Soul Land: A Foreign Fantasy

A surge of intense fear coursed through their veins, a paralyzing jolt that felt as tangible as the ground beneath their feet. The imposing figure of the shadow wolf loomed before them, a magnificent yet terrifying predator, its presence a testament to the raw power and primal instincts that came with age. For any ordinary group of spirit masters, it was an insurmountable challenge. Zhi and his team, rather than warriors, were scholars, and the weight of their near-defeat hung heavy around their shoulders like an oppressive shroud. If not for the severe injuries sustained by the younger wolf, they would likely have been lying lifeless in the forest's embrace.

This cruel reality gnawed relentlessly at Sheng Zhi's thoughts, a biting reminder of their vulnerability. Each member of the team had played a crucial role in this harrowing encounter, yet even his carefully devised plan had fallen apart like fragile parchment in the face of such overwhelming might. The chilling notion of what might have happened to Jin and Chen if the wolf had chosen to attack sent icy tendrils of dread racing down his spine. Every instinct within him screamed to flee—to escape the shadowy embrace of the forest and never look back. But he knew all too well that retreating now would spell disaster for the entire Hu Chun group, leaving them exposed to the unforgiving wilderness they so desperately sought to understand.

Amid this chaos, one glimmer of hope remained visible to Zhi.

"Quing, are we done healing?" Zhi asked, his voice steady, his authoritative presence more apparent than ever. His responsibilities as a brother and as a leader gave him the strength to face his fears properly.

"I've mended their wounds; there wasn't much damage since the wolf retreated," Quing replied, her tone heavy with disappointment. Her disheartened expression mirrored that of everyone present. An aura of despair hung thick in the air as they all sat with their heads down.

Everyone?

"Chun, are you okay?" Zhi asked, concern creeping into his voice. He feared Chun might succumb to despair. Chun's troubled expression reflected the toll of the ordeal, but despite his visible strain, he quickly grasped the situation. Having run a beast-hunting company, Chun had faced similar challenges, though none on this scale.

"Yeah," Chun replied, his voice drained of its usual confidence. It seemed no matter what he did, the fear clung to him like a shadow.

"We cannot lose!" a voice resonated from the back. Wang Jin, who had seemed lost moments ago, suddenly regained his focus. Perhaps it was the influence of the King of Heroes, but his words sparked a fire. "Come on, we must hunt the other beasts before that wolf returns."

Ying, initially consumed by despair, looked up at her younger brother, Jin, who was her responsibility. Throughout her life, she had watched Sheng Zhi, despite being the youngest, play the role of an older brother. Now, she couldn't bear the thought of losing her position. No way! As the sister of Wang Jin, An Chen, and Sheng Zhi, she refused to succumb to despair. Standing tall, she inspired Hua Quing to do the same. The group was once again ignited with determination.

Seeing the sight in front of them, Chun and Zhi couldn't help but chuckle. After all, the most hopeless person had rekindled the flame of hope within their hearts.

"Where is the golden beetle?" asked Jin, his voice brimming with confidence and pride. He now appeared like an emperor, guiding his people toward the right path.

"Follow me; we should reach it in half an hour," Chun said with newfound determination. Zhi, watching his younger brother grow, couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as they marched toward the Elemental Cave.

Time passed quickly as the team made their way through the forest. Many other spirit beasts crossed their path, but none proved a match for their combined strength.

At last, they arrived at the Elemental Cave. The cave's cold and damp atmosphere created an ideal environment for various insect species to thrive. Moreover, the elemental's presence kept stronger monsters at bay, making it a rarely visited place for both humans and spirit beasts.

"Are you sure the golden beetle is here?" Ying asked, her voice trembling with fear rather than curiosity. The sight of countless insects swarming around the cave's entrance had unsettled her deeply.

"The map at my house indicates that the golden beetle is located here," Hu Chun replied confidently, assured in his knowledge of the creature's habitat.

"So, how will we find it?" Jin asked, remembering that he was the one who would absorb its ring. "You said it was hard to catch."

"Ask Zhi," Chun suggested, turning to Zhi for advice. "You mentioned you had a way."

Zhi looked at him but didn't respond immediately. Instead, he took out his book and commanded, "Search for the golden beetle."

This time, the pages didn't turn, and Wang Jin stared at the book in despair. However, Zhi smiled knowingly. Upon seeing Zhi's smile, Chen immediately understood his plan.

"Your spirit only works if the target is nearby," Chun exclaimed, excitement replacing his earlier unease.

"Exactly," Zhi confirmed, leading the group deeper into the cave, unaware of the danger that awaited them.