NOVPUBThe Morning started with their usual Routine. This meant Ning Feng, Tang Yin, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Jiang went to do some running. They were gradually joined by Ning Rong Rong, Zhu Zhuquing, and Oscar.
Weights were added to their arms and legs as time passed and the sun slowly rose.
Ning Feng Tang San and Xiao Wu took the helm, and Tang Yin was in the back, joined by Zhu Zhuquing. In the middle were their three supporters. None of them felt safe enough to train each to their own tempo. Instead, some of them slowed down to adapt to their weakest and slowest Ning Rong Rong and protected their supporters.
Those who felt it was too slow added extra weights to train properly.
Their caution did prove to be a good thing as they briefly encountered the students from the evening Prior Blue Sunshine Academy and their teacher. Tang San and Xiao Wu opened the circle around them. None of them wanted to get into trouble right now.
Slowly, the sun rose from the East on the horizon, bringing the first glimmers of dawn as they gathered their things and departed from the small village towards the forest. Tang Yin enjoyed the sight, knowing she would never tire of it, as the night faded away, and she gave a last look to the fading moon.
They accelerated; the further away from the village they headed, the faster they were. Shadows flashed past them as they rushed forward. Oscar was excited, imagining everything a new spirit, Rings, could bring him. Behind Tang, Yin Jiang slowly came closer until he was beside her.
"Yin," he said, shooting her a sad smile. "I will disappear once an opportunity arises once we are inside the forest."
"I understand. Are you sure?" She asked him, and he nodded.
"Yes. There is something ominous going on in the forest. I need to get behind it. Don't worry, though. With Zhao Wuji at your side, you should be safe enough. Not many can fight him." He whispered, and she nodded.
"Tale good care of yourself, will you."
"Always. There is little that can harm me." He said, pressing down on her hand before taking back his position.
The others hadn't listened to their conversations. Only Tang San gave her a long look of worry. She signed him, and there was nothing to worry about. Jiang having to depart had always been expected. It had been unusual for him to remain so long at their side until now. He had responsibilities among spirit beasts, after all. While he was free to leave it, he did not usually do it for extended periods.
The Star Dou Great Forest was located at the southern edge of the Heaven Dou Empire. The forest spanned two great empires, holding one of the largest populations of Spirit Beasts. It was also one of the few zones where the Border was somewhat unclear. Depending on which map one looked at, the Star Dou Empire held its majority or the Heaven Dou Empire did.
It was also a prime hunting spot for Spirit Masters due to the sheer size of it.
The further inside the forest they headed, the more precise the air became and the greenery lusher. The greater the trees became until they covered the sky above them, and they were deeply in the shadows as their feet hit the mossy ground, with only singular rays of light casting a golden shine to nature.
"Everyone stop." Zhao Wuji ordered.
They all halted their steps, every single one anting lightly, not exhausted but certainly already warmed up. Only Ning Feng, Jiang, and Dai Mubai appeared almost completely unfazed. Oscar quickly handed out his sausages, and they all took them with a brief nod of thankfulness as they bit into them. At this point, none of them felt weird anymore eating his sausages; they basically lived off them.
Zhao Wuji carefully observed the students in front of him.
"Listen. Star Dou forest is dangerous, especially its spirit beasts. This. This is nothing like the captive spirit beasts on the national spirit hunting grounds you are probably used to. We are still at the edge, but once we head deeper into it, you will all stay close to me, especially you three. Ning Rong Rong, Ning Feng, Oscar. Without my orders, I cannot engage or attack any spirit beasts. Understood?"
All of them nodded in understanding.
Oscar once again conjured sausage for them. "These will be fresh for the next twelve hours. They will help you recover and say you should not be hungry if anything happens. These dried ones are best used against detoxification as well."
Everyone took one and carefully tucked it into their bags or storage devices. Oscar most likely wouldn't have the time to conjure anything up should something happen. Seeing them ready, Zhao Wuji gave them a last look and then headed ahead, arranging them so that Dai Mubai and Tang San took the front, followed tightly by Jiang, Tang Yin, and Xiao Wu.
The deeper they headed into the forest, the more excited Xiao Wu and Tang Yin were. This earned them mild ire from Zhao Wuji, but as they followed his strict rules, he decided it was better to say nothing. There were no paths inside the forest, so Dai Mubai had to make one. However, he quickly noticed that except for Ning Ring Rong, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun weaved their own way through the greenery without the slightest effort, not needing a path as they used quick footwork and a way that appeared almost natural to them to run through the green.
It rose so much attention that eventually Zhao Wuji asked them. "Have you been into Star Dou forest before?"
"Yes," Jiang told him. "I don't think the others have been before, though. Although we were all trained to move almost undetected through the forest, similar to Zhu Zhuquing." He nodded at their most silent member, who made a small nod of agreement. She, too, had been trained to move through the forest completely undetected.
"I see."
"There is something ahead." Tang San interrupted them and tilted his head. "Or rather someone. I believe, several someones."
