"Xiao Wu has brought Xiao San back, but he's in terrible condition!"
Flender shook his head before darting into the forest.
Within moments, Flender returned carrying Tang San, with Xiao Wu following behind.
Against all odds, Xiao Wu had actually managed to rescue Tang San.
At this moment, Xiao Wu became shrouded in mystery in the eyes of Ning Rongrong and the others.
An enemy that even Flender and Zhao Wuji couldn't handle.
Yet Xiao Wu had left for just a short while and returned with Tang San.
Zhao Wuji gave Xiao Wu a couple of uneasy glances.
During the academy's opening, he had knocked Xiao Wu unconscious. Could her background be even more formidable than Tang San's?
But he only entertained the thought briefly before focusing his attention on Tang San.
Tang San's curled-up posture gave Zhao Wuji a shock.
Though Tang San's body appeared intact with only bloodstains on his back, his complexion was deathly pale, looking as though he'd been completely drained.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, first: Power!"
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, second: Speed!"
Ning Rongrong's clear voice rang out as two beams of light shot forth, landing on Tang San.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's Soul Skills were enhancement-based, boosting various attributes of a Soul Master.
These enhancements also had effects similar to healing when a Soul Master was particularly weak.
When Ning Fengzhi, a Soul Saint, used these skills, their healing effects could surpass even dedicated healing Soul Masters.
Though Ning Rongrong couldn't achieve that level yet, she could still help restore some energy to Tang San's weakened body.
Meanwhile, Oscar mashed up the sausages he'd made, mixed them with water, and helped Tang San drink the mixture.
Flender also approached, channeling Soul Power into Tang San while using his spiritual sense to examine him.
The examination immediately revealed the problem.
Tang San's vitality was extremely faint, no different from those who indulged excessively in wine and women.
Occasionally, Tang San would twitch.
One could imagine that even in his unconscious state, Tang San must be trapped in nightmares.
"Who could have done this? What cruel method was used?"
Flender roared in anger.
"Boss Flender, how is Xiao San?" Zhao Wuji quickly asked.
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing all turned to look.
"During my travels across the continent, I heard of Evil Soul Masters who could devour others' vitality and Soul Power to cultivate. I suspect Xiao San encountered one such Evil Soul Master.
He appears completely drained, as if part of his life force has been consumed!"
Flender said with a grim expression.
"Will Third Brother die?" Xiao Wu asked, on the verge of tears.
"Xiao Wu, don't worry. At present, Xiao San's life isn't in danger. With Oscar and Rongrong's treatment, he should wake up soon.
Xiao San's Martial Soul is the Blue Silver Grass, which has strong vitality.
Once he regains consciousness and begins cultivating Soul Power, he'll recover quickly.
Rongrong, Oscar, administer treatment to Xiao San every hour.
The rest of you take turns resting. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, find a large tree to set up the tent above ground—don't let it touch the soil!
Zhao Wuji, you stand guard on the ground!"
Flender issued his orders directly.
Zhao Wuji was speechless—was he being made to face that Evil Soul Master directly?
But truth be told, he wasn't afraid.
Under the surprise attack of that Soul Master, Tang San was captured, but in a direct confrontation, he and Flender would have been no match.
Inside the tent.
Oscar laid Tang San down.
He had just administered another dose of Flender's restorative and healing medicine to Tang San.
After all this, Tang San finally regained a trace of color in his face.
His body also stopped trembling.
His eyelashes fluttered as he slowly opened his eyes.
Tang San's pupils were unfocused, his mind still in a dazed state.
He couldn't quite grasp the situation.
His thoughts drifted into memories.
After absorbing the Spirit Ring, it had mutated, growing eight spider legs. The legs were highly toxic, with razor-sharp tips, greatly enhancing his combat abilities.
Then, just as I retracted the spider legs into my body...
Yes, I think I saw the dean, Xiao Wu, and the others shouting in alarm!
And then, in that haze, I lost consciousness.
Where am I now?
"Third Brother!"
"Little San, how are you feeling?"
Tang San's eyes gradually focused, taking in Xiao Wu, Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Flender gathered around him.
He turned his senses inward.
The internal energy of the Mystic Heaven Skill was slowly circulating, repairing various parts of his body.
Gradually restoring his strength.
He tried to push himself up with his hands, only to feel a piercing pain shoot through his back.
"Ah—"
Tang San let out a cry of pain.
His arms fell back weakly.
"Little San, don't move. The bones in your back are too fragile right now—they can't support you sitting up yet!" Flender said.
"What... what happened?" Tang San's eyes dimmed as he demanded an answer.
No one could respond. Dai Mubai and the others all looked to Flender.
"Little San, you were attacked by an Evil Soul Master. A portion of your life force was drained.
The bones in your back have become very brittle. As the saying goes, 'a hundred days to mend broken bones.'
Though your life isn't in danger, it will still take months for you to recover. Don't rush it."
Flender sighed but told him the truth.
Tang San was mature for his age, and as Xiao Gang's disciple, Flender believed he could handle it.
Tang San's eyes burned with anger. He immediately channeled the Mystic Heaven Skill's energy to his back.
Sure enough, his bones felt fragile.
But that wasn't the worst of it.
The eight mutated spider legs from the Spirit Ring absorption were gone.
"The spider legs... they're gone." Tang San's face turned ashen, unable to accept it.
Though he hadn't yet tested the full power of the eight spider legs, he had sensed this mutation would be immensely beneficial.
It would have been his greatest trump card in the future.
The Man-faced Demon Spider's venom and the sharpness of its legs during their battle still sent shivers down his spine.
When he first discovered the mutation, he had thought it an incredible windfall.
But now, the energy of those eight spider legs had completely vanished.
Tang San refused to give up.
He kept probing his back with his internal energy, but there was no trace of the Eight Spider Lances' power left.
As if they had never existed.
Then, he detected scabbed-over areas—eight tiny holes.
Had the Evil Soul Master extracted his Eight Spider Lances through these?
Rage surged through Tang San.
"Why? Why would they do this to me?"
"Who was it? Dean, tell me who it was!" Tang San's voice was icy.
He, Tang San, was a disciple of the Tang Sect. Ambushes, poisons, hidden weapons, and assassinations were his specialties.
He was always the one taking advantage of others.
When had he ever suffered such a devastating loss?
The nightmare of his body convulsing still seemed vivid in his memory.
That pitch-black, never-ending nightmare sent a shiver down Tang San's spine.
Flender gave a bitter smile and could only recount the situation at the time.
He didn't know who it was—the other party hadn't even shown their face.
To this day, the only thing known was that the assailant possessed earth-escape abilities.
That was the sole distinguishing feature.
Tang San's survival was probably within his brothers' expectations. If they'd let him die so easily, wouldn't that have been too merciful? They would take their time dealing with Tang San—just wait and see, brothers.
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