CHAPTER 235: TRAINING XI

That night, the group sat quietly by the fire.

Han Yi poked at the embers weakly.

"...I survived... but I feel like my body betrayed me... and my brain... mostly my brain..."

Mu Chen leaned against a tree.

"...I didn’t think I could make it... but somehow... here I am..."

Yue carefully cleaned her clothes, hands trembling.

"...I feel like I’ve been alive in a nightmare... but I survived it..."

Lei Feng stared at the dark sky.

"...Pressure... really shows you who you are... and I... don’t know if I like what I saw..."

Ling quietly poured water into their canteens.

"Every trial was meant to teach you something. You survived combat, obstacles, endurance, and pressure. You are stronger than you think. But the world doesn’t stop. Challenges will come again."

Han Yi groaned.

"...I hate surviving... but I... maybe I want to survive again... I think..."

Mu Chen closed his eyes, exhausted.

"...One day at a time... one step at a time... that’s all we can do."

Yue whispered softly.

"...Together. That’s why we made it. Because we didn’t do it alone."

Lei Feng finally nodded, a faint smile forming.

"...Together... maybe that makes the impossible... possible..."

Ling looked around at all of them.

"Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we leave this forest and face whatever comes next. One day at a time. Together."

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying a chill. Somewhere beyond, unseen dangers waited.

But for the first time, they felt a small spark of confidence.

They had survived. And surviving had changed them.

The journey wasn’t over. Not by far.

The next morning, the sun rose over the forest, bright but not gentle.

Han Yi groaned as he sat up.

"...My body hurts... but we survived... I think..."

Mu Chen stretched slowly, fingers stiff and sore.

"...If this is what surviving feels like, I don’t want to know what failing feels like."

Yue tightened her boots and looked toward the path ahead.

"...We can’t stay here forever. We have to keep moving."

Lei Feng got to his feet, still pale but steady.

"...We made it through everything so far. I... I can do the next step too."

Ling checked their supplies and nodded.

"Today we leave the forest. The trials were only the beginning. Ahead, the world will test us in different ways. But now, we know we can survive together."

Han Yi rubbed his eyes.

"...I hate moving... but I... I think I can do this."

Mu Chen muttered, almost to himself.

"...One step at a time... one day at a time..."

Yue adjusted her bag.

"...Together. That’s how we survive. Not alone."

Lei Feng looked at the horizon.

"...Whatever comes next, we face it as a group. No more running from it."

Ling started walking, and the others followed, slow but steady.

The forest behind them grew smaller, but the unknown ahead loomed large.

They didn’t know what dangers waited, but for the first time, they believed they could handle them.

The path ahead was rough—rocks, fallen branches, and uneven ground—but the group kept moving.

Han Yi stumbled almost immediately.

"...I swear this path is alive... it’s attacking my legs!"

Mu Chen grabbed his arm to steady him.

"...Careful... we move together, or we don’t move at all."

Yue stayed close, scanning the trees and the horizon.

"...Something feels off... like we’re being watched..."

Lei Feng slowed his pace, breathing steadily.

"...I don’t like this feeling, but we keep going."

Ling glanced back at the group.

"Stay alert. The forest may be behind us, but the dangers ahead are different. Focus, help each other, step by step."

Hours passed, the terrain changing from forest to rocky hills. Sunlight made shadows sharp and the heat drained them faster.

Han Yi wiped sweat from his forehead.

"...I survive one thing, and another appears... this is endless..."

Mu Chen panted, trying to keep up.

"...Endless or not... we survive, or we die trying. I’d rather survive."

Yue’s voice was low but firm.

"...We survived together in the trials... we can survive this too."

Lei Feng finally nodded, a small spark of determination in his eyes.

"...I’ll keep going. For all of us."

Ling led the way steadily, never rushing, always alert.

"Together. One step at a time. That is how we endure."

The unknown stretched before them, dangerous and unpredictable. But for the first time, they walked forward without fear—only caution, determination, and a quiet confidence born from surviving the impossible.

As they walked farther, the landscape slowly shifted again. The rocky hills smoothed out into open plains with tall grass swaying in the wind.

Han Yi squinted at the endless field.

"...Great... now the ground can hide things... snakes... holes... monsters... my luck hates me."

Mu Chen nudged him.

"...At least it’s flat. No cliffs trying to kill us this time."

Yue stepped ahead carefully, testing the ground with each step.

"...Still... something about this place feels strange."

Lei Feng kept looking around, tense.

"...It’s too quiet. No birds. No animals. Nothing."

Ling slowed down, raising a hand.

"Stay close. Quiet. When the world becomes silent, danger hides nearby."

The group huddled together, eyes scanning the tall grass.

A sudden rustle made Han Yi jump three feet into the air.

"NOPE. NO. I’M DONE. I CAN’T—"

Mu Chen clamped a hand over his mouth.

"...Shh! Don’t scream! You’ll attract whatever’s out there!"

Yue pointed with a shaking finger.

"...Do you see that...? The grass is... moving... but the wind isn’t blowing."

Lei Feng went pale.

"...Something is coming... something big..."

The grass parting grew louder. Closer. Heavier.

Han Yi whispered in panic.

"...Why... why does the universe hate us... we just left the forest... give us a break..."

Ling stepped forward, her expression calm but focused.

"Prepare yourselves. Whatever comes out—we face it together. No running."

The rustling grew into thunderous shaking.

Then—

A massive shadow moved through the grass.

Han Yi squeaked.

"...No... no no no... it’s huge..."

Mu Chen braced himself.

"...Together. No matter what it is."

Yue’s hands trembled, but she didn’t step back.

"...We survive... the same way we always do..."

Lei Feng nodded slowly, heart pounding.

"...One step at a time... right?"

Ling’s voice was steady.

"Yes. Together."

The creature drew closer, the grass bending as it approached.

Their next challenge was about to begin...