With Xiao Tianyang's reminder, Tang San also recognized the urgency of the situation.
Moreover, after being interrupted like this, the previous pleasant atmosphere vanished in an instant. All that remained were the surrounding gazes and the lingering shyness between the two.
Thus, Tang San quickly shook off those emotions, stepping forward to the dying Pit Demon Spider and driving his dagger into its head!
At this moment, everyone recalled the earlier scene and couldn't help but heighten their vigilance.
Though Liu Erlong had her suspicions, Xiao Tianyang's final move proved his actions were deliberate.
What was his purpose? There was no time to dwell on it now—nor to question him.
But one thing was certain: they were in the forest filled with soul beasts, where soul beasts harbored an innate, irreconcilable hostility toward humans.
The earlier encounter with the Man-faced Demon Spider had been a result of their own negligence as instructors.
Ultimately, Xiao Tianyang was merely conducting a test.
Even if his earlier behavior had been somewhat baffling, since no one was harmed, there was no need to dwell on it—at least from the perspective of Yu Xiaogang and Flender.
Liu Erlong, however, was another matter. No one could restrain her actions—not even Yu Xiaogang himself.
It was precisely because of this that Yu Xiaogang and the others dared not let their guard down.
Flender and Liu Erlong, being the strongest among them, took up patrol duties around the area.
Dai Mubai and the others followed suit.
Though they didn't know Liu Erlong well, they understood that their earlier carelessness had nearly led to disaster.
Thus, they swiftly formed a protective formation around Tang San while keeping watch over their surroundings.
Just then, Ma Hongjun suddenly whipped his head around, searching frantically.
"What are you looking for?" Oscar asked, smacking him on the back.
Ma Hongjun frowned. "Do you know when Edward left?"
Oscar froze, then glanced around. "When did he leave?"
"Why are you asking me?" Ma Hongjun rolled his eyes. "If I knew, would I be looking for him?"
"What are you two muttering about over there?" Dai Mubai frowned. "Stay focused—watch your surroundings."
The two nodded, their expressions turning serious again.
After what felt like an eternity, Tang San finally completed the absorption process.
As he had mentioned, absorbing the spirit ring was mentally taxing—but not outright dangerous.
Throughout the ordeal, Tang San had only furrowed his brows slightly, never once crying out in pain.
Pain, after all, was subjective. The same level of suffering could be experienced entirely differently by two people.
When Tang San finally opened his eyes, the worry in everyone's gaze melted away, replaced by joy and excitement.
"Tang San, did it go smoothly? What's your fourth soul skill?"
Ma Hongjun, the most eager of them all, stepped forward. "Also, what did you do to that Man-faced Demon Spider earlier?" He pointed at the pile of ashes nearby.
Tang San turned in surprise, his heart skipping a beat.
Though he knew his Eight Spider Lances had absorbed the creature's life energy, he hadn't expected it to be so thorough—leaving not even a corpse behind.
Before Tang San could respond, Oscar shot Ma Hongjun an exasperated look. "Must you bombard him with questions all at once? One at a time!"
"I'm just curious! Besides, who knows when Edward will show up again?" Ma Hongjun grumbled.
Tang San chuckled. "My fourth soul skill is—"
Before he could finish, the clanking of armor interrupted him.
Everyone spun around to see Saber approaching, her greatsword unsheathed, its cold gleam radiating an oppressive aura.
"Speak of the devil…" Ma Hongjun muttered darkly.
"Way to jinx it!" Oscar kicked him.
Though it wasn't Xiao Tianyang who had appeared, Saber was no pushover either.
If Xiao Tianyang had crushed them with overwhelming force, Saber had taught them the meaning of discipline!
"This is your final chance," Xiao Tianyang's voice rang out. He sat atop a boulder in the distance, the test token in hand. "Defeat her, and you pass."
Tang San quickly gathered the group. "No time for a new strategy—we'll adapt on the fly. My fourth soul skill, Blue Silver Prison, is a mass confinement skill…"
After a brief explanation, Saber lunged forward without hesitation, her blade trailing streaks of azure soul power.
With a roar, Dai Mubai activated his martial spirit, unleashing his first and third soul skills simultaneously—holding nothing back!
"First soul skill: White Tiger Shield Body Barrier!"
"Third soul skill: White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
On top of that, he had secretly consumed Oscar's Stimulating Pink Sausage and received Ning Rongrong's support buffs.
This was Dai Mubai at his absolute peak!
And yet—
"Crack!"
Saber's sword shattered his White Tiger Shield Body Barrier in a single strike.
"What?!" Dai Mubai's eyes widened in shock.
'Last time I fought her, she hadn't been this strong! How had she grown so terrifying in such a short time?!'
Before he could react, Saber's next slash came—swift as lightning!
"Swish!"
Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, binding Saber in an instant.
Seizing the opportunity, Tang San yanked Dai Mubai back while adjusting their formation with his vines.
"This armored warrior is stronger than before—her swordplay is sharper! Stay alert!" he shouted.
But just as they regrouped, Saber tore through the Blue Silver Grass restraints like paper, her movements fluid as she closed the distance in a flash.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flanked from the sides, while Dai Mubai charged head-on. Ma Hongjun took to the skies, providing ranged support.
Their coordination was seamless. The longer the battle dragged on, the more Tang San's team adapted, integrating their newly acquired fourth soul skills into their teamwork.
Yet just as they found their rhythm, Saber's movements suddenly faltered—as if struggling mid-action.
"Kid, what is the meaning of this?!" A furious voice hissed in Xiao Tianyang's ear.
"Teacher Liu, there's no need for such hostility," Xiao Tianyang replied calmly, spreading his hands. "If anything, I've helped you gain a goddaughter."
"You nearly endangered her!" Liu Erlong's face darkened, ignoring his deflection. "I don't know what your game is, but exploiting others' trust—"
…
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