As dawn broke, Xiao Tian, Tang Ya, Nannan, and Huo Yuhao made their way back to Shrek Academy, the excitement of their recent battle still fresh in their minds.
The journey back to Shrek Academy was uneventful but filled with an underlying sense of accomplishment. Tang Ya had successfully obtained her third spirit ring and an external spirit bone, significantly boosting her strength. Her new eight spider-leg external spirit bones retracted seamlessly into her back, yet she could feel their latent power buzzing beneath her skin like a hidden storm waiting to be unleashed. With a mischievous grin, she flexed her fingers as if testing the air and declared, "I can't wait to show Grandpa Xuan! He'll lose his mind!"
Jiang Nannan nudged her teasingly, "Try not to stab anyone during the entrance exams. Those legs look lethal."
Huo Yuhao, walking beside Xiao Tian, glanced at the trio with quiet awe. "The Tang Sect… you all really are something else."
Xiao Tian chuckled. "You're part of 'something else' now, Yuhao. Just wait—Shrek Academy will be our stage."
With this milestone reached, their focus now shifted toward the next step: enrollment at Shrek Academy.
As we approached the towering gates of the academy, nostalgia filled Xiao Tian. Having grown up within these hallowed walls, he was no stranger to the grandiose halls and majestic architecture. For Huo Yuhao, however, everything was new. His eyes, wide with a mix of excitement and nervousness, took in the sight of ornate archways etched with golden sigils, the distant roar of combat drills, and even the subtle scent of soul beast pelts drifting from the marketplace. "We're finally here," Huo Yuhao murmured, his voice barely audible over the chatter of incoming students.
Tang Ya slung an arm around his shoulders, her grin infectious. "Relax, Yuhao! You've got us—and soon, the whole academy will know your name."
Xiao Tian added with a laugh, "Just don't let Senior Brother Bei Bei's elegance intimidate you. He's softer than he looks."
The group approached the registration plaza with a sense of quiet determination. Though Xiao Tian had grown up in these corridors, the academy now felt charged with new possibilities. For Huo Yuhao, every detail was novel: the grandeur of the archways, the booming sounds of training sessions, and even the sight of senior students soaring overhead on winged martial souls left him awestruck. "Focus, Yuhao," Jiang Nannan teased, nudging him gently. "Your jaw's practically hitting the ground."
While most of the outer academy students knew nothing of our true heritage, only a select few inner academy teachers were aware of the real story. Thanks to Elder Xuan's careful arrangements, they were publicly known only as orphans adopted by an inner court elder and raised at Shrek Academy. This anonymity ensured they would not receive much preferential treatment, allowing them to grow and form bonds with their peers naturally.
At the registration desk, a familiar figure awaited them—a tall, poised young man with sun-kissed blond hair cascading like a waterfall of liquid lightning. His presence radiated noble calm, and beneath his serene exterior lay an undeniable strength. Bei Bei's gaze swept over the group, lingering on Tang Ya's spark of mischief and Huo Yuhao's guarded expression.
"Senior Brother Bei Bei!" Tang Ya called out excitedly.
Bei Bei turned with a gentle smile. "Xiao Ya, you're back. And with a new addition as well." His eyes then shifted to appraise Huo Yuhao, a subtle curiosity in his gaze. Due to the changes in this world, his martial spirit had undergone a significant transformation. Instead of the fierce Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon in the original, Bei Bei had awakened the Blue Lightning Holy Dragon, combining the volatile energy of lightning with divine purification. His attacks were not only overwhelming but carried a sanctifying brilliance, a fusion that set him apart as a protector as much as a destroyer. This transformation had elevated his reputation to a new level, and his presence alone reassured his juniors.
Before anyone could respond, another figure approached from the side, exuding an aura of stability and indomitable defense. Xu Sanshi, a handsome and well-built youth with a carefree smile and eyes that gleamed with confidence, strode forward. "Yo, Tang Ya, you're finally back," he said with a teasing smirk. His gaze shifted to the group before settling on Xiao Tian. "And look who's here. My dear little brother, Xiao Tian. Wanna have another sparring session?"
I smirked and replied, "Senior Brother Xu Sanshi, still as cocky as ever. I'll pass today—tired from the journey."
Xu Sanshi's hearty laugh echoed between us. Unlike in the original timeline, instead of awakening the Mysterious Turtle Shield, Xu Sanshi had awakened the full-fledged Xuanwumartial spirit. Now, his body, possessed by the Xuanwu ancient beast, is much stronger, and his command over both water and earth attributes transforms him into a true fortress on the battlefield. His defensive abilities had reached near-mythical levels, and his friendly demeanor made him a beloved figure among the students. Through countless sparring sessions and training exercises, I had come to respect him as a steadfast elder brother—a guardian whose calm presence could inspire confidence in even the most uncertain hearts.
With Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi standing before us, it was evident that the butterfly effect caused by my presence had significantly altered their destinies. The legendary attack-defense duo of Shrek Academy had become even more formidable, their enhanced abilities a constant reminder of the ever-changing nature of fate.
After some brief exchanges, we proceeded with the enrollment process. Due to our prearranged status, we did not have to take the entrance exam. Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, was granted the free quota allocated to the Tang Sect by Tang Ya—a chance to prove himself without the standard hurdles.
"Alright, with this, all of you are officially Shrek Academy students," Bei Bei announced, handing us our registration tokens. "You should head to your assigned dormitories and get settled in."
We made our way to the dormitories amid a sea of bustling new students. In the female dormitory, Tang Ya and Nannan were assigned a shared room—a space where they could support each other as they embarked on this new chapter. Huo Yuhao was assigned a shared room with a student named Wang Dong, a partnership that promised both challenges and unexpected camaraderie, much like the old days.
When I checked my dorm assignment, I was surprised to discover that I had been given an individual single wooden house. Situated near the forest training grounds and the serene Sea God Lake, it was clear that this assignment was the handiwork of Grandpa Xuan. The privacy would prove beneficial for my training, particularly for honing the abilities of my beasts within the Heavens Gate.
I entered the house, taking in its modest furnishings—a single bed, a sturdy desk, and a well-crafted wardrobe. Nothing extravagant, but more than sufficient for my needs. Whether by design or mere coincidence, the private space was a gift, allowing me the solitude required to focus on my training and raising my beasts.
Sitting on the bed, I reflected on the day's events. Our paths had begun to diverge from what I once knew, and our strengths had evolved dramatically. With Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi's newfound abilities, Tang Ya's rapid progress, and Huo Yuhao's untapped potential, the future of the Tang Sect—and,by extension, Shrek Academy—was shaping up to be truly extraordinary.
The first step had been taken, but the journey was only beginning. Now, it was time to grow, train, and forge the bonds that would carry us through the challenges ahead.