The carriage came to a halt as they arrived at a bustling town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Hunting Forest. The streets were filled with adventurers, traders, and spirit masters, each with their own goals within the famed and dangerous forest. Shen stepped down, his golden eyes scanning the lively marketplace, his heart racing with anticipation.
"Stay close," Uncle Ren instructed, his voice calm yet firm. "This town may be safer than the forest, but it's not without its dangers."
Shen and Fu Lian nodded in unison, their excitement barely contained as they followed their uncles toward the forest gate. Upon reaching the entrance, they encountered a large, armored man seated behind a wooden counter.
"Entry to the Star Dou Hunting Forest costs five gold coins per day," the man barked, his gaze scrutinizing the group.
Ren Tai handed over the coins without hesitation. "We'll need a permit for 20 days."
The man grunted, stamping their permits before waving them through. Beyond the gates, a dense canopy of trees loomed, the air thick with the sounds of distant roars and rustling leaves.
"Remember," Uncle Yin said, his tone serious, "this forest is unlike anything you've faced. Stay vigilant at all times."
Shen and Fu Lian exchanged a glance, their excitement tinged with nervousness as they stepped into the wild.
As they ventured deeper, Shen marveled at the spirit beasts that roamed the forest. Deer with luminous antlers darted through the undergrowth, while brightly feathered birds flitted overhead, their calls echoing through the trees.
"This place is incredible," Fu Lian whispered, her eyes wide with wonder.
Their admiration was cut short when Ren Tai suddenly raised a hand, signaling them to stop. Ahead, a pack of five Gale Wolves emerged from the shadows, their silvery fur bristling as they growled.
"Fifty-year-old spirit beasts," Ren Tai murmured. "They're not strong, but they're fast and coordinated. Shen, this is a good chance to test your skills."
Shen stepped forward, his grip tightening on his blade as his heart pounded. Drawing a deep breath, he activated his Azure Wind Steps, his form becoming a blur as he closed the distance.
The wolves reacted instantly, lunging toward him with sharp fangs and claws. Shen moved with precision, his sword glowing faintly with spirit energy. He executed the second form of his sword technique: Solar Arc.
The blade traced a radiant arc through the air, its motion mimicking the sun's path across the sky. Four of the wolves fell instantly, their heads severed in a single, flowing strike.
The fifth wolf, more cautious than the rest, leapt at Shen's exposed flank. He sidestepped effortlessly, his movements as fluid as the wind. Turning sharply, he unleashed the first form: Rising Dawn.
His blade surged upward, cutting the wolf cleanly in half. Blood spattered the ground as Shen landed lightly, his breathing steady despite the exertion.
Ren Tai and Uncle Yin watched from a distance, their expressions a mix of pride and caution.
"Well done," Uncle Yin said. "But remember, even the weakest beasts can be dangerous if you drop your guard. Always stay alert."
Shen nodded, their advice firmly in mind as they pressed onward.
The group encountered many spirit beasts as they delved deeper into the forest. Ren Tai's spirit power pressure sent beasts over 500 years old fleeing, while Shen used the remaining beasts as practice targets.
Despite his skill, Shen was mindful of the forest's balance, choosing not to kill unnecessarily. After a brief clash with a 300-year-old Datura Snake, which he dispatched with ease, the group stumbled upon an intense battle.
A 500-year-old Frost Tree Serpent coiled around the trunk of a massive tree, its icy scales glinting in the sunlight. Opposing it was an 800-year-old Ice Venom Scorpion, its stinger lashing out with deadly precision. The serpent countered with freezing breath, its movements calculated yet strained.
Uncle Yin stepped forward, his spirit power flaring. With a single strike from his martial spirit, the Ice Venom Scorpion fell lifeless, its body collapsing into the snow-dusted ground. The Frost Tree Serpent, injured but alive, hissed weakly.
"Lian," Uncle Yin said, turning to the girl. "This is your chance. Strike now before it recovers."
Fu Lian's hands trembled as she drew her dagger, her steps hesitant at first. But then, steeling her resolve, she approached the serpent and drove the blade into its head. The serpent twitched once before falling still.
A yellow spirit ring rose from its body, glowing faintly.
"Even though it's slightly beyond your limit, you should absorb it," Ren Tai said. "But be prepared. It won't be easy."
Fu Lian nodded, sitting cross-legged beside the serpent's body. She closed her eyes, guiding the spirit ring toward her. The process was arduous, her face contorting in pain as the ring's energy surged through her.
Shen watched anxiously, but after what felt like an eternity, Fu Lian's breathing steadied. She opened her eyes, and the faint glow of her first spirit ring shimmered around her.
"My ability," Fu Lian said, her voice filled with awe, "is called Frozen Grasp. I can create serpentine ice binds from moisture in the air to immobilize targets and cause a freezing effect."
"Well done," Uncle Yin said, pride evident in his tone.
The group continued searching for a suitable spirit beast for Shen's Divine Radiant Sword, but luck seemed to elude them. Days passed without finding a viable target, frustration mounting as time wore on.
Finally, on the sixth day, as the sun began its descent, they came across a promising opportunity.
A faint rumble shook the ground, and the air grew tense. Shen's golden eyes narrowed as he gripped his sword, his anticipation building.
"This might be it," he murmured, stepping forward as the forest seemed to hold its breath.
To be continued…
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Sorry guys I come bearing bad news, there will only be one chapter today
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