After leaving Heaven Dou City, Qi Ling and Tang San did not linger for a moment and immediately set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.
Five years have passed, and not only Qi Ling misses Xiao Wu more deeply, but Tang San and the rest of the Shrek also miss Xiao Wu dearly. Everyone wants to know what Xiao Wu has become in the past five years.
On the way, Qi Ling also told Tang San about the unease in her heart. Although the feeling was very faint and Qi Ling could not be sure of the specifics, she was certain that something big would happen in the near future.
Explaining it to Tang San in advance was also to give him time to prepare mentally and to have someone else to discuss things with, since Tang San is a steady and reliable person who can often help Qi Ling.
After hearing Qi Ling's words, Tang San's expression became serious. As perceptive as he was, he naturally noticed that something was amiss lately. Even if he didn't have this feeling, Qi Ling's words alone were enough for Tang San to take it seriously.
The two arrived at the Star Dou Great Forest and, looking at the lush vegetation before them, couldn't help but feel great, as if they were on a vacation.
" Xiao San, do you think Xiao Wu has mastered the ability to turn into a rabbit after cultivating here for so long?" Qi Ling asked with a smile.
Tang San also said, "Her true form is a rabbit, so it wouldn't be strange if she really turned back into a rabbit."
"Haha, then we'd better be careful. Maybe one of those rabbits by the roadside is Xiao Wu in disguise, ready to scare us!" Qi Ling laughed.
In this forest, Tang San was much more popular than Qi Ling, because both his Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass, and his Blue Silver Domain were the closest to plants and animals. Whenever he used them, countless small animals would spontaneously flock to him.
As for Qi Ling, his various domains don't have this effect; they only instill fear in these creatures instinctively, not to mention his two Martial Soul, each more terrifying than the last.
Seeing Tang San with two or three little birds perched on his shoulder and a squirrel in his hand, Qi Ling couldn't help but feel envious. "That's great! When will I be this popular? I can only pet cats with Luna now; I'm completely immune to pets!"
Tang San then laughed and said, "Big brother, there are advantages to this too. Haven't you noticed that those powerful Soul Beast don't dare to approach us? This saves us a lot of trouble!"
"You talk as if I'm an insect repellent! What's so great about this ability?!" Qi Ling complained. "Catching a Soul Beast is harder than climbing to heaven, but when they see me, it's like they all grow two extra legs! Honestly!"
However, just as Tang San said, because of Qi Ling's powerful aura, the powerful Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest automatically avoided them. Only those silly little animals seemed not to be sensitive enough to this and kept moving closer to them.
After all, in terms of both quantity and quality, the Star Dou Great Forest is the largest in the continent in terms of Soul Beast. There are countless powerful Soul Beast in it, making it a place where danger and opportunity coexist.
Qi Ling had a rough idea of where Xiao Wu was; she should be near the lake in the forest where the Titan Giant Ape had taken her.
There, another powerful Soul Beast, the Sky Azure Bull Python, lived; it was arguably the most scenic spot in the entire forest.
So Qi Ling followed his memory and headed towards the center of the forest, but since it had been several years since he last came here, he naturally couldn't remember it so clearly.
The two groped their way deeper into the forest, but after searching for a whole day, they still couldn't find their destination and had no choice but to stop and prepare to camp on a high ground.
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass once again demonstrated its magical effects, and a tall house built from vegetation was quickly erected thanks to the Blue Silver Grass's efforts, making Qi Ling envious once more.
Just as the two were about to eat their dry rations and get some rest, Tang San suddenly frowned. He sensed something was wrong from the information the Blue Silver Grass had given him.
"Big brother, it seems like someone's coming! And there are quite a few of them, all very strong!" Tang San said. "They seem to be searching for something, making my Blue Silver Grass feel uneasy."
"Hmm? A person?" Qi Ling was slightly surprised, and immediately activated her Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils Truth, taking in all the situations in the distance.
In Qi Ling's view, a group of people, numbering more than twenty, were silently advancing through the forest. Although they were all dressed in black, it was obvious that they were from the Spirit Hall.
It seems that Qian Xunji ultimately didn't want to let Xiao Wu go and sent people after all. But what really surprised Qi Ling Qi Ling was that she also spotted Hu Liena among these people.
As the Holy Maiden of the Spirit Hall, Hu Liena is not only Bibi Dong's most valued disciple, but also one of her most trusted people. So, logically speaking, she should never be here!
Could it be that Bibi Dong also gave the order for Hu Liena to come here? No, that's impossible. Even though they haven't seen each other for five years, Qi Ling still trusts Bibi Dong completely.
Did Hu Liena come without Bibi Dong's knowledge? That's impossible. Putting aside the impact this would have on their relationship, Hu Liena herself doesn't seem like the type to abandon everything for personal gain.
" Xiao San, the people you sensed should be from the Spirit Hall! They're about 3,000 meters away from us, and at this speed, they'll meet us in ten minutes," Qi Ling said. "There are about twenty of them, and they're very strong."
Tang San was surprised. He had only sensed the presence of the other party, but his elder brother had even figured out their numbers. This was simply too exaggerated.
"Big brother, what should we do? Should we stop them, or should we find Xiao Wu before they do?" Tang San asked.
Qi Ling pondered, "No rush! Since they're here to deal with Xiao Wu, they must know about Da Ming and Er Ming. In a direct confrontation, the two of us alone might not be a match."
"Furthermore, there's something else that's bothering me: I spotted Hu Liena among them," Qi Ling said. "Do you understand the significance of that?"
Tang San was also taken aback when he heard Hu Liena's name. He immediately thought of the person who had shared life and death with him for two years, the second woman who had stirred his heart.
" Hu Liena, why...?" Tang San couldn't understand why Hu Liena was here, and what worried him even more was, what should he do if Hu Liena really wanted to be their enemy? Could he bring himself to harm Hu Liena?