At this moment, Zhao Wuji saw that Oscar was running out of soul power and quickly said to Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, quickly boost Oscar's soul power!"
Ning Rongrong nodded, and the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared in her palm. A brilliant rainbow-colored light surged into Oscar's body, instantly replenishing his soul power. Oscar quickly recited his incantation and produced five Flying Mushroom Sausages.
Inwardly, Ning Rongrong thought they didn't really need to bother with Tang San. Tang San would never catch up to the Titan Giant Ape. Could the speed of a thousand-year Phoenix-Tailed Crest Serpent compare to that of the Titan Giant Ape? Clearly not.
By the time Tang San encountered the Man-Faced Demon Spider, the Titan Giant Ape might have already taken Xiao Wu and Su Ming back to the Star Dou Lake.
But, appearances needed to be kept. After all, she had earlier insisted on staying behind, so not helping Oscar now would seem unreasonable. In her mind, this whole effort was pointless.
Oscar distributed the five sausages to everyone else. Dai Mubai, puzzled, asked, "Oscar, where's your own sausage?"
Oscar replied awkwardly, "Boss Dai, I'll need you to carry me. You know that if I eat my own sausages, the effect is only a third of the original, so I can only fly for 20 seconds."
Dai Mubai's eyes widened in shock. Damn, he had forgotten about that. Oscar's first two soul skills only reduced the effects slightly, so it wasn't noticeable, but now, with the Flying Mushroom Sausage, flying for only 20 seconds was practically useless!
Zhao Wuji and the injured Ma Hongjun had no words to say. One minute was already short, and now Oscar could only fly for 20 seconds—useless!
At this point, Oscar had his own thoughts. Surely Ning Rongrong would have to eat one of his sausages now, right? And maybe Zhu Zhuqing too? Hehe.
However, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were not about to give Oscar what he wanted. Ning Rongrong suddenly said, "Teacher Zhao, Zhuqing and I won't go. Su Ming said he would return, and we trust him."
Zhu Zhuqing also spoke in her cold tone, "Teacher Zhao, I'll stay as well. I won't be of much help anyway, and like Rongrong, I believe Su Ming will come back. He's smart and talented; he'll be fine."
"And Teacher Zhao, have you forgotten that this fat guy's limbs are still broken? He can't possibly go with you to chase after Tang San and rescue anyone."
"So we'll stay behind and take care of him while you go."
Zhao Wuji hesitated. He had indeed forgotten about Ma Hongjun's injuries, and Tang San's life was more important. Ma Hongjun was in no shape to be moving much, and forcing him to move might worsen his condition. Right now, he was only holding on thanks to Oscar's Recovery Sausage. But leaving these three behind—was that too dangerous?
Sensing Zhao Wuji's hesitation, Ning Rongrong added, "Teacher Zhao, you don't need to worry. We're almost out of the Star Dou Forest, and after the Titan Giant Ape's appearance, the other soul beasts will be scared to show themselves for a while. The three of us can find a hidden spot to wait for your return."
"And besides, Zhuqing's strength isn't weak. With my support, she'll be as strong as a Spirit Elder at the fortieth level, so we can defend ourselves."
Ma Hongjun was still terrified of the Titan Giant Ape. After all, it was because of his own actions that he ended up like this. He was lucky to be alive and had no desire to go after Tang San, let alone face the Titan Giant Ape again. His relationship with Su Ming and Xiao Wu wasn't that close, and before, he had only stayed because the others were staying. Now, with two people willing to stay behind with him, he was secretly relieved.
He said, pained, "Teacher Zhao, I'm in no condition to go with you to find Tang San. Just moving hurts too much. I'll stay here with them and wait for your return."
Zhao Wuji, hearing their reasoning, thought it over and agreed. They were almost out of the forest, and after the Titan Giant Ape's display of power, the area should be safe for a while.
"Alright, we'll do as you say. You three find a place to hide, and after we catch up to Tang San, we'll come back as soon as possible," Zhao Wuji instructed.
Ma Hongjun was too dull to notice anything strange about this, but Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing felt something was off. Zhao Wuji only mentioned finding Tang San, not rescuing Xiao Wu and Su Ming. It was clear that if it weren't for Tang San being Tang Hao's son, Zhao Wuji wouldn't be risking his life at all. He had no intention of rescuing Xiao Wu or Su Ming. How could someone like Zhao Wuji call himself a teacher when he lacked even the most basic sense of responsibility?
Oscar, disappointed that Zhao Wuji agreed, once again missed out on his hope of getting Ning Rongrong or Zhu Zhuqing to eat his sausage. Why did they always find a way to avoid it? His sausages didn't taste bad—they were even meat-flavored!
Ning Rongrong/Zhu Zhuqing: "Heh, it's not the sausage, it's you!"
There was no way they would ever eat anything Oscar made, no matter what. Luckily, Ma Hongjun's injury provided the perfect excuse. Otherwise, rejecting him might have been more awkward.
Ma Hongjun: "Look at you! Does this sound like something a person would say?"
Dai Mubai, noticing that Zhu Zhuqing was staying behind, expressed his concern, "Zhuqing, be careful. I'll go with Teacher Zhao and Oscar to find Tang San."
Zhu Zhuqing, as usual, didn't bother responding, and Dai Mubai had grown used to her indifference. He sighed inwardly, thinking he'd just have to be patient. After all, he was the prince of the Star Luo Empire, and Zhu Zhuqing was his fiancée. As long as the empire stood, he didn't believe Zhu Zhuqing would dare defy him.
Zhao Wuji, realizing there wasn't much time to waste, quickly picked up Ma Hongjun and found a hidden spot to place him, alongside Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.
Then, Zhao Wuji and Dai Mubai consumed their Flying Mushroom Sausages, while Oscar wrapped his arms around Dai Mubai's back, looking utterly ridiculous.
Author's notes: Add your reviews everyone....and power stones....