"Thank you for your help!"
Seizing the moment when the masked figure had created distance from the Ice Scale Armored Dragon, the middle-aged man swiftly retreated to the side of the man in plush clothing. He cast a grateful glance at Tang Sui and then extended his hand to the plush-clothed man, urgently urging, "How long are you going to sit on the ground? Run while you can!"
Scolded for a second time, the man in plush clothing flinched. Guiltily, he reached out and, with another steadying hand, got to his feet, preparing to flee. However, Tang Sui's outstretched hand stopped him.
"Wait a moment."
The two men turned their gazes to Tang Sui. The middle-aged man's face showed a flicker of confusion, but a hint of wariness was also hidden in his eyes.
As for the man in plush clothing, while also confused, he was more cautious.
"When I arrived just now, I happened to see your... well, companion leaving. But it seems you've been chasing this Ice Scale Armored Dragon for a long time, haven't you? Are you just going to give up like this?"
Tang Sui pretended not to notice the suspicion in the middle-aged man's eyes, fixing her gaze on the Ice Scale Armored Dragon, which was shaking its head and recovering from its disorientation.
"Roar—!!!"
The creature let out a thunderous roar. The silent wave of sound seemed to carry some form of mental shock, causing their eardrums to ache as if struck by heavy hammers. The man in plush clothing, who had the lowest soul power and magic resistance among the three, contorted his face and hissed, clutching his ears. His face, already pale from the cold, turned even more ashen.
"This guy can even use sound attacks!"
The middle-aged man's imposing presence was as steady as a bell. He merely furrowed his brow at the Ice Scale Armored Dragon's disruptive attack, showing no other signs of distress.
This was largely thanks to the effect of Tang Sui's second spirit ability; otherwise, he would also be suffering internal injuries.
Seeing the Ice Scale Armored Dragon preparing for another deadly charge, the faces of the middle-aged man and the man in plush clothing changed drastically. The former quickly apologized for his rudeness, then lunged forward, grabbed Tang Sui's wrist, and began to flee at high speed.
Suppressing the urge to dodge, Tang Sui frowned slightly and skillfully slipped her hand out of his rough grip, saying, "You don't need to drag me along, I can run myself."
The middle-aged man didn't say anything further. At this moment, conserving energy for their escape was indeed the best course of action.
Thus, the scene quickly reverted to the initial scenario: the Ice Scale Armored Dragon relentlessly pursued them like the shadow of death, while Tang Sui and the two men ran for their lives.
"It's not that we want to give up, but this Ice Scale Armored Dragon is incredibly strange."
As they ran, the middle-aged man also answered Tang Sui's earlier question, a bitter expression appearing in his eyes. "We're a temporary hunting team. Half a month ago, we discovered this Ice Scale Armored Dragon, which had a cultivation level of around sixty thousand years. Three days ago, we launched a final assault. We had it on the verge of death, but who knew, this Ice Scale Armored Dragon seems to possess a special skill!"
The man in plush clothing eagerly nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes. At that time, our... teammate had just taken a couple of steps towards the fallen Ice Scale Armored Dragon when it suddenly opened its eyes and recovered from its near-death state to full power. The wounds inflicted during the battle healed instantly, and it counterattacked us!"
"Oh?" Hearing this, Tang Sui's gaze flickered, and the masks in her spiritual space, who had been chattering about how cowardly these two were, fell silent.
The middle-aged man glanced back at the Ice Scale Armored Dragon pursuing them relentlessly from about twenty meters behind, and said grimly, "The strength of our hunting team generally surpasses the Soul King level. A sixty thousand year old Ice Scale Armored Dragon, given enough time, can naturally be defeated. But even if we could defeat it, we can't withstand this Ice Scale Armored Dragon's peculiar skill."
Tang Sui keenly caught the crucial point. "You mean, it has recovered from a near-death state to its peak instantly more than once?"
The two nodded in unison. The man in plush clothing said bitterly, "Precisely because of this, we decided to give up and flee. After all, it can recover, but our hunting team has no support-type soul masters, let alone healing soul masters. This is the fourth time. The Ice Scale Armored Dragon's defense is already formidable, and our soul power is considerably depleted during combat. There's truly nothing we can do..."
Hearing this, Tang Sui fell into thought.
The Ape Mask 'tsk'ed, articulating Tang Sui's dilemma. 'I thought it was such a coincidence, arriving at Qing Nu's room and running right into trouble. From the sound of it, this Ice Scale Armored Dragon doesn't seem to have anything to do with Qing Nu's room.'
Tang Sui agreed with the Ape Mask's assessment.
Although the complete Qing Nu's Room possessed the ability to resurrect, no matter how it manifested, as she had communicated with Qing Nu's Room, the necessary condition for activation of resurrection was that the object of resurrection must die, not be alive.
Recovering from a near-death state to its peak, time and time again?
It was making her a little tempted.
Tang Sui glanced at the two men, her eyelashes slightly lowered. A flicker of light danced in her eyes as she made up her mind.
"Forget it, I'll do them a favor."
"Gentlemen, I am a support-type soul master. If I can find a way to restrain this Ice Scale Armored Dragon and expose its weakness, do you have the confidence to kill it?"
Tang Sui turned her head to look at the middle-aged man.
As for why she didn't ask the other one.
Well, she wasn't blind and could see who held the greater influence.
"Also, my second spirit ability has a cooldown of 50 seconds and doesn't consume much of my soul power."
"This..." The middle-aged man met Tang Sui's calm gaze and thought of her healing spirit ability, which had been a critical turning point. He then turned to look at the man in plush clothing, who was watching them with expectant eyes.
The man in plush clothing immediately declared his stance. "Brother Hao Te, you saved my life. Without you, Zhou Zhuo wouldn't exist in this world. This Ice Scale Armored Dragon is the most suitable spirit beast for you. As long as you wish it, I am willing to contribute my strength!"
The middle-aged man, Hao Te, looked at the light in Zhou Zhuo's eyes, then glanced back at the Ice Scale Armored Dragon behind them, which looked determined to fight to the death. He steeled his heart and said sternly, "Alright! Then let's do it! This lady..."
"My name is Tang Sui," Tang Sui helpfully supplied her real name.
As for whether they would have a problem with a name that was once wanted by the Spirit Hall, and now the Spirit Empire?
She didn't think so.
She wasn't a Titled Douluo, nor had she gained fame under her real name. Moreover, this was a remote area, so the chance of being recognized was zero.
"My name is Hao Te, a level 68 assault-type Battle Soul Emperor, with the spirit of the Snow Spirit Demonic Bear. This is Zhou Zhuo, a level 59 assault-type Battle Soul King, with the spirit of the Arctic Ice Leopard."
Ice Leopard?
Tang Sui's mind conjured an image of a spindle-shaped seal, its fat belly patting rhythmically, and its black bean-like eyes seemingly filled with "intelligence." She then looked at the expectant Zhou Zhuo and thought to herself:
Hmm, this spirit does suit him quite well.
Da Fei Chu let out a scoff. 'Of course, he looks a bit naive.'
Fu Shen said faintly, 'Seals are cute, aren't they?'
Cute?
The Ape Mask couldn't help it first. 'Ugh.'
Da Fei Chu angrily retorted, 'Can you stop directing your insults at your own people!'
Fu Shen said meekly, 'I'm just stating the facts.'
Da Fei Chu grumbled.
The lively scene brought a faint smile to Tang Sui's eyes. The next second, she curved her lips and said,
"Tang Sui, level 89 support-type Tool Soul Douluo, spirit: Spiritual Mask."