The stars blanketed the night sky above Shrek Academy. The Academy's grounds had grown quiet after the intensity of the day's combat trials. Students were asleep, recovering from the exhaustion of pushing themselves against a Spirit King. But deeper in the silence, something stirred.
Inside the teachers' quarters, Zhao Wuji sat with a sour expression, tending to bruises that even his robust physique had trouble shrugging off. He grunted as he shifted in his chair. His pride was still more battered than his body.
"Tch… that brat," he muttered, thinking about Kazuki's eerie eyes and the way the boy twisted the laws of space and gravity like a seasoned veteran. "Too calm for a kid. Something's off about him."
Just as he began pouring himself another drink, he sensed it—an overwhelming presence brushing against the edges of his spiritual awareness. It wasn't hostile, not immediately—but it was commanding, ancient, and dense like an unshakable mountain.
Then came a knock. Three slow taps.
Zhao Wuji stood, frowning. No student could possibly carry that aura. He opened the door and found a tall, cloaked man with unruly black hair standing in the shadows beyond the courtyard path.
The stranger's voice was deep and emotionless.
"Zhao Wuji. Come with me. To the forest."
Wuji narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are—?"
The man turned and walked into the woods without another word.
A shiver ran down Zhao Wuji's spine. Something primal warned him not to ignore the call. With a growl, he threw on his coat and followed.
The trees whispered softly as the two men entered a secluded glade lit only by scattered moonlight.
The cloaked man turned at last.
"I am Tang Hao."
Zhao Wuji froze. A spark of disbelief flashed in his eyes. "The Clear Sky Douluo…?"
Tang Hao's gaze was cold but steady. "I came because of how harsh you were on my son, Tang San."
Before Zhao Wuji could respond, the sudden rush of wings sliced through the night air. Flender appeared, his Martial Soul ignited—a majestic, radiant beast soaring with wings ablaze in ethereal fire. He landed gracefully beside Tang Hao, then immediately deactivated his Martial Soul, bowing his head respectfully.
"Why have you come here at this hour?" Flender's voice was calm but carried authority.
Tang Hao answered without hesitation. "To make sure Zhao Wuji understands his limits. I will not allow my son to be hurt in silence."
Flender nodded once, then settled back silently. He made it clear he would not interfere—this was a matter between Douluo, a lesson in respect and restraint. Yet his presence was a silent warning that the balance here was fragile.
Without summoning his Martial Soul, Tang Hao moved like a tempest, striking with measured precision. Zhao Wuji, confident in his own strength, tried to retaliate but was caught off guard. Tang Hao's strikes were not wild or excessive—each blow a calculated reminder of the power he wielded as a Titled Douluo.
Zhao Wuji was thrown aside like a ragdoll, the forest floor shuddering under the force. His pride bruised far deeper than his body as Tang Hao advanced.
"You forget," Tang Hao said quietly, "that protecting one's bloodline is sacred. You cross that line, you face consequences."
Zhao Wuji struggled to rise but found himself forced down again by a well-placed strike.
Flender watched, arms folded, his expression unreadable. He said nothing. This was a moment for Zhao Wuji to reflect and change, or face the consequences of his own recklessness.
After a final, punishing strike, Tang Hao stepped back, his presence calming but resolute.
"Leave my son alone," he warned. "Or next time, it won't just be a warning."
Without another word, Tang Hao disappeared into the shadows, leaving a battered Zhao Wuji to contemplate the weight of the night.
Early the next morning, Tang San and Xiao Wu had risen, their spirits still high from the previous day's trials. Eager to explore the sprawling academy grounds, they strolled through quiet corridors and lush courtyards, breathing in the fresh morning air
Their peace was soon interrupted by a heated argument echoing from the distance.
"Cui Hua, you don't understand! This isn't just about power!" a loud voice rang out.
Tang San and Xiao Wu turned toward the source and saw Ma Hongjun, red-faced and fiery-eyed, locked in a heated exchange with Cui Hua.
Before the confrontation could escalate, Ma Hongjun charged at Tang San with a fierce roar. Tang San barely had time to raise his guard.
But just as fists were about to clash, a deep voice cut through the tension.
"Enough, Ma Hongjun! Stand down."
Dai Mubai strode forward, his presence commanding respect. "You're a fellow student here. No need to fight before training even begins."
Ma Hongjun paused, chest heaving, and glared defiantly. Dai Mubai then explained with a sigh, "Your ability requires you to consume a lot of food, or your body risks exploding. It's a dangerous power, but with control, it can be powerful."
Tang San nodded thoughtfully, appreciating the insight.
Meanwhile, Kazuki was elsewhere, seated beneath a large ginkgo tree, eyes closed in deep meditation. The recent battles and encounters churned in his mind, but now, his focus was on his martial soul — feeling its rhythm, its power, and the intricate laws it bent and controlled. He was learning to weave space and time, mastering the eyes that perceived all laws, seeking the perfect balance between offense and defense.
By mid-morning, the students gathered in the main courtyard.
Zhao Wuji appeared, his bruises raw and evident, a silent testament to the night's brutal reckoning.
Flender stood before them, arms folded, a sharp glint in his eyes.
"Welcome officially to Shrek Academy," he began. "Yesterday was just a taste of what's to come."
He paced slowly, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"At Shrek Academy, we don't rely on dusty textbooks and empty lectures. Here, you learn through real combat and experience. Your training starts now."
He held up a pouch. "First, the enrollment fee—100 gold coins per student."
The announcement caused a stir. Tang San glanced toward Kazuki, curious if the quiet cultivator carried enough gold.
Ning Rongrong caught the look and smiled slyly, her eyes flicking between Tang San and Kazuki. If he lacks the funds,she thought, perhaps I should support him — having someone with his strength on my side could be invaluable.
What none of them knew was that Kazuki had already amassed considerable wealth through his past—part of a soul beast hunting squad that specialized in capturing rare beasts aged between 100 to 1000 years. Such beasts' soul rings were worth hundreds to thousands of gold coins, depending on their potency and rarity. Wealth was no concern for Kazuki.
When Flender collected the fees, Kazuki placed his gold coins on the table without hesitation. Yet inside, he pondered the events so far. What was the true value of Shrek Academy? To him, it was just another battleground, a place where he was losing more gold than he gained. The thought of leaving crossed his mind again — sooner rather than later.
But for now, he remained, quietly watching, calculating, and preparing for the challenges ahead.