Rise of the Devil's Soul

With a deep breath, he stepped into the cave, the cool darkness enveloping him like a cloak. The path twisted and turned, the only sound the echoing of their footsteps against the damp stone walls.

As they ventured deeper into the winding cave, Wu Xie couldn't shake the feeling of eyes upon him.

Shadows flickered at the edge of his vision, sending a shiver down his spine. He quickened his pace, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and unease.

In a little while, they emerged from the secret cave into the open air. Wu Xie let out a sigh of relief, the weight of their escape lifting from his shoulders.

"We made it," he whispered, a sense of triumph coursing through him.

"Today, I feel like a hero on an adventure. Escaping from somewhere, it's quite the thrill. Starting to like all this," he chuckled, glancing at Wovi, who stared back with urgency in its eyes.

"Come on, we're going to be late!" Wu Xie exclaimed, suddenly realizing the urgency of their situation. "Master Fu must be waiting for us. And you, Wovi, you're quite the lazy one," he teased, playfully nudging the tiny creature before continuing on their path.

Hastening his steps to catch up, Wu Xie soon found himself rounding a corner to face a figure standing in the clearing ahead.

It was Master Fu, arms crossed over his chest, a stern expression etched on his face. "You two are late," he stated firmly.

Wovi shot Wu Xie a knowing glance, a silent reminder of their escapade and the reason for their tardiness.

"Sorry, Master Fu," Wu Xie gasped between breaths, trying to compose himself. "We... we got a bit lost."

Master Fu arched an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Lost, hmm? Well, no matter. You're here now," he said, gesturing for them to follow.

"Come on, we don't have much time left," Master Fu urged, his tone indicating the need for haste. "You need to return before everyone wakes up."

Wu Xie fell into step behind Master Fu, his mind still reeling from their unexpected adventure.

Glancing over at Wovi, who had been the unlikely guide in their escape, Wu Xie couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude.

"I'll admit, you're quite smart, Wovi," Wu Xie whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "Since you helped me get out of the academy, I'll forgive you for all those electric shocks."

As they made their way towards the main training ground, Wu Xie could feel the fatigue settling into his bones.

Each step seemed heavier than the last, and he couldn't help but wonder why he was feeling so tired. He glanced at Master Fu, a hint of confusion in his eyes.

"Why am I so tired?" Wu Xie asked, his voice betraying his exhaustion. "I mean, I've always been active, a great sportsman. How can just a little walk leave me feeling like this?"

Master Fu regarded him with a knowing look, as if he could see beyond the physical into the depths of Wu Xie's soul. "Perhaps," Master Fu said slowly, "the body your soul currently inhabits does not possess the same strength as your previous one."

"That could be why even a short walk feels so taxing. But fear not, as you continue to practice and cultivate, your body will grow stronger as well."

Wu Xie nodded, a sense of determination flickering in his tired eyes. "I hope so," he murmured, steeling himself for the challenges ahead.

Then, his attention turned to Wovi, the tiny creature perched on Master Fu's shoulder. "How did you find that secret route?" Wu Xie asked, curiosity piqued.

Wovi, ever the mischievous companion, chattered excitedly and hopped onto Wu Xie's shoulder.

Master Fu chuckled at the little creature's antics before answering. "That escape route was actually built by me during my time at Lushan Academy," he explained.

Wu Xie's eyes widened in surprise. "You went to Lushan Academy too?" he asked, incredulous.

Master Fu nodded, a nostalgic smile playing on his lips. "Yes, indeed. In fact, I was the one who founded Lushan Academy," he revealed, his voice tinged with a hint of pride.

"But after the death of Emperor Zhou Yuan, I decided to leave everything behind. I met a beautiful beast girl, as I've told you before, and well, the rest is history."