Inside the inn's storeroom, Han Shuo did not rest right away. As always, he continued practicing his Demonic Cultivation Art.
Under Han Shuo's mental control, the Demonic Essence within him silently circulated through every meridian, muscle, bone, and stretch of flesh, following the paths prescribed by his Demonic Cultivation Art. He could clearly feel that all this time spent cultivating had greatly improved both his physical strength and his senses.
Following the formula of the Mystic Ice Demon Flame Art, Han Shuo persisted in his assault on the final barrier. Demonic Essence flowed into his palms, repeatedly attempting to open the bones and meridians of his fingers, sending constant pain through them. His hands spasmed and trembled, each giving off a faint glow from its palm and back, one red and the other purple, like two dim lamps.
The pain grew increasingly intense. Han Shuo gritted his teeth and stubbornly endured it, knowing that this was a sign his practice of the Mystic Ice Demon Flame Art had reached a critical stage. Whether he could open all the meridians in his hands and successfully master the art depended on whether his willpower could hold out.
The Demonic Essence continued battering the tendons and bones of his fingers without end. Han Shuo sat cross-legged, sweat pouring from his entire body and veins throbbing on his forehead. His previously calm expression had become rather sinister and savage, giving him an utterly evil air.
He did not know how much time had passed. Just as he felt he was about to pass out from the pain, he could no longer suppress the agony piercing his hands. A low roar escaped him, and he unconsciously flung both hands outward.
Pop, pop, pop...
Ten crisp, pleasing sounds came from his fingers in succession. Han Shuo immediately felt somewhat drained, but the Demonic Essence flowing into all ten fingers was finally unobstructed.
At once, ten purple-red flames like burning lampwicks flickered to life at his fingertips. In the pitch-dark storeroom, the ten flames shone with captivatingly beautiful colors, like bewitching flowers suddenly blooming, giving off a strange sense of unfathomable mystery.
His palms and fingers took on purple and red hues respectively. The outlines of the bones within his palms were exceptionally clear, and even his flesh shone with a crystalline luster. It was an extraordinarily peculiar sight.
Wild with joy, Han Shuo could not help letting out a low roar. He glanced to either side, then slowly withdrew the Demonic Essence from his palms into his lower abdomen. Without its continued influx, his hands gradually returned to normal, and the ten blooming flames vanished without a trace.
It worked! This was the sign that he had successfully mastered the Mystic Ice Demon Flame Art. Although his weak Demonic Essence still prevented him from unleashing its full power, this accomplishment alone meant Han Shuo was no longer an ordinary person incapable of defending himself.
The red flames of the Mystic Ice Demon Flame Art burned hot enough to consume everything, while its purple flames were bone-piercingly cold. If an ordinary person took even one hit, their internal organs would either be charred or frozen solid, leaving virtually no hope of survival. Once his Demonic Essence grew strong enough, he could condense larger, fiercer purple-red demonic flames in his palms and unleash utterly terrifying power.
After successfully mastering the Mystic Ice Demon Flame Art, Han Shuo was overwhelmed by intense exhaustion and soon fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning.
At the entrance to Doro Town, the party of twelve assembled under Fanny's leadership and collected some food and fresh water from town. In the end, all these supplies wound up on Han Shuo.
"What were you doing in Teacher Fanny's room last night?" Lisa leaned close and asked quietly as she hung a waterskin on Han Shuo.
Apparently, Fanny had told no one about last night's events. Han Shuo glanced at her in the distance and saw that she was busy explaining some precautions to the students. He lowered his voice and told Lisa, "Nothing. Teacher Fanny was just testing some Necromancy spells and used me to try them out."
"Hmph, don't lie to me. Even if Teacher Fanny wanted you to help test her magic, she wouldn't be testing Bone Arrow. That's a spell only Magic Apprentices need to master. With her strength as an advanced mage, would she need to test it?" Lisa gave a little snort and eyed Han Shuo warily as she questioned him.
"Teacher Fanny was testing Bone Arrow, but aren't spells divided into five levels? She just wanted to see which level of Bone Arrow she could cast with her strength. If you don't believe me, you can ask Teacher Fanny."
Ever since Han Shuo had deceived Lisa with his lie, her attitude toward him had indeed changed enormously. But women were like that. Even if a woman did not like you, as long as she knew you adored her, she would treat you as her private property. If you became involved with someone else, she would be the first to feel uncomfortable.
Lisa was no exception. Although she had no such interest in Han Shuo, once she "understood" his feelings, she took it for granted that he should love only her until his dying day and should have no dealings with Fanny. Han Shuo had heard people talk about this before, and now it seemed there really was some truth to it.
"Forget it. You wouldn't dare lie to me anyway!" Lisa glanced at Fanny in the distance, spoke lightly to Han Shuo, then left his side.
"Brian, let's go. The Dark Forest is thick with trees and shrubs, and the paths are winding and uneven. We can't ride horses anymore, so we'll have to go in on foot. You're carrying too many supplies, so make sure you don't fall behind. There are plenty of vicious magical beasts in the Dark Forest. It would be awful if you fell behind and one killed you," Fanny called out, looking at Han Shuo from a distance.
After yesterday's events, Fanny's attitude toward Han Shuo had also changed without her realizing it. She seemed to value him more now, but her former gentleness toward him was gone, replaced by a brusqueness tinged with annoyance.
"Coming, coming!" Han Shuo had taken tremendous liberties with Fanny yesterday, and she had also witnessed his embarrassing state in her bathroom. It was only natural that she no longer treated him pleasantly. As long as her attitude toward him was gradually changing, that was progress.
Doro Town was exceptionally busy during the day. Early that morning, all kinds of shops had already opened, and bleary-eyed, disheveled merchants and adventurers emerged from the nearby streets and alleys. After a night of debauchery and excess, they were now beginning to prepare for work.
In groups of three or five, merchants and adventurers carried their belongings out through the entrance of Doro Town and headed toward the Dark Forest. Some went to capture magical beasts, while others went to trade supplies with the rare races living there.
Under Fanny's repeated urging, Han Shuo's party of twelve each put their belongings in order and followed Fanny and Gene toward the Dark Forest as well.
The Dark Forest was boundless. Besides all kinds of savage magical beasts, it was also home to several rare races. Elves, dwarves, goblins, and barbarians were its principal races, though even they generally lived in the forest's outer reaches.
The world deep within the Dark Forest was filled with mysteries and dangers. Some of the largest and most terrifyingly powerful magical beasts lived there as well. It was the forest's most mysterious and alluring region. Although legends spoke of immense treasures and precious objects there, few dared enter, and those who went in and came out alive were rarer still.
"Follow me. We're heading south all the way." After entering the Dark Forest, Fanny called out and led everyone in a change of direction, heading straight south through the forest.
The paths within the Dark Forest were indeed rugged. Hard stones lay everywhere, as did towering trees over a dozen meters tall with luxuriant branches and leaves. Along the way, weak, docile magical beasts nimbly hid at the sight of strangers. At first, quite a few merchants and adventurers were also heading south, but as time passed, they each found their bearings and went their separate ways. Before long, all had disappeared, and no one knew where they had gone.
Suddenly, the sound of several rapid footsteps reached Han Shuo's ears. He paused, then listened intently before immediately speaking up. "There's something approaching. It doesn't sound like human footsteps."
"Brian, you're just an errand boy. What danger could you possibly hear? How ridiculous." Bark was the first to laugh aloud and mock Han Shuo.
Since taking up his Demonic Cultivation Art, Han Shuo's senses had become much sharper than before, and he had complete confidence in his hearing. The faint tapping that was rapidly approaching could not possibly have come from two-legged humans, and judging by the sounds, there was more than one.
It was precisely because Han Shuo had learned of the Dark Forest's dangers from Fanny and the others that he had spoken up to warn them. But when he realized his words had not received the attention they deserved, he did not continue arguing.
The party continued slowly southward. Less than two minutes later, Fanny was the first to frown, then cried out in alarm. "There really are magical beasts approaching! Everyone, put down your things and prepare to fight. We're only at the very edge of the Dark Forest, so they shouldn't be particularly powerful. There's no need to worry too much."
At Fanny's words, all the students froze. After glancing at Han Shuo in surprise, they hurriedly set down their packs and formed a defensive circle.
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