Even if someone else breaks through and needs a soul ring, they will have to obediently wait for the next time!"

Speaking at the end, Zhao Wuji specifically added this. Between the Covering the World Dragon and Snake couple and the King of the Forest, the Titan Giant Ape, even as a Soul Saint, he couldn't handle such back-to-back events!

Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, everyone couldn't help but laugh, and the previously somber atmosphere became a bit more lively.

After Zhu Zhuqing finished absorbing her soul ring, the group wasted no time in heading toward the exit of the Star Dou Great Forest.

After a long journey, they finally left the Star Dou Great Forest before nightfall and returned to a town where they could find lodging.

Regarding this life-or-death experience, the relationships between everyone had eased slightly; after all, they could now be considered to have shared a life-or-death bond.

Thus, at Dai Mubai's suggestion, they found a restaurant in town and held a proper meal to celebrate the fact that their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had ended without a catastrophe.

After the meal, Su Ge went to the roof of the hotel alone. Looking at the bright moonlight in the sky, he knew that the time for him to leave Shrek was drawing near.

"Su Ge..."