This series of insults really confused Tang San.
He looked at the three pairs of beautiful eyes, red with anger and confusion, completely unable to understand why they were reacting so strongly.
Oscar and Dai Mubai, who were about to say something, quickly shrank back and stepped aside.
It seemed there was nothing they could do.
"If you don't have anything to say, then don't say anything."
Ning Rongrong looked at him coldly. "You have no class, yet you still want to mock others? Who do you think you are?"
As soon as she spoke, the witch-like aura that had been suppressed by Ma Hongjun suddenly surfaced, leaving Dai Mubai and Oscar stunned.
Wow, what a scolding!
Both of them were secretly pleased.
"Though, those two you mocked aren't much better than you."
The girl added sharply.
Dai Mubai:
Oscar:
This sentence could really be skipped.
"Get lost."
Zhu Zhuqing said shortly and directly, her gaze cold.
Xiao Wu wanted to say something but thought better of it, sighed, and fell silent.
Those two damn women!
Tang San gritted his teeth in secret but still lifted his chin and looked at the three without fear.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Humans and snake soul beasts together? That's the funniest joke I've ever heard!"
He sneered, unaware that Xiao Wu's face had turned pale as paper in an instant. He kept speaking.
"Forget whether this beast has human feelings. Even if it does, if you sleep with it, aren't you afraid it might turn wild and eat you someday?"
"Stop talking."
"This Holy Sect we're talking about. If a soul beast of this level dares to show up in the human world, it's only going to end up as a soul ring!"
"I said stop talking!!"
The sudden, heartbreaking cry made Tang San stop. He noticed then that tears were streaming down Xiao Wu's face, and there was a kind of resentment in her beautiful eyes he had never seen before.
It wasn't the look of a brother anymore — it was the look of a deeply hurt enemy.
"Xiao Wu."
He opened his mouth but found his lips dry, and something inside him felt empty.
At that moment, Tang San felt something drifting away from him.
"Xiao Wu, let's go. Ignore him."
Ning Rongrong thought Tang San's words had hurt Xiao Wu, so she glared fiercely at Tang San and pulled Xiao Wu over to Ma Hongjun's side.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at him.
Oscar and Dai Mubai sighed and lost interest in bothering Tang San any further.
This was really a serious matter.
"Did I say something wrong?!"
Suddenly, Tang San became agitated.
Xiao Wu's reaction had completely triggered him, and he glared at them with reddened eyes.
"They're just monsters who eat raw meat and drink blood. How could they come up with such ridiculous nonsense? Ridiculous! Ridiculous!!!"
Boom!
Violent flames exploded in front of Tang San, the rising heat even touching his hair.
Everyone stepped back in shock, staring at the young man in white with red hair.
"Enough."
Ma Hongjun waved his hand, snuffing out the flames, and said calmly.
He wasn't defending Xiao Wu—after all, Tang San's own mother was a soul beast—but he didn't want things to get out of hand.
Continuing would only make Tang Hao want to jump out and slap Tang San.
"Humph!"
Maybe the heat reminded Tang San of some painful memories. He snorted coldly and finally stopped. But when he looked at Xiao Wu, he only saw her back, distant and turning away.
At that moment, he felt a twinge of regret.
But soon the feeling faded. As a member of the Tang Sect, Tang San was sure he hadn't done anything wrong.
He believed Xiao Wu would understand him. If not, he could apologize properly later.
When Flander and Zhao Wuji arrived at the training ground, they immediately sensed the strange atmosphere.
The dean looked at Tang San standing alone, and at Xiao Wu being comforted by Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, and instantly understood what had happened.
He sighed, rubbing his forehead as if nursing a headache.
Xiaogang, this disciple, is really troublesome.
"All right, little monsters, let's go."
Zhao Wuji didn't care about the tension. He greeted everyone cheerfully, scooped up Dai Mubai with one hand and grabbed Oscar with the other. Both screamed instantly.
"Teacher Zhao, don't do that!!"
"Zhao!!"
He ignored their protests. "I'll take whoever's slower with me," he said, running off laughing.
Ma Hongjun and the girls exchanged bewildered looks as dust kicked up behind Zhao Wuji.
"Hehe, Teacher Zhao really is something."
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but laugh, her eyebrows arching into lovely crescents. Zhu Zhuqing smiled softly, and even Xiao Wu, though still sad, managed a small laugh.
After Zhao Wuji's ruckus, the tense atmosphere eased considerably.
"Then let's go too."
Flander shook his head helplessly.
They left quickly, following Zhao Wuji's figure, leaving Tang San behind with a gloomy expression.
He gritted his teeth and followed.
After all, he needed a soul ring to break through to Soul Elder level.
The Star Forest lies southeast of the Barak Kingdom, and Soto City is also in the southeast, very close—less than 500 kilometers away.
With Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tower speeding them, the group traveled quickly. By nightfall, they had reached a small town near the Soul Master Academy mentioned in the original story.
It's worth noting that during the journey, Oscar wanted to use his large sausages to help restore everyone's strength, but as expected, the girls rejected him.
In the end, Ma Hongjun stepped in and persuaded the girls kindly, and only then did they accept the sausages.
As a result, Oscar gave Ma Hongjun a resentful glare throughout the trip.
Ma Hongjun naturally pretended not to notice.
"Looks like tonight we won't make it further. We'll have to stay here for the night."
Flander looked up at the sky, shook his head, and led everyone into town.
The Starry Forest is at least ten times more dangerous at night than during the day, so it's definitely not suitable to bring kids in.
"Let's find a hotel, take a bath, and find a girl to give us massages. We're exhausted after today."
Zhao Wuji stretched lazily, not caring about the dirty looks the girls gave him, shamelessly glaring right back.
"What's wrong? I don't cheat, I don't steal, and I'm not a scumbag. I only exchange money. How pure!"
His words left the girls speechless, and they stopped glaring.
Though twisted, his logic was impossible to refute. Thankfully, Brother Hongjun wasn't like that.
The three of them simultaneously turned their attention to the red-haired boy scanning the town's shops.
Teacher Zhao is awesome.
Oscar and Dai Mubai secretly gave him thumbs up.
But if that's the case, aren't they also...?
The two men swallowed nervously, their eyes gleaming with a look only gentlemen would understand.
No matter what, we have to drag the fat guy into the water this time!
Ma Hongjun: ?
Why do I feel a chill down my spine? Is someone trying to mess with me?