55 Land of Innocence (2/2)

Suddenly the forest burst to life. Small forest creatures started to come out. Rabbits, squirrels, birds and even baby wolves. The animals pranced happily around the group of children with no sense of malice at all.

”Apparently this happens everyday.”

The oldest boy muttered these words beneath his breath with only Xin Fan finding out what he was saying.

”Like you, I am a newcomer. I don't know why I am here but being in this form again. Feels fresh to say the least.”

Xin Fan turned to the oldest boy in confusion. He assumed that he was here from the start but now he was proven wrong. This boy was just like him. Before long, some of the children started to join these forest animals to play. First were the ones that did not respond earlier. Then one by one, even the ones that did respond started to join in a daze.

*Chiii*

Xin Fan heard saw the blood flowing from the lips of the 10 year old. He seemed to be holding back the urge to join the group. Since the child on his back was asleep, he did not respond. Soon even Xin Fan had the urge to join in.

”W...What is happening?”

Tianfei, the only one seemingly unaffected turned to Xin Fan in surprise. Now like the one next to him, he bit is lip to resist. At first he tried to circulate qi around his body but he soon realized that for some reason, he felt nothing. It was not to say that his dantian was not there or anything. It was definitely there, but he could not seem to control it at all. If it was rowing a boat, this situation would be like switching the oar to a thin twig to row. It just wasn't possible. To make matters worse, he couldn't even enter his domain. There was no system messages, no qi, just him.

”Tianfei, Is it just me or can I not use qi right now.”

Tianfei released a small pulse of qi from her body before a strange force pushed back and blocked the flow of energy. It was as if the world was rejecting it.

”I can't do it!”

Soon the animals slowly returned back into the forest and disappeared into the shadows. The children returned now with more in a daze. Xin Fan's ears twitched as he heard the words coming out of their mouths.

”Maybe this place isn't that bad after all.”

The same people who wanted to leave this place now wants to go back home. There were a couple who even now resisted.

”It happened once again.”

The resisting children shook their heads as they looked at the growing amount of people who lost their minds. The boy next to the pair grit his teeth as he started to rub the bleeding spot.

”Hah...I don't know if we can leave anytime soon.”

”Who are you?”

”I'm...uhh...Tian....Tian Hei. He's....umm Tian Long.”

”Nice to meet you, Tian Hei.”

The boy didn't seem to want to reveal his identity so Xin Fan felt it was best to not pry any further.

”I've been to someplace like this before. Now that I've experienced it, I can say that this is definitely because of a dream spirit. If we find it, we can come out.”

Suddenly everyone turned towards 'Tian Hei' with all their eyes on him.

”What!?”