The first rays of morning light filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting soft golden hues on the dew-kissed leaves. Tang San stood silently at the edge of the Shrek Academy training grounds, his gaze distant. A soft breeze carried the sounds of early morning practice—wooden swords clashing, breathless shouts, and the occasional spark of spirit energy being unleashed.
Tang San had changed. His body felt stronger—denser. Every muscle responded with subtle precision, and his reflexes had sharpened. The Blood Refinement technique was working, even if slowly. He could feel the iron-hard resilience in his limbs, a slow-burning furnace of physical power that never fully cooled. But what weighed on his mind was not power—it was balance.
He wasn't a machine. He still remembered Xiao Wu's laughter, the warmth of their shared meals, and the softness of her hand in his. She was the only one who saw through the calm mask he wore. Whenever he looked at her, some part of the boy he had been—thoughtful, protective, kind—still stirred beneath the hardened exterior.
Xiao Wu had noticed his changes too. "Tang San, you've been more distant lately," she said, approaching him with a gentle voice as the early sun touched her pale cheeks. "You're stronger now, but don't forget what made you you."
He looked at her with a hint of softness. "I haven't forgotten," he said quietly. "Strength is only useful if I can protect what matters."
Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Flender, his robes fluttering slightly in the wind. "Tang San, Grandmaster wants to see you. There's a new mission from the Empire."
Inside the shaded interior of the main building, Grandmaster waited, papers spread across his desk.
"Tang San," he began without preamble, "the Spirit Hall has begun sending agents closer to the border towns. We suspect they're experimenting with a new method of forced spirit beast contracts."
Tang San's eyes narrowed. "That violates the natural laws of cultivation."
Grandmaster nodded grimly. "Which is why Shrek has been asked to investigate. We will be sending a team to the outskirts of Tianshui City. You, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong will lead the operation."
A new mission meant new danger. Tang San accepted it, but the subtle dread within him grew. More than ever, he needed to temper himself—not just through cultivation, but through experience.
As they departed later that week, Tang San stood at the forest's edge once again, this time preparing for real conflict. The fox emperor soul bone had become more stable inside him, quietly influencing his aura. He could feel the subtle pressure it exerted on nearby fox-type beasts, even if none were present.
His thoughts were interrupted when Xiao Wu nudged him. "Hey. Ready to go?"
Tang San gave a brief smile. "Always."
And with that, they stepped into the misted forest trail that led away from Shrek Academy and toward the unknown. Unseen eyes watched their departure from the trees, and a quiet tension settled in the air—a foreshadowing of things to come.
Tang San didn't know what the mission would reveal. But with every step forward, his spirit and body walked more in unison—not just growing stronger, but becoming whole.
The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Tang San faced it with quiet determination. For strength. For Xiao Wu. For everything he refused to lose.