The space around Tang Sui rippled with concentric waves.
Four pitch-black masks emerged.
The quantity matched, but the appearance of the last mask...
"Look, everyone, the mask on the far right isn't a fox mask, it's human-shaped!" Ning Rongrong pointed at the dark old man's face, her heart filled with shock and uncertainty.
The pitch-black masks surrounded Tang Sui, their steps unsteady, or rather, it was more fitting to say they floated in the air to the edge of the Vast Sea Cosmic Cover.
Then they watched as Tang Sui raised her hand, fumbling along the semi-transparent barrier of the Vast Sea Cosmic Cover, seemingly searching for an exit.
But unfortunately, once the Vast Sea Cosmic Cover's primary skill, the Vast Sea Protective Barrier, was activated, those inside, while protected, could not get out.
Unless the owner withdrew the skill, or it was shattered by a stronger force.
After fumbling for a while without finding an exit, Tang Sui let one hand drop. The other, still touching the thin barrier, remained still. A potent and deep black-red demonic energy condensed under her palm, and she slammed it onto the Vast Sea Cosmic Cover. The entire triangular prism trembled, but not a single gap appeared; it was incredibly sturdy.
Unable to break through the protective shield, Tang Sui let her last hand drop. Her fingers naturally curled slightly, without exerting any force. She maintained the posture of facing a wall in contemplation, her back to Ning Rongrong and the others.
The three exchanged glances, confirming they felt no abnormality from Tang Sui, whose current situation was clearly amiss. Xiao Wu, looking at the changed color of the masks, tentatively asked,
"Black... are you, another Sui Sui?"
Just as they expected another "Tang Sui" to answer them, a different, aged, and unfamiliar female voice responded, "Of course not."
The three froze, and in the next moment, they simultaneously turned their heads to look at the old man's face mask, which was suspended in mid-air, smiling genially.
Despite the kind and benevolent smile, the old man's mask now made their hearts turn cold.
"The Martial Soul... is speaking...?"
Zhu Zhuqing said with difficulty, looking at the empty eye sockets of the four masks before them, which slowly lit up with a spectral green glow...
Meanwhile, Tang San, who had just taken the lives of three more wolf bandits with his movements, paused. His gaze turned cold as he looked in the direction they had come from. He said grimly to Dai Mubai, who was fighting back-to-back with him, "Not good, Sui Sui has woken up, but something is wrong! I need to finish these quickly and go back!"
As the owner of the Vast Sea Cosmic Cover, any changes within the cover naturally couldn't be hidden from him.
Tang San, who had initially been delighted that Tang Sui had also woken up, became solemn upon "seeing" the four black masks and another unfamiliar old man's mask.
It was one thing for the masks to speak, but for it to be an old woman's voice!
Such a bizarre situation was something Tang San had only witnessed years ago when his soul had fallen into the residual soul of the Man-Faced Demon Spider while absorbing his fourth ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
Those wearing masks... no, it should be said, the consciousness of the masks themselves!
They must have malicious intentions!
With this thought, Tang San's attacks became even swifter and more ferocious, almost always taking the lives of more wolf bandits with each strike!
Upon hearing this, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, who was in the air, also intensified their attacks, no longer caring about their own injuries.
...
"You've frightened them. If she finds out, she'll be unhappy."
The second one to speak was the God of Fortune.
It spoke in a gentle tone, as if soothing their startled selves, but Xiao Wu and the others, who felt no comfort, only felt another wave of coldness surge from their feet to their heads.
"Why all this fuss? I'm starving!" Da Fei, who had been in a state of unsatisfied hunger ever since his energy was siphoned off by the newly appeared Old Face, became directly irritable.
Hunger...
Xiao Wu's pink eyes were tinged with a pink glow, and she asked warily, "What do you want to do?"
"Little girls, don't worry, we won't do anything to you," the Old Face said gently in its aged voice.
"Stop with the pointless talk, they're all asleep now, so even if we did something—!" Ape Mask's sinister voice abruptly cut off.
In the pitch-black mental space, the fox eyes, also glowing with spectral light, looked at Ape Mask with a half-smile. Its delicate voice carried a hint of threat: 'If you want to court death, don't drag us down with you.'
Ape Mask's large red eyes flickered, and it reluctantly closed its mouth.
Seeing Ape Mask fall silent, the Old Face, who knew exactly what was happening in the mental space, stepped forward again under the wary stares of Xiao Wu and the others, playing the good cop role. "Little girls, ask your companion to open this protective cover."
"We mean no harm, we've just been waiting too long and have lost our patience," God of Fortune's placid voice inexplicably sent a chill down one's spine.
Ning Rongrong's gaze became even more vigilant.
These masks... ever since they started talking to them, their purpose had been kept vague, and they were solely focused on getting out...
If they could always speak, why did they remain silent after Sui Sui woke up, and only now chose to speak?
Perhaps they had a deep connection with Sui Sui, but... she didn't trust these masks!
If Ning Rongrong knew what was in her mind, God of Fortune might feel very wronged.
It was merely stating facts, so why was it being perceived so negatively?
The port was almost within reach, and they, having the same memories and thoughts as Tang Sui, naturally knew how dangerous this voyage would be in the original timeline.
After the Old Face returned, it had already taken a lot of energy from their young master and had not been replenished.
Finally, they encountered a rare Red Moon, and with the scent of a large amount of food nearby, it was a good opportunity to replenish their energy. Of course, they couldn't hold back.
Since the young master and the other one were not awake, why not act now?
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and said, "You still haven't answered me, what do you plan to do after exiting the protective cover."
The honest God of Fortune replied, "Of course, to help the young master wake up. Don't you want to see the young master?"
They had something to hide.
Still not receiving a direct answer, Ning Rongrong didn't believe for a moment that they wouldn't cause trouble after leaving.
"The owner of this protective cover is not here, so it's useless even if we call someone to unseal it."
Xiao Wu said calmly, after exchanging a glance with Zhu Zhuqing.
She knew very well that Tang San was aware of the situation inside the protective cover, but she wouldn't reveal it now, instead testing them.
Even though Tang Sui had been in a coma and hadn't woken up, she was fully aware of everything happening around Tang Sui. Ape Mask immediately let out a cold snort, sinisterly saying, "Little girl, you don't need to play games with us. We know everything that has happened these past few days."
These humans were so calculating!
More troublesome than Fox Mask!
Fox Mask, who had heard Ape Mask's true thoughts through their shared consciousness: '?' Trying to play favorites?
—Aside—
Honest Face · God of Fortune (Indignant): I was doing this for everyone's good, why are you playing hard to get with me? Ignorance is bliss, isn't it QAQ
The masks that finally couldn't hold back have come out.
See you tomorrow~