Seeing Xiao Wu's softened state, Ma Hongjun felt a pang of pity and decided not to hide it from her any longer. Although she had cultivated for 100,000 years, she had only been human for a little over a decade; after all, she was still just a young girl.
"Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore!
That Sword Douluo is gone. To be honest, when he found you, he really wanted to kill you and take your soul ring and soul bone.
But he wanted to take them for me, and I didn't want to kill you for the ring, so I refused him and begged him to let you go.
The Sword Douluo wasn't a vicious, bloodthirsty person, so he let you go.
However, he said that with your current strength, staying in a human city is too dangerous. If you really encounter a powerful Soul Douluo or Title Douluo, you could very well die."
After hearing Ma Hongjun's words, the bloodlust in Xiao Wu's eyes subsided.
"Thank you, Hongjun!
It's just that I can't bear to part with Xiaosan!"
Ma Hongjun stood up and said nonchalantly, "What's there to be reluctant about? It's not like we're separating you two temporarily.
Besides, you've been sleeping together for six years already, isn't that enough? A short separation can help your relationship grow stronger. Otherwise, are you planning to continue living like this with Xiaosan, like brother and sister, without taking things any further?
Also, Xiaowu, to be honest, it's really dangerous for you to stay in the human city right now. Think about it, you're so weak right now. If someone really kills you and takes your soul ring and soul bone, given Xiaosan's personality, she'll definitely protect you to the death. Wouldn't that be a tragedy?"
Actually, Ma Hongjun didn't know whether sending Xiaowu away was a good thing or a bad thing. According to the original plot, as long as Xiaowu didn't make a mistake in the Youth Soul Master Finals, her identity wouldn't be exposed.
But now, with Ma Hongjun's interference, the original plot has changed. The arrival of Sword Douluo is proof of that, and the future development of things is even more unpredictable.
Therefore, sending Xiao Wu away is the safest decision. It will be much safer for her to emerge once she has cultivated to the Soul Saint level, or until Tang San and Ma Hongjun are strong enough to fight a Title Douluo.
If Xiao Wu were to stay any longer, it could very well lead to an irreversible tragedy.
"Actually, we shouldn't be separated for long. Once we both have the strength to deal with a Title Douluo, you can reunite with Xiao San.
And I think that won't take
more than ten years. You've already lived for a hundred thousand years, what's another ten? At least this way, there's no risk."
Xiao Wu fell into deep thought. The two years she had spent so intimately with Tang San made it hard for her to leave.
After a moment, Xiao Wu came back to her senses.
"I understand what you mean, Hongjun. I won't be coming out of the Star Dou Great Forest this time. I'm entrusting Xiao San to your care." Xiao Wu said, tears welling in her eyes.
Ma Hongjun solemnly said, "Xiao Wu, don't worry, with me here, Tang San can't possibly have another girl.
At most, you can reunite in ten years. Then, whether you're siblings or lovers, you can decide for yourselves.
These next few days, cherish the remaining time with Xiao San. It's best to make things clear to him, otherwise, if you suddenly leave, he'll definitely be very heartbroken."
...
After saying this, Ma Hongjun felt much clearer and suddenly had a breakthrough feeling. After returning, he entered a meditative cultivation state.
The next day, early morning!
"I broke through!"
"I broke through level 40!"
Dai Mubai and the other two were awakened by Ma Hongjun's joyful screams.
"What, you broke through!"
"Hongjun, I was just joking, you actually took it seriously. You broke through in just one night, so tomorrow it'll be Xiao San's turn."
...
Three consecutive breakthroughs made Flander overjoyed.
Ma Hongjun's fourth spirit ring this time would definitely take tens of thousands of years. Originally, he planned to have Zhao Wuji lead the team, but Flander felt it was necessary to send several more.
Ma Hongjun thought that this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, according to the original development trajectory, would likely involve encountering the Dragon Duke and Snake Granny.
"Xiao San and Xiao Wu are both level 29, and they might break through soon, but that would require five spirit rings.
Teacher, how about we send the entire academy on a group academy trip?
The teachers haven't had a chance to relax in a long time.
Don't worry, I'll cover all the expenses."
Flander agreed, and with everything settled, the entire academy—three Spirit Saints and two Spirit Emperors, five teachers leading the group, and all eight students set off.
The date: tomorrow; the destination: the Star Dou Great Forest.
The Star Dou Great Forest is one of the three most famous spirit beast habitats on the Douluo Continent. Its area is almost equal to the size of the Barak Kingdom, spanning the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
Two-fifths of its area is within the Heaven Dou Empire, and the other three-fifths is within the Star Luo Empire. It is a vast primeval forest with complex terrain, including wetlands and swamps. The spirit beasts there are extremely terrifying; the closer you get to the center of the forest, the stronger they become. In the central area, there are even spirit beasts that are a hundred thousand years old.
The Star Dou Great Forest is a wonderful place, but also an extremely dangerous one. It is the cradle of spirit beasts and a favorite place for powerful spirit masters. Of course, it is also where spirit masters suffer the most casualties.
The Star Dou Great Forest is located in the southeast of the Barak Kingdom, with a small part bordering it. Soto City itself is also in the southeast of the Barak Kingdom, not far from the Star Dou Great Forest, less than five hundred kilometers away.
To train everyone, the 500-kilometer journey was chosen to be undertaken on foot. The route included all sorts of terrain, from human towns and villages to small forests, and dangers were present.
For the past two days, Xiao Wu had been clinging to Tang San, and it was unclear how they communicated; they were both very silent, no longer calling each other "brother" or "sister."
Since Ma Hongjun had more experience in the jungle, he led the group this time.
Flander and the other five teachers did not travel with Ma Hongjun and the others, which was also a form of training for them.
As they prepared to depart, Ma Hongjun addressed the seven people earnestly:
"The Star Dou Great Forest is no place to be trifled with. It's teeming with spirit beasts, all extremely aggressive, and they have no affection for us humans. Everyone must
be careful. Tang San and Xiao Wu, you two will lead the way. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two will follow behind them; Dai Mubai and Xiang Chengxian, you two will be on the left and right flanks. Zhu Zhuqing and I will be at the rear. Maintain this formation as you advance, familiarize yourselves with your positions, and understand your roles.
Once inside the forest, maintain this formation even more, and remain vigilant at all times. Let's go!"
The journey was slow, and running like this consumed a great deal of spirit power. Maintaining formation was akin to a real battle.
This is where the importance of support came in. Oscar's giant sausage provided continuous replenishment, keeping everyone's spirit power above half.
Ning Rongrong's speed boost made the journey much easier.
However, Tang San and Xiao Wu, who were leading the way, grew closer and closer, eventually holding hands.
Ma Hongjun glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, who was focused on her journey. Her black hair flowed freely, exuding a fierce aura.
Dressed in all black, she was dashing and heroic, her tail swaying behind her, quite alluring.
As an agility-type Soul Master, she was incredibly fast, making this journey the easiest for her.
Ma Hongjun followed behind her, watching her swift and efficient movements, and the fluttering tail, feeling a strong urge to pet her.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was using the power of her Martial Soul. He wondered if her tail actually contained a real tail, or if it was just a design element of her clothing.
Ma Hongjun sped up and grabbed her tail.
"It really is!" (