The sun had set, and night had fallen.
Lighting a torch in the Sunset Forest would only make them an easy target, so despite feeling a bit helpless, Tang San had no choice but to ask everyone to stop and find a suitable spot to set up camp.
"Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, the two of you will patrol the surrounding area within a 300-meter radius," Tang San instructed after distributing the necessary supplies.
"One more thing to remember: no matter what happens, if you notice anything unusual, return immediately. Don't engage or investigate."
Xiao Wu smiled and nodded, "Understood."
Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
The two of them set off into the dense forest nearby.
Tang San then turned to the others. "Brother Dai, you, Oscar, and Rongrong will set up the tent here. Fatty and I will gather some firewood."
Dai Mubai nodded confidently. "Leave it to me!"
Although the group had split up, they remained within a certain range of each other.
What's more, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was subtly spread beneath their feet, ensuring that if a sneak attack occurred—like the one they had experienced before—he could gather everyone together in the shortest time possible.
Even if the enemy tried to pick them off one by one, Tang San had a plan to rescue them.
This time, Tang San was being extremely cautious. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this situation was no longer a test but a life-threatening challenge.
The Blue Silver Grass extended 300 meters in every direction, following each member of the group.
Such a massive consumption of soul power was something most soul masters couldn't sustain for much longer.
Despite Tang San being at the level 40 and having purified his soul power once, he still couldn't afford to waste it so recklessly.
…
One kilometer away...
Saber glanced at Xiao Tianyang with a faint smile and asked softly, "When should I make my move?"
"In ten minutes," Xiao Tianyang replied, his ancient god's eyes scanning the area.
A slight smirk played on his lips. "Tang San is using this method mainly to prevent me from launching a sneak attack and picking them off one by one. But he can only maintain this for ten minutes at most. Any longer, and his soul power will be completely drained, leaving him incapacitated. So, as long as you time it right, you'll face one less enemy."
"But I want to go now," Saber said, her tone firm.
Xiao Tianyang was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled. "Ah, I forgot. You've never been one for routines." He reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "My apologies. I'll keep that in mind next time."
"Then I' am going," Saber said, her cheeks slightly flushed. She pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve and attempted to cover her face with it.
"You don't really think that's enough to hide your identity, do you?" Xiao Tianyang teased, finding her actions unexpectedly endearing.
"But this is all I have..." Saber replied, a little embarrassed.
"Did you really think I'd call you here without being prepared?" Xiao Tianyang smiled mysteriously. "Consider this a little surprise."
…
As expected, things unfolded just as Xiao Tianyang had predicted.
Whether it was due to Tang San's foresight or Dai Mubai and the others' instincts, nine minutes later, the group had reassembled.
The tent was set up, and a bonfire crackled warmly. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, who had been patrolling, returned safely.
Ma Hongjun couldn't help but relax, a smile spreading across his face. "It seems Brother Tang San's plan has been seen through. Otherwise, why didn't they take advantage of the opportunity earlier?"
Oscar added, "This also proves something: when the seven of us work together, even Edward is wary of us."
"I'd rather he didn't come at all. I'm too lazy to fight him," Xiao Wu said, her tone reluctant. "Last time, he knocked five of us out with a single punch. He's even more brutal than Brother Tianyang."
"But to be honest, Edward's growth rate is truly astonishing," Dai Mubai remarked with a sigh. "The last time we saw him, he was only a Soul Elder. Now, he's suddenly a Soul Emperor, while we're still Soul Ancestors..."
"Actually, I've been thinking," Tang San interjected thoughtfully. "Edward might not be a true Soul Emperor. Instead, his strength is comparable to one. After all, no matter how talented someone is, it's impossible to advance this fast in just a year without severely straining their potential."
"On top of that, his combat skills and unique abilities make him even more formidable. So, I believe he's more of a genius on par with Brother Tianyang rather than simply a friend of the dean."
The group fell silent, considering Tang San's analysis. No one refuted his words, as they all found them reasonable.
"But if that's the case, why didn't the dean introduce him to us and have him join the tournament?" Ma Hongjun asked, puzzled. "With him alone, he could defeat the seven of us. Add Tianyang to the mix, and we wouldn't even need to step onto the field. The two of them could clear the entire tournament."
"It's possible that he's just a disciple of the dean's friend, here to help out this time," Dai Mubai suggested with a shrug.
"Even if he's a wild soul master, it doesn't mean he was invited here permanently. Haven't you noticed that the dean and the others haven't arrived yet?"
Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing interrupted their discussion. "Be careful!"
Tang San and the others immediately tensed up.
"Click! Click! Click!"
The muffled sound of metal echoed through the dense forest. A short, shadowy figure gradually approached the camp.
"What is that?" Ma Hongjun gulped, his voice trembling. "I'm not afraid of the strong, but I'm terrified of ghosts!"
"Stop shouting! There's no such thing as ghosts!" Dai Mubai barked, standing protectively in front of the group.
The moonlight filtered through the leaves, illuminating the figure. A bright light reflected off its surface, causing everyone to squint. But when their eyes adjusted, they were met with a sight that left them stunned.
Before them stood a knight clad in exquisite armor, its lines smooth and its carvings intricate.
The helmet, with its elegant visor and majestic design, made the armor look less like battle gear and more like a masterpiece of art. Yet, despite its beauty, the armor exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure—a dominance that felt almost suffocating.
"What... what is this?" Oscar stammered. "Could this be Edward's teammate?"
"Why does it look more like a soul beast to me?" Ma Hongjun muttered. "Have you ever seen a soul master dressed like this?"
"Enough!" Dai Mubai snapped, cutting off their chatter. He turned to Tang San. "Little San, give us our orders!"
Tang San pondered for a moment before speaking. "Brother Dai, you'll be the main attacker. I'll assist you. Fatty, provide mid- to long-range support."
"Xiao Wu and Zhuqing, you're responsible for diverting their attention. Rongrong, assist where needed. Oscar, be ready with the recovery sausages!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the seven of them moved like a well-oiled machine, each taking their position with precision.
Their formation was tight and coordinated, ensuring no one was left vulnerable.
…
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