The Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake, after being impaled with three blood blisters at its weak points by a human soul master, stared sinisterly at Tang San, who was fifty meters from the exit but still a hundred meters above the cliff, and Hu Liena, who was unconscious on his shoulder, preventing her from stabbing Tang San.
Under Tang San's wary gaze, the snake flicked its tongue in a display of dominance before turning, its scarred body sinking into the scorching lava, leaving only its head exposed. It gazed at Tang San with its massive, scarlet eyes, unmoving.
Tang San's eyes widened in surprise, unable to believe the creature had retreated. After all, it had been relentlessly pursuing them with the intent to kill.
Tang San and the Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake engaged in a stalemate in mid-air. After more than ten seconds, another familiar voice, tinged with helplessness, pierced through the air—
"Second Spirit Skill, Benevolent Face."
Black and red spirit light fell upon the Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake, healing the wounds inflicted by Tang San and Hu Liena. Amidst the spirit light mixed with demonic energy, the snake felt the pricked weak points slowly begin to recover. It felt like scabs forming, itchy, making it want to rub against rocks.
The Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake flicked its tongue, watching the little cub slowly descend from the air to hover above its raised head, right before the human soul master's frozen gaze.
"Hiss hiss—"
"See, human? The little cub is on my side."
Tang Sui's arrival excited the Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake, its tail slapping the surface of the molten lava. The impact sent lava splashing twenty to thirty meters high, enough to easily melt skin.
A split second before the molten rock rained down, Tang San's pupils contracted. He alertly retreated, dodging the splashing lava, then looked at Tang Sui, who had landed on the snake's head. His voice was strained, "Sui Sui...?"
Tang Sui's eyes, so similar to Tang San's, curved slightly. With a tone Tang San was all too familiar with, she crisply replied, "Brother."
*Huh?*
The Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake's eyes froze. Tang San stiffened, staring at Tang Sui, his voice hoarse, "You remembered?"
Tang Sui nodded. Then, right before Tang San's eyes, she crouched down and patted the Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake's head, softy saying, "Uncle Snake, please return to the lava to rest. I want some time alone."
*Uncle Snake?!*
Tang San's pupils vibrated with shock once more. The Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake's gaze flickered towards Tang San, unwillingly. Ultimately, it chose to trust the little cub.
"Gulu gulu."
Tang Sui stood upright. The Ten-Headed Scorching Sun Snake's massive body slowly sank into the lava. Tang Sui, suspended in the air, retracted her gaze and slowly descended towards the small platform where Tang San and Hu Liena were.
"Sui Sui, what exactly is going on?" Tang San's thoughts were in disarray.
Tang Sui hummed, "It's a rather long story. I'll explain it to you when we get out, Brother. Now is not the time for reminiscing."
As she spoke, Tang Sui glanced at the unconscious Hu Liena. Tang San then remembered he had Hu Liena behind him. Though he was certain she was unconscious, he remained vigilant.
"Then..."
"Brother, you should leave the Slaughter City first. Wait for me for two days, and I will come find you," Tang Sui said directly.
Tang San's expression froze for a moment. To Tang Sui's surprise, he rejected her suggestion, his expression solemn. "We're already at the exit, and your memories have returned. How could I possibly leave you behind? Sui Sui, come with me. As long as we pass the Hell Road and leave the Slaughter City, we will gain a special domain called the 'Slaughter God Domain.'"
Tang Sui shook her head, "Brother, I'm different from you. I can come and go in the Slaughter City freely, unaffected by its killing intent and toxins. But even if I pass through the Hell Road, I cannot obtain the Slaughter God Domain." She had personally experienced this several times over the past three years.
"The King of Slaughter and the one you just met... well... Uncle Snake, they have both been kind to me and treated me very well. If I'm going to leave, I should at least inform them, shouldn't I? Moreover, the reforms and changes in the Slaughter City to this day are all because of me. As the very person who personally pushed for these reforms, how can I leave an unfinished mess for my benefactors?"
"Benefactors...?" Tang San blinked, almost thinking he misheard.
Tang Sui offered no further explanation. With a wave of her small hand, the familiar masks—the fox mask, the ape mask, and the great flight—appeared out of thin air. The fox mask and the great flight instinctively lay flat, revealing their inner sides.
"Come up, Brother. I'll escort you and Hu Liena out."
Tang San stared at Tang Sui for a few seconds, seeing no waver in her eyes. His lips parted, wanting to ask Tang Sui countless questions. For example, what did she mean by being different from them? How did she fly without any support when she didn't have a mask before? And why was she reforming this sinful paradise, the Slaughter City?
However, as an elder brother, Tang San, who ultimately chose to trust his sister, let out a sigh and said earnestly, "Sui Sui, after I leave, Father will likely come to pick me up, and someone might come for Hu Liena too."
"My killing intent is still difficult to control. If someone from the Spirit Hall comes and discovers me and Father, it won't be good, so..."
"I know. You and Father should return to Mother's valley first. I still need some time to handle things here, after all, there's an old man to appease," Tang Sui's eyes held a hint of helplessness.
"Okay." Tang San nodded and said no more. Since Sui Sui had regained her memories, and he now knew where she was, he believed their family would be reunited. He had endured more than three years; a few more days wouldn't matter. With this thought, Tang San bowed and picked up Hu Liena. With a push of his feet, he adjusted his balance as he stepped onto the masks.
—Author's notes—
Good news, I'm unblocked.
Bad news: I'm unblocked, starting tomorrow I have to go to work, and daily PCR tests [lying flat]