บท 63: Hopelessness and Hope
A group of individuals could be seen escorting Ma Hongjun out of the Great Star Dou Forest, his demeanor heavy with disappointment and frustration. Despite his earnest pleas, they had decided against allowing him to remain in the search for Sheng Jun. Saixi's directive to Frank was clear: Ma Hongjun needed to return to Shrek Academy immediately.
Without assigning Frank a Spirit Emperor to aid in the search for Sheng Jun. Allowing a newly advanced Spirit Elder to stay would be a joke.
Seated together in the inn's restaurant not far from the forest, Frank gently placed a plate of food in front of the gloomy Ma Hongjun. He understood the young man's emotions but knew that stubbornness wouldn't change the situation.
"Eat something," Frank urged softly, his tone compassionate yet firm. "It's better to focus on becoming stronger quickly at the academy. The sooner you strengthen yourself, the sooner you'll be able to help. Understand?"
Ma Hongjun had recently turned twelve years old, despite people getting married and building a family at this age Frank still saw him as a kid so he advised earnestly.
Ma Hongjun obediently finished his meal under Frank's gentle but firm guidance. Once done, he stood up and stepped outside, pulling out his Dalu Link. He dialed Bai Chenxiang's number, informing her of his departure toward Shrek Academy and reassuring her of his swift return. After a brief conversation, he tucked away his device and wandered through the town.
As he strolled, Ma Hongjun's gaze suddenly sharpened. In the distance, he spotted a group of four figures walking towards the town. Recognition dawned, and a brilliant smile lit up his face. Without hesitation, he activated his Martial Soul Possession and took to the air, speeding towards them with determination.
"Teacher!" Ma Hongjun shouted joyously as he landed before Flender and the others, his presence exuding excitement and relief.
"Xiao Hongjun? What are you doing here?" Flender and Liu Erlong spoke simultaneously, their tones stern and filled with concern. To them, Ma Hongjun and Sheng Jun were like the children they never had, so his unexpected presence outside of the Academy naturally worried them. Flender, exhausted from recent events, hadn't initially noticed Ma Hongjun, his Predatory Eyes deactivated due to fatigue.
Feeling the weight of their scrutiny, Ma Hongjun swallowed nervously before hastily explaining his situation. He recounted how he had come to search for his Third Spirit Ring to how he had been denied participation in the search for Sheng Jun and redirected back to the Academy, prompting a nod of understanding from Flender. It had slipped his mind that Ma Hongjun had yet to attain his Third Spirit Ring before they had urgently sent him away.
"Hmm, it's fortunate you managed to subdue that Fire Spark Phoenix," Flender acknowledged, a smile breaking through his weariness. "Your Spirit Ring Skill is exceptionally potent, and combined with your Phoenix Nirvana, your combat prowess has surged significantly."
He sighed wearily, visibly drained both mentally and physically. "Let's return to the academy," Flender suggested, his voice carrying a hint of exhaustion. It was clear that the recent events had taken a toll on him.
"Teacher, where's Brother Jun? Did the people from Sheng Company take him?" Ma Hongjun's confused yet hopeful question hung in the air, his eyes scanning the faces of his teachers for any sign of reassurance. Knowing them, they couldn't have ceased their search for Sheng Jun unless they had found him or had a solid information about his fate.
Sensing the situation others decided to leave first. As they gradually departed, leaving only Flender, Liu Erlong, and Ma Hongjun alone, a heavy silence settled over them.
Flender's gaze softened with sorrow as he exchanged a solemn look with Liu Erlong. Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of a painful truth. "Xiao Hongjun... I'm afraid Xiao Jun is dead," Flender uttered quietly, his hand reaching out to rest comfortingly on Ma Hongjun's shoulder.
Liu Erlong, her own emotions raw, stepped forward and enveloped Ma Hongjun in a tight embrace, offering silent solace through the shared sorrow.
Ma Hongjun stood stunned, his heart sinking with disbelief and grief as the hope in his heart dissipated he knew his Teacher wouldn't joke about such a thing. Tears welled up in his eyes as he struggled to comprehend the loss of someone he considered a brother, a teacher, and a friend.
"I'm so sorry, Xiao Hongjun," Flender murmured softly, his voice heavy with regret and sadness. "We did everything we could..."
…
One day later, inside the Inner Area of the Great Star Dou Forest, a group of individuals sat around a campfire. The golden-haired man, Arthur, gazed at the horizon as the last rays of the setting sun bathed his head, giving his hair a shimmering golden hue.
Qinyu, sitting beside him, handed him a bowl of soup. "Arthur" she said softly, her concern evident in her voice as she watched him take the bowl gratefully. "Thank you, Qinyu," Arthur replied with a faint smile before beginning to eat. Despite the heavy weight of worry for Sheng Jun, he knew he needed to nourish himself, especially since he was nursing injuries.
"How are you holding up?" Qinyu asked with genuine concern, knowing full well the toll that interruption of condensing soul cores could take on a person.
"I'm fine. I took the time needed to travel here to recover. Bernard is worse off than me; after all, he's already old. That's why I said old people shouldn't force themselves," Arthur replied with a chuckle, though guilt flickered in his eyes as he glanced at Qinyu.
After both Arthur's and Bernard's Heavenly Dao Sutra had reached Level Five, they discovered the ability to condense what they instinctively recognized as soul cores. Despite already attaining Spirit Saint status, they knew this process could significantly enhance their potential. The condensed cores promised to augment their combat prowess by bolstering their soul power reserves and enhancing their soul power recovery capabilities.
In fact, Arthur and Bernard were not the only ones to have reached Level Five of the Heavenly Dao Sutra. For example Qinyu and Saixi had also achieved this milestone, but the decision was made for Arthur and Bernard to be the first to attempt condensing their soul cores. The reason behind this choice was partly due to the need for some members of the upper echelon of the Sheng Company to remain overseeing the Sheng Company in Sheng Jun's absence since he was at the academy. Although there was no immediate threat to the company, spreading themselves too thin could risk leaving critical areas vulnerable.
Now, not only had Arthur and Bernard failed to successfully condense their soul cores, but valuable days of Qinyu's and Saixi's efforts had also been lost in the process.
Sensing Arthur's thoughts, Qinyu offered him a rare smile and gently patted his hands. "Don't worry about it," she reassured him, her voice carrying warmth and understanding. "You and Bernard have the highest cultivation among us all, and your talent is unmatched, second only to Young Master. If only you hadn't been subjected to..." Her voice trailed off, a hint of sadness crossing her features as she lowered her gaze to the ground.
Deciding to distance herself slightly, Qinyu feared Arthur might be repulsed by memories of his past, which could affect their current bond.
But before she could withdraw, Arthur gently took her hands and guided her to sit back besides him. He spoke softly but firmly, his eyes earnest as they met hers.
"Qinyu, I've already told you that it doesn't bother me anymore," Arthur began, his voice steady and sincere. "Back then, when we first met, I didn't know you well. You are different from him, even though you both share the same type of Evil Martial Soul. You are you"
Qinyu stared back at him, her expression conflicted. She wanted to voice her concerns but found herself unable to form the words. The memories of Arthur's past haunted her, she felt guilty, even though it wasn't her who did it.
Arthur turned slightly to face her fully, still holding her hands gently on his face "I trust you, Qinyu," he continued, his voice filled with conviction. "We've been through so much together already. Whatever happened in the past, we've overcome it. Don't let it weigh on you."
Qinyu's gaze softened as she looked into Arthur's eyes. Slowly, she nodded, understanding the depth of his trust and the strength of their bond. She felt a sense of reassurance wash over her.
"Hmm," she finally whispered, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
At this moment, both Arthur and Qinyu felt a stir in their respective space rings. Retrieving a square-shaped object with a map, the sudden beep caught everyone's attention. Around them, onlookers who had been quietly observing their every move with imaginary popcorn now held their breath in anticipation, their excitement palpable.
"T-there's a reaction from the tracker!" Qinyu exclaimed with visible excitement, her eyes shining brightly as she showed the object to Arthur, who mirrored her excitement. Bernard, having rushed over upon hearing the sound, joined them with equal fervor.
"The signal is extremely weak, indicating it's coming from either the Inner Area or Core Area of the Great Star Dou Forest," Qinyu reported with a deep frown. Despite the challenge of pinpointing the exact location, the realization that there was a signal at all sparked hope among them. Sheng Jun was still be alive.
The news stirred a mix of emotions among Bernard and the others. Curses escaped their lips due to the unreliability of the tracker, but their eyes gleamed with renewed determination. They knew what this meant, it was a beacon of hope, a chance to find Sheng Jun amidst the dangers of the Inner Area once more.
"The rest is over! Everyone move!" Arthur declared, his command breaking the momentary silence. Immediately, the group sprung into action, fueled by renewed purpose.
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Aczekial
Aczekial Damn it, these people are flirting while my boy Sheng Jun is...well having a good time also...forget it we should pray for Ma Hongjun and others instead.
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