It felt like nothing had changed yet at the same time, as if his entire body had evolved.
His meridians seemed wide open and flowing.
Dugu Feng was dazed.
This sensation was too wonderful.
So wonderful he didn't even want to wake.
Guarded by the twin Jade Serpent Dragons, he both absorbed the spirit bone and rested.
Wrapped in warmth, his spirit lost all sense of time.
——
That same morning, outside the gates of Shrek Academy.
Ning Rongrong, dressed in a sky-blue gown, stood there watching Li Yusong test prospective students.
One by one, the teenagers were rejected.
She strolled over, hands behind her back, and said with a pout, "Teacher, at this rate, we won't recruit even a single student today. When will I ever get a junior sister? Stuck with those guys every day, I'm bored to death!"
It had been almost a year since she joined Shrek. Counting her, the academy had only four students.
The Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai, the Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun, and that disgusting sausage-seller Oscar.
Now, finally, it was enrollment season.
Rongrong had high hopes of finding new juniors. But after so long, not one had passed.
"Rongrong, the academy only accepts monsters. No ordinary students allowed. If they're just ordinary, how can they train alongside you?"
Li Yusong knew how to deal with her, speaking gently.
Ning Rongrong had worked hard since coming. Her talent was remarkable!
Although she had a temper, and knew how to use tricks, but no one here dared belittle her.
Only Flender, armed with a letter from Ning Fengzhi, weilding a sword of authority could impose rules on her.
But after her time at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, after her time with Dugu Feng, Ning Rongrong's pride had faded.
His strength crushed her in every way.
His example still lingered in her mind every day, and here at Shrek she was more humble, more diligent.
Her spirit power had already reached level 28, not far from 30.
Yet every time she compared her peers to Dugu Feng, she found them lacking.
Dai Mubai was three years older, yet only level 38. Not bad—a genius, even.
But compared to Dugu Feng? The pressure wasn't even close. In a real fight, Dugu Feng could thrash him several times over.
And Dai Mubai went carousing with Ma Hongjun every night. Neither could compare to Dugu Feng's relentless drive.
As for Oscar...he was just an auxiliary spirit master. No matter how talented, he was useless to her! The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was already the strongest support sect.
"Ahh… even here, no one is as monstrous as Dugu Feng. Is there really no one in the world more of a monster than him?"
She sighed helplessly.
At that moment, a big girl in black leather walked over.
Big not in height—but in figure!
Rongrong glanced down at herself and sighed.
"How can she be so… big? She looks younger than me…"
The girl's curves were striking, her face cold, black eyes lifeless. The contrast in her aura drew all gazes immediately.
Rongrong felt instinctively that this girl had talent.
Sure enough, her spirit power was already at level 30.
"Broke through yesterday," Zhu Zhuqing said indifferently. "Haven't had time to get my third ring yet."
So young, already Soul Elder. Two levels above Rongrong.
Naturally, she passed Li Yusong's test easily.
Rongrong lit up. Finally, a true monster!
And fortune seemed to follow.
Soon, a blue-clad youth and a petite, lively girl passed as well.
Rongrong clapped her hands in delight.
"Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, Xiao Wu, right? I'll show you around the academy!"
When Zhu Zhuqing revealed her martial soul, Rongrong recognized it instantly. It was the Netherworld Civet. So a direct scion of the Zhu clan of Star Luo?
If Shrek had Dai Mubai, why not Zhu Zhuqing as well?
Clearly, Flender's connections ran wide. Not only with her father, but even with the Star Luo Empire. She never thought Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing found this place themselves—it had to be arranged.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, though, puzzled her.
One had Blue Silver Grass.
The other, a Soft Bone Rabbit.
Ordinary spirits, yet both already level 29—one higher than her.
That surprised her.
"In Shrek, there are four of us now. Add you three, and we're seven. At last, I won't be lonely anymore.
You all look normal enough. The other three here? You'll see soon—they're… special."
She chattered away, introducing the academy.
Zhu Zhuqing already knew plenty, her clan had arranged this.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were the curious ones, asking nonstop questions.
Soon, they arrived before Zhao Wuji for the final test.
New students were rare.
Playful by nature, Zhao Wuji was eager.
He decided to fight Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing himself, to see if they truly qualified as "monsters."
But none of them knew—
On a rooftop in the village, a ragged man watched.
He looked about fifty, massive and broad, but his robes were tattered, full of holes.
He squinted as though half-asleep.
Yet when Zhao Wuji stepped forward, his eyes flared like a hunting beast.
This was Tang Hao.
Watching over his son and Xiao Wu.
Since Tang San had awakened twin spirits, Tang Hao had seen the hope of vengeance.
Most of his time was spent observing from the shadows.
And Tang San had not disappointed. In just a few years, he was nearly Soul Elder.
His son was his pride.
And Xiao Wu, it meant a reserved hundred-thousand-year ring and bone.
Add the one left behind by A Yin…
Tang San would hold at least two hundred-thousand-year bones.
With him, the Clear Sky Sect would rise again.
That was Tang Hao's belief.
His gaze locked on Zhao Wuji.
"Immovable King… if you dare hurt my son, I'll make you regret ever being born."
In his eyes, protecting his child was sacred law.
Zhao Wuji had no idea that he was already walking the edge of death.