Chapter 149. Tang San's Tyrannical Third Soul Ring (Part 2)

A layer of brownish-black material covered Tang San's body. As the Blue Silver Grass scattered away, these brownish-black objects gradually peeled off him like shed husks, revealing the body beneath.

When Xiao Wu caught sight of Tang San's body again, her pretty face flushed scarlet with embarrassment. Tang San was completely naked at this moment, not a stitch of clothing on him. His muscles had become remarkably defined — not the exaggerated bulging kind, but a lean, powerful look that radiated raw strength. Beneath his bronze skin, a faint purple luminescence drifted like a subtle aura. He hovered in midair, his previously cross-legged legs now relaxed and hanging naturally, giving his entire figure an almost eerily captivating air.

Among Tang San's disheveled black hair, a single lock of striking purple had appeared. The strand seemed to glow with its own light, making it impossible for Xiao Wu to miss.

The groans she had heard earlier were coming from Tang San's mouth. Now, his eyes were slowly opening, his gaze clouded with bewilderment.

Tang San himself had no idea what had happened. All he remembered was enduring and enduring through excruciating pain, his will sustained solely by the belief that he had to save Xiao Wu. When the agony had suddenly vanished, an indescribable wave of bliss had washed over his entire body.

He could bear the pain, but when that euphoria arrived in the aftermath of such extreme suffering, his mind had finally surrendered to a deep, dreamless sleep. When consciousness returned, it was to the very scene Xiao Wu had just witnessed.

His vision was hazy, as if draped in a veil of white gauze. Sensation by sensation, feeling returned to his body, and as his mind gradually cleared, the world before his eyes sharpened into focus.

His body felt incredibly comfortable, as though every cell inside him was rejoicing. Only his back felt slightly itchy, as though something was extending outward from it. He could feel the dampness of the soil and the brush of air against his skin, yet Tang San sensed that something — somehow — had changed.

By now the others had noticed Tang San's transformation as well. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong caught sight of his naked body and quickly spun away, too embarrassed to look. Xiao Wu was equally flushed, but Tang San's well-being mattered far more to her than her own bashfulness. Forcing down her embarrassment, she kept her eyes fixed firmly on him.

Two yellow rings and one purple ring orbited Tang San's body, rising and falling in rhythm. The purple ring was especially vivid — brilliant and lustrous — standing out starkly against his naked form. Every blade of Blue Silver Grass that had surrounded him had quietly vanished, leaving behind only the eight enormous spider legs, each three meters long, still protruding from his back.

"Ge—" Xiao Wu couldn't help calling out softly.

The sudden voice startled Tang San. That voice was far too familiar, far too precious to him. Instinctively, he turned toward its source and saw Xiao Wu gazing up at him.

Tang San's body trembled violently. He wanted to lunge toward her, but he was suspended in midair, supported by four of his spider legs. The legs were part of his body, and with a mere thought, they retracted, pulling free from the ground.

The transformation of his body was still a mystery to Tang San, and the sudden loss of support sent him toppling from the air.

"Careful!" Xiao Wu cried out, opening her arms to catch him. Fortunately, her strength was considerable, and the drop from roughly two meters didn't carry too much force — just enough for Xiao Wu to catch him cleanly.

The eight spider legs behind him all arched upward at once. The sight was certainly strange, but it didn't impede Tang San's movement in the slightest.

A familiar scent reached his nose, and Tang San instinctively wrapped his arms around Xiao Wu's body. "Am I — am I dreaming? Xiao Wu, is it really you?"

Xiao Wu clung just as tightly to Tang San, her sobs rendering her unable to speak.

By now, Tang San had gradually emerged from the fog of his initial awakening. He knew Xiao Wu's scent better than anything in the world, and the warmth of the soft body pressed against him told him the truth — everything was real. Xiao Wu had come back. She was here.

"There, don't cry. You're back, and that's all that matters." He gently patted her back, his own eyes blurring with tears. Every ounce of worry melted away in that moment. The feeling of seeing Xiao Wu again — as if separated by an eternity — sent tremors through his very soul. Compared to her, the third Soul Ring he had just obtained meant nothing. In his heart, nothing in the world mattered more than Xiao Wu's life.

"Ge, it's all my fault. I made you worry." Xiao Wu's voice broke around the words.

Tang San shook his head. "Silly. It's my fault — I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't protect you."

"Ahem." A cough from nearby startled the two out of their emotional reunion.

It was Dai Mubai. "Little San, I admit you've got impressive assets, but maybe you should at least put on some pants first? There are other girls here, you know."

Tang San froze for a moment, then instinctively looked down at himself — only to realize he didn't have a single stitch of clothing on.