"Since Xiao Su has said so, Jiang Yiling found it difficult to refuse and replied, "I'll go with you."
Just as Xiao Su was about to nod, Tang Xiye stepped forward and said, "That's not right. Senior Brother Jiang has the highest cultivation among us. If there are any demons or monsters, we who are new here might not be able to handle them. If something were to happen to so many of us, it would be difficult for Senior Brother Jiang to explain."
The implication was that Jiang Yiling and Xiao Su were not allowed to go back to find Wen Jinshu.
Upon hearing this, which concerned their own safety, many others began to chime in.
Jiang Yiling looked troubled. As the leader of this expedition, it was indeed difficult for him to abandon the group for personal reasons when the majority opposed it.
Xiao Su looked at Tang Xiye coldly and said to Jiang Yiling, "It's fine. Senior Brother Jiang can stay here. I'll go back alone to find Wen Jinshu."
Tang Xiye nodded with satisfaction, appearing as if this was only natural.
Jiang Yiling then said, "Alright, I'll stay. Is there anyone else willing to go back with Xiao Su to find Wen Jinshu?"
When everyone heard this, those who had been whispering earlier fell silent, as if afraid of being singled out. Even Yan Ruxue and Chen Bingbing, who often lingered around Wen Jinshu, did not dare to meet Xiao Su's gaze.
Xiao Su's gaze swept over them, and he let out a mocking laugh, waving his hand, "Forget it. I said I'll go myself."
Just then, as Xu Changzong was about to speak, Yan Jiaojiao, who had been quietly in a corner, slowly said, "I'll go with you."
Xiao Su was stunned, completely surprised that someone would step forward, and it was Yan Jiaojiao!
Tang Xiye immediately scoffed quietly, "Meddling busybody."
However, no one paid attention to Tang Xiye. Instead, some felt guilty for not having the courage to go with Xiao Su.
Jiang Yiling, on the other hand, was relieved. He had dealt with the night ghost demons with Yan Jiaojiao before and knew that although Yan Jiaojiao's strength was insufficient, she not only had the water spirit but also a powerful companion beast. With her accompanying Xiao Su, there was no need to worry.
"Alright, then you two must be careful and do not provoke the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon," Jiang Yiling instructed.
Yan Jiaojiao nodded, drew out her Ziyan from her waist, chanted a spell, and ascended on her sword. As she passed Xiao Su, she said without looking back, "Aren't you coming?"
Xiao Su finally snapped back to reality and pursued her on his sword.
Because they were looking for someone, Yan Jiaojiao did not fly too fast, and Xiao Su caught up in no time. He said in a low voice, "Consider it that I owe you a favor."
Yan Jiaojiao replied nonchalantly, "I'm not keeping track of favors."
Xiao Su pursed his lips, "Indeed. I already owe you a life, after all."
Xiao Su was referring to the time during the entrance examination when he was almost crushed to death by a magical beast, and Yan Jiaojiao had saved his life.
Thinking of this, Xiao Su couldn't help but ask, "Since you've helped us so many times, why did you refuse when we proposed forming an alliance with you?"
Yan Jiaojiao said indifferently, "Purely because I didn't want to watch you die. Don't take it to heart. I also don't want to waste time on forming factions and such."
Yan Jiaojiao then glanced at Xiao Su again, "Besides, you and Wen Jinshu don't need a third party, do you?"
Xiao Su's face instantly turned red, and he stammered, "This... it's fine if you don't want to. Let's continue searching for her."
Yan Jiaojiao smiled. The innocent feelings of young boys and girls truly made her, an elder of thousands of years, feel envious.
Yet, despite their careful search, there was still no sign of Wen Jinshu. She seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace in sight.
Xiao Su was clearly becoming anxious and began to fly faster, wanting to expand the search area.
They were not far from where the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon had been discovered. Just as Yan Jiaojiao was about to remind Xiao Su, the seemingly calm grass beneath his feet suddenly exploded, and a large, fleshy body shot out. It was the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon, which had been lurking underground all along!
It suddenly lunged out, accompanied by flying dirt and grass. Its maw, filled with sharp fangs, lunged towards Xiao Su!
"Be careful!"
Yan Jiaojiao shouted a warning and launched a ball of spiritual energy, striking the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon directly.
The immense impact caused the creature to stagger, and its sharp fangs narrowly missed Xiao Su, splashing a trail of viscous saliva onto his boots.
Xiao Su, startled, swayed precariously on his sword, nearly falling off as he rapidly ascended.
The Saw-toothed Earth Dragon, having missed its attack and been hit, became instantly agitated. It shook its fleshy body and turned its attention towards Yan Jiaojiao.
Yan Jiaojiao dodged the earth dragon, which moved like a giant python, on her sword. Seeing it smash heavily onto the ground again, she couldn't help but find it rather unintelligent.
At this moment, Xiao Su retracted the long sword from beneath his feet and held it in his hand, flying towards the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon with his sword pointed at its body.
Yan Jiaojiao's eyebrows twitched, and her Ziyan sword sped forward, deflecting the sword that was about to plunge into the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon. Xiao Su also flipped backward.
Yan Jiaojiao flew to his side and asked loudly, "What are you doing? Don't you know that doing so will cause the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon to split into two?"
Although the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon seemed clumsy, it was numerous. One was already troublesome, let alone two!
Xiao Su, however, said, "This Saw-toothed Earth Dragon eats people. It must be extremely hungry. Wen Jinshu might have been eaten by it."
"It's so large, how could it eat someone right under our noses?"
"What if Wen Jinshu was attacked by it after getting lost?"
"Then there should have been some commotion. Don't..."
Before Yan Jiaojiao and Xiao Su could finish their argument, the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon attacked them again. The two had no choice but to temporarily cease their debate and quickly leap backward, allowing the dragon's maw to smash onto the ground once more.
After dodging, Xiao Su circled behind the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon and aimed for its midsection again.
It was said that the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon's stomach was located in the center of its body, and breaking open its stomach would inevitably cause a wound sufficient to sever it.
Seeing that Xiao Su was determined to achieve his goal, Yan Jiaojiao could only sigh in exasperation and flew over with her sword.
"Cut it vertically!"
As Xiao Su's sword tip entered its body, Yan Jiaojiao spread her hands, trapping both ends of the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon with a spiritual net, and shouted.
Xiao Su cast a grateful glance at Yan Jiaojiao and, following her instruction, made a vertical cut in the middle of the Saw-toothed Earth Dragon. Viscous, scarlet liquid instantly sprayed out, drenching Xiao Su from head to toe. Its massive stomach sac was then exposed. Yan Jiaojiao peered closely and saw that beneath the thin membrane, there was indeed a faint human shape!"