Mo Chen gave a final nod and added, "Alright, we move out in half an hour. Make it quick, old man."
The old man nodded and rushed off with surprising speed, heading straight to the little girl’s house. Fifteen minutes later, he returned with the girl, now dressed in a cleaner, slightly aged but tidy dress. Her hair was neatly combed, and she clutched a small cloth bundle in her hands.
The old man led her over to Dave and the others. Kneeling down, he gently pushed her forward and said, "Please take care of her, young masters. She’s shy, but hardworking. Her parents have agreed... and they send their thanks."
The little girl looked up at Dave with wide, grateful eyes, and Dave gave her a reassuring smile.
"Work hard," the old man said to the girl, his voice slightly trembling. "Do your best, and maybe one day, you’ll shine brighter than any noble."
Mo Chen nodded respectfully, then turned. "Alright, everyone, let’s move out."
As they began their journey to Soto City, Mo Chen pulled out a scroll and began writing a report to his superior at Spirit Hall. In it, he claimed that an unfortunate accident had occurred, preventing him from continuing his duties. He requested that another Spirit Master be assigned to his local post as a replacement.
It was a perfect lie—crafted to protect the truth.
Mo Chen knew exactly what kind of world they lived in. The eight newcomers weren’t ordinary children. They were special—exceptional even. And if news of their existence leaked too soon, one of two things would happen: they would either be forcibly recruited into powerful factions... or be hunted down and eliminated if they refused.
He wasn’t going to let that happen. Not to these kids.
The winding road leading away from the village was narrow but well-trodden, flanked by sloping grasslands and small groves of whispering trees. A single carriage—old but sturdy—rolled slowly across the path, drawn by a pair of muscular spirit beasts resembling oxen. Mo Chen rode on the front bench, reins in one hand, staff strapped across his back. The children—now in their six-year-old forms but possessing far greater awareness—sat inside the carriage. The White Shore Lily girl sat quietly near Shuri, wide-eyed and amazed.
"First time leaving the village?" Shuri asked gently.
The girl nodded. "Yes... my name is Meilin."
"Well, Meilin," Natasha said with a soft smile, "stick close to us. You’re one of us now."
Dave looked out the window, his gaze thoughtful as the sun dipped low in the horizon.
MENTAL LINK — PRIVATE
Tony: "Hey, boss demon prince. You think Soto City will be trouble?"
Dave: "No doubt. Spirit Hall won’t be the only ones sniffing around. If we want to stay under the radar, we keep low for now. No flexing weird powers in public."
Bruce: "What if we get challenged?"
Dave: "Then we act normal. Use only our martial spirits’ basic forms. The beast forms stay hidden unless it’s life or death."
Steve: "Got it. So act like prodigies, not monsters."
Bucky: "I’m mostly eager to see my Martial Spirit’s second form."
Everyone Else: "Me too!"
Dave: "Just wait. After we reach our new home, we’ll unlock and check our second forms. I’m eager to see mine too."
EVENING — SOTO CITY GATES
Towering stone walls surrounded the city, bustling with merchants, Spirit Masters, and travelers of every kind. The gates were heavily guarded, but Spirit Hall’s insignia on Mo Chen’s robes earned them easy passage.
They entered a less-populated western district—quiet, clean, and discreet.
"We’ll stay in the Spirit Hall Guest Estate," Mo Chen said, nodding to a mid-sized compound guarded by two armored personnel. "They’ve been instructed to treat you all as noble guests."
The group settled in as the sun dipped below the skyline. Each child had a separate room—simple, but clean and comfortably furnished. Even Meilin received her own quarters.
"Let’s rest. We’ll talk later," Dave said with a yawn. The others looked at each other and nodded.
Though they agreed, it was clear everyone was far more eager to explore this new world. So, once Dave went to fall asleep, the others quietly slipped out one by one and regrouped outside. Even Meilin came along as they wandered through the city streets under the night sky.
While walking, Bucky glanced at the small girl beside them. "Why did Dave bring this little girl along anyway?"
Tony: "If I had to guess, the girl might have some hidden talent. Plus, Dave’s probably just repaying the old man for giving us shelter."
Natasha: "I think it’s more than that. He acts detached, but he’s actually pretty kind."
Bruce: "That’s true."
Under the gentle glow of moonlight, the cobbled streets of Soto City came alive with color, sound, and energy. The group—Tony, Steve, Bucky, Natasha, Bruce, Shuri, and Meilin—moved like a pack of curious kittens, eyes wide with wonder as they passed by lantern-lit shops, steaming food stalls, and bustling courtyards full of evening traders.
Shuri eagerly pointed at a merchant selling sparkling spirit stones, her eyes glowing with delight. Bruce lingered beside a stall stacked with rare herbs and powders, his fingers twitching with curiosity about their properties—already thinking like a future alchemist.
"Man, this place is more alive than New York during the holidays," Tony muttered, spinning a decorative fan he’d snagged moments earlier. "And not a single billboard in sight."
Children played spirit games with glowing orbs, couples walked hand in hand, and vendors shouted out deals for roasted meat skewers. Meilin clung close to Natasha, overwhelmed but fascinated by the vast world unfolding around her.
They crossed a stone bridge arching over a water canal and finally reached their destination—the Great Spirit Arena of Soto City.
The coliseum stood like a sleeping beast carved from pale stone, towering high with luminous inscriptions etched into its walls. Banners bearing the sigils of various noble houses flapped gently in the breeze, and torches lined the entryway like a ceremonial path.
"It’s like an ancient coliseum," Steve whispered, taken aback by the sheer size.
The group blended into the bustling crowd and entered with ease. Once inside, they made their way to the higher seats, just in time to catch an ongoing battle.
Two spirit masters clashed in the arena ring—one brandishing a lightning-forged spear, the other commanding a spectral beast with glowing red eyes and shadowy wings. The crowd roared with every exchange, the energy in the air electric.
Bucky’s eyes narrowed. "This isn’t just a duel... this is a life-and-death battle."
Bruce nodded. "Yeah, it definitely looks like it."
Shuri leaned forward. "So this is how Spirit Masters really fight, huh."
Tony grinned as the spear-wielder launched a wave of lightning toward the beast master. "Don’t worry—when we grow up, we’ll be better than them."
Meilin’s gaze remained fixed on the arena, her fists clenched tightly. "Will I ever be that strong?"
Natasha smiled and gently rested a hand on her shoulder. "You’ll be even stronger. You’ve got us. And Dave... well, he’s kind of a miracle worker."
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