A humble gate, its wood slightly weathered and name barely visible, stood at the end of a dusty trail. Yet before it stretched a long line of youths—each one proud, confident, and many already wearing spirit master uniforms. Their auras clashed subtly, eyes assessing each other like wolves in a den.
Tang San and Xiao Wu stood silently at the edge of the field, eyes calmly scanning the area.
"This is it?" Xiao Wu tilted her head. "Doesn't look like much."
"That's the point," Tang San replied. "To filter out those who rely only on appearances."
He could sense spirit power from every direction—some already over rank 25, one even brushing rank 30. But compared to the depth of his own foundation, theirs felt shallow. Tang San had long stabilized his second spirit ring and already begun refining his bones further through blood essence—his physical strength alone was monstrous.
And yet he concealed it all.
They waited in line until a tall, thin examiner with a blade scar across his face stepped forward, shouting, "Next!"
A girl with light blue robes walked up. "Zhao Ling. Spirit: Water Vine. Rank 23."
"Too low. Rejected." The man's tone was bored.
She tried to argue, but was immediately waved off.
"Next!"
One by one, they fell. Even some with rank 25 were turned away for lacking spirit strength or mental discipline. Shrek didn't want merely talented cultivators—it wanted monsters.
"Next!"
Xiao Wu stepped forward.
The scarred man looked her up and down. "Name."
"Xiao Wu!" she smiled brightly, placing her hands behind her back.
"Spirit?"
"Soft Bone Rabbit!"
He raised a brow. "Age?"
"Almost thirteen!"
His eyes narrowed. "Spirit power?"
She extended her hand. The soft pink ring glowed beneath her palm, releasing a gentle pulse—full, balanced, and matured. "Rank 25."
He blinked. "With one ring… already rank 25?"
Xiao Wu tilted her head innocently. "Is that bad?"
"…Pass. Next!"
Tang San stepped forward.
The examiner looked at him longer. Something about this boy gave him an odd sense of pressure.
"Name?"
"Tang San."
"Spirit?"
"Blue Silver Grass."
The examiner nearly laughed. "That weed? Seriously? Unless you're hiding something—"
Tang San lifted his hand.
Two spirit rings rose—one yellow, the other orange-gold, shining brightly. Both stabilized perfectly in rhythm. The second one emanated a faint pressure—deeper than its age would suggest.
"…Second ring? Orange? You're at what level?"
Tang San replied flatly, "Rank 29."
Gasps erupted behind him.
The scarred man's expression froze. "…Age?"
"Twelve."
He stared. "You're lying."
Tang San met his gaze. "Feel free to test me."
A second examiner rushed forward and placed a spirit probe against Tang San's arm. A pulse of energy passed. The man's face went pale.
"…It's true. Rank 29. At twelve."
The first examiner exhaled. "Monster."
He stamped the token and handed it to Tang San.
As they walked into the inner field, whispers erupted around them.
"Did you see that? He has two rings—second one nearly orange?"
"At twelve? What monster eats spirit beasts that strong so early?"
"Didn't he say… Blue Silver Grass? That's a trash spirit!"
"…Doesn't feel trash when he walks by."
Tang San ignored it all.
Xiao Wu, walking beside him, grinned. "See? I told you we'd pass."
He nodded. "This is just the beginning."
Inside, the academy grounds were surprisingly peaceful. A small lake shimmered in the center, surrounded by modest buildings and open training fields. Everything about it was calm—but Tang San could feel dozens of auras watching them from behind various corners.
They were already being evaluated.
In the distance, a small group of older students were sparring. One of them—a large boy with an axe-type martial spirit—glanced over and narrowed his eyes.
"New ones?"
"Yeah. That boy… something's off."
"He doesn't walk like someone with only two rings."
Meanwhile, Tang San and Xiao Wu were led to a small dorm. It was simple but clean. As they unpacked, Xiao Wu turned toward him.
"Brother San."
"Hmm?"
"Will we stay here long?"
Tang San paused, then nodded. "As long as needed. This place will attract strong people, and maybe… people who know more about spirit bones."
Xiao Wu smiled softly. "No matter how strong you become, don't forget to rest."
He looked at her quietly. "…I haven't forgotten. You're my rest."
The words came out softer than intended, but Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed. She turned away quickly.
Tang San didn't pursue it. That night, while others chatted or slept, he cultivated beneath the moon. His spirit rings glowed dimly, second ring now pulsing with deep crimson flickers.
The Fox Emperor Soul Bone was growing again—he could feel its aura beginning to merge with his bloodline further. The control over fox-type spirit beasts was increasing… but he didn't intend to use that here. Not yet.
First, he needed to understand Shrek's true foundation. Then… expand his own.
End of Chapter 30