NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5: Star Duo Forest
The night stretched before them like an endless curtain of ink, the only sounds accompanying their journey being the rhythmic hum of the vehicle's wheels rolling over uneven dirt roads and the distant hoots of nocturnal creatures. The escape had been executed with precision, and now, three children embarked on a path leading them far from the village that had been their home and prison alike.
Chen sat in the driver's seat, his small hands gripping the controls of the stolen four-wheeled spirit-powered vehicle. It was a crude, rugged thing, meant for village patrols, but to them, it was a chariot of freedom. The backseat held Huànshēng and Pao, wedged between carefully packed sacks of rations, dried meats, and a few essentials they had gathered before their departure. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with the unspoken understanding that none of them could afford to let their guard down just yet.
"Chen, are you sure you know how to drive this thing?" Huànshēng finally asked, trying to ease the tension with a lopsided grin.
Chen didn't take his eyes off the road. "Of course. I watched those guards do it plenty of times. Plus, it's not that different from controlling a spirit beast carriage."
"That's not reassuring," Pao muttered under his breath, shifting uncomfortably as the vehicle hit another bump.
They drove in near darkness, guided only by the faint glow of Chen's Golden Emperor's Dagger spirit, which shimmered briefly whenever he adjusted the controls. It was still hard to believe—Chen had hidden his true strength so well that even Huànshēng had been surprised when the Book of Wonders revealed the truth. A Spirit Power of nine had already been impressive, but now both Huànshēng and Chen had broken through to ten.
Huànshēng had felt it happen three nights ago, one day after they had left the village. His body had suddenly burned with a feverish heat, and the Book of Wonders had shone brightly, flooding his senses with a rush of energy. He had barely been able to hold back his shouts of pain and exhilaration, realizing in that moment that his soul power had surged to ten. It wasn't just him—Chen had experienced the same, though with far less struggle, his expression calm even as his power deepened. Since, Pao was already at spirit power level 10, all three of them could now hunt for spirit rings.
Their journey stretched into long, arduous days and even longer, restless nights. The spirit-powered vehicle was not made for comfort, and despite their youthful energy, exhaustion settled into their bones like a slow-acting poison. They took turns keeping watch whenever they stopped to rest, sleeping in shifts beneath the wide, open sky. Occasionally, Huànshēng would open the Book of Wonders, scanning their surroundings with its appraisal function, ensuring they remained off the radar of any wandering dangers.
The landscape around them slowly began to change. At first, it had been rolling plains, dry and sparse, the kind of land that barely sustained the small villages scattered across it. Then, it gave way to thicker woods, towering trees standing like silent sentinels as they neared their destination. Each day, the air grew heavier with an eerie sense of presence—the kind that sent shivers down one's spine, even if nothing seemed immediately amiss.
One night, as they huddled around a small fire, Pao let out a heavy sigh. "We're really doing this, huh?"
Huànshēng leaned back against a rock, staring at the flickering flames. "What, are you getting cold feet now?"
"No," Pao said quickly, shaking his head. "It's just… it doesn't feel real yet. Leaving the village, heading to the Sar Dou Forest… I used to think about escaping all the time, but now that we're actually on our way, I keep wondering what's waiting for us there."
Chen, ever the composed one, calmly took a bite of dried meat before answering. "Freedom. And danger. But mostly freedom."
Huànshēng exhaled deeply, watching the fire dance in the night breeze. They had spent years under the shadow of a village that had never truly been what it appeared to be. Evil Spirit Masters had thrived in its hidden underbelly, raising children under false pretenses, manipulating lives like puppets on strings. And his own mother…
He clenched his fists.
No, he wasn't ready to face that yet. Right now, all that mattered was moving forward yet a sense of gloom hovered over him.
being a reincarnate he was obviously the eldest here, yet not only did these six-year old kids discovered the danger but also they have saved him from being a victim, 'a shame on all reincarnators.'
Two weeks passed in a grueling blur. The vehicle had long since run out of spirit energy, forcing them to continue on foot. Their bodies ached, their clothes clung to them with sweat and dirt, but still, they pressed on. Finally, as they reached the crest of a steep hill, the sight before them nearly stole the breath from their lungs.
The Sar Dou Forest stretched endlessly, a sea of emerald that swallowed the horizon. Towering trees with massive trunks twisted towards the heavens, their thick canopies casting deep shadows over the land. Mist curled around the base of the woods, shifting like living tendrils, whispering secrets lost to time. It was beautiful. It was ominous. And it was their next challenge.
"We made it," Huànshēng murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
Chen's grip tightened on the strap of his bag. "This is just the beginning."
Pao let out a long breath, then grinned. "Well, at least if we die, we'll have an interesting story to tell in the afterlife."
Huànshēng snorted, shaking his head. "You're an idiot."
"And you love me for it."
"Let's just focus on not dying first," Chen interjected, cutting their banter short. "From here on out, we need to be careful. The real journey starts now."
They took their first steps into the unknown, the dense forest swallowing them in its mystical embrace.
The forest was breathtakingly beautiful, vibrant flora dancing in the breeze, sunlight filtering through the canopy, and dappled shadows playing on the lush undergrowth. The sweet scent of blooming wildflowers mingled with the earthy aroma of moss. Majestic trees stood tall, their branches intertwining like ancient guardians. The air hummed with life, each whisper of the wind tinged with mystic energy.
Pao's voice broke the spell. "So, what are we gonna hunt?"
Chen scratched the back of his head, his usual confidence faltering. "Uh… I haven't really thought that far."
Pao sighed, while Huànshēng chuckled. Weeks of traveling had revealed Chen's true nature. In the village, he'd been aloof, the arrogant son of an elder. Yet, beneath that facade, he was just a smart, thoughtful kid who could be clumsy at times.
Just like right now.
"Well, what should we do?" Pao asked, his exasperation evident.
Before Chen could answer, Huànshēng spoke up, his eyes gleaming. "I have a plan."
Both Chen and Pao looked at him in surprise.
"Come here. Take a look." Huànshēng summoned his spirit.
Name: An Chen
Age: 6
Spirit: Golden Emperor's Dagger
Soul Power Level: 10
Next Spirit Ring: Location: Unknown (Required level 1)
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Name: Hua Pao
Age: 6
Spirit: Kung Fu Panda
Soul Power Level: 10
Next Spirit Ring: Location: Unknown (Required level 1)
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Both Chen and Pao stared at Huànshēng, their curiosity palpable.
"I guess you want an explanation," Huànshēng teased.
They nodded vigorously, anticipation in their eyes.
Huànshēng grinned. "Alright… but first, let's find a place to rest."
He turned, leading the way with a playful smile, leaving his friends bewildered yet eager for answers.
Their journey deeper into the forest continued until the distant sound of rushing water caught their attention. Following the sound, they arrived at a wide river, its surface shimmering under the dim light filtering through the trees. Schools of fish darted beneath the clear water, their scales reflecting shades of silver and blue. Some of them looked big enough to make a decent meal.
"Finally, something good!" Hua Pao cheered, rolling up his sleeves. "I'll catch one first!"
Without waiting, he leaped into the shallow edge of the river, his Panda Spirit flaring slightly as he thrust his hands into the water. The fish, however, were faster. Each time he lunged, they slipped past him with ease, their movements sharp and unpredictable. After several failed attempts, he stood up, panting, his clothes soaked. "These little things are too quick!"
Huànshēng tried next. Using a branch as a makeshift spear, he waited for the right moment before stabbing downward. The water rippled, but the fish escaped effortlessly. "This is harder than it looks..." he admitted with a sigh.
An Chen, watching quietly, finally stepped forward. He drew his Golden Emperor's Dagger, the blade gleaming faintly as he analyzed the fish's movements. With a sharp flick of his wrist, the dagger shot forward—striking cleanly through the water. Moments later, he pulled it back, a large fish impaled on its edge.
"You were saying?" An Chen smirked, holding up his catch.
Hua Pao crossed his arms, looking away. "Tch. Lucky shot."
Huànshēng chuckled. "Guess we have our dinner for tonight."
As the three prepared their meal by the riverbank, the reality of their journey settled upon them. The Sar Dou Forest was vast and filled with unknown dangers, but for now, they would take things one step at a time. They had made it this far, and with their combined strength, they would keep pushing forward—toward their first spirit rings and the challenges that lay ahead.