The night air was crisp, carrying a hint of dawn's promise as the Shrek Academy team prepared to break camp. They had retreated from the heart of Star Dou Forest—far enough to feel the weight of the spirit beast domain lift from their shoulders. Around the dying embers of a small, smokeless fire, Zhao Wuji stood as sentinel, his silhouette framed by bamboo groves that whispered in the moonlight.
Li Wei sank onto a fallen log, the soreness from his earlier exertions a dull ache beneath his robes. His spirit power had only just stabilized—enough that he could sit upright—but the afterglow of transformation still tingled in his limbs. It wasn't just the depletion of his soul power that wore on him; the wound from earlier also continued to throb.
He needed full rest. It could be said that rest had eluded him for more than a week now. From accompanying Meng Yiran and her family to rejoining the Shrek team, the tempo of battle and tension had been relentless. The events of the canon may have shifted in timing, but they remained intact. Tang San, in this version, had only just obtained his third spirit ring and lacked any external spirit bones.
Beside him, Xiao Wu knelt on a mossy stone, smoothing the hem of her skirt. Her rabbit ears brushed low branches as she adjusted her balance, her gaze drifting toward Li Wei with unspoken concern. She seemed to seek reassurance in the quiet strength he exuded, even in exhaustion.
Across the fire, Dai Mubai stretched his long legs, rolling his shoulders with a grunt. Ma Hongjun sat cross-legged, eyes half-closed as embers flickered across his knuckles. Oscar gnawed thoughtfully on a recovery sausage, crumbs falling into the ashes. Tang San meditated, the Blue Silver Grass swirling gently around him like a cocoon. Zhu Zhuqing leaned against a tree trunk, moonlight catching the strands of her dark hair, while Ning Rongrong fidgeted, her eyes drifting from friend to friend.
Zhao Wuji broke the silence, voice calm but firm: "We're almost clear of the deeper forest now. You've all earned this moment. But before we move out at dawn, let's reflect. What lessons have we learned?"
A fringe of tension rippled outward. Each member sat upright, turning inward and outward in that circle of firelight. The forest beyond was still—no rustle of feet, no cry of distant beasts—only the susurrus of the bamboo leaves.
Dai Mubai stood first, towering above the others, chest rising with pride and fatigue. "We got through with three new spirit rings—Oscar, Tang San, and Xiao Wu. That's efficiency few teams can claim." He glanced at Li Wei. "And what you did back there… neutralizing fifty Poison Silk Ghost Spiders without a single death… it was impressive. Not sure whether to be jealous or grateful."
He paused, then added more soberly, "But next time, I want to be more than a spectator. I'll tighten our defenses."
Tang San opened his eyes from meditation. He inclined his head respectfully toward Li Wei. "Your coordination was unbelievable. Six Rider summons in rapid succession, each with precise timing… I'd have needed at least one casualty to clear that many." He offered a small smile. "You taught me restraint and strategy at once."
Oscar, wiping grease from his fingers, chimed in. "Seriously, Li Wei, how much spirit power did that cost you? If you hadn't just recovered, you'd be on your back right now." He shook his head in astonishment. "Those Riders—Accel, Kabuto, Faiz, Drive, Meteor, Mach—cycling through them like cards… I thought I was seeing things."
Ma Hongjun crossed his arms, brow furrowed. "I'm still not convinced you played it safe enough. If those spiders regroup, we're in trouble. I say, next time we finish them off."
Zhao Wuji held up a hand, silencing him with a look. "Killing indiscriminately draws further danger—blood attracts predators stronger than those you've slain. Li Wei's choice was tactical and rational."
His voice took on the tone of a lecturer. "The forest is a web of spiritual signals. Too much spilled blood sends a beacon. We're here to survive, not conquer every creature. Well done discerning that, Li Wei."
Zhu Zhuqing, usually quiet, spoke softly. "I noticed it too. Your summons moved together, no wasted motion. Every strike was calculated." Her gaze met Li Wei's for a heartbeat longer than normal, her voice laced with curiosity and something deeper. "Your skill… it's grown."
Xiao Wu hopped down from her stone and sat beside Li Wei, nudging his arm with playful reproach. "You're insane, you know that? All that for a bunch of spiders? Next time, let someone else go first."
Li Wei let a small smile curve his lips. "I did it because I didn't want any of you to get hurt. Most of us were already drained of spirit power. I needed to finish it fast to reduce any risk. Next time, we move together—no solo heroics."
Ning Rongrong, fiddling with her fingers, bit her lip. "I felt useless. My buffs ran out almost immediately. Watching all of you… it made me realize how far behind I am." She met Li Wei's gaze. "I swear, I'll catch up."
Zhu Zhuqing placed a hand on her shoulder. "You support us in ways we rely on. But yes, strengthening is also part of that support."
Li Wei closed his eyes briefly, breathing in the smoky air. "I'm not the strongest," he said. "I just happen to have a tool that fits this moment. But we are stronger together. That's our real advantage."
The fire crackled, embers dancing like spirits above their heads. The group fell silent, letting his words linger.
Zhao Wuji finally nodded. "We move at first light. Rest well."
The students relaxed, tension bleeding into the cool night. One by one, they found resting spots: Dai Mubai taking his rest now that his watch was done; Oscar propping a sausage on his knee as he took over; Zhu Zhuqing curled up with her back to a tree; Ning Rongrong nestled close beside her; Tang San returning to meditation; Xiao Wu at Li Wei's side, head bowed, spirit calm.
Li Wei leaned back, hands behind his head. The pulse of the forest still throbbed beneath them. Though they'd left the heart of danger, the echoes remained. But for now, they were safe.
And in that quiet, under a sky full of stars, bonds forged in fire and trial wrapped around them like an unbreakable thread.
Ready for the next dawn.