A few hours later, Tang San successfully absorbed the Man Faced Demon Spider's Soul Ring. He suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them, and couldn't help but shout with joy, "I did it!"
"Hmm, not bad." Zhao Wuji stepped forward and casually replied, his tone clearly perfunctory, his gaze still occasionally glancing at Lin Kong.
A hint of doubt flashed across Tang San's brow, but he didn't have time to delve into it. A more important matter occupied his thoughts. He glanced at everyone and said urgently, " Teacher Zhao, let's go find Xiao Wu now!"
He had acted rashly and rushed out alone, almost causing a disaster. Now that he had calmed down, he naturally wanted everyone to help him find Xiao Wu.
"Oh, don't rush." Zhao Wuji's attitude remained calm, even carrying a hint of obstruction.
These words stirred up Tang San's discontent. He suppressed his emotions and said firmly, "Whether you go or not, I must continue searching for Xiao Wu! And Lin Kong too..."
Only then did he finally notice the figure suspended in mid-air by the Eight Spider Lances, and exclaimed in surprise, "What's going on?!"
"He's absorbing the Soul Bone," Zhao Wuji explained simply.
" Soul Bone?!" Tang San's pupils suddenly contracted, his heart sank, and a thought surged into his mind, "What Soul Bone? Could it be... the Soul Bone dropped by the Man Faced Demon Spider?"
Yes! That's right! It must be!
Tang San was almost 100% certain that Lin Kong was absorbing the Soul Bone dropped by the Man Faced Demon Spider.
That Soul Bone should have belonged to him, just like the Soul Ring of the Man Faced Demon Spider. Only by combining the Soul Bone with the Soul Ring could the Man Faced Demon Spider's abilities be brought to their full potential!
"How could he absorb the Soul Bone of the Man Faced Demon Spider?" Tang San blurted out subconsciously.
" Tang San, what do you mean?" Ning Rongrong was the first to lose her temper and questioned him directly, her tone filled with anger.
Who is this person?
Upon waking, he immediately started yelling for Xiao Wu, completely forgetting that his previous recklessness had almost killed everyone. If he hadn't acted impulsively, how could Brother Lin have risked his life, how could he have been poisoned and on the verge of death, and how could he have been forced to absorb Soul Bone to save himself?
Now, instead of reflecting on their mistakes, they're interfering with Brother Lin's absorption of the Soul Bone. Do they expect everyone to continue fighting alongside him in the Star Dou Great Forest?
" Tang San, shut up!" Ma Hongjun suddenly stepped forward, his face flushed red. "If Brother Lin hadn't absorbed this Soul Bone, he would be dead by now! How dare you still babble?"
Oscar frowned, his tone serious. " Tang San, this has nothing to do with you, don't talk nonsense."
Zhu Zhuqing glanced coldly at Tang San, then let out a disdainful snort.
Dai Mubai sighed, stepped forward, put his arm around Tang San's shoulder, and forcefully pulled him aside. "Come, come, let me tell you what exactly happened just now."
" Dai Mubai, you should let him know how stupid he's been!" Ning Rongrong added bluntly, her anger undiminished.
Tang San, being pulled along by Dai Mubai, felt his dissatisfaction and doubt growing stronger as he looked at the hostile gazes of the crowd. He had a vague feeling that many things he didn't know must have happened during the few hours he was unconscious.
Soon, Tang San learned the whole story from Dai Mubai —from Lin Kong being poisoned and on the verge of death, to the Eight Spider Lances unexpectedly saving Lin Kong, and now Lin Kong being forced to absorb Soul Bone to save himself.
He walked back in silence, his fist clenched tightly in his sleeve until his knuckles turned white. Looking at Lin Kong, who was being held aloft by the Eight Spider Lances, he opened his mouth, but only managed to squeeze out a dry sentence. "Hmm, he's very suitable for absorbing Soul Bone."
There was not a trace of sincerity in those words, only a deliberately suppressed resentment and reluctance.
Tang San glanced deeply at the eight gleaming Spider Spear behind Lin Kong. The opportunity that should have belonged to him had ultimately fallen into someone else's hands. Without lingering, he turned and walked to the side.
This hypocrisy naturally didn't fool anyone, especially Ning Rongrong. Looking at Tang San's retreating figure, she let out a sneer, her tone full of mockery. "Tch! What are you pretending for?"
Tang San stumbled suddenly, his body swaying, but he didn't turn around. Instead, he quickened his pace and walked to a more distant corner.
Dai Mubai quickly followed and asked in a low voice, " Tang San, you don't intend to go find Xiao Wu alone right now, do you? You and Lin Kong always searched for Xiao Wu together before. It's too dangerous for you to go alone now!"
Tang San's body stiffened, his lips moved but he didn't say anything. That was indeed what he thought, but at this moment, he also knew that he simply didn't have the ability to venture deep into the Star Dou Great Forest alone.
"Wait a bit." Dai Mubai patted his shoulder gently. "Once Lin Kong has absorbed the Soul Bone, we'll discuss it together. Everyone will definitely help you find Xiao Wu."
Dai Mubai's words were somewhat insincere.
Whether everyone would be willing to risk going with Tang San to find Xiao Wu when that time comes is uncertain, but at least for now, absolutely no one would agree to leave—everyone must stay here to ensure that Lin Kong's absorption of the Soul Bone goes smoothly.
Dai Mubai's task was to keep Tang San calm and prevent him from acting impulsively. Given time, Tang San might be able to face reality and give up the idea of finding Xiao Wu.
Tang San didn't speak. He found an inconspicuous corner, squatted down, hugged his knees, and remained silent.
But within his heart, a raging storm was brewing, with anger and resentment threatening to engulf him.
" Lin Kong! You stole my Soul Bone! From this moment on, everything you did for me is wiped clean!"
"You're still the person I hate! It's because of you that I can't lead everyone to find Xiao Wu right now!"
" Lin Kong!!!"
He buried his head between his knees, his eyes churning with intense jealousy and resentment, but he could only suppress it, daring not to show it.
This scene was completely witnessed by Xiao Wu, who was not far away. The Titan Giant Ape used its Soul Power to isolate its own aura, while clearly transmitting the conversation of the people below to her ears. She could hear every word clearly.
" Xiao San, Brother Lin... So you two actually risked your lives to come find me?" Xiao Wu's heart clenched, a warm feeling welled up inside her, and her eyes welled up with tears, turning slightly red.
Her gaze fell on Tang San, her lips pursed slightly, and her expression gradually became complicated.
If Tang San were to disregard everything and insist on finding her even knowing the danger, Xiao Wu might be even more moved and might even feel that she is unique in his heart.
But Tang San didn't.
She could understand his concerns—the depths of the Star Dou Great Forest were fraught with danger, and being "captured" would be a near-certain death, with almost no chance of being found.
I understand, but deep down, a sense of disappointment still rises uncontrollably.
It turns out that Tang San only chased after her recklessly when she was first captured, because he lost his mind. But when Tang San calmed down and began to weigh the risks and gains, that impulse disappeared.
This rationality, which should have been a virtue, now felt like a tiny thorn, gently pricking her heart.
Xiao Wu silently retracted her legs, which were dangling in mid-air, and hugged her knees tightly with her arms. She gently rested her chin on her knees, her gaze still fixed on the crowd below, but the light in her eyes had dimmed slightly.
The wind rustled through the woods, ruffling her hair and stirring up the quiet sense of loss that was growing within her.