intense training battles, Tang San returned to his room at Shrek Academy. His body bore the faint marks of the grueling blood refinement sessions, but his cultivation had taken a noticeable leap. Though not dramatic, each session made his physique tougher, more refined. His senses were sharper, and his body more responsive.
He took out the soul bone again—the Fox Emperor Bone—which had now fully merged with him. It was no longer just a source of charm and illusion. It had awakened latent memories of the Fox Emperor's instincts, and Tang San felt a subtle mental link form between him and the six fox beast humans he had transformed using the Soul Seeds.
Those six, each now appearing as teenagers, were rapidly adapting to their new forms. Living in a concealed manor near Shrek City, they had begun learning commerce, negotiation, and human social norms. Under Tang San's guidance, they had established a small business called the Fox Pavilion, which traded in rare herbs and spirit beast materials. Though the operation was still small, its foundation was strong.
Back at the Academy, Tang San sat with Grandmaster in the training courtyard.
"Your second spirit ring is stable now. I can tell your control over illusions has matured," Grandmaster noted.
Tang San nodded. "The Fox Emperor Bone is unique. It not only enhances charm and illusion, but it also improves agility. More importantly, it's allowing me to affect lower-level fox-type beasts. I can plant a soul seed in them, allowing them to evolve and gain more human-like traits."
Grandmaster frowned, then muttered, "That level of control and transformation should only be possible with extremely high cultivation... You're barely a Spirit Grandmaster."
Tang San lowered his voice. "That is why I'm being cautious. I've limited the number to six. Each is about 800 years old and has formed a pair of spirit rings with my help. They're loyal and smart. For now, they're my hidden force."
Grandmaster gave a long nod. "Make sure no one else knows. And don't rush to expand. Loyalty cultivated slowly lasts longer."
---
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai was undergoing his own transformation. Since the group sparring matches, he had taken Tang San as a rival, not out of jealousy but admiration. Spending extra hours training, he pushed his White Tiger martial soul further. Zhu Zhuqing silently joined him, their silent competition becoming a habit. Both were growing, not just in power, but in trust.
Oscar, too, was not slacking. He had begun experimenting with new food-type recovery sausages, trying to increase recovery speed and resistance to poisons. With the herbs provided secretly by the Fox Pavilion, his concoctions were improving.
Ning Rongrong, despite her pampered upbringing, was beginning to see her companions in a new light. Watching Tang San cultivate tirelessly, her admiration turned into quiet curiosity. She would sometimes linger near his training sessions under the pretense of "studying martial arts synergies."
Tang San, though aware, chose not to respond. He remained focused.
The blood refinement technique was not without cost. Each time he used it, his body required deep meditation and herbal baths to restore. But the benefits were undeniable. His strength, agility, and spiritual power were growing in harmony. It wasn't explosive, but it was solid.
At night, in his secret courtyard, he summoned two of the fox youths.
"Master," they knelt, their ears and tails hidden beneath human illusions.
"Report."
"The herb transaction with the Seventh Gold Pavilion succeeded. We earned 2,300 gold coins. We've begun bidding on rare earth-fire jade at the western auction house."
Tang San nodded. "Maintain discretion. No actions without my command."
"Yes."
He dismissed them and looked up at the moon. Step by step, he thought. I don't need to be the strongest now. I just need to never stop moving.
---
The next day, Flender gathered the Shrek Seven.
"Get ready. In a few weeks, the Spirit Master Continental Tournament will begin selection. We will represent Shrek. And I expect each of you to be more than just strong. Be smart. Be united."
Tang San's eyes narrowed slightly. The path ahead was filled with opponents, but also with opportunity. He could feel it—the world was expanding around him.
And he would expand with it.