Chapter 341
It is still an honor to be able to follow City Lord Lin!
Lin Xia silently made a judgment in her heart, with a hint of cold appreciation.
He stepped forward, interrupting the chaotic thoughts that everyone had fallen into because of Xiao Wu's "adventure," his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Alright, now that Xiao Wu has returned safely, and Tang San's injuries need rest, we shouldn't stay here any longer. Dean Flander, Senior Dragon, let's set off immediately and leave the Star Dou Great Forest."
Lin Xia's words were like a stabilizing force, instantly pulling everyone's thoughts back from the turbulent waves.
Flanders took a deep breath, suppressing his doubts, and nodded emphatically.
"Lord Lin is absolutely right! Pack your things and leave immediately!"
Xiao Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glanced gratefully at Lin Xia, and then immediately focused all her attention back on the unconscious Tang San, her eyes filled with heartache and worry.
Flander was the first to react, suppressing his doubts and shock, and nodded emphatically.
The most urgent task is indeed to safely evacuate this perilous core area of the star system.
Without hesitation, he carried the unconscious Tang San on his back, his movements careful yet urgent.
"Everyone, evacuate immediately! Remain vigilant and leave the forest as quickly as possible!"
Xiao Wu immediately followed closely to Flander's side, her small hand always gently supporting Tang San, her eyes filled with tears, her worry evident.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun quickly surrounded them, forming a small protective circle.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing stood tacitly beside Lin Xia, their eyes scanning the dark jungle around them warily.
Dragon Lord Meng Shu and Snake Lady Chao Tianxiang exchanged a glance and nodded slightly, then led their granddaughter Meng Yiran to the other side of the procession.
The atmosphere on the way home was unusually heavy.
Having experienced the terrifying attack by the Titan Giant Ape, Tang San's near-death struggle, and Xiao Wu's mysterious return, everyone's nerves were as taut as a bowstring.
Lin Xia continued to walk at the forefront, his mental power spreading out like an invisible net, sensing everything around him and precisely guiding him to the safest route.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong followed closely behind. Although the light from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was faint, it continuously provided Lin Xia and Zhu Zhuqing with a speed boost.
Meng Yiran followed her grandparents, but her gaze kept drifting to Lin Xia's tall and straight back, as well as the two girls beside him who had very different temperaments but were equally outstanding. A complex mix of emotions surged in her heart.
The relief of surviving the ordeal, the worry about Tang San's injuries, the curiosity about Xiao Wu's ordeal, and... a hint of envy and curiosity that is hard to describe.
Lin Xia controlled her speed perfectly, ensuring the safety of the team while allowing the exhausted group to keep up.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun were so exhausted that they were almost collapsing, and they were only able to keep going by sheer willpower.
Although Meng Yiran also felt tired, she had only recently obtained her third spirit ring and was being cared for by her grandparents, so she was in slightly better condition.
Finally, after a long and arduous journey, the trees ahead thinned out, and the open area on the outskirts of the Starry Sky Forest could be vaguely seen in the distance.
When the first breeze, truly from the outside world and carrying the scent of dust rather than the stench of decaying leaves, brushed against their faces, everyone breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Finally out!"
Oscar could no longer hold back and plopped down on a large rock, panting heavily, his voice hoarse with the shock of surviving a close call.
Flander carefully laid Tang San down, letting him rest against a tree. Tang San remained unconscious, his face pale, but his breathing seemed a little more steady than before. However, the lingering pain and weakness between his brows, along with the occasional unconscious twitching of his body, indicated the residual toxins in his body and the severity of his exhaustion.
Xiao Wu immediately squatted down beside him and carefully wiped the dirt and blood off his face with a damp cloth, her movements so gentle as if she were afraid of disturbing him.
Dragon Lord Meng Shu and Snake Granny Chao Tianxiang led Meng Yiran to Lin Xia. Meng Shu, with a sincere smile, cupped his hands and said:
"Lord Lin, we owe our journey to Starry Sky only to have you here; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable. We, the peerless dragon and snake couple, will forever remember your life-saving grace!"
"Senior Long Gong, you flatter me. It was nothing."
Lin Xia nodded slightly, her tone indifferent, as if she had only done a trivial matter.
Snake Granny rolled her eyes at Tianxiang, a kind smile spreading across her face, and gently pushed her granddaughter Meng Yiran forward.
"Lord Lin is young and promising, with unfathomable strength; he is truly a dragon among men. As for this child, although her talent is not as great as the other outstanding young women around you, she still has a lot of resilience. Having witnessed your brilliance this time, she is filled with admiration."
She changed the subject, tentatively asking:
"I wonder if Lord Lin is still lacking a maid to serve tea and water, run errands and deliver messages? It would be a blessing for her to follow you and gain experience and broaden her horizons."
Meng Yiran was pushed by her grandmother and stumbled, her pretty face instantly turning red.
She secretly glanced at Lin Xia, whose handsome yet aloof face, and those deep, unfathomable eyes that seemed to see through everything, made her heart race involuntarily.
She was indeed filled with curiosity about Lin Xia and a kind of instinctive admiration for the strong.
Thinking of Lin Xia's terrifying strength—capable of changing the world with a wave of his hand and suppressing the King of the Forest—and then of his seemingly casual yet fatal blow against the Human-Faced Demon Spider, Meng Yiran's girlish reserve was quickly replaced by an even stronger desire.
Following such figures, even just observing from afar, might allow one to glimpse a broader world.
Lin Xia's gaze swept lightly over Meng Yiran.
The girl was slender and beautiful, with a hint of shyness and anticipation in her eyes.
He felt nothing, but considering Meng Yiran's martial soul, the Serpent Staff, and the connections of the Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny in the Soul Master world, keeping her by his side might be useful, at least she was more pleasing to the eye than those Shrek kids.
He nodded slightly, his tone remaining flat.
"If Miss Meng doesn't mind the simplicity, please come along."
"Not at all, not at all!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Yiran's eyes lit up with surprise, and she quickly shook her head, her voice filled with a hint of joy.
"It is my honor to follow Lord Lin! I will definitely obey and never cause any trouble!"
Seeing this, the Dragon God and Snake Goddess both smiled with satisfaction. They knew that Lin Xia's potential was unfathomable, and that their granddaughter could benefit immensely from being by his side, even if only nominally.
Meng Shu surrendered once again.
"In that case, we'll leave it to Lord Lin! My wife and I have some worldly matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave now. If Lord Lin ever needs anything in the future, just give us a word, and our peerless dragon and snake will certainly not hesitate to help!"
"Take care, senior."
Lin Xia responded calmly.
The Dragon God and Snake Goddess gave Meng Yiran a few more instructions, then disappeared from sight in a few leaps. (End of Chapter)