4 Startling Changes

"Hey, are you sure we're going the right way? Feels like we've passed by the same bushes and trees for an hour. Really wish we had a map right about now..." Andrea lamented as it truly did feel like they were lost. After leaving the cave, they tread right back to where they killed that bear and went in the direction Xiao Kungyun pointed.

And at first, everything was seemingly alright and good for the two. Traversing through the gorgeous forest allowed the cousins to experience a calming, peaceful feeling that they desperately needed.

Every event from the meeting with Spooky until now slowly swirled in their minds, and this time Luke and Andrea had a bit of an easier time digesting it. Perhaps it was because of the recent breakthrough to the fourth level or the ghost girls pushing their mind to another level, whatever it was it worked!

But the waning soon began to settle in as once they notice for an hour they walk and the scenery was still the forest, maybe the town was farther than they initially thought.

Luke had to curse in his mind since, in those novels, you can get a scene skip to get to whatever destination the MC is heading unless something happens while on the road. Alas! There's no such thing like that in reality, and Luke told his complaining cousin,

"I'm positive this is the right way and...wait. Shit, we're dumb; let's just ask the ghosts!" Luke suddenly realized, and the two had to stop in their tracks, as Andrea had a look of annoyance saying,

"That's a great idea, and I'm really wondering just why the hell didn't these ghosts give us an acute direction during this whole time! Well, whatever, let's just get this over with."

"Seems like she always annoyed when wanting to talk with us. But what do you want specifically anyways?" Spooky voice bounced in his head again and figuring out he can probably just talk out in his mind than looking like a fool and talking out load Luke said,

"So you was listening. Look, you just heard us now, so like how you sense that essence energy, can't you sense I don't know like human signatures nearby?"

"Um, sure, maybe? Let me test it out. Hmmmmm...Hey! Hey! I found some humans close by if you just head down this path. That guy wasn't lying to you after all. There also some senses similar to that animal bear you fought earlier. I'll tell if anything comes close." Spooky informed him as all she did was merely focus her senses to find any signatures that resemble something like Luke.

And despite it being her first time doing something like this, it was quite easy for her as not only did she sensate the town coming up, but also dozen kilometers around the town too!

Furthermore, she could tell this wasn't nearly the limit she could sense up to but didn't bother going further as she had no real reason to although she did keep her senses up for any close by beasts.

'Well, that's good, I guess. Say I've been meaning to ask, this axe I'm holding how powerful is it in combat? And can you boost my body too?' Admittedly the thought of having ghost-like powers did intrigue Luke. Even as he still didn't fully trust Spooky as of now, he made up his mind to see some light in his situation.

'Oh, the axe? Because of our combined power, it can slice through most things, well at least you wouldn't have to worry with people on the same level. Boosting your power, hm, let's just wait until you make it past this Elementary Spirit Condensation realm. Oh! I can at least sense things out for you, anything with some sort of energy, really.' Spooky explained, and Luke was becoming further impressed with this ghost girl. Looking over to Andrea, he saw, she was done as well with her conversation with Yurei.

They went back on track with a bit more pepper in their steps, exchanging a look with each other. Now they felt a little more confident giving these ghost girls abilities, and Andrea spoke up with,

"So, sensory abilities, a weapon that can slice through most things, and the promise of something good after the Elementary Spirit Condensation realm, right?"

"Pretty much, at least we have all this extra assurance in the form of ghost girls. And the town shouldn't be far now." Thinking about the town Andrea ponder about the currency they have and asked Luke,

"Do you remember anything about the currency used in any of those novels? We only have that one red crystal orb."

"Well, as far I could gather, it's something similar to I think it was called Spirit? No Origin? No, just it was named something with a bead. And this red crystal orb is probably a unique version of the bead which hopefully can get used for a fair amount of money."

"Hope you're right about that, I don't wanna engage in with another weird-ass 'young master.'" Andrea joked, but she and Luke was still on alert for any wild beast that can come after them. But thinking about it, Andrea got a good idea as she spoke to Yurei again.

'Yurei turn on your curse, honestly I don't want us to tire out by having to fend any wild beasts that might attack us.'

'If you want so.' Despite giving the agreement, Andrea didn't feel any different compared to before. And taking a look over to Luke, who was deep in thought, he also didn't notice the curse turning on.

'Spooky is a counter to me. Luke won't be affected.' Yurei explained to her and to confirm it Andrea asked Luke,

"Do I seem any different to you, Luke?"

To her question, Luke looked over to Andrea and found her still the same self. He felt no different feeling or sensation but thinking about why she would suddenly ask this out of the blue; he quickly put the pieces together telling her,

"Yurei curse is on? No, at least for me, I don't feel different, if I were to guess why? Mainly because of Spooky canceling it out for me."

'That's pretty much it.' Spooky confirmed in his mind.

"Good now, this way, we can further relax our mind and take it easy on getting to this town. I can't wait to just crash into a damn bed".

"One hundred percent agree with you there let's pick it up then!"

….

On a dirt road surrounded by vibrant forest leading to an open gate for a rather small quiet town did two young-looking people appear on the trail. Luke and Andrea felt relieved upon finally making it to a damn town!

While in their new bodies, they did feel marginally stronger than ever before, it didn't mean they were quite out of their old lazy habits yet. After all, they came from an age where the best way to get around was cars, airplanes, or underground transit.

Rarely in their lives would they have to walk such great miles, and because of the unknown danger, they also didn't stop to rest. Yet this was only a prelude of what's to come from there as they will soon realize how much work will be needed to make things easier for themselves.

Walking through the entrance, the cousins had to remark on just how similar this place look to old history pictures of ancient civilization in their world. All buildings held a traditional Chinese architecture to them, and they all vary in sizes.

The people here they notice were dressed in a similar robe like manner akin to the two Xiao guys. And judging from the people's expressions, it reminded them of their cities where everyone went about their days, not really bothering each other.

It's like they were taking a field trip to a historical museum and also experiencing something familiar. Andrea had already got Yurei to turn her curse off, and because of Spooky's curse, the two didn't attract much attention though Luke did get courteous nods sent his way.

Furthermore, the most impactful thing they could sense more clearly was the high power of these everyday folks! While all of them weren't on the level of the two Xiao guys, they all were a step above that bear beast they fought.

Oddly enough, though, the cousins didn't feel much startling pressure in the face of the natural aura most of these folks exuded.

"Honestly, the quiet and subdued atmosphere of this town is quite nice. How simple it would be if we could just set up a house and live here. But even I would find that boring, so you know which way to like a hotel or something." Andrea stretched out her arms sightseeing the town while Luke who was going to answer her suddenly heard Spooky say,

'Um, go into that building that says 'Silver Inn' over there. I sense a really incredible source of essence energy hidden deep inside a person. Probably be useful to make friends and uh well j-just go already.' Looking at where Spooky directed him, Luke felt a small familiar feeling with the name silver getting associated with this town. But sadly, he couldn't remember exactly what it means, but with very few options, he decided to go with Spooky directions.

"So? What did she say? I assume that's why you started to stare off into space." Andrea asked again once she notices Luke regain his clarity. Honestly, they would have to find a better time to do stuff like that. Or else others just might think their strange for suddenly staring off into la-la land.

"Next stop the 'Silver Inn'. Spooky told me to go since there someone with a lot of essence energy there, and we should befriend them." Pointing to the building the cousins headed off but Andrea couldn't help but ask,

"Why should we befriend this person? And for that matter, why would they even want to help us in the first place? I bet not even that curse can just force people's minds."

'Just see for yourself what the person is. Also, I think I have a way you can make a good deal with this person.' Spooky explained to him as they already neared the entrance of the inn.

"Let me just see on just who this incredible person is first." Rolling her eyes, Andrea and Luke stepped into the inn and remarked on how adequate it was. It looked like several floor motels like that one back on Earth with even resting area off to the side of the welcome desk.

'There! There she is the person with powerful hidden energy.' Looking to where Spooky directed him, Luke's eyes widen in surprise, as this was the first time he recognized two people since coming to this universe!

But he also notices something was wrong about this scene.

Off to a two-chairs table, among all other people, there were two elegant, charming youths that were what he assumes was drinking tea with each other. One was a handsome young man with straight flowing black hair that exuded a magnificent charm. His face was gentle, and he wore clean white robes that further added to his prince charm.

As for the other, it was a strikingly beautiful girl. She had gorgeous long black hair that held a cute green scrunchy in it that complimented her hair. Her face carried an elegant cute charm, and her eyes sparkle even in the dimmest of light.

She was wearing a bright, beautiful green robe that perfectly fit her body and highlighted her big protruding breasts and seductive curves.

But while these two appearances would make anyone take a double turn at them, that wasn't the reason Luke was interested. He notices he wasn't that much affected by a woman's beauty, but he also felt a spike of energy in his body when he fell under the girl's charm.

Yet none of that matter to him now as these two were, Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Yun?!

It was a massive shock to him as while he never thoroughly read the novels, he did skim over significant plot points and characters to get a general idea of the book, and he had found what he scans interesting enough.

And as he remembers the description and art of these characters, he asked himself, where the hell is Yun Che?! Xiao Lingxi, as far he can tell, exuded that same startling pressure as Xiao Kungyun, and he guessed she was in the next realm!

As for Xiao Yun, he was stronger than Xiao Lingxi but not by a broad margin, meaning he was nowhere near as powerful as when he first appeared in the novel. Then again, from Xiao Kungyun, he really should've expected massive different changes such as this.

'Then again about Yun Che, he initially a cripple when the novel first started, but still, Xiao Yun shouldn't be here.'

Luke was only staring for a couple of seconds, and thankfully those two and no one else notices his stare as the cousins were off to the side where they wouldn't get in anyone way. Immediately after though he felt a tap on his shoulder as Andrea asked,

"So those two, huh? It looks like Spooky does have pretty good senses. I can see and feel these two are kind of special."

"Right! Ok, look that girl, I have loose memory of her playing an important role in the novel, but I never made far enough to see what it is was. But thankfully, if memory serves me right, both of them are pretty amicable and shouldn't be hard to talk too. Follow my lead." Luke told Andrea, and casually they walked to the resting area looking around the inn and inconspicuously took a table right next to Xiao Lingxi and Xiao Yun.

"I got it! Ask Yurei to see if she heighten your senses to focus on their conversation, whatever they're talking about; we can use to our advantage." Luke said, and Andrea nodded. For now, she'll let Luke take all the lead as she had zero knowledge or experience in this field. And even back on their Earth at times, Luke's mind can come up with pretty good ideas.

"Spooky, can you do it?"

"Already did it." Luke had felt his mind turned sharper, and soon two new voices blared in his head as he was able to listen to their conversation!

"-again Xiao'er! We're getting so unlucky with finding the right herbs for brother Yuanba! We have to try harder tomorrow!!" Xiao Lingxi's bubbly and cute voice ranged in both Luke and Andrea's mind as Luke motion Andrea with his eyes to wait for a signal.

"Haah, I know Ling'er, but what can we do? We can't exactly go for in the Range unless we was to provoke some late level Nascent Origin beast. And even when dealing with beasts on our level is no joke. Look after tomorrow; we can only call this off before it gets too suspicious at home." Xiao Yun gentle voice blare in their minds and Xiao Lingxi continued with,

"So, that's why we really need to put forth two hundred percent of our effort tomorrow!"

"Just please don't get too energetic now."

'Ah! Hey, I think just came up with the perfect way to introduce yourselves to those two.' Spoke decided to speak up this time, and Luke's interest piked now as he'll be officially interacting with characters from those novels!

Only he didn't know he long already achieved this feat.