Deep within the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest, a massive palace-like structure was taking form. Its foundations loomed proudly between towering ancient trees, the fresh stonework gleaming under scattered sunbeams.
Normally, judging by the pace of construction workers from the imperial clan, a project of this scale should have dragged on for three months at the very least. Yet here it was, almost complete in less than one.
The secret to this speed?
Er Ming.
With the Titan Giant Ape—a hundred-thousand-year soul beast unmatched in raw strength—helping out, countless hours of labor were saved in an instant.
"Little rhino, where should I put this one?"
Er Ming strolled forward with ease, a boulder larger than a house clasped casually in his hands. Every step sent a dull tremor through the ground, the soil quivering beneath his titanic weight.
"Set it at the main entrance, but watch yourself!" Niu Gao barked, though inside his chest he couldn't help but sigh in awe.
Too strong. This beast was simply too strong.
For humans, building something like this was backbreaking work. But for Er Ming... this "palace" was nothing more than stacking blocks for fun. For the Titan Giant Ape, it was akin to building a child's toy house.
Niu Gao prided himself on his incredible strength and defense. His entire life, his honor had been measured through endurance and raw power. Yet, standing in front of the Titan Giant Ape… he now felt so small. Utterly insignificant.
Still, during this time of constant contact, Niu Gao started learning from Er Ming. And surprisingly, he discovered the king of the forest wasn't the rampaging monster people whispered about. On the contrary, Er Ming was straightforward, sometimes even childishly silly.
Most importantly, from this great beast's movements, Niu Gao finally perceived the true principles of strength and defense. Each motion, each breath… it held a spirit of refinement beyond human teaching.
A soul beast inducing epiphanies in a human—such a thought would have once been laughable. But now, it was reality, and Niu Gao could barely contain his euphoria. He lay awake for nights, restless with excitement, convinced that with this new understanding, next time he crossed fists with old Titan's orangutan, he would smash the beast into the dirt.
"Lu Yuan, check this out!"
"This one's the sauce-flavored blend, this one's strong and bold, and this one carries a fresh aftertaste…"
Bai He animatedly introduced rows of wine jars laid out before them, proudly giving a tour of his extravagant purchases.
For the first time in his frugal life, he had indulged in extravagance. A rare taste of luxury—thanks to following Lu Yuan.
Having money… really was nice.
"Hmm, not bad."
Lu Yuan snatched up an altar, tilted it back, and poured the contents straight down his throat.
"Ahh! Good stuff!"
With an alcohol-soaked grin, he wiped his lips. It wasn't as refined as imperial tribute wine, but among civilian brews, this was as good as it got.
"Don't worry," Bai He assured, patting his chest. "I bought them in scattered batches, across breweries in the major cities of Douluo Continent. No one will suspect a thing!"
As a lifelong information broker, moving unseen and unnoticed was his specialty. And it showed here.
"Big sis Yuehua, here are the items you requested."
Bai Chenxiang handed a neat bundle of personal female supplies to Tang Yuehua.
"… Thank you."
Her stunning face was tinged with exhaustion these days—the shadows under her eyes more noticeable. And it was all Lu Yuan's fault.
The man was too much! On top of practically tormenting her each night until she was thoroughly spent… he had rejected the clan's first palace design, forcing her to redraw everything. As a former instructor in Yuexuan, even versed in palace architecture, she was dragged into supervising the entire remodel. The result before them now—the grand palace in the forest—was due largely to her sleepless work.
"Lu Yuan, here's the leftover gold card."
Resisting temptation, Bai He returned the gleaming card. Even though the number engraved meant millions of gold soul coins, his principles still held.
Without them, he would've long been seduced by riches. Contra or not, he had lived through poverty with pride intact.
"You keep it."
Lu Yuan didn't even bother raising his head, still preoccupied with savoring the aroma of another wine jar.
"…Keep it?" Bai He was dumbfounded, staring at the staggering sum of money. Over one million gold soul coins. For someone like him, practically a lifetime's fortune.
"You can't be serious…"
"I didn't say I won't ask for it back. When you have the money, pay it. Consider it a loan. Just for these fine wines alone… I won't even trouble you for interest."
Burping happily, Lu Yuan let the strong drink lull him into comfort. Unconsciously, he drifted off to sleep, still clutching the wine jar.
"...This guy…"
Bai He could only rub his temples. But despite his exasperated muttering, warmth filled his chest.
"Alright, alright. I'll pay you back for sure. Next time we meet, I'll have it all ready for you!"
Resolute, he gingerly pocketed the gold card, already formulating how to repay this kindness.
Meanwhile, far across the continent, Shrek Academy…
A heavy silence blanketed the meeting room. Sitting around the wooden table were Flender, Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and the few remaining core members who had stuck with them since their days in Soto City.
Since Yu Xiaogang's scandal broke out, chaos swept the academy. The hired teachers—unable to withstand the public criticism—had fled almost overnight.
The situation was dire.
"Everyone… let's discuss what's next."
Flender's voice cracked slightly, eyes bloodshot from days without rest. His dream of nurturing Shrek was collapsing faster than the walls around them.
It had been three days since student registration began.
And in those three days… not a single soul signed up.
"I manned the front gates for all three days," Li Yusong muttered blankly. "One person showed up."
"At last!" Zhao Wuji brightened, shooting up from his chair. "Where's the kid now?"
"He… was a beggar. I felt sorry for him and gave him a silver soul coin…" Li Yusong's lips twitched bitterly.
Dead silence.
Not only had they failed to recruit a single student, they actually lost money in the process.
"My situation was no better," Shao Xin sighed, his spirit sagging. "I went door-to-door in Tiandou City, handing out my jelly beans as gifts. At first, quite a few kids came over… until their families realized I belonged to Shrek Academy. Then every face turned dark, and they rushed me out."
The scandal tied to Yu Xiaogang had poisoned their name. Across Tiandou City, Shrek was a synonym for fraud, for destroying children's futures. What parent would entrust their child now, when alternatives like Shenfeng Academy, Blazing Academy, or Tianshui Academy stood strong and reputable?
"It's hopeless," someone muttered.
But Flender suddenly stood, fiery determination blazing in his eyes.
"There is still a way."
Everyone looked at him.
"The cities won't take us. But the countryside… the countryside is different! Children there may finish junior academies, but most can't afford intermediate ones. Their dreams are cut short simply because of poverty. We, Shrek, will be their hope! We'll recruit from the villages, where no one else cares to look. We'll give them an academy when all other doors are closed!"
The room fell quiet for a beat. Then, slowly, realization dawned.
The poor had nothing to lose—and everything to gain. For them, Shrek wasn't a disgrace, it was salvation.
"You truly mean to recruit for free?" Zhao Wuji asked, incredulous. "You, Flender, of all people… waiving tuition?"
"Just this once." Flender's jaw tightened. "Back in Soto, we barely scraped by. But from the tournament, we still have advertising fees and leftover funds. Enough to hold out, at least for a while. Shrek won't fall here. Not under me."
Just like that, a weight seemed to lift from everyone's shoulders. Plans were drawn swiftly, and soon, Flender himself was leading groups out to nearby villages, personally recruiting students.
"Come, Xiaogang, we're leaving too."
At the edge of the room, Yu Xiaogang sat slumped, eyes sunken, his entire face radiating despair. Slowly, he whispered:
"Flender… maybe I should just go. Shrek is in ruins… because of me. Better I leave, than drag you down further."
For him, life had become a cruel reminder. He felt it every day now—living was agony, and yet death was not an escape.
To live… was worse than to die.
Flender grabbed his shoulder tight, shaking him.
"Don't say such pathetic words! We'll seize this chance to turn everything around. Once we train a new batch of disciples, all the slander will fall silent. We'll prove them all wrong!"
"…Do you really think… I can still do this?" Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled.
"You can." Flender met his eyes firmly. "Of course you can."
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