Chapter 193: 212. His Name Is Er Ming, He's Your Brother
Tang San had always regarded the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well as the Tang family's private treasure. After the extermination of the Dugu Clan, he sealed its exact location, sharing it only with his parents and the Shrek Seven. But even that wasn't enough—he set layers of poisonous miasma and illusion barriers around it, ensuring that no so-called "fortunate soul" could stumble upon the place and steal his immortal herbs.
Because of that, he felt no worry. No reincarnator, no matter how knowledgeable of the past, could possibly locate the well.
"That's good, that's good," Dai Mubai exhaled a heavy breath of relief. As long as the Ice-Fire Yin Yang Well remained untouched, his path to the War God's inheritance remained secure.
Tang San touched his still-healing back, bitterness flooding his heart. Though he could deduce that the reincarnator hiding within Spirit Hall wasn't Qian Renxue or Bibi Dong, that invisible enemy had already caused immeasurable damage. Because of them, he had lost the Eight Spider Spears—a priceless spirit bone.
And Zhao Wuji…
Bibi Dong was already leaving, yet you just had to beg her to stay? Of course I knew the spider's ring exceeded two thousand years. Did I ask for her protection? Tang San's hands clenched. Shao Wuji, you've chosen the path of death.
"We must find that hidden reincarnator within Spirit Hall," Tang San said grimly. But then, like being struck by lightning, he realized something critical.
"Wait—where's Xiao Wu?"
"Ah," Dai Mubai said, hesitating, "Zhao Wuji told us to take you back to the hotel outside the forest to rest. He went into Star Dou Forest alone to search for Xiao Wu."
Ma Hongjun chimed in, "Relax, Tang San. Don't forget what Xiao Wu really is. She's a hundred-thousand-year soul beast! Two of the forest's kings are her subordinates. Star Dou Forest is basically her home turf—she'll be fine."
"But I fear one of those naturally wicked spirit beasts might find her first," Tang San muttered, thinking of the Man-Faced Demon Spider, the Titan Ant Emperor, even the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger. Fighting past the stabbing pain in his back, he tried to sit up—
And collapsed again, screaming in agony. "Ughhh—AAAHHHHHHH!"
He could barely move. For now, he was helpless.
Meanwhile, deep within Star Dou Forest, Zhao Wuji finally found Xiao Wu.
But what he saw nearly made his jaw drop. Xiao Wu's hair was tousled, her clothes slightly disheveled, and her cheeks flushed red. Beside her stood a towering, powerfully built young man with dark skin and rippling muscles. The nearby grass was flattened, as though… disturbed.
Zhao Wuji decided to ignore what his eyes were telling him.
"Xiao Wu, why wander so far alone? We've been worried sick. Do you know how dangerous Star Dou Forest is?"
Xiao Wu stuck her tongue out playfully. "Dean Zhao, I wasn't alone—I ran into someone I know. He's my little brother. His name's Er Ming."
Zhao Wuji glanced at the mountain of muscle next to her and frowned. "He's… your brother?"
"Mm-hmm," Xiao Wu said without hesitation.
"Let me see your hand," Zhao Wuji said.
Xiao Wu gestured for Er Ming to do as asked. Er Ming extended his arm—a limb as thick as an adult's thigh. Zhao Wuji swallowed hard, gripping his wrist to check his bone structure.
"Twelve? You're twelve years old and built like that?"
"It's because of my martial soul," Er Ming rumbled.
"Oh? And what martial soul might that be?" Zhao Wuji asked casually.
"Titan Giant Ape," came the simple reply.
"Titan… Giant Ape." Zhao Wuji repeated blankly—then his eyes went wide. "Wait—what did you say your martial soul was?"
"Titan Giant Ape. Why? What's the problem?" Er Ming tilted his head.
The problem was enormous. Zhao Wuji's own spirit, Vigorous Vajra Bear, was also a strength-type—but barely counted as "high-grade." The Titan Giant Ape, bearer of divine blood, ranked among the most supreme martial souls in existence—a super-class spirit.
"Show me your martial soul," Zhao Wuji said, excitement bubbling in his chest.
Er Ming roared, pounding his chest. A massive phantom form of the Titan Giant Ape rose behind him, its aura shaking the trees. Three soul rings appeared around him—yellow, yellow, purple.
"Level thirty-one, Soul Elder already? Martial soul: Titan Giant Ape… Ha! Excellent! A true monster in the making!" Zhao Wuji grinned widely. Shrek's Dean Flender had long been lamenting the missing seventh member; now, fortune had delivered one straight into their lap.
Without wasting time, Zhao Wuji began to coax and recruit the boy—but it was unnecessary. The moment Er Ming saw Xiao Wu, he'd already decided to follow her wherever she went.
Thus, Er Ming agreed at once and officially joined Shrek Academy.
Zhao Wuji soon returned with both Xiao Wu and Er Ming to the hotel where Tang San and the others waited.
"Tang San, Xiao Wu's back," Dai Mubai announced, entering the room where Tang San lay motionless on the bed. "Only…"
Tang San's eyes lit up. "What?"
"She brought a man with her."
"What?!" Tang San's face turned red, his breathing quickened. He tried to sit up, but his back screamed in protest—forcing another guttural cry from him. "Ughhh—AAAHHH!"
At that moment, the door opened. Xiao Wu stepped inside. Seeing Tang San's pale face and weak body, her eyes welled with tears. She rushed to his side.
"Brother San, what happened to you?" she asked, voice trembling with concern.
"I suffered… a little accident while rescuing you," Tang San said softly.
Dai Mubai quickly recounted the events that had led to Tang San's injury. Xiao Wu listened, guilt flooding her heart.
"Brother San, it's all my fault," she said tearfully. "If not for me, you wouldn't have been hurt."
"It's fine, Xiao Wu," Tang San consoled her warmly. "Everything I do for you, I do willingly."
Her presence soothed the chaos in his heart. As she gently redressed his wounds, Tang San smiled faintly. "Thank you, Xiao Wu."
She wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled back. "You're welcome, Brother San. This is what your little sister should do!"
But behind her, Tang San noticed the looming figure of the muscular stranger. His smile froze.
"Xiao Wu… who's that man?"
Xiao Wu turned, smiling brightly. "Ah, Brother San, this is Er Ming—my little brother. And that means he's yours too! From now on, you'll have to treat him nicely and look after your younger brother."
(END CHAPTER)
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