The first light of dawn crept over the jagged cliffs that bordered Shrek Academy. Mist curled around ancient pines, and the distant call of spirit beasts greeted the morning. At the cliffside training ring—an open expanse of flat stone etched with ancient runes—four figures gathered in silence.
Li Wei stood at the center, Diendriver sheathed at his hip, eyes fixed on the horizon's pale glow. His dark cloak rustled in the chill breeze.
"Good morning," he said quietly, arms folding behind his back. He glanced at each teammate in turn. "Today, no spirit tools. No food packs. We'll rely on our bodies, our wits, and each other."
Rongrong shivered, pulling her sleeves tight. "No breakfast?" she squeaked.
"Breakfast is overrated," Li Wei replied with a half-smile. "We eat later—if we earn it."
Xiao Wu hopped on the spot. "I like earning things! What's the drill?"
Li Wei pointed to four chalk-drawn marks on the stone, arranged in a wide circle. "Five laps. Each lap must be completed as a unit—if one of you falls behind, all four of you start that lap over. After five laps, we move on to partner sparring; but only after."
Zhu Zhuqing folded her arms, expression steady. "Coordination and stamina," she murmured. "Got it."
Ning Rongrong blinked, then nodded. "I… I can do that."
From the shadows of the trees, Zhao Wuji strode forward, massive arms crossed. His presence was silent but imposing. "I'll watch," he rumbled. "No fancy lectures. Just endurance and teamwork."
Li Wei inclined his head. "Thank you, Teacher."
Rongrong turned to the others. "I guess we'd better get moving." She extended a hand to Xiao Wu, who linked elbows with her.
Zhu Zhuqing fell in beside Li Wei. "Ready, Captain?"
Li Wei met her gaze. "Let's go."
The four set off at a brisk trot, boots thudding on the stone. Mist swirled at their ankles as they circled the ring. Their breaths formed clouds in the cold air.
Xiao Wu grinned between gasps. "Geez, this is harder than I expected."
Rongrong panted, "I knew I shouldn't have skipped breakfast."
Zhu Zhuqing kept pace effortlessly. "Focus on your breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth."
Li Wei shadowed their steps, eyes vigilant. Xiao Wu is strong, but her endurance is average. Rongrong has heart but lacks technique. Zhu Zhuqing… flawless. I'll need to pair them accordingly.
Lap one completed, they slowed to a halt. Li Wei checked each pulse with a tap on their shoulders. "Good. No one's collapsed. On to lap two."
They resumed, falling into a tighter formation. The cliffside wind whipped past, carrying the distant roar of the sea below.
On lap three, Xiao Wu's foot slipped on a damp patch. She stumbled against Rongrong, nearly toppling them both.
"Careful!" Li Wei called, breaking his stride and catching Xiao Wu's arm.
She steadied herself, flushing. "Thanks… didn't see that moss."
"Keep your eyes ahead," Li Wei advised. "Watch the ground."
They continued.
By lap four, sweat slicked their brows. Their robes clung damply. Yet none slowed. Instead, they fell into a silent rhythm: footfalls, breathing, footfalls, breathing.
As they crossed the finish line of lap five, Li Wei raised a hand. "Stop."
They collapsed to their knees, panting, chests heaving.
Zhao Wuji approached, expression unreadable. "Not bad. Few would last this long."
Xiao Wu wiped her mouth. "Told you I like earning things."
Rongrong dropped to the ground fully, hands behind her back. "My legs feel like jelly."
Zhu Zhuqing sat with perfect posture, breathing slowly. "What now?" she asked.
Li Wei stepped to the cliff's edge, the sun fully breaking above the tree line. Golden light poured over them. "Now… we test instinct."
His gaze turned to the cliff's drop. "Form pairs: me with Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing with Xiao Wu." He raised an eyebrow. "No talking after the signal—just action. Ready?"
Rongrong's hand flew up. "Yes—wait, no talking?"
Li Wei nodded. "Trust your partner. I'll signal start."
Zhao Wuji folded his arms. "Let me know if you need saving."
The four exchanged determined glances. Pairing formed silently. Li Wei and Rongrong crouched at one mark; Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu at another.
Li Wei raised his voice. "Begin!"
---
Rongrong's eyes widened as Li Wei sprinted forward, and she tried to keep pace. Each step was calculated—no wasted motion.
From across the ring, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu launched into fluid mock-combat, trading swift strikes and evasions.
But before the sixth lap could conclude, a rumble shook the earth. Birds exploded into flight, and the clamor of hooves thundered from the forest edge.
Li Wei skidded to a halt. He signaled with his hand—"Stop!"
Rongrong stumbled, regaining her balance. "What—?"
From the treeline, a massive form burst forth: the Ironhide Scarab Lizard. Nearly twice a human's height, its plating was dark iron-black, jagged spikes protruding like bristles. Its segmented tail snapped with thunderous force.
Acidic froth dripped from its maw. Each blink of its yellow eyes glowed with malevolent intelligence.
Before anyone could move, the beast roared, rearing up on hind legs, then launched forward in a relentless charge.
Li Wei stepped between Rongrong and the path of the beast. "Back!" he ordered, tone sharp.
Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both obeyed, moving behind him. Xiao Wu darted to one side, hands clenching into fists.
Zhao Wuji burst from the trees. He charged to intercept. "Stand down!" he boomed.
Li Wei raised his hand, palm outward. "Let us handle this! No interference."
Zhao Wuji halted, brow furrowed. "You sure? One swipe from this—"
Li Wei cut him off. "Trust me."
For a heartbeat, silence reigned—broken only by the beast's low growl.
Li Wei faced the lizard, calm and resolute. "Team Two—positions."
Xiao Wu slid to his right. Zhu Zhuqing moved left. Rongrong stayed close, pagoda faintly glowing.
The beast reared again, then charged. Its heavy feet caused the stones to crack.
Li Wei took a deep breath. Instinct over instruction. He glanced at each teammate.
Xiao Wu—use your teleport before it strikes. Zhu Zhuqing—shadow; I need flank. Rongrong—buffers at the ready.
He called out: "Yu Xiaogang might call this basic—but let's see how he handles acid breath!"
The beast opened its maw, releasing a foam of green sputter that hissed as it hit the stone.
"Dodge!" Li Wei shouted.
Xiao Wu flickered out of its path, reappearing behind the lizard and planting a powerful kick into its armored flank.
Zhu Zhuqing sprang from the shadows, claws extended, slashing along the seam of plating. Acid sizzled, but her strike opened a thin crack.
Rongrong fired her pagoda's support buff: "Seven Treasure Boost!" A wave of light washed over Li Wei and Xiao Wu, enhancing their strength and speed.
Li Wei seized his moment. His foot struck the ground, unleashing a burst of spirit power that rippled toward the beast. He lunged forward in a blur—neither Rider summon nor card—just pure, honed instinct.
He ducked under a swipe of the tail and placed both hands on the lizard's rear joint. "Hold it!"
The beast twisted, trying to shrug him off, but Rongrong's buff held firm.
With a grunt, Li Wei drove his shield shoulder-first into the creature's side. The impact echoed across the clearing. Plating cracked.
The lizard roared in fury—then staggered to its knees, acid breath sputtering into silenced steam.
It made one last thrashing attempt—and then collapsed, inert.
Li Wei sank to one knee, breathing hard. The cliffside fell silent once more.
Slowly, he stood. He looked at each teammate—Xiao Wu, chest heaving; Zhu Zhuqing, claws smoking; Rongrong, wide-eyed but smiling.
He exhaled, voice quiet but firm: "Well done."
Zhao Wuji emerged, stepping over shattered plating. He studied them for a long moment, then nodded. "You handled that without spirit using much spirit abilities… impressive."
Xiao Wu wiped sweat from her brow. "That was… intense."
Zhu Zhuqing offered Li Wei a rare smile. "Your drill worked."
Rongrong sank to the ground in relief. "I'm starving. Breakfast now?"
Li Wei allowed himself a small grin. "Breakfast—and then a long rest. We earned it."
As the sun rose higher, Team Two gathered around the fallen beast, bond strengthened by steel and instinct. Behind them, the cliffs held silent witness to the resolve of four young cultivators—and the promise of trials yet to come.
The lizard has been left alone to recover.