Luo Feng's POV
Soto City's gates rose ahead under a late-afternoon sun, weathered stone walls baked golden by years of light. Merchants' carts rumbled past, soul masters in colorful academy uniforms mingled with common folk, and the air carried the mingled scents of street food, sweat, and spirit power.
To Luo Feng, it was all charmingly primitive—yet alive in a way his cosmic battlefields had rarely been.
He walked at the rear of the group, dark robes drawing occasional curious glances. The Shrek Seven Devils moved with the easy confidence of youths returning victorious: Oscar and Ning Rongrong sporting their new fourth rings, everyone carrying the subtle glow of survival and growth.
Ning Rongrong walked just ahead of him, pink hair catching the sunlight. Every so often she glanced back, as if confirming he was still there. Each time their eyes met, a small smile tugged at her lips before she faced forward again, cheeks faintly pink.
Luo Feng found himself cataloguing those smiles the way he once memorized star charts.
Tang San's POV
Grandmaster would have questions. Many questions.
Tang San had already decided on the story: Luo Feng was a reclusive expert they encountered in the Star Dou Forest, someone who chose to accompany them after witnessing their potential. Powerful, yes—but details of exactly how powerful would remain vague.
Flender would complain about another mouth to feed, then secretly salivate at the prospect of a new "monster" to train (and profit from).
As they approached the familiar battered gates of Shrek Academy—wooden sign creaking in the breeze, the painted green monster leering down—Tang San felt a mix of anticipation and protectiveness. This place had become home. Bringing someone of Luo Feng's caliber into it felt like introducing a dragon to a lion's den.
The gates stood open. Inside the small courtyard, familiar figures were already gathering.
Flender's POV
Flender adjusted his glasses, squinting at the approaching group. Eight figures instead of seven. The extra one was tall, broad-shouldered, moving with a stillness that screamed danger to anyone with experience.
Interesting.
Zhao Wuji emerged from the training grounds, massive arms crossed, grinning at the returning students.
"Little monsters! You're late—and you brought a stray?"
Dai Mubai laughed. "Teacher Zhao, meet Luo Feng. He… helped us in the forest."
Zhao Wuji's grin faltered as he sized Luo Feng up. Spirit power senses strained—and found nothing. No fluctuation, no pressure, just an endless void.
The Immortal King's instincts prickled. This man was either a complete novice… or far beyond anything he could comprehend.
Flender stepped forward, merchant's smile in place. "Welcome to Shrek Academy, where we only accept monsters. I am Flender, the dean. May I ask your spirit rank and martial soul?"
Luo Feng inclined his head politely. "Luo Feng. As for rank… I don't follow the standard system. But if it helps, I'm willing to undergo your enrollment tests."
Flender's eyes gleamed at the challenge—and the potential tuition fees.
"Very well! Standard procedure: defeat one of our teachers or survive twenty incense sticks against Zhao Wuji here."
Zhao Wuji cracked his knuckles eagerly. "I've been bored lately."
Ning Rongrong's POV
Ning Rongrong's stomach twisted as the "test" was proposed. She stepped forward without thinking.
"Dean Flender, that's not necessary. Senior Luo saved our lives multiple times in the forest. He subdued a 100,000-year Titan Giant Ape with one hand. He—"
Flender raised an eyebrow. "One hand?"
Zhao Wuji looked skeptical. "Little girl, exaggeration doesn't—"
Luo Feng placed a gentle hand on Ning Rongrong's shoulder, silencing her instantly. The touch was brief, reassuring.
"It's fine," he said quietly, only for her ears. "Let them see what they need to."
She bit her lip, worry flickering in her blue eyes, but stepped back.
Grandmaster emerged from his cottage at that moment, drawn by the commotion. Sharp eyes took in the scene, lingering longest on Luo Feng.
"Flender," he called, voice calm. "Perhaps we can modify the test. A simple demonstration of strength will suffice. No need for full combat."
Flender grumbled but acquiesced. Grandmaster's word carried weight.
The Demonstration
They moved to the central training field—packed dirt scarred by countless battles.
Zhao Wuji stood opposite Luo Feng, Vigorous Vajra Bear martial soul already possessed, seven rings rising: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
"Show me what you've got, stranger," he rumbled, activating Motionless Bright King Body. Defense at maximum.
Luo Feng nodded respectfully.
He didn't release any rings. Didn't summon a martial soul. Simply raised one hand, palm outward.
A ripple passed through the air—subtle, almost invisible.
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened. Suddenly, his massive body was lifted off the ground as though gravity had reversed just for him. He floated ten meters up, arms pinned gently but inescapably to his sides.
No spirit power collision. No visible technique. Just… space itself obeying the man below.
The entire academy fell silent.
Then Luo Feng lowered his hand. Zhao Wuji dropped—slowly, gently—until his feet touched ground again.
The Immortal King stared, mouth slightly open.
Grandmaster's eyes burned with academic hunger. "Spatial manipulation… without spirit rings? Fascinating."
Flender recovered first, clapping his hands. "Welcome to Shrek Academy, Teacher Luo Feng! Tuition free, of course—perhaps you'd consider assisting with lessons?"
Luo Feng smiled faintly. "I'm here to learn as much as teach. But I'll help where I can."
Later – Dormitory Assignment
The boys' dormitory was crowded enough already, so Flender—ever the opportunist—offered Luo Feng a small unused storage room attached to the main building. Simple cot, desk, window overlooking the fields.
Ning Rongrong lingered in the courtyard as the others dispersed for dinner and much-needed baths.
She found him at the threshold of his new quarters, surveying the sparse space with quiet amusement.
"It's not much," she said, stepping inside. "Compared to your house in the forest, anyway."
He turned, leaning against the doorframe. "Home is where the people are."
Her heart did that annoying flutter again.
"I'm glad you stayed," she admitted softly. "I was afraid you'd vanish back into the forest."
"I considered it," he said honestly. "But then I thought of a certain stubborn girl with a pagoda spirit who refuses to let anyone fight her battles for her… and decided I wanted to see what she does next."
She laughed—light, surprised. "Flattery won't get you extra food at dinner."
"It's not flattery if it's true."
Silence settled, warm and charged.
Outside, the dinner bell rang—Flender's dramatic gong.
Ning Rongrong hesitated, then stepped closer.
"Dinner's waiting," she said. "But after… maybe we could talk more? On the roof? It's quiet there."
His eyes softened. "I'd like that."
She smiled—brighter than before—and turned to leave.
At the doorway she paused, glancing back. "Welcome to Shrek, Luo Feng."
He watched her go, pink hair bouncing as she hurried toward the dining hall.
For the first time in longer than memory, Luo Feng felt the stirrings of anticipation—not for battle, not for cosmic secrets, but for simple evenings, shared conversations, and the slow unfolding of whatever this was becoming.
Grandmaster's Study – That Night
Grandmaster sat at his desk, candlelight flickering over stacks of research.
Tang San stood before him, recounting the forest events in careful detail.
When he finished, Grandmaster leaned back.
"This Luo Feng… he is no ordinary man. His control over space rivals legends of the Spirit Hall elders, yet he bears no rings. And he has taken an interest in our little Rongrong."
Tang San nodded. "He's protective of her. But respectful. I don't sense any malice."
Grandmaster's lips twitched in a rare almost-smile. "Good. Young hearts finding strength in each other can be powerful motivation. We will watch—carefully—but not interfere unless necessary."
He paused.
"And Xiao San… keep training. With someone like him nearby, the tournament just became far more interesting."