Facing the incoming attack, Tang San felt puzzled, unable to understand why the situation differed so greatly from what he had anticipated.
"Xiao San, what are you standing there for?!" Elder Tang Ming gripped Tang San's shoulder tightly, about to move but finding his body restricted as if stepping into a swamp.
Tang Ming's expression changed abruptly, and he flung Tang San away. "Run!"
Boom—
A deafening roar echoed as Tang Ming was sent flying by the Azure Sky Python's furious strike, crashing through dozens of large trees before finally coming to a stop.
Tang Ming felt as though his entire body was about to fall apart. He spat out a mouthful of blood with a retching sound, then slowly rose to his feet, leaning on the Clear Sky Hammer.
He inwardly cursed Tang San's recklessness. If not for this brat, even if the Sky Blue Bull Python was stronger than him, he wouldn't have been reduced to such a sorry state. If he hadn't detonated five Spirit Rings at the critical moment, he might already be dead.
Tang San, still mid-air, trembled at the sight. Seeing the Sky Blue Bull Python about to attack him, he urgently shouted, "Wait! We're not enemies! I'm here to find Xiao Wu!"
Hearing the name "Xiao Wu," Da Ming paused, then roared in fury, "Xiao Wu is already dead! How dare you, a damned human, try to deceive me with her name?!"
"What?! Impossible!" Tang San was stunned, falling to the ground with a thud. He scrambled to his feet, holding up a wooden comb. "Xiao Wu clearly told me she was safe in the Star Dou Great Forest under the care of two brothers! How could she be dead? I don't believe it!"
The Sky Blue Bull Python, about to attack again, hesitated upon hearing this. It frowned at the comb, then carefully analyzed Tang San's words. "Are you truly Xiao Wu's friend?"
"Are you called Da Ming?" Tang San paid no attention to his own safety, taking two steps forward, desperate for more information.
Hearing Tang San call out its name, the Sky Blue Bull Python was taken aback, its killing intent diminishing slightly. Soul Beasts' personal names were rarely known outside their kin.
Sadness flashed in Da Ming's eyes. "I didn't see Xiao Wu's body with my own eyes, but the last time her aura appeared, it was a trap set by humans for us. Er Ming died because of it. With Xiao Wu's strength, how could she have survived?"
Upon hearing this, Tang San seemed to lose his soul. "Impossible... We had a promise."
Seeing the genuine grief in this human, the Sky Blue Bull Python's remaining wariness vanished, and it recounted the events of that day in detail.
"That's how it happened. If those Title Douluos hadn't intended for me to serve as a Spirit Ring for their juniors in the future, I might be dead too."
"Are you saying one of the Title Douluos used a sword?" Tang San's eyes were bloodshot as he stared at the Sky Blue Bull Python.
Recalling that day, the Sky Blue Bull Python exhaled heavily. "Yes, and the swordsman was the strongest among them. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so badly wounded, and Er Ming wouldn't have died."
"Xiao Wu... I shouldn't have left you alone at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School that day... Li Xun!!"
The only swordsman on the continent who could be called a true powerhouse was the Sword Douluo. Instantly, Tang San pieced everything together. He roared at the sky, as if unleashing all his pent-up emotions.
"You know them?" The Sky Blue Bull Python fixed a sharp gaze on Tang San.
"Not only do I know them, but we are sworn enemies." Tang San spoke through gritted teeth, each word dripping with venom. He then recounted his grievances with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and Li Xun.
The Sky Blue Bull Python grew increasingly furious as it listened. It had never imagined such intricate scheming and despicable rivalry among humans, who would even target an innocent like Xiao Wu.
But anger aside, given the strength of the so-called Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, it stood no chance against them, let alone venturing into human territory. "Since you are Xiao Wu's friend, you may leave."
With that, the Sky Blue Bull Python turned to depart.
"Wait." Suppressing his killing intent toward the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Tang San called out loudly, "To be frank, I came here with another purpose—to obtain a Spirit Ring. I need revenge, and I need to become stronger."
The Sky Blue Bull Python paused, turning its head to scrutinize Tang San. "Humans have always coveted the Spirit Rings and Soul Bones of Soul Beasts. Since you know Xiao Wu is a Soul Beast in human form, why do you hold affection for her? Could it be that you seek to claim her Spirit Ring?"
Tang San met the Sky Blue Bull Python's gaze unflinchingly and slowly raised the wooden comb in his hand. "Though Xiao Wu and I addressed each other as siblings, the bond between us is something no outsider could ever understand."
"Moreover, I myself carry the bloodline of a Soul Beast. If there were only hatred between Soul Beasts and humans, how could my mother have given birth to me with my father?"
"You actually have the bloodline of a Soul Beast?!" The Sky Blue Bull Python was visibly moved, its understanding completely overturned.
"Yes, my mother was a Blue Silver Emperor with a hundred thousand years of cultivation." Tang San gently stroked the wooden comb. "Intelligent beings should not be simplistically divided by race. Both Soul Beasts and humans have their good and evil."
"And I can assure you, I only hunt wicked Soul Beasts and will not disrupt the balance of the Star Dou Great Forest."
The Sky Blue Bull Python's massive eyes flickered with uncertainty. After a long moment, it seemed to reach a decision. "Very well, but I must warn you—the Star Dou Great Forest is currently unsettled. Due to certain events, there are now beings here far stronger than I."
Tang San's heart tightened. This was the first he had heard of powers in the Star Dou Great Forest beyond the two great emperors. He pondered for a moment before meeting the Sky Blue Bull Python's gaze with determination. "I must avenge Xiao Wu. What does it matter if I must take some risks?"
"Good! In that case, I will protect you this once." Deeply moved by Tang San's words, the Sky Blue Bull Python agreed.
Elder Tang Ming had been standing not far from the man and beast all along. Watching them reach an agreement, his heart was filled with complex emotions. Having used Ring Detonation and still injured, he knew he would need several days of rest to recover. Fortunately...
By the shore of the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Great Forest.
"What is that Sky Blue Bull Python doing? Actually helping a human." A hoarse, aged voice spoke as the Ten Thousand Demon King opened his eyes.
"Hmm?"
The other Soul Beasts paused their activities, gathering around in surprise.
"Could that long worm be turning traitor?" Bear Monarch picked at his teeth with a sharp claw.
"Impossible. Didn't his Titan Giant Ape brother die at the hands of humans? Why would he collude with them?" Red King analyzed with his three heads.
"Why not go and see for yourself?" Bi Ji's eyes lit up, brimming with eagerness.
"Do you still naively believe humans and Soul Beasts can coexist peacefully?" Bear Monarch scoffed dismissively, casually flopping onto the ground and waving a hand. "Go ahead and see for yourself then."
Seemingly unfazed by the blockhead's attitude, Bi Ji turned to seek the opinions of the other Soul Beasts.