The golden sun hung lazily above the horizon, casting its warm glow over the dusty path leading out of Nuoding City. The faint breeze carried the scent of earth and distant grass, mingling with the fragrance of the blooming wildflowers that lined the road. Two silhouettes walked quietly side by side—one tall, lean, eyes deep like an ancient well; the other graceful, lively, with a faint smile that could soften even the hardest heart.
Tang San and Xiao Wu.
It had been more than a month since the day he fully absorbed his second spirit ring. During that time, he had not only adapted to it, but polished his control to the point of instinct. The 700-year-old Spirit Fox Ring had gifted him enhanced agility, illusion capabilities, and a soul bone of terrifying potential. Yet he had kept most of its secrets buried within, telling only Grandmaster the surface of what he had gained. No one else knew that his blood was slowly refining under the Blood Refinement Technique, nor that the Fox Emperor Soul Bone he now carried had begun to awaken powers that could affect other fox-type spirit beasts.
His cultivation had surged past the peak of rank 28 and brushed against rank 29, but he concealed his strength well, revealing just enough to appear above average but not terrifying.
"Brother San, are you really excited about this Shrek Academy?" Xiao Wu's voice was gentle, curious, filled with innocent light.
Tang San glanced at her, the corners of his lips lifting ever so slightly. "It's known as the best place for monster-level talents in all of the Heaven Dou Empire. I need to go there… not just for growth, but to understand how deep this world truly is."
Xiao Wu tilted her head. "Are you worried?"
"…Cautious," he said after a pause. "Power is rising too fast in my body. The more I grow, the more I realize… the world is far bigger than I imagined. And not all of it will welcome what I am becoming."
He didn't say more. His gaze drifted toward the tree-line. Unseen by the world, six individuals now walked separate paths under cover of night and shadow. The fox beast-turned-humans were already establishing their presence in nearby cities and merchant groups. They were his eyes, his claws—each one loyal to the core, each one with two powerful spirit rings gifted to match their natures. They handled rare resource gathering, information, and—eventually—would become the base of his future influence.
All of this, hidden. Shrek Academy didn't need to know.
They rested by a small spring that evening, and Tang San quietly cultivated, drawing in the surrounding spirit energy with far more efficiency than before. A silver mist circled his body like a quiet dragon, merging into his meridians at a rate no normal person could match.
Xiao Wu watched him from beside a tree, knees pulled up to her chest. She hugged them and tilted her head slightly. She could feel that Tang San was becoming stronger. Different. Not distant—but like a mountain slowly rising. Unshakable. Protective.
"…Brother San," she whispered, "will you always be like this? Always hiding so much in your heart?"
Tang San didn't answer immediately. But after a few breaths, his eyes opened. They were calm, yet impossibly deep.
"I will never let myself become weak. Not again," he said, voice low. "I've seen… what kind of prison power can be. I don't want to be chained—by gods, by fate, or by others."
Xiao Wu blinked, not fully understanding the weight behind his words. But she smiled gently anyway. "Then I'll walk with you. Even if you hide everything in your heart."
Tang San looked at her, something flickering in his eyes. Something unspoken.
That night, under the moonlight, they traveled further. As they approached the outskirts of Suotuo City, the environment began to shift. More travelers on the road, more powerful auras hidden beneath cloaks and noble carriages. This was a region filled with hopeful geniuses—all on the same road toward Shrek Academy.
Tang San noticed them all, memorized their patterns, and ignored them.
But others didn't ignore him.
A tall youth with a narrow saber strapped to his back passed by them on a merchant road. He paused and glanced at Tang San sharply. "You… what level are you?"
Tang San didn't bother responding.
But the youth narrowed his eyes and muttered, "You're hiding it well… too well. Dangerous."
He moved on.
Xiao Wu tilted her head, but Tang San simply walked without turning. Inside, his spirit power churned slightly—an instinctive reaction to scanning killing intent. He was still not strong enough. Not yet. But soon.
That night, as they approached the borderland where the Shrek Academy trials were being set up, Tang San stared at the gates in the distance. A humble academy by appearance—but he knew appearances meant little.
Behind him, Xiao Wu's fingers slipped into his palm for just a moment.
And for once, Tang San didn't pull away.
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End of Chapter 29