《World Of Souls》


 Chapter 1: Sa Muni

    Authors Note: I have been reading a lot of Xianxia lately. Coiling Dragon, Stellar Transformations, Desolate Era, Martial God Asura, etc etc. So it would come as no surprise that I got an idea of my own xianxia novel. I would like it to be original though I must warn you it could end up as just a mix of all the xianxia I have read. Just so you know, so judge accordingly.


    I am not Chinese so the names would probably not be Chinese. I will still follow the convention of writing surnames first, like the Chinese names.


    Working swiftly on the next Long Island chapter btw.


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    A typical morning in the small town of Manthan in the kingdom of Karmapatta, which lies south of the Malabar mountains.


    "Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"


    Loud noises of exertion reverberate the surroundings in a small field.


    "Extend your limbs more, the more you stretch the more flexible they will become." A booming voice was heard which commanded complete obedience.


    "Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!" And the students followed.


    "Halt!" An order was given. Like a taut string was suddenly loosened, the legs of almost a fifty people bent down on the ground, completely tired. A lot of them rubbed their legs vigorously to get the blood flowing. Leg stretching exercises were always very brutal for even the best of them. It always felt like the instructors were trying to extend their legs by a few inches. Not that anyone had grown taller this way.


    The chief instructor, Tri Manlu, was an old man with silver hair wearing a loose blue dress and right now he was standing with crossed arms watching the field. Anyone looking at his eyes would be spellbound by their intensity and would feel like the eyes could look into their soul itself. And he probably could.


    The person who could look into the soul cannot be lied to. Everyone of the students knew that and none tried to cheat on this exercise, no matter how painful it became.


    Just a moment ago, they were all hanging upside down on the trees using only the strength of their feet. The exercise varied for different ages. Based on the age, all students were divided into grades. Light grade meant the ages of 6-9, bronze grade were ages 9 - 12 and silver grade were 12-15 years old.


    Light grade students were simply trying to hang upside down while the instructors gently pulled. The bronze grade ones were holding onto weights with their hands. The silver grade ones needed to lift the weights to their legs and back. No wonder most of them collapsed on the ground.


    Tri Manlu looked at the few fellows still able to stand after this. A small smile appeared on his face as he saw Sa Muni still standing. But then his smile vanished and the stern look came back.


    "Being a spirit warrior is about the strength of your soul. Without a strong soul, you cannot make contracts with magical beast spirits. A strong soul can only reside in a strong body. Without a strong body, your soul cannot improve. Even if you somehow make contracts with the beast spirits, you will not be able to use their power with a weak body. Remember the more powerful a beast spirit, the more body strength you will need to host it''s power."


    Everyone listened with rapt attention.


    Tri Manlu took off his shirt and closed his eyes. Suddenly, a strange power surrounded his body. His hair grew longer and his skin grew darker. More hair appeared in his chest and arms, like a werewolf. He opened his eyes and they had turned into animal eyes. Two canine teeth extended out of his mouth like a beast and his breath came out as mist.


    "Grrr...." A small growl and then he jumped. Right above the students and reaching the trees in a single jump. About a 20 metre distance was covered in an instant.


    He swung his hands and smashed it on a thick tree. The tree, whose width measured 2 or 3 hands, broke apart in two.


    He took in a deep misty breath and recovered his original human form and walked back.


    All the students watched the entire scene from start to end with twinkling eyes. A lot of them had a sort of reverence and worshiping look. They knew that in front of them was a genuine spirit warrior. One who was able to make a contract with a magical beast spirit and borrow it''s power.


    "Next!" Another short command. No other words needed to be said after this demonstration. Everyone of those children suddenly had a fierce desire to become stronger.


    "Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"


    Sa Muni was one of the few in the light grade class who could remain standing. Like many others he also worshiped Tri Manlu. And like every other person, he also wanted to become a spirit warrior.


    After the morning exercise, he headed home.


    "Sister...I am back!" He called out as he entered.


    "Wash up first and then come to eat!" A female voice answered.


    Sa Muni quickly washed up and came into the kitchen to find his elder sister, Sa Meri hard at work.


    "Muni, take out the bowls and spoons. The stew is almost ready." Sa Meri said.


    "Yeee~s." Sa Muni replied with an extended yes.


    "A short yes is enough. After you are done, go call father." She instructed.


    A short while later, the family sat down on the table. There was Sa Ban, the father, Sa Meri and Sa Muni.


    "Muni...how was the exercise today?" Sa Ban asked with interest. It had not been long since Sa Muni had joined the regular morning exercise and each day he found something new to talk about. As his father, he was very interested in his son''s thoughts.


    "Awesome! Teacher did a beast spirit transformation today and broke a tree in two. I want to do that too.." Sa Muni said.


    "Oh..he did that. Hmm...Tri Manlu is a level 5 spirit warrior after all. His beast spirit is strong." Sa Ban nodded.


    "Father, you have a beast spirit too right?" Sa Muni asked with interest.


    "Ah yes. But I am only a level 1 spirit warrior. Far weaker than your teacher. My body is weak as well so I can''t use my beast spirit power too much either. But I can still do this." Saying that Sa Ban lifted the entire table including the plates and pots with one hand.


    "Father, don''t do that. Muni will learn bad habits." Sa Meri complained on the side.


    "Ah...yes. Muni, do not imitate what father did...." Sa Ban started. "Ever." He added as an afterthought as he looked sheepishly at his daughter''s frowning face.


    Without a mother, Sa Meri had become the virtual head of the house. Inside the house, not even Father had much authority.


    "So Meri, what do you want for your birthday?" Sa Ban asked.


    "Father, I have already told you, I do not want to waste money. If you want to give me something, give me the money instead." Sa Meri said.


    "How could I do that? After all it is not everyday my daughter turns sixteen. I definitely need to give you a gift on your birthday. Don''t you agree Muni?"


    "Yes, Father. Me and Father will give sis an awesome gift." Sa Muni replied.


    "Awesome...right! Awesome is what exactly, is it big or expensive?" Sa Meri teased.


    "Awesome is awesome. Right father?" Sa Muni simply replied.


    "Absolutely son! Give up...Meri..even my son agrees with me." Sa Ban laughed.


    "Oh I give up. Get me something awesome then..." Sa Meri laughed as well.


    After lunch, it was Sa Meri''s turn to teach Sa Muni.


    "So, tell me how many levels do spirit warriors have?" she asked.


    "There are 9 levels of spirit warriors. Then there are immortal spirit warriors." Muni replied.


    "And how are the levels decided?" she asked again.


    "By the beast with which the warrior makes a contract with. A level 1 spirit warrior has a level 1 beast spirit. And a level 8 warrior has a level 8 beast spirit. An immortal warrior has an immortal beast spirit."


    "Very good. You remembered well. Today I will tell you why we need beast spirit contracts and what kinds are there. You know when a magical beast dies, it leaves behind its soul. All souls, after remaining for a period of time on earth shall ascend to the world of souls where one can reincarnate again. This is the same for both creatures, magical and non magical.


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The time a soul can spend on earth depends on its strength. Weak souls can ascend after just a few minutes while strong souls can stay here for many decades. Extremely strong ones can stay here for centuries even. A normal human soul is very weak and can only stay for a few days but the weakest magical beast souls can stay for months.


    But all creatures lose the ability to cultivate martial arts when they die and become a soul. So they can never enter Elysium, the palace of the Lord Emperor of the world of souls. Only the most powerful souls are allowed entry into the palace. And the ones who do live a life of extreme riches and happiness for eternity."


    Sa Meri looked at Muni who listened with his mouth open and laughed.


    "Then comes the contract. A beast spirit will contract with a living human. The human gives a part of his spiritual power to the beast soul to cultivate and in return he can borrow the power of that beast spirit and become a spirit warrior. You can only contract with a magical beast spirit which is similar to your soul. So if you are good you can only contract a good beast spirit, if you are evil, you will only be able to contract with an evil beast spirit. There are other conditions but you don''t need to know them for now."


    "Sis, what is spirit and soul? Is it different?" Sa Muni asked.


    "Soul is your life. All creatures have a soul. But only after cultivation, a soul can use spiritual energy or spirit. Spirit is like their power and ability. Like birds fly and fish can breathe underwater. So flying type beast souls give you the ability to fly and water type beast souls will give you ability to breathe underwater. That is what we call as spirit. Beast souls with spirit powers are simply called as beast spirits.


    Human souls are weak so we cannot use spirit power. But magical beasts are different. Their souls are strong and can use spirit power. They have this ability even when they die. It is this spirit power that we borrow. On the other hand, after contracting with a spirit, we gain the ability to absorb spirit power. We cannot do much with it and can only give it to the beast souls to cultivate. The stronger the beast soul becomes, the stronger power you can use.


    But remember, spirit power is not infinite. Every time you use spirit power, the beast soul becomes weaker. If you use all the spirit power of a beast soul, that soul will die. On the other hand, if the beast soul takes all your spirit power, you will die."


    Sa Muni was horrified. "Can beast souls do that?" he asked.


    "Only evil beast souls do that. Or when you don''t treat your beast soul well, it will try to kill you. Remember to always treat your beast soul well." Sa Meri replied.


    Muni nodded his head.


    "After a beast soul gains enough spiritual energy, it will become an immortal beast soul and the human will become an immortal." Sa Meri added.


    "An immortal?"


    "Yes. Only immortal souls have a chance to enter Elysium. Not only that, an immortal is extremely powerful. You know, most of the emperors are immortal. Even the Emperor of our Karmapatta kingdom is an immortal."


    "Really...wow! How strong would he be?" Sa Muni exclaimed.


    "Very strong. You can''t even imagine how strong." Sa Meri laughed.


    "Ah but contracting with beast spirits is not the only way...right! There are beast companions as well!" Sa Muni asked. He knew about magical beast companions. The lord of Manthan town had one. A Green Serpent, it was called. It was always lying around their home breathing smoke. Muni was very afraid of that beast.


    "Ah..yes." Sa Meri frowned. But then she relaxed as she explained. "Rarely, a living magical beast and a human can enter into a contract as well. If the magical beast is alive, his cultivation does not depend on you and if it gets stronger, you automatically become stronger. But the requirements for that contract is even harder than for magical beast spirits. For one, both the character of you and your beast companion would have to be the same. And two, the magical beast needs to agree to it. Now why would a magical beast agree to such a contract? It does not need anything from you right! So it is very rare. The lord of this town has that kind.


    Then there is another, a simple master-slave contract which you call as mount. A master-slave contract can only be done with a living magical beast. Basically, after you become powerful, you subdue a beast to follow your commands. But you cannot use its spirit power." Sa Meri explained.


    Sa Muni nodded. "Yes...one day I will also have a mount!"


    Sa Meri laughed. "And that will be the day, you actually learn your numbers. Let''s begin with that!"


    "Oh no..." Sa Muni groaned.


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    The Sa family business was actually farming. Sa Ban was one of the few successful ones who could make money off the land. Using the gains of a few business deals he had made, which turned out to be relatively profitable, he had bought more land and hired some people to work on the field.


    Life was definitely looking up for Sa Ban. A beautiful and responsible daughter and a good son. His children were often praised by others, especially his daughter who was like the light of his eyes. She was two years from 18, the legal age of marriage, but even now he had received several offers for her. But he was in no hurry to decide.


    If she found someone who loved her, he would be more than happy to oblige. But he wouldn''t force her to marry and let her decide. He trusted that she will make him proud either way, such was her character. After all, she was a level 3 spirit warrior and not many men could be her match.


    And then there was Muni.


    Not many people outside the house realized that Muni was quite intelligent and clever. At just 2 years old, he had started to walk and talk. When he reached 3, he started understanding simple letters and reading. Now at six years old, he was far brighter than most children his age. It indicated that he had a talented soul which improved rapidly over time. It ensured that he will definitely become a powerful spirit warrior. Added to that was his character which was brave and kind but also astute and observant. Qualities required for all good spirit warriors.


    But being talented in itself would bring jealousy and problems of all sorts. After all, how many are there in the martial world, who want others to be more powerful than themselves. How to determine such a character to be trustworthy? Which is why Muni was being taught by his sister, instead of the local teacher.


    There was just one other person who knew about Muni''s abilities. That was Tri Manlu, the only other person in town Sa Ban fully trusted. Fortunately, he was the one who taught the morning exercises.


    Sa Muni''s talent had started to show. How many 6 year olds could match 9 year olds in physical ability? And he had joined the morning exercises just a few weeks ago! With the rate of his improvement, by the end of the year, he might have the physical ability of 13 year old children.


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    Unaware of the thoughts of the people around him, Sa Muni was playing on the mountain side. He quickly climbed a tree like a monkey and sat on it''s top branch as he surveyed the landscape around him. This was his favorite way to pass time. When he spotted something interesting, he would climb down and go investigate. Often it was a small animal, like a rabbit or a mouse. Other times it would be a nest really high up on the trees.


    Beyond the gates of his house, Sa Muni was nature''s child, learning from nature itself. What do birds do? Where do mice disappear to? What do rabbits eat? Does this taste good? His six year old mind was like a dark deep catacomb of many many questions.


    And off he would go ferreting at the next mystery.


    "Ah I shouldn''t eat that..." He noticed the mice avoiding some kind of grass. He went down to investigate and noted the appearance and shape in his head. He may not know the name of this thing but he learned he had to be careful of it.


    "I will look it up later.." And he climbed another tree, looking for the next adventure.

 Chapter 2: The Proposal

    Authors Note: Long Island chapter will come later today. Enjoy this chapter for now.


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    Another typical morning in the small town of Manthan.


    "Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"


    Sounds of children shouting fill the air but raises no alarm.


    "Hai...ha!....ha!....ha!"


    "Endure as long as you can! Build your body! Even if you never become a spirit warrior, you can still become a warrior if you have a strong body. But without a strong body, you will never become a warrior, let alone a spirit warrior!" A strong voice goaded them to exert more.


    Loads of children grunted and maintained the horse stance they were practicing. Arms stretched straight ahead, they bent down their knees and tried to keep themselves steady. Initially everyone could do it. But as exhaustion kicked in, legs trembled, hands flickered and beads of sweat dripped down on the eyes annoying the students to no small degree.


    As time trickled, people fell down on their rumps unwilling to tolerate the pain.


    Light grade students were only required to maintain a horse stance. Bronze grade students had weights tied on their hands and legs. While the silver graders, in addition to having weights, had to hop up in place as and when the instructors attacked. If they got hit, it was very painful, for the stick used had behind it the strength of warriors.


    Very few faces could keep the courage as people hit the ground all around them. Most belonged to older students. Although there was just one child in the light grade, whose hands and feet seemed as steady as they were in the beginning. An 8 year old named Sa Muni.


    "Next!" the command was given to start the next exercise.


    Having to do such strenuous exercises every day made the children of Manthan grow quite sturdy. And they needed to be as complacence was not a luxury. The small town was situated at the base of the famous Malabar mountains. It was not just a single mountain, rather a mountain range.


    Near the base of the mountain, close to the town, lived normal creatures. Non magical, but still fierce and dangerous. Anyone not a spirit warrior would find it difficult to fend off these animals. It was often heard that someone of some house got attacked by a bear or a tiger.


    Even higher and deeper within the mountains were the abodes of magical creatures of all kinds. Numerous, strong and deadly! If a normal person were to meet them, 9 out of 10 times they would die. The one time when they survived would be when they were extremely lucky.


    That said, people also could not live within protected walls always. There were farmers, hunters, woodsmen, merchants and all sorts who needed to step out. Surviving in these surroundings required strength.


    The morning exercises ended and Sa Muni made his way to his home.


    "Hey sis, I am home..." Sa Muni yelled.


    "Wash up....food''s almost done." Sa Meri''s voice came out from the kitchen.


    Sa Muni took off his shirt, showing his glistening muscles in the sun, his soft skin belaying the strength held in those muscles. Sa Muni looked like any other 8 year old kid, childish and immature. Bright black eyes, soft white skin, lustrous hair which was cut short and pink lips made him look attractive. If he grew up some more maybe he would be counted as one of the handsome men comparable to the moon.


    Sa Meri had grown up too in the last 2 years, her beauty becoming even more brighter like the sun. Long cascading waist length hair tied with a green jade clip, red lips and deep black eyes. Her soft white skin shone with youth and vitality. Her laugh would make any man''s heart flutter. But just like a sheathed blade, her beauty guarded her immense strength for she was also a level 3 spirit warrior.


    "It''s ready. Come and eat." She called.


    Today, only two people sat together to eat.


    "When is Father coming back?" Sa Muni asked.


    "Ah he should be back by this evening, I think. He just went to the next town." Sa Meri said.


    "Are you listening to teacher and working hard?" She asked.


    "Yes, I am sis."


    "Good. Work hard. This is the most important time right now. Teacher Manlu is helping you out so you must be respectful."


    "I will, sis."


    After lunch, Sa Muni headed towards the mountainside. A little deep within the mountains, in a large clearing, Tri Manlu was standing.


    "Teacher.." Sa Muni saluted.


    "Hmm...let''s get started shall we," saying that Tri Manlu walked towards another place.


    Near the end of the clearing was a shallow stream. And as it fell down the mountain, the water crashed down on the rocks from up high making a small waterfall.


    "Step into the stream."


    Sa Minu did as he was told.


    "Horse stance." Sa Minu quickly took the horse stance.


    "Now walk towards the falling water. But you cannot lift your legs above the water. And..." He put a thick rock on Sa Manlu''s head. "The rock cannot fall."


    "Yes Teacher!"


    Last year, Sa Minu''s physical ability had improved rapidly. So much so that even if he were to be put together with the silver grade students, he wouldn''t suffer. How could it not invoke jealousy? Even Tri Manlu felt jealous. In almost half his age, he probably would reach his level.


    Tri Manlu sighed but shook his head. He has his destiny as the child had his own. But others may not share his thinking. So last year, he made a proposal to Sa Ban that Sa Muni should be trained separately from others. At first, Sa Ban was deeply concerned and afraid. But after hearing Tri Manlu''s explanations he agreed.


    So he decided to train him in secret. Anyways, Sa Minu had already surpassed the normal training regimen and needed harder challenges.


    Smack! "Don''t let the rock fall! Resist the current! Maintain balance! Control your breath! Your breathing controls your power.."


    "Yes Teacher!"


    "Next, you will walk on your hands. Your feet are strong because you walk with them. You will make your hands strong by walking with them too. Make your hands as strong as your feet!"


    "Yes Teacher!"


    "Next, do a 1000 pull ups and a 1000 pushups on your fingers...."


    The training was severe and uncompromising. But even though he got extremely exhausted every time, Sa Minu loved every minute of it. He felt alive when the exhaustion invaded and he could feel himself improve bit by bit.


    "Teacher, how long do I have to hide my strength?" Sa Minu asked.


    "Young lad..." Tri Manlu sighed. "You still have not seen much of this world. If you had a large powerful clan behind you, perhaps you could be so bold. But as you are now, people will take without asking."


    "Teacher, what do you mean?" Sa Minu was confused.


    "I guess it is time I told you about this. Tell me, do you know how a beast spirit increases it''s strength?"


    "Yes. The human partner shares his cultivated spiritual energy with it."


    "Right. But there is another way. Less known among common people but well known among spirit warriors. It is by absorbing the souls." Tri Manlu said.


    "What! Absorbing the soul? Is that true?" Sa Minu was horrified. The soul was the entire essence of a being. It is the soul which enters reincarnation. But without it...he could not even imagine.


    "It is true, unfortunately. Most people do not have powerful souls, atleast till they become spirit warriors. But you already have a powerful soul. It is why your learning is so fast and your physical ability improves so quickly. There would be many who would desire such a powerful soul. Which is also why, you should always be careful in front of other people." Tri Manlu explained.


    "Yes Teacher. I will be careful." Sa Minu nodded.


    "But if you can become a strong spirit warrior then you need not be afraid. Your enemies will be afraid then." Tri Manlu laughed.


    "How do I become a spirit warrior?" Sa Minu asked with eagerness. "How do you contract with spirits? Do we have to find them?"


    "Usually the beast spirits find you. Remember, they can use spiritual energy to find you. This is the most common way. This is how I found my beast spirit. There have also been a rare few who have found their beast spirit, albeit accidentally. Spirits are good at hiding. Look around you, there could be many beast spirits but you won''t be able to find a single one. Either way it is a matter of luck."


    "So if I just wait here, a beast spirit will come to me?"


    "If only it were so simple." Tri Manlu sighed. "Spirits do not leave their hiding places easily, lest they find themselves in danger. They will only come out when they find someone they wish to make a contract with. But they cannot sense you until you come close. We have to travel to many places to find a beast spirit. For example, you have been coming to this clearing for the past few months. There might be tens of beast spirits hiding nearby, but none have approached you. It means none of them are willing to make a contract with you. So you will need to look in another place."


    Sa Minu nodded and looked around hoping to get a glimpse of a spirit. Tri Manlu laughed.


    "Alright. Today we shall embark on the first step to become a spirit warrior. The soul. First is finding it. The soul is not an object so you cannot say that it is in this organ or that, though it is definitely somewhere inside your body. So first look inside yourself. Understand your body. Find your soul."


    "Meditate and look inside yourself. Unfortunately, one cannot be told where the soul is. Instead I will give you a hint. Follow the energy."


    "Yes, Teacher. Um..I am confused." Sa Minu said.


    "Do not worry. Begin and you will understand." Tri Manlu replied.


    Sa Minu closed his eyes and meditated. His body was tired. But as he meditated he felt himself recovering slowly, like the trickle of a raindrop.


    He looked more closely at his throbbing muscles and the blood flowing through his veins and arteries. His heart beat rhythmically to push the blood around his organs including his brain. His lungs inflated and deflated with his breath.


    And then he saw it. Fine lines like golden thread which reached out from the world outside into the body, connecting to it. There were many fine golden threads which seemed to reach everywhere in the body.


    ''Is this the energy?'' Sa Minu followed these golden threads to find out where it connected in his body.


    ''This is amazing. These threads connect to no organ but passes through them. Like sewing a doll.''


    He followed the golden threads deeper into his body bypassing organs and blood vessels and bone.


    He went still deeper inside where he found a small ball of light. It looked like the crystal ball he had often seen those soothsayers use. Surrounding it was a large dark empty space. Sa Minu thought that this dark empty space looked as vast as the night sky, except without the stars. But then he ignored that thought. After all it was part of his body so it couldn''t be larger than it, could it?


    ''So this is my soul.'' Sa Minu somehow knew.


    The small crystal ball, that was his soul looked even more insignificant, when compared to the large space it was surrounded by. The soul was emitting a soft gentle light which looked bewitching. Upon closer inspection, he found that the light was getting scattered due to a fine thin mist surrounding the soul. Many golden threads were entering it.


    But where it was located he couldn''t be sure. It was inside his body, but not part of any of his organs. It was like it was a part of, but at the same time, not part of his body.


    Sa Minu opened his eyes, suddenly feeling refreshed like he had just had a cool drink of water in the summer heat. He looked towards Tri Manlu.


    "Do not look so confused." Tri Manlu laughed.


    "The soul is special. It is part of you but also not made up of elements which makes your body. It resides within it but also not in it. The space the soul lies in is what we spirit warriors call a Soul Space." Tri Manlu explained.


    "Also when you found the soul, you might have noticed a bit of spiritual energy surrounding it. This energy is like your life energy which is provided by your body. If this spiritual energy is used up, your body will die."


    "But you can raise this spiritual energy through training after learning how to cultivate spiritual energy. That is after you become a spirit warrior."


    Sa Minu nodded.


    "Currently your soul space is empty. But once you form a contract with a beast spirit, it will reside in that soul space. There are two advantages for it. One, the spirit is protected. And two, by residing in your body, it prevents it''s ascension. On the other hand, by residing in your soul space, the beast spirit provides protection for your soul."


    "Teacher, is it so that no one can absorb your soul?"


    "Not only that. You will eventually learn that as there are physical attacks, there are also spiritual attacks which are aimed at the soul. Having a powerful beast spirit as protection sounds wonderful, doesn''t it!" Tri Manlu laughed. "Also it is your body which surrounds the soul. As long as you do not die, no one can get to your soul. Which is why remember to be careful."


    "Yes Teacher! Teacher, what does a beast spirit look like? How will I recognize them when I see them?" Sa Minu asked.


    "Haha! Young lad, you really have wonderful questions. I never thought of asking this to my teacher, ever! Well, let''s just say that you will know when you see them. I can''t describe how they look anyway. Although within your soul space, they may take a form you are comfortable with." Tri Manlu laughed.


    "Alright, enough of this for today. It is already near sundown and we should not stay in this forest." Tri Manlu said and he started to pack up the few things he had brought for today''s training.


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    Back home,


    "Sis, I am back!" He yelled. He ran inside to see if his father had reached yet.


    In the courtyard, he found his father and sister.


    "Father..." Sa Minu began but suddenly froze upon looking at his pale face. His father was wearing a particularly frightful face at this moment. He turned to look at his sister and found that she was also looking pale and her eyes were full of tears.


    "Father, sis, is everything alright?" Sa Minu asked concerned.


    "Brother...." Sa Meri gave a glance and then pressed Minu to her chest and sobbed. Minu was flabbergasted. It was not like his sister to show her soft side all of a sudden and especially to call him brother. He was most alarmed. What could cause his strong sister to act like this?


    A little while later she separated. "Sorry Minu. Your sister just wanted to hug you that time. I look kinda uncool don''t I?" She laughed awkwardly, her eyes red.


    "You are always awesome, sis!" Sa Minu replied to which his sister laughed, this time truly from her heart. Rubbing the tears from her eyes, she said, "Ah, I forgot to prepare dinner. I will get right on it so you just wait a bit."


    And she walked off.


    Sa Minu turned to face his father who still looked frightfully pale but under his gaze, he finally relaxed.


    "Ah..you have come back. How was Teacher Manlu today?" He asked changing the subject.


    "It was good. Today I found my soul and learned a bunch of other stuff." Sa Minu did not press the question. He could feel that whatever it was, it was a serious matter.


    "That is wonderful." Sa Ban nodded vigorously. "Understanding your soul is vital to making a soul link with the beast spirit. Usually such stuff is taught to students 15 years old or higher. But Teacher Manlu seems to think that you are ready. This in itself is high praise. You better thank Teacher Manlu next time."


    "Yes Father!" Sa Minu nodded.


    Dinner was a sombre affair. His father and sister kept trying to joke and laugh but Sa Minu could tell that they were not their usual smiles. ''Perhaps they just don''t want me to worry.'' He thought.


    After dinner, whilst they sat chatting about random stuff, Sa Minu raised his question again.


    "Father, Sis, what has happened to make you so sad? Don''t hide it and tell me please. But if you judge me not to be trustworthy, I will not ask again."


    Both Sa Ban and Sa Meri were surprised by Sa Minu''s words. They had always thought he was the 8 year old child they knew. And they were right for he was an 8 year old child and acted as such. But they forgot that he was quite observant and mature for his age also. They could not try to keep fooling him like this.


    Eventually Sa Ban sighed.


    "Son. I was being foolish. You are part of this family and this affects you too, so you also have a right to know. Before you listen to this, remember that as long as I am alive, I will let nothing bad happen to you or your sister." He thumped the table and looked towards Sa Meri. Her eyes softened instantly.


    "Son, this is a matter which concerns Lord Green."


    "You mean the lord of our town?" Sa Minu could not help asking. Lord Green was the head administrator and ruler of Manthan town. He was also the contractor of the Green Serpent. A 10 metre long snake like beast, with small feet and large wings. It had the ability to breathe fire out of its mouth but even with its mouth closed, it breathed out columns of smoke. It was always lazing around in Lord Green''s house, occasionally snatching a sheep or pig or wild game out of the hands of the unlucky few. There were none who resisted though, if for no other reason than this was their Lord''s companion. Sa Minu was always scared of this beast.


    "Yes. Today, he sent a proposal for marriage to your sister." Sa Ban said simply.


    "What!" Sa Minu was shocked. "The Lord Green wants to marry sis? Isn''t he like the Lord? Why would he want to marry a farmer''s daughter?"


    Sa Meri laughed sarcastically. "Marry me...yeah right! Do you know that the Lord has five wives already? Have you seen any of them around town?"


    Sa Minu nodded. "He has 5 wives? I haven''t even heard of one? How come?"


    "That''s because he keeps his so called wives locked as prisoners. He tortures them in some bizarre play. And when they die, he feeds their souls to his beast!" Sa Meri''s chilled voice sounded out.


    Sa Minu was chilled to the bone. Such a horrible person had asked to marry his sister! This cannot be allowed!


    "Refuse it father. We will leave this town immediately and run away. We cannot let him get his filthy hands on sis." Sa Minu was angry.


    Sa Ban nodded. "Yes, that is what we will do!"


    But Sa Meri interjected. "What delusions are you entertaining dear father? Our opponent is the level 7 spirit warrior. Not to mention he is the rare kind with a living beast. If not him, then just his beast can kill all the people of this town. Also where would we run? He is the Lord. One command and all the surrounding villages will turn against us. Also nearby towns will not shelter us. Do you wish to head into the mountains? With Minu who is not even a spirit warrior? How long would we last there?"


    "Also the Green Serpent is a selfish beast, so the Lord is bound to be very selfish himself. How could he allow us to simply run and hide? I bet he has people keeping watch right now. And even if we manage to run away, he would not forget about us. His selfishness will keep the hunt on us forever and the consequences at that time may be far more severe."


    "Also don''t forget about Minu. He is just 8!"


    "Curses!" Sa Ban shouted.


    Sa Minu understood a lot of things. But how could there be anything more severe than being tortured and killed?


    "Sis, how could there be something worse than death?" He asked.


    "Ah Minu, forget that. I shouldn''t have mentioned it." She looked horrified.


    "Please sis. Tell me." He was scared after looking at his sister''s expression.


    "Spirit warriors have a soul space." Sa Ban started speaking at this moment. Sa Meri showed a very relieved face like the huge weight had been taken off her.


    "Yes, Father. I know."


    "Do not interrupt." Sa Ban scolded. "You know that beast spirits reside in the soul space. But if you do not have a beast spirit, like the Lord, your soul space remains empty allowing you to contract with another beast spirit, albeit a weaker one. But there is taboo method which only the spirit warriors know of. That is you can trap a soul in there as well."


    Sa Minu was horrified. Suddenly, dots linked together to make a pattern and he realized.


    "Could the soul not escape that soul space?" He asked.


    "If it were the soul space of a weaker practitioner, it is possible. However..." Sa Ban said.


    "So the soul will remain trapped there, so what! Once the person dies won''t one be released?"


    "One could. But within that soul space, the captured soul does not have any power. Whereas because of the soul link, the person will have control of spiritual energy. It can be used to attack the captured soul. Torture it!" Sa Ban shivered.


    Sa Minu shivered as well. This method was taboo for a reason.


    "So even if we suicide, we cannot escape....hahaha...what a bastard!" Sa Meri gave a hollow laugh.


    "But if he cannot find us and we die, how could he find our souls to capture?" Sa Minu said.


    After his words, both Sa Ban and Sa Meri looked shocked.


    "There was that method!!" Suddenly they were very excited. They wanted to live. But even if they had to die, they would choose to die only once instead of the constant torture one would face if their soul was captured.


    "Yes, let''s head into the mountains!" Sa Ban suddenly said. "Even his beast will not dare come into the mountains. If our luck holds, we will be able to escape and live. Even if we die, we die once."


    "Do not worry father. As long as it''s the mountains, I know a few places where we can hide." Sa Minu said.


    "Haha son, do not underestimate your father, I have been roaming these mountains far longer than you." Sa Ban exclaimed.


    "Father, brother....you really....." Sa Meri had tears in her eyes. Just for her, her father and brother were willing to die. She could not allow that. She would face torture every day of her life if it kept them safe. No, she could not allow that.


    Just then, a loud crash was heard as several soldiers stormed in.


    "Don''t even think of escaping! Capture the girl. Kill the rest!" An ugly middle aged man wearing a violently orange dress shouted. His skin was sagging and his eyes looked evil. Sa Muni suddenly shivered. Was this Lord Green? In all his short life, he had never got a chance to see the Lord, only his beast, so he didn''t know.


    Just like he didn''t know how evil the Lord really was. But his question was soon answered.


    "Capture the girl in the name of Lord Green. If she escapes, you will all lose your miserable lives!" He commanded.


    Suddenly, tens of soldiers attacked with all sorts of weapons.


    "Meri, take Minu and run! I will stop them here!" Saying which Sa Ban did a beast transformation. His muscles increased in size tearing his clothes. His skin turned brown and his eyes became animal like. He was only a level 1 spirit warrior, and his beast was the not so powerful Brown Wolf spirit, but to these normal soldiers he was still a threat.


    "Hmph! Only a level 1 spirit warrior. He should pose no problems to you all." The ugly man shouted to the three soldiers standing with him. After that, they did a beast transformation as well.


    "Curses! A Brown Bear, Three-eyed Frog and Black Wolf! All of them are level 2 spirit warriors!" Sa Meri shouted.


    "What are you still doing here....get away...did you not hear, you stupid girl!" Sa Ban shouted exasperated.


    "Father! but..." Sa Meri started.


    "No buts...go!" Sa Ban shouted angrily.


    "Do not let those two escape!" And suddenly soldiers attacked Sa Meri and Sa Minu. Sa Meri instantly did a beast transformation. Two feathery wings sprouted out from her back as her skin turned yellow. She grabbed Sa Minu and took flight.


    "A Yellow Eagle! She is level 3! Tch! Flying types are so annoying. Brown Bear, this man is yours. The rest of you, go track them. They cannot escape or Lord Green will have our heads!" Three-eyed Frog shouted.


    """Yes!""" was the only thing Sa Minu heard before he was carried out of range.


    Some time before, at Lord Green''s mansion.


    Loud sounds of screaming and suffering were coming out from the depths within the mansion. In an underground room, various instruments were laid out. In a corner a young woman was tied spread-eagle and naked on the wall. A young looking man, with green eyes and green hair wearing a green suit stood in front of the woman, whipping her. Her screams resounded in every inch of this space, clearly heard by the few guards who stood at the back. A man entered the room.


    "Wing, the letter has been sent. If they know what''s good for them, they will probably accept. But why do you chase after a common farmer''s girl. I have heard of her beauty but you could find many lovelier than her. How about the daughter of that rich snob, Li Mei. She is quite the beauty too." the ugly middle aged man dressed in an orange dress asked Lord Green.


    "Uncle Mo, you just do not understand. Li Mei is normal. She won''t last five days. But the farmer''s girl I have heard, is not only beautiful but also a spirit warrior. Wouldn''t she last a long time? I wouldn''t want my playtoy to be destroyed so easily." He replied.


    "Also, the Green Serpent is close to a breakthrough and I want some powerful souls. She is just 18 but a level 3 spirit warrior. Her soul should be fairly powerful. I will give her soul to the Green Serpent...after I have my way, that is." And then he laughed.


    Anyone who heard this laugh shivered uncontrollably. Even the Uncle, Green Mo, shivered at his nephew''s words.


    "So why wait till now? Couldn''t you have abducted her earlier?" Green Mo asked.


    "Ah Uncle, I still dare not break the laws of our Emperor. Otherwise, I would really have to kill all the people in the town, including you. So just do as I say."


    Green Wing had always been selfish. Even when he was a kid. But after becoming a spirit warrior and contracting with the Green Serpent, he had become one hell of a sadist as well. In fact, he couldn''t be called sane anymore. But his intelligence and cunning were still intact or he wouldn''t have remained the Lord of this town and would have been persecuted already.


    Green Mo sighed. It was by the grace of the Green family that no one dared to offend his nephew, Green Wing, the administrator of the town of Matheran. But even his family knew to what depths he had fallen and sent him to this small town near the edge of the Karmapatta kingdom. Perhaps to get rid of him.


    However, Green Wing was getting more powerful. Especially since he contracted with the Green Serpent. Maybe the process twisted his mind or maybe that''s how he was originally, but his nature had become far worse. Truthfully, Green Mo feared his nephew. He followed his orders only because he was afraid.


    But Green Wing had been generous with him and he knew it. He was rich and living a comfortable life. And he wielded power through his name. What were a few women compared to that!


    "Uncle, I feel that the farmer''s family will try to run. Go capture them for me. Give me the girl. You can do whatever you want with the rest." Green Wing laughed loudly.


    Green Mo left immediately and the sounds of screams renewed in that underground place.

 Chapter 3: Valley of the Mist

    "Sis...sis...Father...he..." Sa Minu shouted in between breaths. He was currently flying and if it were any ordinary day, he would have been quite excited and delighted.


    "Sis...go...back..father..." His voice came out haltingly as the wind whipped his face. His sister may be used to flying but Sa Muni was not. He was having trouble breathing and the cutting wind made his eyes swim with tears. But more than the wind, intense worry rocked his heart.


    "Sis....where...we going?" Sa Muni shouted at the top of his lungs. But Sa Meri remained silent. Sa Minu couldn''t see but Sa Meri''s eyes had a kind of fire in them, filled with determination and anger. Yet she also felt immense grief. She couldn''t trust her voice right now and forced back her tears.


    "Now is not the time..I must be strong." She muttered in a very low voice, the wind carrying it away from Sa Minu''s ears.


    Sa Minu struggled in Sa Meri''s grasp but she only held tighter. Her hands had become thick and strong ending in thick talons which bound Sa Minu tightly, yet carefully without harming him. How could he compare with a level 3 spirit warrior''s strength! All his struggles were useless.


    The town quickly disappeared and they flew into the mountains. Sa Minu looked down and recognized many places he had visited before, including the clearing where he had been just this afternoon. Looking from up above was certainly a unique experience. If he were in the mood to enjoy it.


    Sa Minu was sullen. Just a moment ago, they had decided to live and die together and now he was being carried away like some baby bird without even a chance to resist. Feeling helpless was also a very unique feeling. One, he found that he did not like at all!


    Soon the familiar surroundings passed and they flew even deeper.


    "I haven''t come so deep before..." Sa Minu muttered.


    "Minu, I am going to land now. It will be a bit rough so get ready!" Suddenly Sa Meri''s voice came loud and clear.


    Their flight angled down as Sa Meri glided to the ground. And as she landed, her wings disappeared. She ran on the ground unbalanced almost dropping Minu.


    "Uff...sis.. you need to work on your landing." Sa Minu complained as he found his feet. And then he looked around.


    "Where are we?"


    "Huff...huff..somewhere deep in the mountains. I have never been so deep before, so I don''t know. Be careful!" Sa Meri said while panting. She sat on the ground hugging herself.


    "Sis..are you alright?" Minu panicked as he noticed her.


    "Yes, I am ok. Just a little exhausted." She sighed. And then her eyes filled with tears. "Oh Father! Please be ok!"


    Hearing that, Sa Minu also felt tears in his eyes. He hugged Sa Meri and they both cried on each other''s shoulders.


    Back at the family home, Sa Ban was having the fight of his life. If he had been in his prime, it would still have been a tough fight. But now he was old and much more involved in the farming business. So he didn''t get a chance to practice much. Even then, if it were simply normal soldiers he could have managed somehow.


    But right now he was facing the Brown Bear.


    Magical creatures often change colors as they rise up in cultivation levels but there are variations depending on talent and type. The Brown Bear represented the lowest tier in the magical Bear family and was a level 2 magical beast. The Brown Wolf on the other hand, is a level 1 magical beast and also the lowest tier in the magical Wolf family. As they would rise in cultivation level, their colors would also change. Their spirits had the same ability.


    Being the lowest tier of magical beasts spirits meant that their strength and power was limited to the extreme and the difference between a level 1 and 2 spirit warrior would not be much. A person with good martial techniques could overcome the gap in strength.


    Add to that was the type of the magical beast. The Bear relied more on strength while the Wolf relied more on agility and cunning.


    "Brown Bear, you overestimate yourself." Sa Ban said as he dodged the powerful strike. It made a hole on the ground as the powerful attack hit. Sa Ban looked at it and shivered. He swiftly closed in and swung his claws.


    "Hmph..." The Brown Bear simply took the attack head on. His skin absorbed most of the damage and he swung once again at Sa Ban.


    Sa Ban ducked for his life, the hand narrowly missing his head. He struck out with his legs aiming at the neck. But the Brown Bear simply raised his hands and blocked. His defense was as solid as a rock.


    "Hmph...cheap tricks." Brown Bear growled.


    ''Damn! How tough is his skin?'' Sa Ban thought to himself. ''I will have to aim at the vitals.''


    Sa Ban moved as Brown Bear attacked again. Feeling the wind blow from the shockwave of that attack he quickly side stepped and moved in closer.


    Brown Bear noticed him and took a few steps back to compensate but the Wolf was faster. Sa Ban came in close and poked at the eyes. As Brown Bear reacted to the feint, he instantly changed his target to the neck and attacked with the other hand.


    Brown Bear was not fast enough to defend against this attack and Sa Ban knew that he had gotten the chance to kill. But suddenly red energy burst forth from Brown Bear''s body instantly covering the entire body.


    Sa Ban was surprised. His hands slammed into the red protective energy instead. He cried out in pain as his hands burned red.


    "Aaahh! You Bastard!" He cursed.


    "Haha...I am a student at the Imperial School. Now you know my strength. Prepare to be killed." Brown Bear gave a very satisfied smile.


    "Damn! Why are you working for Lord Green then?" Sa Ban swore loudly.


    "That is none of your concern." Brown Bear laughed.


    The Imperial Spirit School was the only spirit warrior school this side of the kingdom. It is where elite spirit warriors went to train. Owing to the fact that it was the only one around here, it''s requirements were high and you could only join it if you were 12 or younger. Sa Ban had often dreamt of going there but the tuition fees was too high. Even when he decided to let his children have this opportunity, he still couldn''t save enough.


    It was no surprise that the school''s students often comprised of nobles and scions of rich families. Graduates of the school had immense possibilities and would often achieve high ranks in the military or the administration and may even become governors of large territories.


    "I am Sa Ban. If it will be my death, so be it. State your name." Sa Ban looked dignified and increased his fighting spirit even more.


    "I am Wa Shun. It is good that you have accepted your death. Now come and taste blood." Brown Bear said. Then he moved even faster than before. Even faster than Sa Ban.


    Sa Ban desperately lashed out. He had abandoned all hope and was simply going all out till the end. Wa Shun smirked and didn''t dodge at all. The red energy covered his entire body and protected against all attacks. In fact, hitting the red energy damaged Sa Ban instead. It was like being burnt by fire.


    And then Wa Shun attacked. His hands formed a claw and swung towards Sa Ban''s head. Sa Ban tried to dodge but Wa Shun was faster. The claw hit the side of the head and drew blood.


    Sa Ban felt intense pain for a moment but then his senses failed and he fell to the ground, lifeless.


    The entire affair was over in just a few moments.


    Wa Shun checked to see if Sa Ban was truly dead and then released his beast transformation. He turned to head out of the door but suddenly stood still in shock.


    "Who are you?" He called out.


    "That''s what I should be asking." Tri Manlu''s cold voice came from the door.


    -----------------------------------------------------------------


    Tri Manlu was meditating in his house when he felt the energy vibrations. He looked towards that direction.


    "Sa Minu''s house is in that direction.."


    He quickly took off concerned.


    When he arrived at the door, everything was over. Sa Ban lay dead on the floor, his head turned at an ugly angle. And there was this other person wearing a blue robe standing in front of him. Suddenly that person turned around.


    "Who are you?"


    Tri Manlu was a veteran spirit warrior. He had participated in many battles and lost many friends. He instantly calmed himself down in this situation.


    "That''s what I should be asking." He said.


    "I am Wa Shun. What you see here is Lord Green''s business. It would be best for you not to interfere and be on your way." The person said carefully.


    "Lord Green eh? And what is Lord Green''s interest in this family?" Tri Manlu had guessed the interest almost immediately. But he still acted. What he wanted now was information.


    "You still do not give me your name. Hmph! You wish to interfere in the Lord''s affairs?" Wa Shun shouted.


    "Ah no. I would rather not have the Lord know about my meddling." Tri Manlu replied.


    "Hmph! So be on your way then and forget what you saw here." Wa Shun replied.


    "Ah now that I cannot do. You see I need some information first. Where do you think the children of the family went?" Tri Manlu asked lightly.


    "Hahaha...so you do want to interfere. Fine as your last wish, I will tell you. It is none of your concern." Wa Shun was angry now but he still didn''t dare to be careless. He could feel that the man in front of him was not weaker than him.


    "Ah, then I guess I can only ask your soul." Tri Manlu said.


    "You dare!" And Wa Shun immediately beast transformed. A reddish energy came out of his body and covered him.


    "Hmm...Brown Bear and external energy practitioner. Though I must say that your energy is quite weak. All you can do is visualize it right now. Do you think you are my match?" Tri Manlu said.


    "Hmph!" Wa Shun replied.


    Wa Shun moved at great speed. He quickly closed distance and then punched at Tri Manlu''s head.


    Smack! A loud sound came to the satisfaction of Wa Shun. But in the next instance, he was horrified. He opened his eyes in disbelief. How could someone catch his punch without even beast transforming.


    Tri Manlu had stopped that punch with his palm. As he closed his fingers and applied pressure, Wa Shun coiled in pain.


    "Aaaahh..." Wa Shun yelled in pain as his wrist broke with a snap. Tri Manlu let go. Wa Shun immediately took a few steps back.


    "Who are you, senior? Why do you interfere in Lord Green''s affairs?" This time he saluted and respectfully asked.


    "Hmph! Too late to ask. Now I will ask and you will answer." Tri Manlu''s cold eyes stared at Wa Shun.


    "Yes senior." Wa Shun replied terrified.


    "Where are the children of this family?" Tri Manlu asked.


    "They fled to the mountains." Wa Shun replied obediently. His only chance to come out alive was to earn this senior''s mercy.


    "Are there more of you in pursuit? Give me their details."


    "Yes, senior. There are two level 2 spirit warriors along with around 20 soldiers. They are being led by the Lord''s uncle, Green Mo." Wa Shun replied.


    "Hmm." Tri Manlu nodded. "Last question, did you kill Sa Ban?"


    Wa Shun started trembling. This senior had just referred to the one he had killed by name. It meant there was some connection between them.


    "I did, senior. But I ask for forgiveness. I only did it under Green Mo''s command. I am also a student of the Imperial Spirit School and if you spare me, you will earn mine and my school''s gratitude." Wa Shun said in desperation.


    "Oh the Imperial Spirit School. Tell me how is Teacher Long?" Tri Manlu asked lightly.


    Wa Shun started trembling. Who was Teacher Long? He was the number 2 expert of the school, with influence just after the head of the school. Wa Shun was like a nameless bug in front of him. He didn''t even have the qualifications to meet with him let alone call him Teacher. For him and his peers he was always Senior Elder and this senior had casually mentioned his name!


    "I hope he is well. My station is not high enough to greet him. Junior greets senior and begs that he will show mercy as compatriots of the same school." Wa Shun begged.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Hmmm...not gonna happen!" Tri Manlu flatly said.


    Wa Shun immediately beast transformed and visualized his external energy. But that was to no avail. With a scrunching sound, a black hand penetrated his neck like a knife and his life ended.


    Tri Manlu pulled his hand back and wiped off the blood on Wa Shun''s clothes.


    "Sa Ban, you have been avenged. I will try to save your children but their fate may be their own as I have no way to find them. As a last favor, I will protect your soul." Tri Manlu said to the dead Sa Ban. Then he took his body and headed towards the mountains.


    Deep in the forest, in a clearing, he dug a hole and buried Sa Ban''s body.


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


    "Sis, where shall we go now?" Sa Minu asked his sister when the two finally calmed down.


    "We cannot go back to town for now. So let''s find a hiding place." Sa Meri said.


    "Leave it to me."


    Sa Minu quickly climbed the nearest tree and started looking for a suitable place. Under the tree Sa Meri observed.


    "Quite like a monkey..." She laughed. Then she started to keep watch.


    Sa Minu looked around but failed to spot any good place. He climbed down and made his way to another tree and looked again. After some time he came down.


    "Sis, there might be a cave that way. Let''s check it out."


    About 200 metres to the west they found a gap in the rocks leading to a cave. But as they were about to enter, Sa Minu paused and looked at the ground.


    "No good, sis. Some animal is currently living here." He said.


    "You can tell that?" Sa Meri was surprised.


    "Yeah..see these paw marks and then there is the smell of poop."


    "You spend too much time in this forest..." Sa Meri sighed.


    As they kept looking, Sa Minu found a lot of hiding places but rejected all of them as they were abodes of another.


    "Minu, it''s odd. Why don''t we see any animals around?" Sa Meri asked after a while.


    "Sis, most of them do not see humans. So they are scared and they hide. But if there is a predator, it might attack. Though I have not seen any signs of them so far."


    "Alright then, let''s keep looking."


    A little while later,


    "Sis, there is a huge gorge or something there. The ground dips sharply." Sa Minu said.


    "A gorge?" Sa Meri thought a while and then said. "Maybe it is the Valley of the Mist."


    "Valley of the Mist, sis?" Sa Minu asked.


    "Yes. It is a valley with really sharp cliffs and no way to enter. It is said that it is always filled with mist all year round and you can never see the bottom from the top, ever. It is also rumored that it is inhabited with really dangerous magical beasts," Sa Meri said.


    "So we should avoid that. Let me go look for another place." Sa Minu said.


    "No, let''s check it out first. It may not be the valley of the mist." Sa Meri said.


    The two walked in that direction with Sa Minu guiding them and Sa Meri clearing the way. When they reached close their mouths fell upon.


    "It''s huge!" Sa Minu exclaimed. The gorge extended several miles in length with the ends not even visible. The other side was also pretty far.


    "This valley must be huge." Sa Minu said. He tried to look down.


    "Careful, don''t fall in." Sa Meri shouted.


    Sa Minu leaned in carefully. What he saw was mist. Endless mist so thick that it coiled like a dragon covering everywhere and everything in that valley. There was nothing visible underneath it. Their were sheer and steep cliffs on all sides. Forget climbing, even going down was impossible. Not unless you have a rope several miles long. And who knows how deep was the gorge with all this mist.


    "This is the valley of the mist! I never thought I would get the chance to one day see this!" Sa Meri looked surprised.


    Just then she sensed something.


    Beast spirit warriors have really sharp senses, owing to the abilities of the beasts spirits. The Yellow Eagle in particular has particularly sharp eyesight. Moreover being a flying type beast, it was especially sensitive to wind.


    Sa Meri detected something flying swiftly in the wind heading towards...


    "Minu!" She shouted and moved.


    Minu turned around after hearing her shout. He saw Sa Meri move and cover him.


    "Ah!" Sa Meri softly groaned.


    "Sis...what.." But his question didn''t need to be answered. Protruding from Sa Meri''s back was the long shaft of an arrow. The arrowhead had completely entered her body.


    Shouts suddenly came from the forest behind.


    "Get them!"


    The rustle of leaves sounded as growls were heard. Sa Meri quickly stood up and beast transformed.


    "Minu, when I give the signal..run!" She ordered.


    The first to arrive were the two spirit warriors who had both beastformed. (Heck it is so annoying, I am going to shorten beast transforming to beastforming.)


    Another arrow was fired from the archer at the back and the target was still Minu. Sa Meri waved her wing and a blast of wind washed over the arrow pushing it far away.


    At the same moment, Black Wolf and Three-Eyed Toad attacked.


    Sa Meri turned and kicked Three-Eyed Toad. Her feet made the wind move. Three-Eyed Toad dodged the leg but the wind blew him away several metres.


    "Powerful. Watch out for that kick!" He shouted as he landed.


    Black Wolf had gotten in close enough though and he punched. Sa Meri blocked with both hands but the punch was too powerful. She went flying away.


    After a few metres, she flapped her wings to stabilize herself. Then she shot at the wolf at her top speed. In an instant she covered those few metres and kicked the Wolf. He smashed into the trees.


    And then there was another arrow aimed at Sa Minu. Sa Meri reacted instinctively blowing the arrow out of the way with a blast of air.


    "This is bad.." Sa Meri muttered. She could not fight like this. The archer always aimed at Sa Minu as soon as she went a little distance away. It was like this strategy was designed to pin her on the ground where Black Wolf and Three-Eyed Toad had an advantage.


    The best way to defeat a bird was to get it on the ground. And the best way to keep it on the ground was to find a reason to not let it fly.


    By aiming at Sa Minu, they prevented Sa Meri from escaping. After all, they didn''t have a flying type beast warrior in their ranks. And their target was always Sa Meri from the beginning.


    "You Bastards! Stop aiming at my brother! He''s got nothing to do with this!" She yelled furiously.


    Just then the sound of that ugly man in an orange suit, Green Mo, came forth.


    "Let''s make a deal then. You come with us peacefully and we will let your brother go!" He yelled.


    Looking at him, he was right at the back along with all the soldiers.


    "Fine! You let my brother leave and I will surrender." Sa Meri said.


    "Hmph! You think we were born yesterday. As soon as your brother leaves you will take to the sky." Wing Mo said.


    "Fine then, how about I let Black Wolf here hold onto me. And you let my brother go." Sa Meri said.


    "No. If you let Black Wolf and Three-Eyed Toad hold on to you, we will let your brother go." Wing Mo shouted.


    "Do not overreach your position." Sa Meri was angry. "If anything happens to my brother, I will make sure to kill you, even if I can''t kill anyone else." She thundered.


    "You have my word. Once Black Wolf and Three-Eyed Toad hold on to you, we will let your brother leave." Green Mo said.


    Sa Meri allowed her arms to be held by the two spirit warriors and nodded to Sa Muni.


    "Leave." She ordered. Sa Muni didn''t argue and simply started walking off into the forest. As soon as he reached the tree line, he started running.


    Sa Meri acted in the same instant. She grabbed the two spirit warriors and jumped into the valley.


    "Damn!" Black Wolf shouted as in an instant he found himself without solid ground under his feet.


    "Damn woman!" Three-Eyed Toad cursed as he saw himself in the same situation. "I won''t let you do as you like." He opened his third eye and looked straight in Sa Meri''s eyes. "Sleep..."


    Sa Meri felt herself become dizzy when Black Wolf suddenly shouted. "Are you crazy! Why do want her to sleep in this situation?!"


    Sa Meri shook her head and started diving down into the valley. The immense speed causing the Wolf and the Toad to feel dizzy. Their grips loosened and Sa Meri shook her hands free while the two fell down into the mist. But suddenly, a huge tongue warped up and swept around Sa Meri like a rope, tying her down.


    hree-Eyed Toad pulled himself up and opened his third eye.


    Sa Meri blinked but Three-Eyed Toad had disappeared. "Did I just see a mirage? He must surely have fallen down. Better go up and find brother." She flew up. ''Hmm...I feel restricted. Is the air thicker here?'' She thought.


    She made her way up and into the forest in the direction Sa Minu had retreated. Soon, she saw him standing on top of a tree looking at her. He looked horrified.


    "Sis..." He shouted. "The Toad!"


    Suddenly, like a curtain which was pulled back, Sa Meri woke up. She looked horrified as she found Three-Eyed Toad still hanging from her. "Hypnosis.." She belatedly realized the Three-Eyed Toad''s ability. It was not a simple ability to control or to avoid.


    In the same instant, the Toad let go of her and retracted his tongue. He fell to the ground but he landed like it was nothing.


    "Hahahah...stupid woman! You tried to kill me! Now you must face the consequences!" He laughed.


    "Hmph!" Sa Meri flew towards the Toad and trapped his neck in her talons. She closed her talons without mercy and drew blood.


    As blood flowed freely from his neck, the Toad laughed. But then there was silence.


    Sa Minu climbed down and quickly ran to her sister who was still standing next to the Toad.


    "Sis...that was awesome!" He said.


    Sa Meri turned to look at him and gave a dazzling smile. And then she fell over.


    "Sis..sis, what''s wrong?" Sa Minu panicked as he quickly grabbed her.


    "Ah..it seems your sister can''t accompany you anymore. It looks like the Toad poisoned me during his attacks. I am sorry, brother."


    "No..sis. Don''t say that. You can''t die. You just won a great battle. You were so awesome! You cannot die!" Sa Minu had tears in his eyes. This was just too much for him. In the same day, he had lost his father and now his sister was dying. He had been enduring and enduring for the sake of his sister but like a dam which had been broken through, his tears flooded out without stopping.


    "Minu...you be good. Your sister will go to Elysium and will be very happy so don''t be sad. It''s just that, could I ask a final favor. Take my body away. Do not let them capture it. I do not wish my soul to fall in their hands. So dear brother, throw my body into the valley of the mist. Fulfill your sister''s last request..." And Sa Meri closed her eyes and fell lifeless in Sa Minu''s arms.


    "NO!" Sa Minu yelled at the sky.


    Suddenly he heard shouts. The soldiers were coming this way. Coming for his sister. Even in death, there would be no peace.


    Sa Minu was just 4 and half feet tall. His sister was taller at 5 feet 7 inches. Yet he lifted her easily and walked towards the gorge. He stealthily passed by the desperately searching soldiers and reached the edge.


    "Sis...we decided just today that we will live together or die only once. Yet, I am still alive. Without father and you, I would feel like I am dying everyday. So sis, I will accompany the two of you. Hopefully we will meet in the next life." Sa Minu laughed.


    Still carrying his sister''s body, Sa Minu jumped into the valley of the mist.

 Chapter 4: Spirit Elder

    Authors note: Adding a chapter after a long time. Hope I don''t disappoint. The first three chapters may have some influences borrowed from other stories but from now on, it is completely my story.


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    Sa Minu opened his eyes in darkness. Everything around was dark like the blackest of nights. His first thought,


    "Am I dead? Is this the world of souls?"


    His eyes soon adjusted and he found himself inside a deep place, receiving soft light from somewhere. He tried looking around and saw rock walls surrounding him. And then his eyes fell upon his sister''s body, who he was still unconsciously holding.


    "Sis...wait, how is her body in here? Isn''t this the world of souls?"


    He pinched himself.


    "Aaah!...so so this is really not...that means I am still alive?!"


    For a moment he wondered why. Then grief poured down on him like unseasonal rain.


    "Nooooooooo! I am alive! I am living! But sis is dead! Oh I am sorry Sister! I am sorry Father! Your son, your brother, even after promising to die together, still couldn''t die with you." His tears fell like a dam which had overflowed.


    "Why! Why me! What did I ever do to deserve this! Why did the heavens not let me die as well!" But there was no one who would answer his questions. His voice echoed around and asked him that very same question.


    "Meri sis! Father! Don''t leave Minu alone! Let me accompany you too. Oh why..just why?!" Sa Minu shouted his lungs out and banged his head on the rocky floor.


    He cried and shouted his lungs out. His voice reverberated for a long time reminding him and punishing him even more. He just sat there holding his sister''s cold body in his arms rocking to and fro as waves of guilt and sadness hit him over and over again.


    He did not know for how long his tears fell. But eventually they dried up. He did not know for how long his voice came. But eventually it croaked. And then there was silence. Deathly silence as he stared at the darkness and it stared back at him. He just sat there with the coldness seeping through his limbs.


    Time passed unmoved and indifferent, cold as the death.


    Sa Minu did not realize when his consciousness left him. He only realized that he woke up again. He wiped his already dried tears with his hand and decided.


    "What am I doing...I need to give sis her last rites." Sa Minu shook his head. Only then did he look up to see where he was.


    He was inside a large cave covered with rock walls. He looked here and there for an exit but there wasn''t any so far his eyes could see. He slowly walked towards one ends, feeling the walls with his hands.


    "This is a dead end.."


    He turned around towards the other end.


    "It''s odd. Where is the soft light coming from?" The light was like starlight or moonlight which was getting reflected and spreading everywhere. Yet, it was so soft that Sa Minu could not find out where it was getting reflected from.


    As he walked to the other end, he found another dead end. Sa Minu was confused. He walked all around the rocky room and was surprised that it was not a cave. Or rather it had no opening.


    "How did I get here?" He wondered. The last thing he remembered was that he was falling. While thinking that he looked up and was shocked.


    "What is this? How did I land up here!" Above him was a small opening. Rather, it was just large enough to allow a person his size to fall in. The soft light was coming from above, moonlight perhaps, diluted by the intense fog.


    Sa Minu could not believe it. He had jumped off a cliff and ended up inside a hole! The hole was like a vase with the opening extending down a little way and then spreading around into this room like space.


    "What rotten luck! How do I get out?" He jumped and tried to reach the opening but he was too deep. He tried finding a ledge or something to hang on and climb up but the walls were smooth.


    "Odd. How was this hole formed?" Sa Minu wondered but in the end gave up. This was too much to handle, especially after all he had been through. And even if he hadn''t he still couldn''t figure this out.


    "Well sis, I am sorry but seems like I am stuck. I can''t even give you final rites now, can I? Well, if I can''t escape this hole, perhaps I can only join you. Maybe the heavens have this habit of playing with us mortal souls." Sa Minu laughed as he mocked.


    He sat down and lifted Sa Meri''s head and placed it on his lap. He looked at her lovely face and sighed.


    "How do I live without you.....how do I live..." He murmured softly.


    "Why don''t you put her in your soul space!"


    Sa Minu jumped up in fright. He warily looked around to try to find where this deep gravelly voice had come from. Rather he had walked around this room many times and he was certain that there was no one here. If it wasn''t that Sa Meri was already dead, she might have cried out in pain as Sa Muni tightened her hold on her subconsciously. He was scared out of his wits right now.


    "Who said this? Who''s there?!" Sa Minu shouted as he turned his head around here and there.


    "Turn around..." The voice was softer this time.


    Sa Minu turned around carefully and then stared. Just above his line of sight, where there was supposedly a dark rock ceiling, there was now a giant ball of light. The light was not too bright but it had not been glowing like this before. Like a lamp which had just been lit, the light gave off a warm feeling in this dark place.


    Sa Minu stared at the light for many moments before he realized he had seen it before. Or something similar to it. His own soul glowed the same way. This soul was a lot bigger though.


    "Greetings Elder, are you a spirit?" He asked.


    "That is obvious." The spirit replied.


    Sa Minu had never met a spirit before. He was not sure whether the spirit was human or beast but it was likely that this was a beast spirit.


    "I apologize for my rudeness. I accidentally fell down this place and had no intention of disturbing you. I did not know you were here."


    "I am aware." The spirit did not speak many words.


    Sa Muni did not know what to do so he waited for the spirit to speak again. But even after a long time the spirit remained silent. Feeling annoyed, Sa Muni spoke first.


    "Elder, what did you say about putting my sister in my soul space? I do not understand it so I hope you could explain a bit more." He asked.


    The spirit still remained silent. Sa Muni waited but even after some time he did not receive a reply. Feeling a bit annoyed he opened his mouth to ask again. Just then the spirit spoke.


    "Impatience. A good sign."


    Sa Muni did not know what was a good sign. Or even what the spirit was talking about.


    "Age?" The spirit spoke in its deep gravelly voice.


    "Um, 8 years and almost 3 months" Sa Muni replied utterly confused. He was getting more and more annoyed by this spirit.


    "Too young." The spirit said and once again turned silent.


    Sa Muni wanted to yell at the spirit. But he endured. All the while seething anger was building inside him.


    "Elder, the thing about putting my sister in the soul space. Could you please guide this junior."


    And yet there was only silence.


    Sa Muni snapped. Elder or not, he was in no mood to play games. He yelled.


    "Aaaaaaaahhh! What the hell! Why did you start speaking if you did not want to talk! You could just have just stayed hidden for all I care! First say something nice and then all of sudden turn silent. Does it look like I am in the mind to play games. Oh...you feel angry do you?! You feel annoyed by me?! You will swat me like a fly, will you?! Well, why don''t you try and end my misery instead of playing this stupid little game!"


    Sa Muni yelled each word clearly, not caring if the spirit took offence. His voice resounded off the walls echoing long after he had stopped. He did not care whether the spirit smote him to death. He wanted to die before anyway.


    "Anger. Excellent." The spirit replied instead.


    Sa Muni was flabbergasted. What kind of reply was that!


    "You know you are annoying!" Sa Muni said.


    "Hahahaha..." The spirit laughed this time. "Atleast you do not wish to die now, do you?"


    Sa Muni was startled. The resolute feelings he had before had certainly faded. Now he was wavering and thought whether he truly wanted to die. Up on the cliff, his answer would have been yes. But after surviving, his feelings were in a turmoil. Yes, he had promised to die together and he had tried. But like all living beings, there was a small stubborn part of him which did not wish for his life to end.


    Realizing this, he immediately felt guilty. Guilty of betraying the expectations his father and sister had of him. Betraying the promise he had made with them.


    What would they think if he lived by himself without regards to their feelings, he asked himself.


    "Life is an opportunity and cannot be relinquished so easily. To die without meaning is just cowardice. Live and the grief will fade. Live and the guilt will pass. Anyways, you still have an opportunity to save her. Are you not willing?" The spirit said.


    Sa Muni was instantly overjoyed as he nodded his head. He bowed and joined his hands in respect.


    "Thank you Elder for helping me. Please guide me."


    "Do not thank me yet. Whether you succeed or fail is yet to be determined."


    "I am prepared senior. I have already lost her once. If I can do anything which may save her, I am willing to try my utmost, even trade my life if need be." Sa Muni said resolutely.


    "Unfortunately, it is not as simple as trading your life. We cannot save your sister''s body. Only her soul. Only her soul may enter your soul space. However, you do not have the strength to accept her soul in your soul space. The only way for this to succeed is for you to build your soul space."


    "Also, whether your sister''s soul chooses to enter your soul space depends on her will. It cannot be forced. If your bond is strong enough, only then you may have a chance." The spirit said.


    Sa Muni thought that the second condition should be the easier one. He loved his sister and his sister loved him. If there was a chance that they may stay together, she would choose it. Yet, Sa Muni also worried that she may choose to go to the world of souls instead.


    "The first step to build your soul space is to fill it with spiritual energy. Unfortunately, this step cannot be taught. Find your soul. Find the spiritual energy pathways which connect your soul to everything else. Once you do, figure out how to pull this spiritual energy from the outside into your soul space." The spirit continued.


    Sa Muni listened carefully. He had already found his soul space. All he needed to do now was find the spiritual energy pathways. Yet, he still hesitated.


    "Elder, thank you for your guidance. But I have a doubt. My sister taught me that putting a soul in the soul space is considered bad. The soul cannot escape and cannot enter the world of souls on its own will. Would my actions be considered justly? Wouldn''t it be better to leave her in peace?"


    Sa Muni was reluctant to do that. But even in death, he did not wish for his sister to hate him. Perhaps what he was going to do would just be a selfish thing without regard to her wishes.


    "Do you wish to harm her?" The spirit asked.


    "No. I wish for her to be happy."


    "Does that answer your question?" The spirit said.


    Sa Muni nodded. Even if he let her soul in his soul space, he wouldn''t harm her.


    "But she wouldn''t be able to go to the world of souls? Isn''t that a bad thing?"


    "Not necessarily. When you die or when you have the ability to go to the world of souls, she would be able to." The spirit replied. "Anyways, do not count your chickens before they hatch. Whether she enters your soul space is still not decided."


    Sa Muni nodded. All he could do was try and leave the rest to luck. He did not have any other options.


    "I may be selfish but I want Meri sis to be with me. If there is a chance I will take it." Sa Muni decided.


    "Once you fill your soul space with as much spiritual energy as you can, we can begin the next step. A word of warning though. Based on her strength she will likely ascend in 3 days. You have just that much time to build your soul space. Moreover, you have already wasted half a day." The spirit spoke again in his deep gravelly voice. Sa Muni didn''t notice but somehow the spirit''s voice never echoed in this room.


    Sa Muni brought his legs together and sat down in a meditation pose. He started trying to calm himself down. Grief, guilt, anger, he tried to push these feelings to the back of his mind.


    But that was easier said than done. Especially after what he had been through recently. The wounds were still fresh and the memories still clear. Sa Muni took several deep breaths in an effort to relax.


    It still took a long time. Sa Muni did not know how much time passed but eventually he reached the state of calmness. Only now could he observe his body and attempt to access his soul space.


    Like before, he found a golden thread entering his body, through skin, muscle and bone. Passing through all of that, following the golden string, he entered deeper, beyond his physical body.


    The golden string entered a dark space heading towards a small glowing light in the center. Sa Muni once again looked up in wonder at his own soul. As Tri Manlu had said, the soul is within yet beyond the body.


    "Compared to the Elder''s soul, my soul is many times smaller. Wonder how strong he is..." Sa Muni spared a thought.


    He swept his thoughts aside and concentrated. He had already done this step before and knew he could do it again. Now came the hard part. He had to find the spiritual energy pathways connecting to the soul. But Sa Muni had a vague idea.


    "Are these golden strings the pathways?" He wondered. After all, these golden strings came from somewhere out of his body and connected to the soul.


    Sa Muni had only seen the little bit of spiritual energy surrounding his soul. The spiritual energy was like a vague white mist, so faint that if you did not look hard, you would miss it. And the golden threads passed through it on its way to the glowing ball which was his soul.


    "Now what do I do?" He did not know.


    Sa Muni remembered the spirit elder telling him that he needed to pull the spiritual energy in through the pathways.


    "Should I pull on the strings?" Sa Muni imagined himself doing that but nothing happened. The soul space was not some place he could use his hands to pull.


    "This can''t be right. How should I go on?" Sa Muni kept on thinking but even after a long time he could not find an answer. "I am wasting time like this. Let''s try everything I can think off and hopefully one of them would work."


    Sa Muni tried many methods but most of his methods were trying to imagine things his body was supposed to do. None of them even had the slightest chance of working in his soul space. He was starting to despair now.


    "What do I do? If I don''t hurry, the time will have passed." Sa Muni was deeply concerned about the time. Who knows how many hours had passed and yet he was still on the first step. His thoughts made his calmness waver and he felt his senses being pulled out of his soul space and back into his body.


    But he still persisted. He breathed deeply and forced the random thoughts back into his mind. He calmed himself once again and began the process anew.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "How do I do this?" Sa Muni tried and tried without success. "Maybe the clue is in the golden threads.." Thinking that he focused his senses upon one of the thin golden threads which connected to his soul.


    Sa Muni watched for a long time. The golden thread was not like the threads he had seen. Even though it looked like a thread, it was subtly undulating. Each piece of the thread only moved slightly up and down and that too very gently. But somehow the entire motion on the thread was like it was connected. Like the undulation of one part gave rise to another.


    "It moves like ripples on water." Sa Muni observed. He continued watching the motions which somehow felt extremely natural. Like all was how it should be.


    Concentrating wholly on the threads, Sa Muni didn''t realize when he had entered a sublime state. He had forgotten about his turbulent emotions and was extremely calm. His senses were completely focused on the movement of the thread. One could say that these movements were hypnotic like listening to the beatings of the heart.


    Simple yet deep. Vibrant yet still. The ripples were never the same. You could watch it a hundred times and yet the hundred and first would still be different.


    The movement of each piece was always the same. Yet somehow the movement of the entire thread felt like it changed ever so slightly.


    Sa Muni didn''t realize just how many hundreds or thousands or even millions of such movements he observed. In this state, nothing mattered except the gentle hypnotic undulations of the golden string.


    Time passed.


    Sa Muni only awoke from his enchanted state when his senses detected something. Something coiled around by the golden string. It was so small, so vague that its discovery could only be attributed to luck. Someone could find this within a minute and someone could spend years searching for it.


    Sa Muni looked closely and found that it was spiritual energy. Only the faintest sliver. A very miniscule part of it which was coiled around by the golden string. With each undulation it moved a little bit towards his soul. But with the next undulation it would move back. Like it was being played in a tug of war by the golden string. Sa Muni looked and wondered.


    "How do I make it come towards me? Can I control the golden string?" But he had already thought of pulling the string. It didn''t work.


    "Can I control the movements of the string and somehow make it come towards my soul?" Sa Muni pondered a few more methods but none of them seemed right and were quickly discarded. "No this will not work." He shook his imaginary head.


    "Hmm...but if this sliver of energy has entered my soul space, why isn''t it going towards my soul already? Why is it being pushed back?" Thinking that Sa Muni looked at his soul. Rather what was happening to the golden thread near his soul.


    Near the soul the golden thread was the same. Moving ever so gently like a tiny ripple. Sa Muni concentrated on it. But this time rather than the movements of the golden thread, he was looking at what was happening in his soul.


    Sa Muni stared at it for a long time. Only then did he see a strange flicker. No, the soul did not move like the threads. Rather it was the glow which flickered just so gently. At first Sa Muni wasn''t sure whether he wasn''t just imagining things. Maybe he was just tired.


    It was almost like his heartbeat. One moment it would glow brighter ever so slightly. And in the next it would dim as much.


    Only after watching it over and over again, did he realize that the glow of the soul did flicker. He kept looking and found that the gently flickering light seemed to be keeping pace with the ripples of the golden thread.


    "What is it? Can I make the glow of my soul become brighter or darker?" Sa Muni pondered. To control it, he would need to first understand what made a soul glow in the first place.


    He watched the soul for a long time, trying to discern an answer. The soul kept on beating like his heart. And then just as suddenly Sa Muni came to a realization.


    "Heartbeat! Is this my will to live?"


    Sa Muni thought of when his heart beat faster. It was always when he was excited or frightened. In both situations, he wanted to live. And yet, when would your heart beat slower? The answer was clear like the light of the sun. When you were dying.


    Only now Sa Muni understood why this could not be taught. The increase or decrease of the will to live differs from person to person. One''s method will not apply to another.


    "So what makes me want to live?" Sa Muni instantly remembered Meri sis and his father. The good and happy times they had just before. The promise of gifts when father would come from his trip. The gentleness of her sister''s hands as they combed his hair. The delicious food which she cooked. The table in which the three of them sat together laughing. And his saving Meri sis.


    As he thought of these things, his soul started glowing brighter. Like each happy thought became its fuel. Sa Muni was delighted. As his soul became brighter, the undulations of the golden string became more turbulent.


    But then his mood soured. The spiritual energy was not moving towards him but was going away.


    Sa Muni cursed. "What is up with that! So happy thoughts are no good?!" His sour mood brought forth a wave of worries. If he fails, Meri sis would not be saved. If he fails, his last bit of happiness would be gone. If he fails, he would rather kill himself. Images of Meri sis dying flashed through his eyes again.


    As his thoughts swirled, the glow of the soul became darker and darker. And like this was a trigger, spiritual energy started moving into his soul.


    The undulations became more turbulent once again but this time it led the sliver of spiritual energy towards his soul. And the speed with which it was coming in was much faster than when it was being pushed out.


    "What''s happening?" Sa Muni thought. Not only the golden string he was observing but from all golden strings spiritual energy started flooding into his soul. But it did not enter it. Rather it could not. It simply hit the wall of the glowing ball, which was his soul, and scattered in his soul space.


    "Not good!" Sa Muni realized. With every sliver of spiritual energy which arrived, his mood was becoming better. The depressed thoughts were receding. The soul was becoming less dark.


    "I have to remain depressed for as long as I can!" He once again brought forth all his grief and guilt to the forefront. He willed the soul to be dark. For as long as possible.


    Time passed. Sa Muni could not tell whether he persisted for a long time or a short time. He was pulling in spiritual energy like a mad man. His mind was getting tired rapidly. And yet he persisted.


    "Elder said to fill up my soul space as much as I can." Yet right now, his soul space was not even one percent full. "More...I can do more! Hold on sis." And he made his soul even more darker.


    The spirit elder was quietly watching the young boy in front of him. "He is only a kid. Yet what persistence!" He was impressed. But he also understood, somethings cannot simply be obtained with persistence.


    The boy had spent many hours in meditation. The spirit elder could sense the world outside the hole. The moon had gone and the sun had risen. And yet the boy had not even begun collecting spiritual energy.


    "Ah well. Whether he succeeds or fails is his own luck." The spirit elder sighed as he quietly watched.


    When the moon came up high once again and the twilight shone inside, spiritual energy started flowing towards the boy.


    "Well done! So you do have a bit of talent after all. The kid may just make it." The spirit elder laughed. He watched as spiritual energy slowly but steadily entered the young boy''s body. This went on for hours and it was sunrise once again.


    "The kid should be done about now." The spirit elder looked expecting to see the young man opening his eyes at any moment.


    Yet something unexpected happened.


    "What is this? The speed has increased all of sudden!" The spirit elder watched even more intensely. Not only had the speed with which the spiritual energy entered the young boy''s body increased, but also the pull of the spiritual energy had grown many fold. Being a spirit, he was most sensitive to changes in spiritual energy and right now even he was affected a little bit.


    "Though the kid doesn''t have the strength to pull mine..." The spirit elder was not worried on that account. "Must be a last ditch effort, he cannot hold on much more."


    But the strange phenomenon, instead of abating, continued. The pull on spiritual energy increased even more.


    Now the spirit elder was worried. Not for himself but for the young boy. He knew this thing could not be attributed to just talent. "Looks like he has accidentally discovered a forbidden method."


    Methods which are deemed forbidden are dangerous. Because they have deadly side effects. Some could even take your life in exchange. Using them without understanding them was the biggest mistake you could make.


    As his senses watched the outside, he saw that just for an instant, much shorter than even the flapping of a butterfly''s wings, the entire mist cleared. Or rather it was pulled towards this hole. Suddenly, the many creatures in the valley glanced up and could see the clear sky and the rising sun. Perhaps, for the only time in their lives, as the mist soon rolled back in, once again, completely covering the sky.


    The spirit elder watched as more and more spiritual energy went inside the young boy''s body. As he watched, he also wondered what kind of thing the boy had found. And then he suddenly realized.


    "He couldn''t have....oh well, if he did, he did. Perhaps only the untrained would use that method. But oh well...the kid is still young. It shouldn''t cause too much harm. In the future, I will correct it. But it can be allowed now as long as he doesn''t overdo it." He looked once more at the young boy''s body. "Looks like it will be alright. He is too tired to sustain it anyway."


    Just as he had predicted, the young man opened his eyes soon enough.


    Sa Muni opened his eyes and collapsed on the ground. He was tired beyond measure. His breath came in gulps and he had no energy left to move his hands and feet. His stomach grumbled loudly just that instant.


    "Ow..I am hungry." He did not know it yet, but he had not eaten for more than a day. Considering that he had never starved even once before in his life, being just hungry was an understatement.


    How long?" He asked anxiously.


    "Hmm..well done. You seem to have made it in time. Now all you need to do is wait for the moment this lady''s soul leaves her body." The spirit elder spoke.


    Sa Muni gave out a sigh of relief.


    "What''s next?" He asked in a few words. He didn''t have the energy to waste his words.


    "Just wait. When the soul comes out I will give more instructions," the spirit elder replied.


    After the elder said that, Sa Muni felt his eyelids drooping and tired as he was, he dozed off in an instant.


    He awoke when he felt something happening. Or rather he heard a voice in his dreams.


    "Wake up! Her soul is coming out!"


    Suddenly, Sa Muni was wide awake. He groaned as his body ached having slept on the hard ground. But that atleast helped him wake up completely. He lifted himself and took a meditation pose again. He needed to be ready for whatever happened next.


    "Now the soul is coming out. This step is both simple and difficult. You need to call out to her. If she responds, I will guide her into your body. After that, you will have to lead the soul to your soul space. As to how to do that, simply do what you do to enter your soul space. Her soul will follow your path." The spirit elder explained.


    "Just remember, you will have only one chance to lead her to your soul space. If you falter and fail, her soul will enter ascension and then it will be too late." He warned.


    Sa Muni nodded and started taking deep breaths to calm himself down. The pressure was on him now. He could not afford a mistake.


    Just then, the soul came out of his sister''s body. There was no warning, no shaking stars or flashing lightning signifying this important event. It just happened. One moment, there was nothing and in the next a small softly glowing ball of light was present over her body.


    "Meri sis...it''s Minu! Your brother Minu! See I am still here next to you!" Sa Minu shouted.


    For a moment nothing happened. But then a soft voice slowly came out.


    "Minu...I...is...it...you?" The soul responded slowly as if confused.


    Sa Minu quickly looked over towards the spirit elder. As he looked, a soft sliver of light came out of the spirit elder''s soul and headed to Sa Meri''s soul. Sa Minu recognized it. It was spiritual energy.


    The sliver of light hit the soul from behind, but unlike with Sa Minu''s soul, it didn''t scatter. Instead like hitting a ball the glowing soul was pushed into Sa Minu''s body.


    "Now kid!" The spirit elder''s voice came.


    Sa Minu released a deep breath and closed his eyes. Once again he found a golden thread. Passing through his body, he quickly entered his soul space. He did not know why but so far this was his easiest attempt to enter his soul space.


    As he entered, he looked around and sure enough, Sa Meri''s soul had entered his soul space. His soul started glowing more brightly just then. He was incomparably happy.


    He lost focus and his senses returned. He was too happy and at the same instant too overwhelmed with tiredness.


    "Thank you elder!" He was delighted. And then dropped off again to sleep, this time for a really long time.


    The next time he awoke, there was more light in the hole. Perhaps the sun was up. Sa Muni wasted no time in entering his soul space.


    "Minu...what..what have you done?!" Sa Meri''s soul spoke out, her words very clear this time around.


    "Meri sis, I put you in my soul space. This way you can still live with me." Sa Minu replied. He wasn''t sure but somehow what he thought was being communicated.


    "Ah...you have been tricked! By that evil spirit!" She shouted.


    Only then Sa Muni noticed, that there were not just two souls around but three. His own, Sa Meri''s and the third...


    "Don''t mind me. I am just here to have fun." The deep gravelly voice he had heard previously, was now having a playful tone. "Here, I will teach you something else in turn. This is called a spirit form." And a man having entirely black skin wearing brown clothes and a straw hat came into view in his soul space.


    "You can do it as well. Just imagine your own form..." The man smiled without remorse.


    "See, see, he is an evil spirit! What have you done! Putting a soul in your soul space is a crime! You have doomed even me! Now I will never get a chance to go to the world of souls! I will never go to Elysium...I will never enter the Lord Emperor''s palace! You have doomed us both!" Sa Meri cried out.


    "Meri sis...I...I didn''t know." Sa Muni was dumbfounded. Behind his maturity, he was still an 8 year old kid. He hadn''t seen the world enough. How could he have known! And this spirit elder had only helped him and not harmed him. Doesn''t that make him not evil?


    "Ha! What evil!" The spirit elder laughed. "You kids don''t even know what evil is. Rather what did you say just now? I have been to world of souls before but I have never heard of Elysium."

 Chapter 5: Friend or Foe

    "I told you, he is an evil spirit! He doesn''t even know of Elysium, the Lord Emperor''s palace!" Sa Meri shouted.


    "But...but sis..." Sa Muni mumbled.


    "Hah..." while the spirit elder who currently looked like a black man wearing a straw hat sighed.


    "As I said, I don''t know of any Elysium in the World of Souls. I think I know of all the Lord Emperor''s palaces there, but I have never heard of Elysium. Aren''t you just mistaken?" He continued.


    "Hmph! That is obvious. You do not know because you are an evil spirit." Sa Meri said.


    "Talking to you is like talking to a bull. Hey kid, stop feeling sorry for yourself. Even if I was a evil spirit, you are not yet dead." The spirit elder ignored Sa Meri much to her chagrin. She thumped her leg to show her annoyance.


    Sa Minu could not help but smile at the scene. How many times had he seen her do this before. It was just that before it made quite an impact as the ground would form a depression. However, in his soul space, it seemed quite tame.


    "More than this Lord Emperor''s palace, what I am interested in is the method that you used. Explain to me how did you absorb spiritual energy? You started out all right but then the speed increased phenomenally? Do you know of a forbidden method?"


    The spirit elder''s voice suddenly turned serious as he asked. Even Sa Meri stopped talking.


    "A forbidden method?" She asked confused.


    Sa Muni thought about what he had done. How he made himself have more depressed feelings which made his soul turn even more dark. It did pull the spiritual energy in faster.


    "I thought of depressed feelings and my soul turned dark. It pulled the spiritual energy towards me. Then I thought that if I made my soul even darker, I might pull in more. I didn''t know how much spiritual energy I needed to put Meri sis soul in my soul space."


    "Hah...so it was just a rookie''s mistake. For a moment you scared me there, kid. Listen carefully, never do that thing again. You don''t realize just how lucky you were just now." The spirit elder sighed.


    "Um...why is that, Elder?" Sa Muni curiously asked.


    "That is...well...to explain that, I will have to tell you a lot of things. How much do you know about spiritual energy?" The spirit elder asked.


    "Um...." Sa Muni simply shook his head. He actually didn''t know anything.


    "As expected. How bout you bull girl? You must have cultivated a bit, you have a soul link to a spirit." The spirit elder asked Sa Meri instead. "Wait, before you speak, didn''t I tell you both to take on a spirit form? The kid may have it hard for now but you should be able to do it easy, right?" He pointed as he spoke.


    "Hmph!" Sa Meri did not say anything. Instead she tried imagining her form. Soon enough, the spiritual energy around her soul, transformed into a lovely young woman. Her features were exactly as Sa Muni remembered them and she was just as beautiful. And yet, her beauty had paled as the healthy color of her pink skin was not present anymore. Instead made of spiritual energy, she looked like a lovely pale ghost.


    Somehow after seeing that, Sa Muni felt like crying. But no tears came out. After all he wasn''t using his eyes to see here, was he?


    "I wonder how I am able to have a conversation with souls in my soul space?" Sa Muni thought. Yet somehow his thoughts were heard by the souls within.


    "Hahaha...now he wonders. Good question kid. Inside this soul space, your physical senses or the eyes and ears of your body don''t work. So how do you see and hear us?"


    "You actually don''t. Your conscious senses things using spiritual energy. It is actually your soul which is talking with us. In essence, you are your soul and your soul is you, that is why you feel like you are looking at us and hearing our words. As for how you speak, you speak through your thoughts. All souls have this ability." The spirit elder explained.


    "By the way this sense with which you look at us and hear us is called spiritual sense. Before cultivating spiritual energy, the range of your spiritual sense is limited to your soul space. After cultivating, you can slowly extend its range."


    "Ah thank you for explaining Elder." Sa Muni said and bowed. Or rather he thought he did.


    "So how do I change my form too? You said it won''t be easy for me? But don''t I have to do it like sister did?" Sa Muni asked.


    "Agh! You do not know anything about spiritual energy, hence it is difficult for you. Your sister can do it because she has a soul link. The soul link makes it easier for her. There are many more reasons but to explain all of them will take days. That reminds me..."


    "Hey, you there little bird, come in here and join us! You can follow the soul link to your partner, can''t you?" Suddenly the spirit elder yelled.


    Both Sa Muni and Sa Meri were confused. Who was he talking to? Was he inviting more souls into his soul space?


    "What are you..." Sa Meri began but then quickly shut her mouth. Sa Muni looked at her and wondered as well.


    Soon enough another soul came into the soul space. It used the spirit form method and transformed into an eagle.


    "Sis, is this your beast spirit?" Sa Muni was surprised.


    Usually only the person who contracted the beast spirit could look at them like this. The rest could only tell based on the beast transformation effects it caused. But right now, Sa Muni was looking at his sister''s contracted beast spirit, the yellow eagle. Though made of spiritual energy it looked like a black and white picture instead of having the colorful yellow it originally possessed.


    "You do know we can hear your thoughts..." The spirit elder softly spoke.


    Sa Muni was suddenly startled.


    "Wait, you mean to say you can hear all of my thoughts! Even what I thought just now!"


    "Not only me...but that bull girl can too." The spirit elder spoke. Sa Muni was speechless. On the other hand Sa Meri had a gentle smile.


    "To hear all my thoughts....isn''t that too frightening?!" Sa Muni thought and then remembered that they could hear that as well.


    "Hahaha...do not worry. With training, you will be able to learn how to focus your thoughts but right now....good luck!" And the spirit elder simply shrugged. If Sa Muni''s soul had a mouth perhaps it would have dropped to the floor right now.


    "Now that everyone''s gathered, let me speak about the thing I wanted to speak about." The spirit elder spoke.


    "Kid, the soul has two states. The one you see now, glowing, is called the State of Life. When the soul goes dark like you made it, it is called the State of Death. Spiritual energy is the energy of life and will always flow towards the State of Death. Think of it as trying to keep your soul alive."


    "The State of Death is a dangerous state. Because you are trying to will your soul literally, towards death. Dying by killing your soul, unless you are extremely powerful, is impossible. Even I cannot do that. However, the real danger is because of the lack of spiritual energy in nature. You must understand that not just you, but every living thing has a soul and is trying to pull spiritual energy towards them." The spirit elder explained.


    "To completely explain it will take a long time. But understand this, the spiritual energy found naturally and the one surrounding your soul isn''t much different. If you do not control the State of Death, it is very likely that instead of the natural spiritual energy you may pull the one surrounding your soul instead." The spirit elder said.


    "What?! Is that possible?! Doesn''t that mean that he will die if he does that? Wait...do you mean that he did do that before?!" Sa Meri yelled.


    "I am sorry sis. I didn''t know. I won''t do it again." Sa Minu hurriedly apologized.


    Sa Meri looked like she wanted to say more but then simply shook her head.


    "This time was just an accident. Even I didn''t know that it was so dangerous, though I have heard Teacher Tri Manlu speak about not overdoing it before. But he hadn''t explained the reasons for it. Wouldn''t one simply die if that happened! It is good that you are safe." Sa Meri said.


    "I was lucky this time. Thank you Elder for your concern." Sa Muni simply said.


    "This time you really were lucky. Generally the amount of spiritual energy at any one place is low. Also the range from which you can pull the energy is limited to your immediate surroundings. The spiritual        pathways, however, make no distinction between the spiritual energy around you and the one linked to your soul. If you keep pulling indiscriminately, it will simply start pulling the spiritual energy around your soul."


    "Many people do not realize the importance of this small bit of energy. Even though it is still spiritual energy, it is a bit special. It is the connection which binds your soul to your body. Lose it and the connection is lost. The soul may live without the body but a body can never live without the soul." The spirit elder cautioned.


    "I understand, Elder. I will keep in mind for the future." Sa Muni honestly replied.


    Nodding his head the spirit elder continued.


    "Yes...fortunately the spiritual energy in this area is abnormally high. Otherwise you would have lost your body already."


    Sa Muni unconsciously shivered when he heard that. He knew he was lucky but that was only because he believed he had come to the cusp of making a deadly mistake. Now he realized that he had already made the mistake and it was only divine providence which had saved him. Of all the places he had to make a mistake, he had done it in the area where the spiritual energy was very high.


    "There are many things you do not know and understand. But for now, let''s stick to what''s necessary." The spirit elder simply smiled.


    "To start with, let''s all introduce ourselves. My name is Ba Dun."


    "I am Sa Muni. This is my elder sister, Sa Meri." Sa Muni introduced both of them. He looked at his sister but she was still fuming and had not the slightest intention of acknowledging this spirit elder.


    "And you young bird, what is your name?" Ba Dun asked.


    In return the spirit eagle simply shrieked.


    "Ah Fea Yu..." Ba Dun nodded.


    Both Sa Muni and Sa Meri were shocked. For neither of them knew that this yellow eagle beast spirit had a name, apart from the one Sa Meri had given it. Let alone Sa Muni, even Sa Meri didn''t know.


    "Wait...you actually have a name? Why didn''t you tell it to me before? I wouldn''t have given you a name of my own accord. So should I call you Fea Yu now?" Sa Meri actually spoke to the eagle spirit.


    But the eagle only gave a piercing shriek in response.


    "Do not blame the bird. She cannot speak the human tongue so talking with you would be a bit difficult, don''t you think?" Ba Dun calmly explained. "Anyways us, not of the human race do not really care much about names. It just helps to differentiate when we are among our brethren. Other races simply refer to us by our clan names or our race. The young eagle says you can keep calling her with the name you have given. She likes it."


    "Hmph! For being an evil spirit, I guess doing good is your only salvation. For now, let me offer you my thanks. But do not mistake for a moment that I trust you." Sa Meri coldly said.


    "Yeah yeah...even if you do not have the power to do anything to me...I should still give you some face owing to myself borrowing your brother''s soul space." Ba Dun simply smiled. But that did nothing to improve Sa Meri''s look.


    Just then Sa Muni had a thought.


    "Elder, you are able to speak with the eagle so are you of the eagle race as well? But then how can you speak the human tongue?" Sa Muni asked.


    After hearing his question, even Sa Meri had a look of curiousness appear on her face.


    "Haha..well I am not of the eagle race. The reason I can understand the young eagle''s words and speak the human tongue is because I am very old and very powerful. Much more powerful than you can imagine." Ba Dun laughed. "Anyways, lots of races can speak the human tongue after they reach an advanced stage of cultivation. Even the yellow eagle should be able to after her third evolution, I think."


    Sa Muni knew that beast spirits evolved just like they would have if they had been alive. A yellow eagle would change color to brown after its first evolution which happened when it reached the cultivation of spirit level 5. So when the beast spirit would reach spirit level 5, it would also gain the powers and abilities it would have gained after evolving into a brown eagle. This would also reflect on the abilities of the contracted human. Even the beast transformation will change.


    "Then what is your race?" Sa Muni asked directly.


    Hearing his question, Ba Dun frowned. In any other situation, perhaps he might have told his identity readily. But now...


    "Kid, pretty direct aren''t you? But let''s leave my race as is. Right now I cannot tell you other than I am a really old and powerful spirit. Let''s just leave it at that." Ba Dun spoke with a kind of finality in his voice.


    Thinking he may have been rude, Sa Muni quickly apologized.


    "I am sorry, Elder."


    "Forget it. At your age, kids need to be simple and free, unlike a scheming grown up. It is just that I have some reasons for not telling you."


    "I understand. I will not ask again. But could I ask one more question?" Sa Muni simply ploughed through.


    "Haha...you always ask these many questions?" Ba Dun laughed out loud.


    At this moment, Sa Meri placed her palm on her forehead. Her curious brother perhaps even in death wouldn''t be cured of his curiosity.


    Sa Muni simply smiled looking at this. What could he do? He was in the habit of saying whatever was on his mind. It just turned out that most of what he had in mind were questions.


    "Alright kid. Speak your mind." Ba Dun said laughing.


    "Um...could you make a contract with me?" Sa Muni asked.


    The laughter instantly froze. Sa Meri even looked up in horror.


    "What crazy thing are you saying?! You cannot be serious! You cannot make a contract with this evil spirit! I completely forbid it!" Sa Meri immediately said out loud.


    "Do not get your stomach in a knot, girl! He is not my type anyway!" And Ba Dun yelled out in reply.


    Hearing this, for some reason Sa Meri became very happy.


    "Hmph. Obviously he is not your type. He is good and kind. Definitely not your type."


    "Ah...it is so difficult to talk to you. Even bulls might be easier." Ba Dun simply shook his head.


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    "Anyways, kid. You are not my type. So no, I cannot make a contract with you. Rather, even if I wanted to I couldn''t." Ba Dun added.


    "What do you mean Elder?" Sa Muni asked.


    "I haven''t told you before but you cannot contract a beast spirit before the age of 14." Sa Meri explained instead.


    "Ah. Wonder why it is.." Sa Muni thought. Obviously it was heard by all parties present who collectively smacked their heads. Even the eagle shrieked.


    "Kid, ever heard the saying curiosity killed the cat?" Ba Dun said.


    "Um...no I haven''t. But I am not a cat so no problems there." Sa Muni innocently replied.


    "Um...I don''t know what to say. Let''s just make this the last question. Then you need to eat. I am sure you don''t realize but you have been talking to us for a long time. You must be quite hungry." Sa Meri said. Having taken care of him for so long, how could she not know his nature. However she did not know that he had foregone food for a day already.


    "Ah...now that you mention it, I think I am starving." Sa Muni agreed.


    "Thought so. You cannot contract a beast spirit before the age of 14 because your soul has not matured and grown up. Now hurry and go eat." Sa Meri said.


    Ah...yes I will do that. Thanks, sis." And Sa Muni moved his consciousness back into his body.


    A loud growl greeted him as soon as Sa Muni opened his eyes.


    "Ow...I can eat a mountain." He clutched his stomach as it rumbled once again. After all, he hadn''t eaten anything in a day and half by now.


    Only when he stood up to go look for something to eat, he remembered.


    "I am still stuck in the hole!"


    Sa Muni was perplexed. He had tried getting out before but had not found any footholds to climb out. Moreover the opening of the hole was extremely narrow, so hoping for something to fall down into it, was only a dream within a dream.


    "There are places which can serve as footholds. Here I will make light so quickly notice." Sa Muni was shocked once again hearing Ba Dun''s voice. Like before, his voice sounded directly in his head. He looked around and found Ba Dun''s soul still at the same place as before.


    "Elder, did you come out of my soul space to help me?"


    "Ofcourse not. I have always been here. What is inside you is just a small part of me. But let''s talk about it later. Quickly notice."


    Just then, Ba Dun''s soul increased in radiance, instantly filling the hole with light. Sa Muni immediately looked up and saw the slight depressions which could be used to climb up. Thankfully, even though the walls were almost smooth, there were enough of the footholds for even his small size.


    "It''s good that I am so good at climbing." Sa Muni gulped looking at the depressions. If he were not so used to climbing, perhaps he would have been extremely daunted by the slight depressions which could perhaps only accommodate the tips of a few fingers at best.


    "If I fall, it shouldn''t hurt much. Its not very high, I think." Sa Muni consoled himself. Truth was, it would hurt terribly. But right now his hunger was worse than his fear of getting hurt.


    And then the light went out.


    Sa Muni placed his hands on the nearest foothold. And then testing it, he slowly started to climb up. It was slow progress. He had memorized all the footholds he had seen. But still, he made mistakes and sometimes had to hang on for quite some time before he finally found the next one. Often times, he had to back down a little bit as he found no footholds to move forward. It was not like they were not present, it was just that his small size did not allow him to reach up to them.


    Labouring in the dark for almost half an hour, if not more, he finally reached the opening.


    "Ah..." He sighed gladly as sunlight hit his eyes. He blinked a few times adjusting to the bright light as a smile involuntary came upon his lips. Being alive had benefits. His eyes finally took in the scene all around him.


    And then he shuddered horribly.


    "Is this...is this the bottom of the Valley of the Mist?!" In front of Sa Muni''s eyes was a thick jungle.


    The valley surrounded by towering walls made of rock and stone was completely cut off from the rest of the world. It had mist covering it and hiding it all year round. Yet the thick mist was only present high up. If one looked up from the top of the valley, they would only see the mist. Whoever knew that such a dense jungle grew below it. But that was still not much of a problem.


    The real danger was that Sa Muni could hear loud grunts, shrieks, hisses and roars of several beasts coming out from this jungle. And through his experience, he knew that they were very very dangerous. Far more than he had ever encountered in the limited time he had spent in the Malabar mountains.


    In fact, even if he could not see them, just by hearing their roars, he felt a cold wave penetrating right through his bones.


    "What ..what is this?! How could there be so many powerful beasts?!" Sa Muni shuddered again.


    Malabar mountains was a very dangerous place. But most magical beasts and powerful animals lived in areas deeper in the mountains while the less dangerous ones lived towards the outskirts. Among them Sa Muni was relatively safe.


    Even when he reached the edge of the Valley of the Mist, Sa Muni was not really afraid. He had encountered a few dangerous animals, namely a tiger once and bears twice. But at all times, he was safely up on a high tree away from the reach of these beasts. Looking at these majestic animals, even Sa Muni had felt fear. After all, if he was caught by them, there was no chance he would survive. And yet, they had not made him shiver down to his very roots like this.


    Right now, forget seeing them, just their roars were enough to make his bones shake. His instincts were wildly warning him to go hide in the hole once again.


    "Could it be that only magical beasts live in the valley?!" He said out loud in an effort to calm himself and he could hear his voice quiver.


    "Your thinking is not far off."


    Sa Muni was startled. It was a tense moment before he realized that the voice he had heard was actually Ba Dun''s. It took another moment to realize that this voice was actually in his head.


    "Elder, what is this valley?" Sa Muni could not help asking.


    "Haha...it is just a normal valley. It just has an enormous number of magical races for some reason. Also, as they cannot leave this valley, the concentration of these beings has only increased." Ba Dun replied.


    "Too terrifying." Sa Muni shivered.


    "Haha..this is nothing. It''s just a bunch of stupid beasts. None of them have achieved spirit level 8 although not one is below spirit lever 4." Ba Dun laughed.


    "Not one is below spirit level 4! How am I supposed to survive this? Won''t you help me?" Sa Muni asked dejectedly.


    "Haha...how can I help? I am just a spirit. Ever heard of a spirit being able to kill living things? The most I could do is protect your soul for a bit. Though it still won''t save you from being eaten." Ba Dun''s laughter just grew louder.


    Sa Muni sank down to his knees. This was impossible.


    At the moment he was above the hole which was at the edge of the jungle, near one of the walls of the valley. There were more rocks here than trees so it could be considered outside the dense forest.


    But as soon as he took a step inside, Sa Muni knew he wouldn''t be able to come out. He could hide against normal animals. But against magical beasts?! They would be able to sense him from miles away. Even now, he was expecting something to attack right where he stood. How could he look for food?!


    "If I don''t get killed by the beasts, I would definitely die of starvation! What do I do?" He asked helplessly.


    "I don''t know. Your life is your own. Your death is your own. What would be your fate remains to be seen. Just a thing which may help. The creatures of this valley try to stay away from this area. But if they sense you, they still might not hesitate to come over here. See you in the next life then. Hahaha..."


    Ba Dun''s loud laughter slowly faded from his mind.


    "Damn! I should have never listened to him. He is definitely evil." Sa Muni loudly grumbled.


    Fortunately, being angry at Ba Dun had removed the edge off the fear. He was still terrified but atleast the uncontrollable shivering had stopped.


    "Dear Lord in the heavens. Help protect this poor soul..." Sa Muni silently whispered a prayer as he finally took a step forward. What choice did he have?


    The dense green of the jungle seemed as creepy and frightening as those stories of evil ghosts capturing people in toxic marshes. It was like the mouth of a saw toothed lion as it yawned beckoning something to become it''s prey.


    As he reached the tree line, Sa Muni''s fear returned and he trembled. He took a breath to steady himself and slowly entered the forest.


    "Dear Lord in the heavens. Help protect this poor soul..." he kept on praying.


    He cautiously took a few more steps inside. His eyes quickly flicked around scanning his surroundings for any danger. And then he moved a few more steps all the while ready to run for his life.


    A few minutes passed and he found that his clothes had become wet with sweat. Sa Muni still didn''t dare to be the slightest bit incautious.


    "Hmm..what is this I smell." Sa Muni looked around and found some small shrubs. Several yellow flowers were growing on them.


    "Dandelions....great!" Sa Muni was shocked and happy at the same time. He had found a rabbit eating a flower during one of his adventures and had tried them himself. The taste was not much to talk about, yet he found that it was edible. It was only later when he came up with a bunch of them and gave them to his sister, he realized they were called dandelions.


    Sa Meri was quite happy receiving those flowers and Sa Muni had gotten a rare peck on the cheek for his efforts. Though at the time he had assumed that she knew a way to make them taste delicious. To his utter confusion, Sa Meri had found a vase and put the flowers in them. Thankfully, he did not ask his sister.


    He found out, only after he asked his father later, that girls simply like flowers and had no intention of actually eating them.


    "What a waste!" Was Sa Muni''s thoughts at that time. Since then he had learned better. After all, it was not only his sister who was so weird. Presenting the flowers to the aunt next door and her daughter had the same effect. Why does everyone not eat food?


    Sa Muni was not under any pretensions. Dandelions were food. And he was hungry. What a perfect match made in heaven!


    He quickly started gather as many of the flowers, and if he could the leaves and roots as well.


    It happened when he was busy with plucking these plants out.


    "Grrrrrrrr!" A growl sounded at his back.


    The sweat on Sa Muni''s back instantly froze. He creaked his neck as he turned it around to stare at the sight slowly coming towards him. For a moment all his mind could register was two big fangs dripping with saliva.


    It was another moment before his brain finally registered this beast. It was a black panther with slowly twirling tail like a snake. Wait, the tail stared at him with eyes of it''s own. The tail actually had a snake head and it hissed and flicked it''s tongue out. Combined with the growling fangs, it was enough for him to wet his pants.


    "Dear Lord......damn!" was all he could get out before the beast started moving towards him in slow deliberate steps. The panther type beasts were his mortal enemies for a single reason. These damn things could even climb trees! What was the feeling when you found that your safe haven was not safe anymore. Not to mention, this was a magical beast.


    For the first time in his life, Sa Muni saw a magical beast. Perhaps it would also be his last. Not that he was going to wait for it to end. At this moment his survival instincts kicked in and he turned around to run.


    But!


    "Kriiiiii! Grr!" came a sound in front of him.


    Out walked a tall beast with an eagle''s head but with legs like a horse. If that was not scary enough, it had a tail like an alligator with spikes on them.


    "Mooorrr!!" And yet another beast appeared. Something with a bull''s head and horns and elephant''s legs. It was walking on two feet like a human yet the look it had was as if it had found the greenest grass. Two lines of saliva dripped out everytime it opened it''s mouth.


    "It''s over..." Sa Muni was too scared, too helpless, too sure of his own demise that he did not even think of escaping.


    Yet the ordeal was only beginning.


    "Groooooooooooooowlll!!" A deadly roar came from another direction as another beast jumped out. This looked like a lion but it''s skin shone like silver and it made clanging sounds as it walked as if it was made of metal.


    "Grrrrruuuuupp!" A giant massive frog suddenly jumped out from somewhere else. Frog, no, that how it looked from the front, the behind was a serpent''s body including two tails.


    "Where the hell did these weird creatures come from!!" Sa Muni screamed.


    Whether it was in his head or did his voice leak out, he wasn''t sure! His small tiny voice was nothing in front of the loud growls and hisses and the other strange sounds.


    Sa Muni belonged to a farmer''s family. So he did not know of many magical creatures. Only the ones he could hear from stories told by Teacher Tri Manlu or some others rumored about by the various kids. How many of them were true was anybody''s guess. And what he had heard came no where close to what he was seeing. What kind of name would he give his to-be killer!


    Only the rich could afford an encyclopaedia of magical beasts. In the town, perhaps only the town lord might have it. Maybe not even him, let alone a simple farmer''s boy like him. Ofcourse, what Sa Muni didn''t know that even those books would not have the information about these magical beasts. He was in kind of a special area.


    Not that it mattered to a dead guy. Or a soon to be dead guy.


    If he had held on to his bladder, it was not in control anymore. To hell with propriety and manners, if you cannot be scared now, when would you be!


    "Dear Lord....Damn!" Sa Muni stood frozen like a statue.


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    comments welcome!