Two Year Later_________
Two year had passed, and as the first light of dawn pierced through the trees, Arthev stood drenched in sweat, his chest rising and falling as he completed his morning routine. His movents were sharp, his body strong,his physical strength had undeniably grown. Yet, despite all his efforts, his soul power remained stuck at level 9.
"Two year already... and still at level 9?" Arthev muttered to himself, his eyes closing as if to shut out the frustration bubbling within. His expression remained calm, but anyone looking closely would notice the faint tension in his brows.
"My cultivation is so slow. It feels like I'm making progress in everything but my soul power," he thought, hands still hanging at his sides as he took deep, asured breaths. "I've been putting in the work, mixing physical training with soul power cultivation, but... sothing's off."
A hint of doubt crossed his mind, the sa nagging feeling he'd had for months. "It's like there's so invisible force holding back. Could be nothing, just an illusion... but I feel it every ti I ditate. I've been trying to push through it, but it feels like... sothing's slowing down."
He shook his head. There was no proof. Nothing concrete. Just a gut feeling that had grown more persistent over ti. But still, nothing.
Arthev smirked slightly, trying to laugh it off. "Guess I'll just have to train harder, then. If the universe wants to test , I'll make sure I pass with flying colors."
-----
As the sester drew to a close, Tang San packed his things, ready to return ho for the holiday. "Xiao Wu," he said, turning to his friend, "Will you be going ho tomorrow?"
Xiao Wu, who had grown very close to Tang San, smiled at him. Tang San was finally able to return ho and see his father again. He had already spoken to Shi San, the blacksmith, to get ti off. He had even bought a brand-new forging hamr, intending to gift it to his father, hoping it would bring him so joy.
Over the past year, Tang San's work at Shi San's smithy had paid off. The quality of the weapons and equipnt they produced had risen significantly, leading to increased business. Now, Tang San was earning five silver spirit coins a month, which, although modest, was still enough to support his basic needs. It was also equivalent to half a spirit master's stipend, making him feel more independent than ever.
Xiao Wu leaned back on the bed, her usually bright and playful eyes now filled with a hint of loneliness, a stark contrast to her usual lively deanor. "I'm not going ho. Maybe I'll just stay at the academy," she sighed, her voice lacking its usual energy.
Tang San was taken aback. "All year, you won't return to see your family?"
Xiao Wu's eyes suddenly brightened as an idea struck her. "Little San, your family isn't far from the academy, right? Why don't I co with you? We can visit! Anyway, Arthev is from the sa village as you, and Wang Sheng and Xiao Chen-Yu are both busy preparing for the interdiate spirit master academy exam, so there's no one to play with ."
Tang San chuckled softly. After spending a year with Xiao Wu, he'd co to understand her better. This little girl was like a bundle of energy full of chaos and fun, yet when she chose to be gentle, she was as sweet as a doll. But, just as quickly, she could transform into a whirlwind of mischief. The title Nuoding Xiao Wu Jie wasn't given to her for nothing; she had made quite an impression on the entire academy, leaving many students with a few bitter mories.
Xiao Wu then turned to Arthev, who was sitting nearby, engrossed in a book. "How about it, Arthev? The three of us should go together."
Arthev, without lifting his eyes from his book, replied flatly, "No, I won't be going."
Xiao Wu raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Why not? You don't want to see your family? Tang San's going."
Xiao Wu, still unaware of Arthev's background, added, "And you're from the sa village as him, aren't you?"
Arthev simply shook his head. "No, I have so things to take care of first."
Tang San, who had been quietly listening, decided not to press the matter further. He could sense that Arthev wasn't interested in discussing it.
"Alright, and tell Old Jack I said hello," Arthev added casually. "I'll visit him next ti."
Tang San smiled. "Okay, I'll tell him."
Arthev's generosity towards Old Jack was clear. He appreciated the man's help without any selfish motives, even though they had only known each other for a short ti. It was one of the things that set him apart from others.
Tang San nodded with a small smile, while Xiao Wu gave Arthev a mock pout before bounding after Tang San. Their footsteps faded down the dormitory hall, leaving Arthev alone with his thoughts. He closed his book with a soft snap, his expression shifting to sothing more serious,calculating, even. Now I move tomorrow, he thought, the words echoing in his mind like a quiet vow.
He hadn't joined Tang San and Xiao Wu for a reason far weightier than a simple holiday visit. Over the past two years, his dreams had grown persistent,hauntingly so. The sa images flickered night after night: crumbling ruins swallowed by vines, a lone tower leaning against a storm-swept sky, an isolated grove where the air itself seed to hum with secrets. At first, he'd dismissed them as nonsense, the kind of fleeting fantasies that vanish with the morning sun.
But their frequency gnawed at him. These places felt real, yet they didn't match anything from his mories of the Douluo Dalu story he knew so well from his previous life.
"If they're not from the series, then what are they? ",he mused, a faint crease forming between his brows. And if they're real, I need to know why i'm seeing this.
Arthev stood, brushing off the doubt like dust from his sleeves. He wasn't one to sit idle when answers dangled just out of reach. Old Jack could wait,ruins couldn't run away. With a asured stride, he left the dormitory and headed toward ...
Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy's teaching office.
The door creaked as Arthev stepped inside, the faint scent of ink and old parchnt greeting him. Director Su, a wiry man with hair more silver than black, looked up from a stack of papers, his glasses perched precariously on his nose.
"Arthev?" The elderly teacher blinked, surprise flickering across his face. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be halfway to Holy Spirit Village with Tang San by now? Sa village, sa holiday, no?"
Arthev offered a polite nod, his expression as neutral as a still pond. "Director Su, I've got sothing to handle first. Tang San can manage the village reunion without ."
"Oh?" Director Su set his quill down, leaning back in his chair with a curious glint in his eye. "Sothing to handle, you say? Don't tell you've finally gotten yourself into trouble. I'd bet five copper coins Xiao Wu dragged you into one of her sches."
A faint smirk tugged at Arthev's lips. "No sches this ti. Xiao Wu's chaos is Tang San's burden for the holiday. I just need to step outside for a bit."
"Outside?" Director Su's bushy brows shot up, nearly disappearing into his hairline.
"You an outside outside? Beyond the academy gates? What's this about,chasing soul beasts or hunting for so lost treasure? You're not the type to run off on a whim."
Arthev's smirk widened just a fraction, his tone dry as he replied, "If I were chasing treasure, I'd at least bring a shovel. No, it's simpler than that. I've got a… personal project. A little trip to clear my head."
Director Su squinted at him, clearly unconvinced. "A project, eh? You're calm as ever, but I've seen that look before,usually on students who think they're cleverer than . Last ti a kid said they needed to 'clear their head,' they ca back with a broken arm and a very angry rabbit chasing them."
"Then I'll make sure to avoid rabbits," Arthev said smoothly, his voice laced with just enough humor to keep it light. "I promise I'm not hunting trouble.....just answers."
"Answers?" Director Su huffed, crossing his arms. "You're starting to sound like one of those cryptic old hermits from the stories. Fine, fine. You're a smart one, Arthev.....I'll trust you not to get yourself eaten by sothing with more teeth than sense. How long will you be gone?"
"A week, maybe two," Arthev replied, already ntally mapping the route from his dream sketches. "I'll be back before the next sester starts. No need to send a search party."
Director Su chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. "Good, because I'm too old to go traipsing after you. Just don't make explain to the headmaster why one of my best students vanished into the wilderness. And if you find any treasure, bring back a trinket,my desk could use so sprucing up."
"I'll keep an eye out," Arthev said with a rare, genuine grin. "Thank you, Director."
As he turned to leave, Director Su called after him, "And watch out for those rabbits! They're sneakier than they look!"
Arthev shook his head, stifling a laugh as the door clicked shut behind him. The old man had a point,trouble had a way of finding you when you least expected it. But Arthev wasn't worried. Whatever lay in those ruins, he'd face it with the sa calm resolve that had carried him this far.
Tomorrow ,he'd set out.
To be continued.....
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