Zhao Wuji's heart jolted. Lowering his voice, he told Yu Xiaogang and the others what he had seen.
After a brief discussion, they decided to drive the Soul Beasts away first and take a closer look.
They released their soul power together, forcing the Soul Beasts back. Already wary of the man within their circle, the beasts roared and scattered when they saw the group's fierce approach. Before long, every last one had fled.
Silence returned to the woods, leaving only a few trampled leaves still gently spinning.
With nothing blocking their view, the man at the center was finally revealed in full. Zhao Wuji looked closely. It really was Tang Hao!
By now, Tang Hao had lost every trace of his former air of looking down upon the world.
Wounds covered his body, his right leg bent at a grotesque angle, and a patch of blackened blood seeped across his back. He lay slumped against a tree root, barely breathing.
If not for his familiar clothes, none of them might have dared recognize him.
Tang Hao seemed to recognize them when he saw them. As his tension eased, he could no longer hold on. His imposing aura faded completely, his eyes closed, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
Zhao Wuji hurried forward and carefully lifted Tang Hao onto his back.
His body was heavier than expected and carried a chill. Clearly, Tang Hao had forced himself to make it this far and could hold on no longer.
Carrying him, Zhao Wuji unconsciously softened even his footsteps, afraid of jostling the gravely wounded man.
Not daring to linger, the group continued onward.
Soul Beasts could appear at any moment in the Sunset Forest, not to mention the Spirit Hall pursuers searching in secret. They could not afford the slightest delay. After