Chapter 52: Shadows Beneath the Surface
A month had passed since the Shrek Seven Devils had officially become students of the reformed Shrek Academy. The academy grounds, once run-down and half-forgotten, were now filled with the fierce energy of dozens of handpicked students from various kingdoms, all with unique talents and powerful martial spirits. Even so, Tang San and his companions remained the core of the academy, their strength and unity undeniable.
Each of them had begun to grow individually.
Dai Mubai trained in seclusion under Flender's guidance, pushing his White Tiger transformation to its limits. Oscar, after rigorous tests, began crafting higher-tier sausages with advanced effects, his spirit power increasing at a surprising pace. Ning Rongrong had grown more disciplined under the strict supervision of Liu Erlong, her support abilities sharper than ever. Ma Hongjun's flames had deepened in intensity, and his battles with Tang San and Dai Mubai had forged a new stability in his spirit energy.
And Xiao Wu... Tang San noticed subtle changes in her demeanor. She still laughed with him, teased him, and sparred with him, but there was a quiet protectiveness in her gaze—a sense of something she was guarding deep within.
Tang San continued cultivating in the forest near the academy, avoiding direct attention. The second spirit ring he had absorbed, the 764-year-old Shadow Leopard ring, had settled into his body entirely. His mastery over its abilities had reached a level where even Grandmaster nodded in rare approval. Hidden beneath his calm demeanor, however, was the secret of the Fox Emperor's soul bone.
He never mentioned its full abilities. Not even Grandmaster knew it had subtly evolved into something greater. Tang San had simply said it was a soul bone with charm and agility properties that grew with him. The truth—that he could manipulate low-ranked fox-type beasts, and even plant seeds to awaken their human forms—remained buried.
For now.
Instead of indulging in power, Tang San focused on daily sparring, meditation, and field missions. He frequently took small teams—sometimes with Ma Hongjun, sometimes with Rongrong or Xiao Wu—to nearby regions to hunt spirit beasts or complete requests. These missions served a deeper purpose: to grow not only stronger, but smarter, more versatile.
One such mission brought them to Greencloud Ridge, where rogue spirit beasts had attacked merchant caravans. It was during this mission that Ma Hongjun, with Tang San's guidance, formed his second spirit ring bond with a 480-year-old Crimson Talon Eagle.
The fierce battle brought out the best in everyone. Xiao Wu's footwork dazzled, Rongrong's boosts flowed with perfect timing, and even Oscar kept up, healing wounds before they became fatal. Tang San fought calmly, weaving between enemies, his hidden weapons still kept secret from everyone but Grandmaster.
When they returned, the academy buzzed with whispers.
"Did you hear? Spirit Hall is selecting young talents for their inner sanctuary. They're recruiting geniuses under twenty who've reached the Spirit Ancestor level."
"I heard someone named Yan Luo broke through in the southern district. Defeated three Spirit Elders in a row."
Spirit Hall's movements were becoming bolder, their elite youth beginning to move on the world stage.
Tang San remained quiet, but Grandmaster's eyes were grave.
"It's only a matter of time," Grandmaster muttered one evening to Flender, "before we clash with Spirit Hall directly. Tang San and the others must be prepared."
The night fell gently over Shrek Academy. Tang San sat cross-legged atop a stone cliff near the rear mountains. Moonlight bathed his figure as he refined his blood using the Blood Refinement Art. With each cycle, his physique strengthened, not in leaps, but in subtle layers—bone density, tendon resilience, blood purity.
He wasn't becoming invincible.
He was becoming complete.
From behind him, Xiao Wu approached silently, sitting beside him. She didn't speak, simply leaned gently against his shoulder.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Not when I'm beside you."
He smiled slightly, the warmth in her words a welcome reprieve from the pressures of the world.
The journey ahead was long. But with each step, Tang San was not walking alone.
End of Chapter 52