Di Tian stood at the edge of the Lake of Life. His gaze was fixed on the calm ripples of the water, but his mind was far from peaceful.
The presence of Yggdrasil, the giant tree that towered in the heart of the Star Dou Forest, had become a source of both joy and anxiety. Its colossal size and the life energy it radiated were immense, yet something was wrong.
Something was fundamentally unnatural.
The tree had no soul.
As the Black Dragon King, Di Tian possessed an innate understanding of the laws of nature. All life, especially one so powerful, should have a will or at least a spiritual spark. Yggdrasil was an anomaly. An empty vessel of power.
This concern deepened after Gu Yuena herself mentioned that the tree not only absorbed energy from the earth and sun but also drew power from dimensional rifts. Such an ability should belong only to the Divine Realm.
If the gods find out...
Di Tian had no doubt they would intervene, ignoring all rules just to claim it.
With a heavy heart, he stepped into the lake. The cool, life-filled water enveloped him but failed to calm his unease. He descended into the depths, toward the small dimensional pocket where Gu Yuena was recuperating.
When he arrived, the sight of Gu Yuena in meditation greeted him. Her silver dragon form glowed softly, while energy from Yggdrasil's roots flowed towards her in a soothing vortex. Her wounds were healing at a visible rate.
"My Lord." Di Tian's low voice broke the silence.
Gu Yuena opened her eyes slowly, her purple irises regarding him with deep tranquility. "Di Tian. I feel your restlessness. What troubles you?"
"It's about the tree." Di Tian stepped forward, wasting no time. "It has been three years. How can something with such power not possess a spirit? And its ability to draw cosmic energy... My Lord, if the gods were to learn of it—"
Gu Yuena shook her head gently, cutting him off. "I understand your concern. The tree is indeed an anomaly."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"It is neither a Spirit Beast nor a plant in our sense of the word. Its structure is more akin to a 'Heavenly Treasure.' It is a vessel, as you have sensed, but its potential far exceeds anything we have ever seen."
Gu Yuena looked directly at Di Tian. "It is precisely because of its unique nature that the gods will have a hard time sensing it. From the outside, it is merely a giant tree with abundant life energy. They will not realize its true potential until it is too late."
Di Tian still looked worried. "Too late for what, My Lord?"
A faint smile touched Gu Yuena's lips, one that held great hope and ambition. "I am in the process of refining the tree. I will make it a part of my power, my own divine treasure. Once I succeed, the tree will be entirely mine."
Di Tian's eyes widened in shock.
"This tree," Gu Yuena continued, her eyes shining with a vision of the future, "is the key to our revival. With its power, I will not only recover but can also ascend further. We might even be able to create our own divine realm."
A paradise for Spirit Beasts.
The vision was so powerful it erased all of Di Tian's worries. He bowed his head deeply. "I understand, My Lord. Forgive my doubt."
"It is alright, Di Tian." Gu Yuena's voice softened. "Your vigilance is a strength. Continue to stand guard. Protect this tree with your life. Our future depends on it."
---
The journey back from Heaven Dou City should have taken days. But for Lian Yang and his companions, the trip ended before it even began.
After their business with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was concluded, they rode a horse-drawn carriage far enough from the city. There, away from prying eyes, Lian Yang activated "All Roads Lead to Home."
A glowing white portal formed before them, its surface rippling like water. Beyond it, a completely different scene was revealed: a neat stone path, flanked by a beautiful flower garden. At its end stood a cozy and elegant house.
"No matter how many times I see it, this is still incredible," Bronya Rand whispered.
Jingliu remained silent, but the corner of her lips turned up slightly. For her, this was the sight of "home."
Lian Yang smiled. "Let's go in."
As they stepped out on the other side, a feeling of warmth and comfort immediately enveloped them. The air inside the Sweet Home pocket dimension felt cleaner, purer.
The front door opened before they could knock. Lin Yue, with her gentle smile, stood on the threshold. "Welcome back, Young Master, Miss Jingliu, Miss Bronya Rand."
"We're home!" Lian Yang exclaimed.
From inside, Xiao Qing emerged, still in her maid uniform. "Young Master! Welcome back. I missed you all."
Lian Yang laughed and patted her head, though his current body was shorter than hers, forcing him to stand on his tiptoes to do so.
Bronya Rand smiled sincerely. "We missed you too, Xiao Qing."
Jingliu nodded towards Lin Yue. "Was everything secure while we were away?"
"Of course, Miss Jingliu," Lin Yue assured her. "Come in. The meeting room and warm tea are waiting."
They stepped into the villa. The modern interior, a stark contrast to the rustic exterior, welcomed them. The mission was complete, and now it was time to plan their next move.
---
The meeting room in Sweet Home was more like a comfortable command center. A round table of dark wood dominated the space. The scent of jasmine tea filled the air.
Lian Yang, Jingliu, and Bronya Rand sat around the table.
Bronya Rand, tablet in hand, immediately took charge. "Mission status: successful. The alliance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has been established. I have already drafted an implementation plan for the distribution of our spirit devices. Lin Yue will oversee it."
She slid her tablet to the center of the table. "Jingliu, your assessment of the clan's leaders?"
Jingliu sipped her tea before answering. "Ning Fengzhi is a shrewd politician and merchant. A pragmatist, not a true friend. He will only be loyal as long as we provide him with benefits."
Her gaze sharpened. "Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, has a strange power, likely related to the spatial attribute. Dangerous in close combat. Chen Xin, the Sword Douluo, is slightly stronger. His sword energy is quite refined."
Lian Yang nodded. "As expected. They are the pillars of the clan."
A faint smile played on his lips. "I managed to bind Ning Rongrong to the Retinue."
A moment of silence filled the room. Bronya Rand raised an eyebrow, while Jingliu looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"I didn't expect the Shroud of Power to trigger her Martial Soul's evolution," Lian Yang explained. "From the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to a mutated Nine Treasure Pagoda. The bond was formed through her gratitude and the potential I unlocked for her. She is now our anchor within the clan."
Bronya Rand looked impressed. "That significantly reduces the risk of betrayal from Ning Fengzhi."
"It also gives us another advantage," Lian Yang continued. "With the protection of two Titled Douluo, we can operate more freely. Our plans to establish a public branch of Schicksal can now be accelerated."
"About that." Jingliu set down her teacup, her tone serious. "We need to get stronger, Lian Yang. Bronya and I are still at the Spirit Emperor level. Why haven't we obtained our seventh spirit rings?"
The question hung in the air.
"Because I have a better plan," Lian Yang answered slowly. "Hunting a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast would attract unwanted attention. It would damage our potential for a future alliance with them."
He leaned forward, his gaze intense. "I am looking for an alternative. I believe we can create our own spirit rings—condensing pure energy into rings that are equal to, or even surpass, hundred-thousand-year rings."
"Creating our own spirit rings?" Jingliu repeated, a clear note of interest in her voice.
"Theoretically, yes." Bronya Rand chimed in, her eyes sparkling as her brain began to analyze the possibilities. "With the right energy source and a deep understanding of the laws of lineage, it could be done."
"Exactly." Lian Yang smiled at Bronya. "It's a more difficult path, but the rewards will be far greater. Be patient a little longer. True power is on its way."
---
After the meeting, Lian Yang went to his private room. With a mental command, he locked the door and dimmed the lights.
Alright, Waifu Catalog. Show me what we've got.
A translucent blue interface appeared before him.
[Ning Rongrong Tier 7(Current: Tier 4) has been added to the Retinue.]
[Credits Received: 160]
Lian Yang smiled with satisfaction. Unused credits were wasted potential. His fingers danced in the air, navigating the shop menu.
The first purchase was easy.
[BUY: Talent Sharing - Soul, Martial, and Athletic]
[Cost: 30 Credits]
[Description: All members of the Retinue receive a passive boost to their innate talents in spirit power cultivation, Martial Soul comprehension, and physical aptitude.]
This was a fundamental investment. Next, something more specific.
[BUY: Complementary Colors]
[Target: Jingliu, Bronya Rand]
[Cost: 50 credits]
[Description: Grants the Shroud and the targets the ability to absorb and utilize elemental or typed powers that are complementary to their natural affinities.]
With the remaining credits, he was faced with a choice: buy more upgrades, or recruit new members. Schicksal needed more manpower in R&D.
His eyes scanned the list of available Waifus. Herta, an eccentric genius, would be a perfect choice, but she cost 200 credits. He was still short.
Then, his eyes caught something strange. Two individuals listed as a single item.
[Waifu: Einstein & Tesla (Tier 6)]
[Companions: Lizelle Einstein, Frederika Tesla]
[Cost: 80 Credits]
[Description: Two of the greatest scientific minds of the modern era. Their collective genius in physics, engineering, and energy theory is unmatched.]
Getting two genius scientists for the price of one? It was a deal he couldn't pass up.
"Buy," he whispered without hesitation.
[PURCHASE CONFIRMED. Deducting 80 Credits.]
[New Members will arrive at a safe and comfortable location near you.]
A moment later, the air in his room shimmered. On his bed, two figures materialized out of thin air, lying as if in a deep sleep.
The first, Lizelle Einstein, had short blue hair and wore a loose white shirt. Next to her was Frederika Tesla, with fiery red hair tied in pigtails.
Lian Yang stepped closer. Just as he was about to reach out, a different notification appeared.
[Gu Yuena Tier 8 has been added to the Retinue.]
[Credits Received: 320]
Lian Yang froze.
Now... I have enough credits to buy Herta.
---
In the depths of the Lake of Life, Gu Yuena felt the climactic moment arrive. The refinement process of Yggdrasil reached its peak. A powerful wave of life energy flooded every cell of her body.
Success! she thought, pure euphoria coursing through her.
Her old wounds vanished. Her power surged, not just returning to its peak, but surpassing it. She could feel the cosmic essence of Yggdrasil now flowing within her.
She felt invincible.
The vibration of energy did not go unnoticed. Di Tian appeared before her, immediately kneeling.
"My Lord!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "You've succeeded! You have fully recovered!"
Gu Yuena smiled, the first smile free from burden in thousands of years. "Yes, Di Tian. I have succeeded. Yggdrasil has completely fused with me."
"Congratulations, My Lord!" Di Tian cried out, joy evident on his face. "The Spirit Beasts finally have hope! What is our next plan? Take revenge on the gods? Attack the humans?"
Gu Yuena was about to answer, but that's when she felt something strange. An anomaly. She tried to retract Yggdrasil's energy, but she couldn't.
It felt... balanced. As if she and the tree were two parts of a single whole. And that whole... was bound to something else. A distant will, a supreme authority.
Her joy faded, replaced by a cold confusion. She had willingly opened herself, allowing the tree's energy to merge with her soul. That was precisely why this "capture" was so perfect. She had welcomed it with open arms, mistaking shackles for a crown.
I... can't fully control it?
A hint of panic began to creep in. She tried to assert her sovereignty but found an invisible wall. The power was hers to use, but not hers to command.
She looked at Di Tian, who was still kneeling expectantly, and quickly put her mask of regal composure back on.
This tree is stronger than I anticipated, she rationalized internally. I just need time to adapt.
She did not consider the possibility that she, the Silver Dragon Goddess, had become someone else's property.
"Patience, Di Tian." Her voice was calm, hiding the storm within. "This power needs to be stabilized. For now, we will continue to observe. Our time will come."
Di Tian nodded obediently, unaware that his loyalty now also belonged to a new, unseen master.
---
One Year Later...
On the outskirts of Soutuo City, a new wooden plaque hung above the gate of a complex: Shrek Academy.
A year had passed. Beneath the surface, the seeds of change planted by Schicksal had begun to flourish. Thanks to the genius of Herta, Lizelle Einstein, and Frederika Tesla, Schicksal had transformed from a secret organization into a name that was starting to be known.
And today, one of their agents had a new mission.
In front of the Shrek Academy gate, the atmosphere was quite lively. A middle-aged teacher named Li Yusong stood at the registration desk, his powerful aura quelling complaints about the expensive registration fee.
It was amidst this crowd that a woman appeared. Her movements were calm and graceful. She had long black hair, and her sharp eyes radiated intelligence. She wore a light combat uniform with a wing insignia pinned to her collar. Her name was Lingsha, an alchemist recruited by Lian Yang.
She walked straight to the registration desk, ignoring the queue.
Li Yusong looked up, slightly annoyed at the interruption. "Miss, please get in line."
Lingsha stopped and bowed her head slightly as a sign of respect. "My apologies, Teacher Li. I am not here to register. I am looking for your Headmaster, Mr. Flender."
Li Yusong narrowed his eyes. "The Headmaster is busy. What is your business? And... that uniform..." He paused, recognizing the insignia from circulating rumors. "Schicksal?"
Wariness replaced the annoyance on his face.
"Are you really from Schicksal?" Li Yusong asked again, his tone more serious.
Lingsha gave a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Our organization is large, Teacher. Not all of us seek fame."
She produced a thin metal plaque with the Schicksal logo. "My name is Lingsha, an alchemist. I am here on behalf of our Young Master to extend an offer to Headmaster Flender."
She placed the identification card on the table, along with a small porcelain bottle.
"As a sign of good faith, this is a healing pill from our alchemy department. It might prove useful."
Lingsha looked directly at the teacher. "Please inform him that Schicksal is interested in investing in the future of Shrek Academy, under our command."
Her words were spoken calmly, but they carried a heavy weight. This was not a request. It was a declaration.
Schicksal had come to Shrek.