A gentle breeze blew through the vast forest as the sun peeked through the canopy above. The sound of footsteps and soft laughter echoed through the woods as four young spirit masters made their way along the winding trail.
Lin Feng led the group with a spring in his step, his arms behind his head as he whistled an old village tune. "So, what's the over-under on Tang San getting lost again? I say five minutes," he chuckled.
"I heard that," Tang San replied flatly, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Xiao Wu giggled. "Don't worry, Brother Feng. If San Ge gets lost, I'll just throw him over my shoulder and carry him like luggage."
"Please don't," Tang San deadpanned.
Zhu Zhuqing, walking quietly behind the group, observed their banter in silence. She was still adjusting to the dynamic between these three strange companions who had rescued her just days ago. Her eyes frequently drifted to Lin Feng, who seemed to radiate warmth and energy like a small sun.
Lin Feng suddenly spun around and began walking backward, facing Zhu Zhuqing. "Hey, Zhuqing, right? How's your leg? That last forest brawl was kinda rough. You need a break? A piggyback ride? A flying cart?"
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, caught off guard by his sudden burst of attention. "I'm fine," she said curtly.
"That's code for 'yes but I won't admit it'," Lin Feng said with a mock-sagely nod.
Xiao Wu stifled a laugh, elbowing Tang San. "Look at him, flirting with Zhuqing already."
"He's not flirting," Tang San said, frowning. "He just talks like that to everyone."
"Exactly," Xiao Wu teased. "To everyone cute."
Lin Feng paused dramatically. "Are you saying I have good taste? Thank you, Xiao Wu. At least someone understands."
Zhu Zhuqing turned her face slightly to hide the faint blush coloring her cheeks. It had been a long time since anyone spoke to her with such carefree lightness. Even though she kept her walls up, Lin Feng's personality chipped away at them little by little.
As the day wore on, they passed through dense woods, crossed shallow rivers, and even encountered a family of spirit beasts who quickly retreated upon sensing the group's aura. Lin Feng, ever the entertainer, kept the mood light.
At one point, he climbed a tree dramatically to scout the way forward. "I see it! The land of Soto City, shimmering like a mirage!" he shouted, arms outstretched.
"That's just a hill," Tang San said.
"A majestic hill! With a bird on it! Look, it's looking back at me. We're communicating through eye contact. I think we're friends now."
Xiao Wu burst out laughing. Even Zhu Zhuqing allowed herself a small smile.
As they set up camp for the evening, Lin Feng took it upon himself to build the fire. "I got this. I watched Grandpa Jack do it like, twice. How hard can it be?"
"Famous last words," Tang San murmured.
Ten minutes and one smoking pile of twigs later, Lin Feng stood up, coughing. "Tang San, old buddy, how about we tag-team this fire? I provide moral support, you provide the actual fire."
Tang San sighed and got to work while Xiao Wu prepared dinner. Zhu Zhuqing sat quietly nearby, watching Lin Feng make exaggerated sneaky moves as he pretended to steal food from Xiao Wu's pot.
"Stop that!" Xiao Wu scolded, swatting at him with a spoon.
"Aiya! Assaulted in the line of hunger! So cruel!" Lin Feng clutched his chest and dramatically fell over next to Zhu Zhuqing.
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you always like this?"
He peeked at her from one eye. "You mean handsome, funny, and criminally misunderstood? Yes. Yes, I am."
That made her snort. "You're ridiculous."
"But you smiled," he pointed out, grinning.
She looked away quickly. "Don't get used to it."
After dinner, as the stars began to twinkle overhead, they all sat around the fire. Tang San discussed training, while Xiao Wu shared stories from the academy. Lin Feng, however, was unusually quiet for once. He gazed up at the sky.
"You know... it's kind of wild," he said softly. "Five years ago we were kids in Holy Spirit Village. And now we're heading to Soto City, ready to become real spirit masters. Feels like something out of a dream."
Xiao Wu leaned against him. "It doesn't feel that far away to me."
Tang San nodded. "Master always said we'd outgrow that village. But I didn't think it would happen so fast."
Zhu Zhuqing, looking at them, felt something stir in her heart. This kind of companionship, this warmth... it was foreign to her. Yet, it was comforting.
Lin Feng turned to her. "Hey Zhuqing, when we get to Soto, you better stick with us. No more running off and nearly getting sliced by bandits."
"I wasn't planning on it," she said quietly.
"Good. Because the Feng Squad doesn't leave its members behind."
"Feng Squad?" Xiao Wu and Tang San said in unison.
"Yeah! We need a name. Unless you prefer Team Handsome? Or Spirit Bros Plus One?"
"We are not calling ourselves any of that," Tang San declared.
Xiao Wu shook her head. "You're hopeless."
Zhu Zhuqing just chuckled.
As dawn broke the next day, they packed up and began the final leg of their journey. The forest slowly gave way to more open terrain, and soon the outer walls of Soto City appeared on the horizon, bathed in golden light.
"We made it," Tang San said.
"Soto City," Xiao Wu echoed, eyes wide with excitement.
Lin Feng held his arms out dramatically. "Ah, the city of possibilities! Of soul rings and markets and, most importantly, hot food not made by me."
Zhu Zhuqing stood beside him, silent. But in that moment, as Lin Feng turned to flash her a confident smile, she felt something flicker in her heart.
Perhaps this journey wouldn't be so cold after all.
And so, the four young spirit masters stepped through the gates of Soto City, unaware of the adventures that awaited them beyond the walls.