After leaving the crowd, Ma Hongjun's figure vanished instantly.
Following Gu Yuena's guidance, he moved swiftly in a specific direction, not stopping until he saw two familiar figures.
"Da Ming? Er Ming?"
Seeing the massive forms of the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python, Ma Hongjun's eyes filled with doubt.
Did Gu Yuena bring me here just to reveal Xiao Wu's identity?
Confused, Ma Hongjun still walked forward.
The Azure Bull Python was the first to notice him. It raised its enormous head, peering at the small figure approaching.
Its posture was extremely respectful.
"Master," the Azure Bull Python said, bowing its head slightly.
It didn't know Ma Hongjun's exact identity, but it understood one thing clearly—the terrifying beings in the Great Land wouldn't allow a human to become the new leader of soul beasts without a good reason.
Since even they acknowledged Ma Hongjun, it had no reason to question it.
Ma Hongjun felt a little awkward. He wasn't sure what to say at that moment.
Thankfully, neither the Azure Bull Python nor the Titan Giant Ape seemed to care. Instead, they stepped aside to reveal Tang Hao and Tang San, who were hidden behind them.
Tang Hao was unconscious, while Tang San was still struggling—his face tense, his body restless.
Ma Hongjun's confusion deepened.
"I already told you, I have a way to make him disappear—permanently."
Gu Yuena's voice came from behind.
She walked forward slowly, her eyes falling on Tang San.
Tang San glared at Ma Hongjun, struggling fiercely.
"You brought me here... just because of him?" Ma Hongjun asked, pointing to Tang San.
Gu Yuena shook her head.
"No. I brought you here to help you resolve your mental issues."
"As the Phoenix God, you shouldn't have any weaknesses. I may not know your full plans, but I do know your spiritual power will become immensely important in the future."
"To restore our former glory, I'll do everything I can to support you."
Her tone was solemn.
Gu Yuena carried the hopes of the entire soul beast race. Their honor, their vengeance—all of it rested on her shoulders. And the stronger the Phoenix God became, the better their chances of success.
"What does my spiritual power have to do with him?" Ma Hongjun asked, still confused.
Does Tang San have some special method to boost mental strength?
He knew Tang San's background well. Even if Tang San gave up the Purple Demon Eye cultivation method, it would be useless to him.
"If it's just about learning a technique, I'm not interested."
Ma Hongjun waved his hand. Though he appreciated Gu Yuena's intentions, he didn't need such help.
"No."
"The cultivation method may not suit you, but it's extremely valuable to him."
"If it were just a technique, I wouldn't have waited this long."
A smile formed on Gu Yuena's lips.
She stepped up to Tang San, and her hands—white and smooth as jade—floated above his head.
Tang San wasn't stupid. He understood from their conversation that something was seriously wrong.
Fear filled his eyes as he saw Gu Yuena's movements.
He instinctively tried to shrink back—but he couldn't move.
His body was completely restrained.
When Gu Yuena clenched her fist slightly, Tang San's face twisted in pain.
Inside his spiritual sea of consciousness, Tian Meng let out a sharp, painful scream.
The sound sent Tang San into a panic.
Tian Meng was his last hope. If even Tian Meng was taken by this mysterious woman, he would never recover.
It all happened in just a few breaths.
Tang San collapsed to the ground, completely drained.
His mind was so weak and dizzy that he could barely keep his eyes open.
Summoning the last bit of strength, he tried to resist and stay conscious—but in the end, his eyelids drooped shut, and he fell into unconsciousness.
A glowing orb of soft white light appeared in Gu Yuena's palm.
"This is a portion of the Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's spirit. It contains pure spiritual energy."
"This kind of spiritual power can bypass any soul master's resistance and be absorbed directly."
She raised her palm, and the glowing orb floated toward Ma Hongjun.
"This power is the result of Tang San's cultivation efforts during this period. I have to admit, his technique is effective, and the energy he's built up is quite pure."
Gu Yuena nodded slightly in approval.
No wonder the Phoenix God had hesitated about letting him go.
With this kind of absurd cultivation speed, releasing him would've been like setting a tiger free—something even she wouldn't feel safe doing.
"Phoenix God, you can rest easy. The Tianmeng Ice Silkworm has now entered his sea of consciousness. From now on, any spiritual power he cultivates will be absorbed by the Ice Silkworm."
"When it accumulates enough, we can extract it directly from his body."
Gu Yuena's voice was calm and matter-of-fact.
To her, it was an honor for someone like Tang San to contribute his mental power to the Phoenix God.
Ma Hongjun was startled.
He hadn't expected Gu Yuena's methods to be so sophisticated. With this one move, she had completely crippled Tang San's future potential.
He had to admit—he was very satisfied with the result.
He hadn't taken Tang San's life, but from now on, Tang San would never pose a threat again.
He lifted his hand and gently touched the glowing orb with his fingertip.
A strange energy surged into his body, and Ma Hongjun immediately closed his eyes.
He guided the energy as it entered, causing ripples in his spiritual sea.
As more energy flowed in, his spiritual sea began to expand. What was once the size of a small lake was now growing larger and deeper.
Ma Hongjun hadn't expected such a rapid and effortless increase in his spiritual power.
Normally, improving spiritual strength required draining and replenishing one's energy over and over again.
Only after countless cycles of practice could progress be made.
But this pure energy didn't resist his original spiritual power at all.
Instead, it was eagerly absorbed—his spiritual force hungrily devouring the new power.
And as it did, his spiritual sea grew stronger and more vast.
In the time it took to take a single breath, Ma Hongjun's mental power had advanced the equivalent of ten years of hard cultivation.
"Whew…"
"This spiritual power expanded my sea of consciousness more than threefold," he muttered, deeply moved.
"Close your eyes," Gu Yuena said gently beside him. "In addition to this spiritual energy, I have one more gift for you."
Her words piqued Ma Hongjun's curiosity.
Feeling both expectant and intrigued, he closed his eyes, quietly waiting for Gu Yuena's next surprise.