Ghost Spirit Forest

Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes as he read the translucent panel hovering before him. The faint golden letters glowed softly, casting a warm light on his face.

> [Sign-in Quest: Enter Ghost Spirit Forest]

[Rewards – Unknown]

[Time – 19 hours left]

[Location – East of QimHun City, QimHun City – East of your current location]

His gaze flickered to Mu Qian, who stood beside him with her arms crossed, waiting for his decision. Without hesitation, he turned to her and said, "We need to head east."

Mu Qian, dressed in her signature white and red robes, nodded. Her bright eyes held a glimmer of excitement. "Alright. Let's not waste time."

Without another word, the two set off, their footsteps steady as they made their way through the vast wilderness. The forest surrounding them was thick and brimming with life, but it was far from ordinary. Strange rustling sounds echoed between the trees, and the sensation of being watched was ever-present. Shadows shifted between the thick foliage, revealing the presence of spirit demons lurking in the darkness. Their glowing eyes—red, yellow, and green—flashed in the night, but they dared not approach.

Shen Yuan's presence alone seemed to deter them. Whether it was due to his powerful aura or some deeper, instinctual fear, the creatures remained hidden. Only the occasional growls and distant howls broke the silence.

For hours, they pressed forward, cutting through dense vegetation and avoiding unnecessary confrontations. The terrain was uneven, filled with thick roots, loose stones, and the occasional small stream blocking their path. Despite the obstacles, neither of them complained. The air was cool, and the scent of damp earth mixed with the faint floral fragrance of unseen flowers, making the journey bearable.

Eventually, as the first light of dawn peeked over the horizon, a vast city emerged in the distance.

QimHun City.

Unlike the quiet, structured beauty of TianHuo City, QimHun City was bursting with life. Even from afar, the noise of merchants hawking their wares, the chatter of cultivators exchanging stories, and the occasional clash of swords rang through the air. As they stepped past the towering gates, the sheer vibrancy of the place was overwhelming.

The streets were filled with merchants selling everything from spiritual herbs and beast cores to enchanted weapons and rare alchemy materials. Cultivators of various sects walked through the city, their robes displaying distinct insignias. Some emanated powerful auras, their mere presence enough to make ordinary people step aside.

The scent of sizzling meat and exotic spices filled the air as street vendors busily grilled skewers over open flames. The crackling of fire mixed with the distant hum of formation arrays activating and deactivating in the background.

Mu Qian's eyes sparkled as she took in the scene. She had always loved lively places, and this city was a paradise for someone like her. "This city is amazing! Look at all these stalls! Do we have time to—"

"We're not stopping," Shen Yuan interrupted. His voice was firm but not unkind. "We have important matters to take care of. We can explore later."

Mu Qian pouted but didn't argue. With a reluctant sigh, she followed him as they weaved through the bustling crowd, heading toward the eastern gate of the city.

The journey continued.

As the hours passed, the terrain gradually changed. The forests grew thicker, and the sunlight struggled to pierce through the canopy above. The sounds of the city had long faded, replaced by the natural symphony of rustling leaves and the occasional chirping of unknown creatures.

However, Mu Qian's pace had begun to slow. Her breath was uneven, and sweat dotted her forehead.

"Shen Yuan…" she called out, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "I think we should rest for a bit."

Shen Yuan halted and turned to look at her. Unlike him, who had an unusually strong physique thanks to his cultivation and system enhancements, Mu Qian was still limited by normal human stamina. He could push forward indefinitely, but she needed time to recover.

He nodded. "Alright. We'll rest for a while."

They found a secluded spot beneath a large tree, where the ground was soft and free of sharp stones. Shen Yuan reached into his Dimensional Space and pulled out some dry rations, handing them to Mu Qian. "Eat. We still have a long way to go."

Mu Qian took the food with a bright smile. "You're not eating?"

"I don't need to," Shen Yuan replied simply.

She raised an eyebrow but didn't push the matter, focusing instead on replenishing her energy. After some time, once Mu Qian had regained her strength, they resumed their journey.

The deeper they traveled, the more the atmosphere changed. A strange, almost unearthly mist began to form, weaving through the trees like living tendrils. The air grew noticeably colder, sending a faint chill through Mu Qian's robes.

Then, they arrived.

Ghost Spirit Forest.

The entrance was marked by a sudden change in scenery. The trees here were darker, their bark almost black, and their leaves seemed translucent, glowing faintly in the dim light. Ethereal blue flowers lined the pathway, their luminescence casting an otherworldly glow. Despite its eerie name, the place was stunning—like something out of an ancient myth.

Mu Qian's eyes widened in awe. "It's so beautiful…"

She reached out, her fingers hovering just above one of the glowing flowers.

"Wait."

Shen Yuan's voice was sharp as he stepped in front of her, blocking her hand. Without a word, he retrieved some leaves from his Dimensional Space and gently placed them on the flower.

Sizzle.

The leaves burned instantly, turning to ash in mere seconds.

Mu Qian recoiled in shock. "It's poisonous?"

Shen Yuan nodded. "Seems like it. Be careful. We don't know what other dangers are hidden here."

Mu Qian swallowed nervously and withdrew her hand.

With caution in their steps, they ventured deeper into the Ghost Spirit Forest. The further they walked, the thicker the mist became, obscuring their vision. Strange whispers echoed through the trees—perhaps the wind, or something far more sinister. The entire forest pulsed with an unsettling energy, as though it were alive and watching them.

Then, suddenly—

> [Sign-in Quest Completed]

[Rewards – 1 million gold coins, 7900 Origin Points, 7 Bone Marrow Pills]

Shen Yuan's expression remained unreadable as he processed the notification. His wealth and strength had just taken another leap. He turned to Mu Qian and said, "Let's rest a bit."

Mu Qian, still wary of her surroundings, nodded. Using the results of his earlier experiment, Shen Yuan identified a tree that was not poisonous, and they settled beneath it.

For a while, neither spoke, simply allowing themselves a moment of reprieve. The forest, despite its dangers, was strangely peaceful.

After ensuring they were safe, Shen Yuan whispered under his breath, "System, show me my status."

> [Ding!]

Name: Shen Yuan

Identity: Transmigrator

Age: 13

Origin Points: 9100

Cultivation: Qi Gathering Realm (9th Layer)

Stats:

Strength: 560

Speed: 710

Stamina: 770

Qi: 1500

Talent: 1200

Intelligence: 9009

Defense: 1400

Spiritual State: 78

Cultivation Technique: Origin Sutra

Techniques: Dimensional Space – Earth Level

Shen Yuan's eyes flickered as he reviewed his stats. He didn't hesitate. "System, allocate all points to Talent, Qi, and Spiritual State."

> [Updated Stats]

Strength: 560

Speed: 710

Stamina: 770

Qi: 4500

Talent: 4200

Intelligence: 9009

Defense: 1400

Spiritual State: 3178

He exhaled lightly, feeling the surge of newfound power. With this, his cultivation speed and comprehension ability would increase exponentially.

The journey was far from over, but for now, they rested—waiting for the next challenge the world would throw their way.