The sun had just begun to rise over Shrek Academy, casting golden light over the training fields. Tang San was already awake, seated cross-legged atop a boulder behind the outer practice arena. His breathing was calm, but his heart was burning.
Over the past week, he had fought in three official duels and won each without injury. Yet he remained unnoticed by the wider academy, especially among the senior disciples. To them, he was merely skilled—a promising student, but not yet someone to fear.
Tang San was satisfied with that.
He didn't need fame. He needed time.
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Forging Beginnings
Today, his fox spirits returned with a shipment of rare materials gathered through their growing business operations—trade routes, auctions, and controlled spirit beast hunting zones. A gleaming black steel ingot shimmered with faint spiritual energy. The metal had been bathed in spirit beast blood under moonlight—an essential step for forging a semi-living weapon.
Tang San's eyes gleamed as he took it into the small hidden forge cave he had claimed beneath the mountain slope behind the academy.
He placed the metal on the forging platform and activated a small soul formation. Flame rose.
Blood Refinement activated.
The veins beneath Tang San's skin shimmered faintly red. His blood, nourished by fox blood essence and countless hours of cultivation, flowed with strength beyond his age. Each time he used the Blood Refinement technique, his bones grew denser, his muscles tighter, and his reaction speed faster.
It wasn't exaggerated strength. It was hidden—internal. The kind that would only show its edge when he struck.
The hammer in his hands moved slowly. Tang San forged in silence for nearly six hours, sweat rolling down his spine, soul power circulating through every strike. The weapon would take months to complete, but the foundation had been laid.
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Afternoon Training Session
Later that day, the team sparring matches began. Tang San was placed in a group with Xiao Wu, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong—three personalities with clashing styles. Oscar's food-type support was useful, but he was still physically weak. Ning Rongrong was proud and distant, and her Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda made her a walking target.
"Don't let me get hit," she said, arms folded.
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes. "Maybe if you weren't so loud about it."
Tang San remained quiet.
Their opponents were a trio from the senior class—one assault type with a wolf martial spirit, one agile type with claws, and a control-type with plant-based roots.
As the match began, Oscar immediately passed out a speed-enhancing sausage, and Tang San caught it without pause. The moment the bell rang, he vanished from sight.
Xiao Wu clashed with the claw user mid-field, flipping and kicking with her classic agility. Tang San's vines swept wide, ensnaring the plant controller before he could fully extend his spirit. Then, with a pivot, he threw his Blue Silver Grass like a whip, striking the wolf spirit master's thigh and causing him to stagger.
They weren't overpowered.
But they were overwhelming in coordination.
For the first time, even Ning Rongrong found herself impressed. Tang San used her buffs like a veteran—knowing exactly when to burst forward or pull back, wasting nothing.
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That Evening – Emotional Tension
After dinner, Xiao Wu approached Tang San under the moonlight. They sat by the training grounds alone, watching the wind ripple through the trees.
"You've changed," she said quietly. "Since the fox bone attached to you, you've become quieter."
"I'm just more focused."
"You always were focused. But now you feel... heavier."
Tang San turned to look at her. "There are things I can't say, not yet. But I'm still me."
She looked into his eyes, searching. "You're still Tang San?"
He hesitated. "Yes."
There was silence between them for a while. Then she leaned against his shoulder. He didn't react, but he didn't pull away either.
"I'll stay by your side," she whispered. "Even if you change."
He didn't answer—but a faint glimmer of warmth flickered in his eyes.
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Closing the Chapter
That night, Tang San meditated deeply. Inside his spirit sea, the fox emperor soul bone pulsed. The six fox spirits—now humanoid, refined, loyal—had begun to flourish. The girl among them, Yue Ling, had begun learning human writing and led their trade operations.
He had plans.
He would soon need to expand his control, gather rarer spirit materials, and prepare for the next stage of cultivation.
He wasn't overpowered.
But he was growing in ways none of the others understood.
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End of Chapter 35