Chapter Eleven: Entering the Monster Forest

  The next day, we all gathered at the entrance of the college. The instructor called me over and said a few words to me alone.

  "Xi Meng, this outdoor training is an annual event held by our Dou Huang Silver Palace. It's only when facing life and death that one can make a breakthrough. This is real combat, and every year many students die in the Magic Beast Forest. You must be careful. After all, you are human, and your soul is also here as a human incarnation. If you're seriously injured, it will be dangerous. Believe me, if you can come out of this place, you'll make rapid progress. It's best to pay attention inside, and if there's a suitable magic beast, collect it. It will help you greatly in the future. You only have one chance, so be careful." Nian's expression was serious as he exhorted me.

  "I understand, thank you teacher."

  We returned to the group. "Group 36, gather here." With a male instructor's voice, the originally noisy entrance suddenly became quiet. Everyone stared at the instructor.

  I pulled Xiao Pu along as we walked over, and saw two figures walking towards us from the other direction. Yin Yue, that boy who existed like the moon, was wearing a deep purple long robe, with silver hair and purple eyes, looking like a character straight out of a comic book. Although his mouth was curved into a smile, the aura he gave off was one of detachment, as if everything was unrelated to him, elegant yet aloof. I too, like everyone else, stared blankly at him until he stopped in front of us and said lightly, "I'm the team leader, let's begin."

  "Stop staring! Just stop!" The girl named Huo Shan yelled, then turned her head and gently asked Yin Yue, "Your Highness, can we depart now?"

  "Wait a bit longer, everyone report their respective levels and then cover this crystal ball with your hands," the principal said. "This time, students who can return will have rewards of varying sizes based on their level progress."

  It was too chaotic before, and I didn't even know there was still something to say.

  "I, Huo Shan, intermediate necromancer." As soon as she finished speaking, her hand reached out to the crystal ball, and a layer of medium gray light attached itself to it. She proudly raised her head, and indeed, there was a chorus of flattering voices around her. "No wonder she's the eldest miss of the Huo He tribe, this talent is simply astonishing." "Yes, she's only been in the academy for 3 years, right?" "She's beautiful, has high magical powers, I'm really envious of her."

  "In the Underworld, a middle-level cultivator." The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the young man named Silver Moon. As the crystal ball shone with golden light, he once again conquered the gaze of all the demons and ghosts. Everyone was still unable to accept it, as if this was an impossible existence.

  "Prince Silver Moon is so handsome!" Huo Shan shouted loudly, and the surroundings started to boil over. I knew they were all discussing Prince Silver Moon.

  "Xiao Pu, intermediate level of Dead Warrior." Xiao Pu said in a low voice with some embarrassment. The instructor nodded, for us new students, Xiao Pu's achievement was already not bad, after all, everyone had just arrived and were still under the charm of Silver Moon. Unfortunately, everyone ignored Xiao Pu.

  "Xi Meng, Warrior Intermediate." In an instant, I felt countless eyes on me, wasn't it strange? Even my mentor, Nian, looked at me with an incredulous expression.

  "Are you a freshman?" the instructor asked me

  "Yes, this semester just arrived." I nodded.

  "Nian, she is from your class, why didn't you report it?" The instructor looked at my mentor Nian with some blame.

  "This child was just sent by the Rongda family, I didn't expect her to reach such a high level at this age." Nian said helplessly.

  "Alright, you go report to the principal." The instructor said to Nian, then looked at me and said, "Xi Meng, be careful in the Magic Beast Forest, make sure to come back."

  I nodded helplessly. What's going on?

  I felt a very strong light shining towards me. I turned around and it was Silver Moon. He saw me turn around, then said, "Alright, let's set off."

  The whole way was very quiet, strange, even Xiaopu was so quiet. Suddenly, Xiaopu said, "My god, Ximeng, how did I not notice that there is a genius like you by my side? Did you directly jump from Dead Soldier to Warrior level? It's too amazing."

  As expected, Xiaopu's mouth opened and I was worried about how to explain. The fire fan spoke up, "Isn't it just that you have a high innate talent? This is a place for actual combat, no experience won't do, follow closely, don't talk nonsense. Don't drag me and Princess Yin Yue down later." She glared at us and continued following behind Princess Yin Yue.

  After a while, the silent Silver Moon spoke up, "The entrance to the Demon Beast Forest is just ahead, be careful."

  Obviously, Xiao Pu who had no actual combat experience was a bit scared, she tightly grasped my hand, and Huo Shan let out a disdainful "hmmph". I'm fine, the previous battles allowed me to be calmer. I looked up at the sky: Cang, did you see that? I am growing up.

  As we entered the forest entrance, led by Silver Moon, we arrived at this Beast Forest that many students both fear and yearn for. This place is no different from the forests in the human world, yet Blue Witch Maidens appear here; such delicate flowers grow so carelessly here. I was admiring the scenery all around, completely forgetting that this is a place where magical beasts roam. Suddenly, a "whooshing" sound came, and a magical beast charged towards us. Before I or Little Pu could react, that thing had already pounced.

  "Moon Demon Arrow, go!" Yin Yue shouted loudly, a green light shot out, and the demon beast didn't even struggle before it died.

  "See, I told you, what's the use of having high innate talent? You've just arrived and already caused trouble." Huo Shan took the opportunity to mock me.

  "You think you're so great just because you got in here first, don't you? Just because you entered the academy before us, what's there to be proud of?" Little Pu couldn't take it anymore and shot back.

  "You're just a little cat demon, dare to teach me? I,"

  "That's enough, Huo Shan." Before Huo Shan could finish speaking, Yin Yue interrupted him. Xiao Pu and Huo Shan still wanted to argue, but with Yin Yue present, they glared at each other and shut their mouths.

  I pulled LaLa Xiao Pu and shook my head saying, "Forget it, we're a team, let's talk about it when we get back."

  After that monster, I became vigilant. It's been too long since we last fought, and I had almost forgotten the lessons I was taught. Slowly but surely, we began to enter a state of preparedness. This is just the outer periphery of the forest, and the level of the monsters here isn't high, so it's still relatively easy for us to deal with them.

  The flute in my hand was given to me by Qiu, it's called 'Bone Flute' and was made from the teeth of his divine beast, very hard. He said that with Yu's pure sound driving this flute, it would be much easier. Here, I absolutely cannot reveal my original moves unless necessary, because some strong people will know about the Dream Soul Master and I will be in danger. Divine instruments are rare here but not non-existent, as long as you have means and wealth, you can get one, but after all, they are divine instruments that counteract the darkness of the underworld. Qiu said, don't worry too much, there will always be special exceptions to physical qualities, so there will always be people who use divine instruments. So the Bone Flute is my best defensive weapon here. The Bone Flute has seven levels, and the sound it produces seems like a simple melody, but each level's attack is a different element: Level 1 Wind Wing, Level 2 Water Shield, Level 3 Thunder Shock, Level 4 Electric Flash, Level 5 Fire Tongue, Level 6 Snow Dance, and Level 7 is the most terrifying one, which combines all the powers of the previous six levels, Illusion Annihilation. My current level is only at Level 1, and I dare not imagine what it would be like to reach Level 7.

  The sound of the bone flute was very low, and the "First-class Wind Wing" low-level demon beast heard it and started to flee. Those who were closer were swept away by the wind in an instant and disappeared. The divine artifact was indeed different. Xiao Pu looked at the fire fan with satisfaction, holding my arm and taking big strides forward.