Dawn filtered through the high canopy of Star Dou Forest, casting dappled patterns of golden light onto the forest floor. A light mist clung to the underbrush, stirred gently by the occasional breeze. Birds began to chirp above, their calls cautious, as if still wary of the remnants of yesterday's violence.
Li Wei walked in silence, his steps light despite the tension coiled beneath his skin. Meng Yiran trailed just behind him, her newly earned spirit bone—Fang—resting quietly at her waist, as if asleep. She still bore signs of fatigue, but her stride was steadier today, her spirit brighter.
They had done it. Meng Yiran had acquired her third spirit ring. The mission was a success.
"Careful around that root," Li Wei said quietly, pointing to a gnarled limb poking from the moss. Meng Yiran nodded, offering a small, appreciative smile.
Behind them, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang followed at a slower pace. Meng Shu's expression remained unreadable, but every so often he would glance at his granddaughter with a warmth that didn't need words. Chao Tianxiang kept her senses sharp, staff tapping lightly against the ground with each step.
The group moved in practiced silence, each step taking them closer to the edge of the forest. After days of harsh encounters and tense spirit hunts, the peacefulness of the morning felt surreal—almost too quiet.
Li Wei slowed his pace.
"This is almost too quiet," he murmured, scanning the tree line. "Not even a single spirit beast call can be heard in the last few minutes."
Meng Shu came up beside him, eyes narrowing. "It's not unheard of. Some beasts avoid areas where a high-level predators recently died. The Man-Face Demon Spider's death likely disrupted the local territory hierarchy."
Li Wei nodded slowly. That made sense, but still—he couldn't shake the strange sensation curling in his chest. Like being watched, but not in hostility. Just… observed.
Just as he turned to speak again, a faint rustling echoed to their left. Leaves swayed, and from behind a patch of thick ferns, a figure emerged.
He was tall, perhaps in his early twenties, dressed in well-worn leather armor reinforced with ironweave padding. A short blade hung at his hip, and an ironwood bow was slung across his back. His hair was dusty brown, cropped short and practical, and his face bore the calm, impassive expression of someone used to surviving where death lingered in every shadow.
A Spirit Master.
The group instinctively tensed, but the stranger lifted one hand slowly, palm outward.
"I mean no harm," he said in a neutral tone. "I was sent to scout the edge of the hunting zone. Employer's orders."
Li Wei stepped slightly forward, not drawing any weapon but making sure he was in position to react if needed. "You're a mercenary?"
"Something like that," the man said. "The employer wants a map of which territories have been cleared. The spirit beast that lord over the nearby territory has been taken down. Whether it is from someone hunting it or the fight over territory is still unknown. What we know is that the hierarchy of this places territory and the nearest one will be shifting. For sometimes it will chaotic."
Chao Tianxiang narrowed her eyes. "You're operating under a guild?"
The man gave a small shake of his head. "Independent. Temporary contract. I won't ask your business, and I'd prefer you didn't ask mine."
"Then we're agreed," Meng Shu said, stepping between Li Wei and the stranger. "We've finished our hunt. We're on our way out."
The mercenary nodded once, then let his gaze drift over the group. When his eyes landed on Meng Yiran, they lingered for a breath too long—not with recognition or malice, but quiet appraisal. Perhaps he sensed her newly acquired spirit bone. Or perhaps he was just weighing the strength of each one.
He didn't comment.
"You'll find the west path less dangerous today," he offered. "The packs have shifted further north. Likely due to the scent of blood."
Li Wei inclined his head slightly. "Thanks."
"Safe travels." And with that, the man turned and vanished into the trees, movements fluid, not a single branch disturbed.
As soon as he was out of sight, Meng Yiran let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "He felt… cold."
"Not hostile, though," Li Wei replied. "Just doing his job."
"Still. The forest feels different today," she said quietly. "Like it's holding its breath."
---
They continued on in silence for a while longer. The air was warming, the mist slowly lifting. Patches of blue sky peeked through the canopy above. A sense of weariness had begun to settle into their bones—less from exhaustion, and more the aftermath of what they had endured.
Li Wei let his mind wander as he walked, eyes alert but unfocused. The scent of damp earth was strong here. Somewhere nearby, a creek babbled softly beneath the roots of ancient trees.
'That mercenary… his presence didn't feel out of place. But what kind of employer sends scouts into Star Dou Forest without direct objectives? Usually people hire the independent spirit master to help them get a spirit ring' Li Wei frowned, thoughts circling.
He didn't voice it aloud. The others had enough to think about. For now, caution would suffice.
Behind him, Meng Yiran broke the silence. "Li Wei"
He turned.
"Thank you," she said, voice soft. "Not just for yesterday. But for staying."
Li Wei smiled faintly. "You've thanked me more than enough."
"No," she shook her head. "I mean it. When I was fighting the spider… I could feel it. That you trusted me. That I wasn't alone."
Her fingers brushed Fang at her waist. "I think even this… it responded because it sensed that."
Li Wei looked at her, eyes gentle. "Then that means you earned it. Not just with power—but with heart."
Meng Shu, walking just behind them, gave a quiet grunt of approval. "Spirit beasts able to sense more than just a strength. Sometimes they able to sense whether you have the conviction for it."
Chao Tianxiang chuckled. "And stubbornness. Don't forget that."
They shared a quiet laugh—low, but genuine. The forest echoed it with a breeze through the leaves, as if giving them a parting blessing.
---
By midday, the trees began to thin. The undergrowth lessened, and patches of sun-dappled grass opened around them. The edge of Star Dou Forest lay just a few miles ahead.
Li Wei paused atop a small rise, letting the wind sweep across his face. He could smell the change—less damp rot, more open air. Civilization lay beyond this threshold. And with it, a return to schedules, challenges, and decisions.
He glanced at Meng Yiran. Her gaze was steady now. Strong. There was a new confidence in her stance—hard-earned, and deserved.
They had entered this forest as students.
They would leave as something more.
As the trees parted before them and the final stretch revealed itself, Li Wei whispered beneath his breath:
"Goodbye, Star Dou. Until next time."