Supreme Intelligence

Wu Chen's mind raced. If what she said was true, then the forest was far more dangerous than he had imagined. He couldn't afford to stay in one place for too long. He needed to find a way out, but he also couldn't abandon the girl. She was injured and vulnerable, and leaving her behind would be a death sentence.

"Come on," he said, gently lifting her to her feet. "We need to move. Stay close to me."

The girl nodded, leaning on him for support as they began to make their way through the forest. The mist grew thicker, obscuring their vision and making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. The air was cold and damp, and the silence was unnerving. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made Wu Chen's heart skip a beat. He kept his spearhead at the ready, his senses on high alert.

As they walked, Wu Chen couldn't shake the feeling that they were being followed. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees looming like silent sentinels. He glanced over his shoulder several times, but saw nothing. Still, the feeling persisted, gnawing at the edges of his mind.

"Where are we going?" the girl asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," Wu Chen admitted. "But we can't stay here. We need to find shelter, somewhere we can rest and regroup."

The girl nodded, her grip on his arm tightening. "There's... there's a cave nearby. My village used it as a hiding place during storms. It's not far from here."

Wu Chen's eyes lit up. "Can you lead us there?"

She hesitated, then nodded. "I think so. Follow me."

With the girl guiding the way, they moved through the forest with renewed purpose. The mist began to thin, and the trees grew sparser. Soon, they came upon a rocky outcrop, partially hidden by thick vines and underbrush. The girl pointed to a narrow opening in the rocks.

"There," she said. "The cave is inside."

Wu Chen helped her through the entrance, his eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of danger. The cave was small but deep, with a low ceiling and walls that glistened with moisture. It was cold and damp, but it offered a temporary refuge from the dangers outside.

"Stay here," Wu Chen said, helping the girl sit down. "I'll see if I can find anything to make a fire."

He ventured deeper into the cave, his eyes adjusting to the darkness. As he explored, he noticed something strange—a tunnel-like passage, its walls lined with faintly glowing runes. The air grew warmer as he approached, and a faint hum filled the space, as if the cave itself were alive.

Wu Chen's heart pounded with excitement. This was it—a way forward. He turned to the girl, who was watching him with wide eyes.

"This is it," Wu Chen said. "This is our way out."

The girl nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you... for everything."

Together, they stepped into the passageway, the light from the runes guiding their way. The tunnel was narrow and winding, but it felt safe, as if the forest's dangers couldn't reach them here. As they walked, Wu Chen couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead. The Trinity Palace, the trials, the demonic cores—it was all connected, and he was determined to uncover the truth.

But for now, his focus was on survival. The passageway led them deeper into the earth, the air growing colder and the walls closing in around them. Yet, despite the uncertainty, Wu Chen felt a sense of hope. He had faced countless dangers and emerged stronger each time. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready.

The tunnel eventually opened up into a vast chamber, its walls lined with glowing crystals that bathed the room in a soft, ethereal light. At the center of the chamber stood a massive stone door, covered in intricate carvings and symbols. Wu Chen approached it cautiously, his heart racing.

"Wait," the girl said, her voice trembling. "The door will lead you back to our village. The young and weak among us were supposed to escape here while the strong ones stayed behind to hold off the creatures. But... if we open it, the creatures might follow us."

Wu Chen frowned. "Then what do we do? We can't stay here forever."

The girl looked down, her expression pained. "The village needs help, but the creatures are too many. If we go back, we might not survive."

Wu Chen understood her fear, but he also knew that he couldn't abandon the village. If the villagers were connected to the trial, they might hold the key to his progress. He needed to help them, not just for their sake, but for his own.

"Let's go," he said, his voice firm. "We'll face whatever comes together."

The girl nodded, her eyes filled with resolve. Together, they stepped through the door, leaving the forest behind and heading for the village. The path ahead was uncertain, but Wu Chen knew one thing for sure—he was no longer the weak, helpless boy he had once been. He had power, purpose, and a destiny to fulfill. And he would stop at nothing to see it through.

...

Li Wei stood at the edge of the village, his hands gripping a crude spear tightly. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched the horizon, where the forest seemed to writhe and churn like a living beast. The air was thick with tension, and the faint cries of demonic creatures echoed in the distance. His younger sister, Li Mei (李梅), had gone missing hours ago, and the thought of her alone in the forest filled him with dread.

"Li Wei!" his father, Li Jian (李健), called out, his voice strained but firm. "We need to hold the line here. The creatures are coming, and we can't let them break through."

Li Wei nodded, his jaw clenched. He was only sixteen, but he had trained with the village's hunters since he was a child. He knew how to fight, but the creatures they faced now were unlike anything he had ever encountered. They were faster, stronger, and far more vicious.

The villagers had gathered in the center of the settlement, their faces pale but determined. The elders, led by Old Man Zhang (张老), had devised a plan: the strongest among them would form a defensive line to stall the creatures while the women and children fled through the hidden tunnel beneath the village shrine. It was a desperate plan, but it was their only hope.

"Li Wei," his mother, Li Fang (李芳), said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Be careful. Your sister... she's strong. She'll find her way back."

Li Wei swallowed hard, his throat tight. He wanted to believe her, but the fear in her eyes told him she was trying to convince herself as much as him.