Six years had passed since the tragedy at Qinghe Town. Four fifteen-year-old lads stood together at the edge of a dense forest near Gray Stone Village, the secluded home where they had spent the past two years training under Wang Yan's grandfather.
Wang Yan and Liu Ming shared the same height and athletic build, their lean, well-toned bodies reflecting years of disciplined cultivation. Wang Yan's sharp eyes glimmered with calm authority, while Liu Ming's composed gaze betrayed a calculating, precise mind. Slightly taller than the rest, Zhao Qing's muscular physique marked him as the powerhouse of the group. His Thunder Beast Martial Soul had honed his body to elite standards, and his focused, serious eyes reflected both his training and the hardships of his past. Chen Yu, matching Wang Yan's height but slightly thinner, moved with agility and precision; his lively eyes and playful energy belied the skill he had earned through unrelenting practice.
The six years since Qinghe Town had been defined by steady growth and rigorous cultivation. One year after the tragedy, Liu Ming broke through to level ten, quickly stabilizing his Spirit power under disciplined training. The following year, Chen Yu and Zhao Qing reached level ten.
At twelve, Wang Yan faced an Azure Scale Tiger, a Soul Beast over 850 years old, its sharp claws and flowing aura of Spirit energy perfectly complementing his sword. After a fierce battle, he broke through to level twenty and refined the beast's Soul Ring, stabilizing his second fully controlled Soul Ring. A year later, Liu Ming achieved level twenty and refined his Soul Ring. Shortly after, Chen Yu and Zhao Qing broke through to level twenty and refined their Soul Rings at age thirteen. Only then did the four friends apply for graduation from the Junior Soul Master Academy, ensuring they would leave together.
After graduation, they returned to Gray Stone Village for two years of intensive training under Wang Yan's grandfather. Daily sword drills, Spirit power circulation, and sparring honed their bodies, reflexes, and Spirit control. By the end of this period, Wang Yan had reached level thirty, commanding his Spirit power with calm authority; Liu Ming reached twenty-seven, Chen Yu and Zhao Qing each reached twenty-six.
Now, standing together at the edge of the forest near Gray Stone Village, the four friends were ready to hunt a powerful Soul Beast.
Wang Yan adjusted the strap of his sword sheath and glanced at the dense forest near Gray Stone Village. "This is it," he said, calm but alert. "We're here to find a beast worthy of our strength. Stay sharp and move carefully."
Zhao Qing's dark eyes scanned the shadows, muscles coiling with anticipation. "Finally… something that can actually test us," he murmured. "We've trained too long for anything less."
Chen Yu shifted on his feet, grin tugging at his lips. "Well, at least today I get to chase something bigger than Liu Ming's ego," he quipped, letting a soft laugh escape. "This should be fun."
Liu Ming adjusted his stance, calm as ever, eyes flicking over the forest floor and the sway of branches. "Fun aside," he said, measured, "this forest isn't forgiving. One mistake, and it could cost more than bruised pride. Stay focused."
Wang Yan exhaled slowly, tightening his grip on his sword. "Focus, control, timing. Remember our training. We move carefully and deal with whatever shows itself."
They entered the forest , it seemed alive, mist curling around roots and trunks, and a faint pulse of ancient Spirit energy brushed against their awareness.
After nearly half an hour later suddenly the ground trembled slightly, and a low rumble echoed through the trees.
From the shadows, a colossal form emerged—the Ironhorn Beast. Its jagged, dark scales shimmered with centuries of Spirit energy, eyes glowing molten gold, radiating almost 1800 years of raw strength. Each step pressed down like a living weight.
Zhao Qing's fists sparked with Thunder Spirit energy. "Finally… a real fight," he muttered, lips curving in a fierce grin.
Chen Yu coiled lightly, Spirit energy swirling around his limbs. "Looks like our lessons finally get some action. Don't blink—or we might miss the fun."
Wang Yan drew his sword, blade catching faint light as his Spirit Ring flared. "Remember—control and precision. Strike only when the opening appears."
The Ironhorn Beast charged, earth trembling under its massive weight, roaring through the forest. Liu Ming's barrier flared instinctively, deflecting debris and stabilizing the group, while Chen Yu darted along the flank, agile and unpredictable, baiting the creature with rapid movements.
Zhao Qing slammed into the beast's side, fists crackling with Thunder Spirit energy. Wang Yan struck at weak points with deadly precision, Spirit Ring amplifying every cut. Liu Ming maintained the defensive barrier, allowing Chen Yu's agile maneuvers to create openings.
The forest shook with the clash. Spirit energy surged like waves from the Ironhorn Beast, yet the four young masters moved in a seamless rhythm, born of years of training together. Even this 1800-year-old creature was challenged for the first time in centuries.
Finally, the Ironhorn Beast paused, breathing heavily, eyes locking on Wang Yan. He lowered his sword slowly, voice quiet but firm. "Strong… but not suitable for me. Let it live."
Zhao Qing exhaled, muscles relaxing. "Agreed. Enough to test us. No need to take a life we don't require."
Chen Yu laughed softly, brushing leaves from his shoulders. "Still… that got my heart racing. And I'd say it's way more exciting than training in the mud."
Liu Ming's composed expression softened slightly. "It gave us everything we needed—a real test. That's enough."
The four friends watched as the Ironhorn Beast slowly retreated into the shadows. Spirit energy still hummed faintly around them.
The forest grew denser as the four friends pressed deeper, moving carefully over twisted roots and uneven terrain. Spirit energy pulsed faintly, sometimes subtle, sometimes overwhelming, signaling the presence of creatures lurking just out of sight.
They encountered several beasts along the way—armored, enormous, or cunning—but each time Wang Yan examined them, he shook his head. "Too sluggish… too weak… not compatible," he muttered. Zhao Qing's shoulders tensed with every rejection, while Chen Yu flitted between the trees, eyes sparkling with a mix of impatience and excitement.
"Finally," Chen Yu said after yet another failed attempt, smirking, "I am starting to think the beasts are gone on vacation."
Liu Ming adjusted his stance, scanning the surroundings carefully. "Patience. The right one won't reveal itself easily. It's testing us as much as we're testing the forest."
Hours passed, sunlight dwindling as mist thickened and shadows stretched long. The forest seemed alive, every rustle of leaves or snap of a branch sharpening their senses. Then, in the deepest part of the forest, the Spirit energy shifted dramatically—a dense, oppressive pulse far stronger than anything they had encountered before.
Wang Yan's eyes narrowed. "This… this is different. Stronger than the last one. Move carefully."
From the dark waters of a wide, slow-moving river, a massive shape surged forward. Its scales were deep crimson with black ridges along its spine, and its tail ended in a jagged, blade-like fin that gleamed like sharpened steel. Its amber eyes glowed with centuries of intelligence. It was Bloodspike Alligator. The Spirit energy radiating from it was over 2000 years old—far surpassing the Ironhorn Beast they had faced before.
Zhao Qing's fists sparked, Thunder Spirit energy coiling along his arms. "This… this is it. Finally, a challenge worthy of us."
Chen Yu's grin widened, his agile form shifting slightly. "Looks like my luck finally turned."
Wang Yan stepped forward slowly, sword in hand, eyes fixed on the creature. "Observe first. Its Spirit energy… immense. This will test everything we've learned. Everyone be ready."
Liu Ming's calm voice broke the tense silence. "Coordinate. Move carefully. One wrong step, and it could crush us before we even strike."
The four crouched low, circling subtly, watching the Bloodspike Alligator glide through the water with terrifying grace. Its presence alone made the forest shiver; the Spirit energy radiating from it was alive, ancient, and cunning.
Wang Yan's grip tightened on his sword. "This one… this is exactly what we came for. Let's see what we're capable of."
End of chapter.