Luo Feng's POV
The qualifiers were nearly over. Shrek had swept through every opponent with ruthless efficiency, earning a reputation that now preceded them: the green-clad monsters who fought like a single organism.
Luo Feng sat in the spectator stands beside Flender and Grandmaster, outwardly relaxed, inwardly vigilant. His divine sense swept the arena in constant, subtle waves—mapping every soul master above rank 60, every concealed weapon, every whisper of killing intent.
Spirit Hall's presence had grown thicker with each victory.
Today they faced Elephant Academy—a defense-heavy team whose captain, Hu Yan Li, wielded the Mammoth martial soul at rank 49. Physically immense, armored hides nearly impenetrable.
Perfect for testing Dai Mubai's raw power and the team's coordinated penetration.
The match began with the usual thunderous roar from the crowd.
In the Arena – Multi-POV
Dai Mubai's POV
The Elephant team charged like living siege engines, earth trembling under armored feet. Hu Yan Li led, mammoth possession complete—towering, tusks gleaming, hide like diamond plate.
Dai Mubai met him head-on, White Tiger possession roaring to life.
"White Tiger Meteor Shower!"
Fists collided with trunk in a shockwave that cracked the arena floor. Pain lanced up Dai Mubai's arms, but Ning Rongrong's voice rang clear behind him.
"Strength ninety percent! Defense eighty percent!"
The pain dulled. Power surged.
He grinned ferally and pressed the attack.
Zhu Zhuqing's POV
She ghosted along the flanks, Hell Civet agility amplified to blinding speed. Elephant Academy's secondary defenders tried to box her in—thick barriers of armored bodies.
Useless.
"Ning Rongrong—speed one hundred percent!"
The world slowed. She became shadow, slipping between gaps, claws raking pressure points that even mammoth hide couldn't fully protect.
One defender dropped, stunned.
Ning Rongrong's POV
Her pagoda blazed, four treasures spinning faster than ever. Sweat beaded on her forehead, but Dream Veil held steady—spirit power flowing back into her team as fast as they spent it.
She felt Luo Feng's gaze on her—steady, proud, protective. It grounded her more than any recovery sausage.
"Everyone—focus the captain! Control chain in three… two… one!"
Tang San's Blue Silver Grass erupted from prepared seeds beneath the sand, binding legs. Xiao Wu vaulted over Dai Mubai's shoulder, Soft Bone Charm locking Hu Yan Li's movements. Ma Hongjun's phoenix flame bathed the mammoth hide, forcing defensive spirit power inward.
Oscar's attack boost sausages hit like artillery support.
Hu Yan Li roared defiance—but the combined assault cracked even his legendary defense.
Ten minutes later, the referee called the match.
Shrek victorious again.
Spectator Box – Spirit Hall Section
Hu Liena watched the green team bow to the roaring crowd, golden eyes narrowed.
"The auxiliary girl's percentages are climbing," she murmured to Xie Yue. "Ninety percent strength boost at rank 43. That shouldn't be possible."
Xie Yue's moon blades spun slowly at his wrists. "And the team's coordination—no wasted movement. They're being trained by someone extraordinary."
Yan cracked his knuckles. "We'll crush them in the finals."
Hu Liena's smile was sharp. "If they make it that far."
She turned to a shadowed figure behind them—a Spirit Hall elder in plain robes.
"Deliver the report to Teacher personally. Tell her Shrek Academy has an unknown variable of extreme concern. And that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile girl… may need to be removed from the board before she becomes untouchable."
The elder bowed and vanished into the crowd.
Evening – Competitors' Village
Victory celebrations were subdued—Grandmaster insisted on recovery and analysis.
In the common room, the team reviewed recordings (crystal projections provided by the tournament). Weak points dissected, strategies refined.
Eventually, exhaustion won. One by one, they retired.
Ning Rongrong lingered, catching Luo Feng's eye.
They slipped away to his room this time—larger, quieter, a corner suite Flender had "graciously" upgraded him to after sponsorship money started flowing.
The door closed.
No words at first—just the urgent need to reaffirm life after battle.
Clothes shed faster than before, hands surer now they knew each other's bodies. She pushed him onto the bed, straddling with confident grace, pink hair cascading like silk.
He let her set the pace—watching with dark, reverent eyes as she moved above him, pagoda tattoo on her chest glowing faintly with residual spirit power.
Afterward, sweat-slick and sated, she collapsed against his chest.
"I felt you watching the whole match," she whispered, tracing idle circles on his skin.
"Always," he admitted. "I couldn't look away."
She propped her chin on his sternum, expression turning serious.
"I sensed someone watching too. Not like the crowd. Colder."
Luo Feng's arms tightened around her. "Spirit Hall. Their Golden Generation was in the upper box. They're taking notes."
Fear flickered in her eyes, quickly buried under determination.
"Let them. We'll be ready."
He kissed her forehead. "You will. And if they try anything outside the rules…"
His voice dropped to something ancient and terrifying.
"…they'll learn why stars fall."
She shivered—not from fear, but from the absolute certainty in his tone.
Snuggling closer, she murmured, "My cosmic guardian."
He chuckled softly. "Your anything."
Sleep claimed them entwined, heartbeat to heartbeat.
Late Night – Spirit Hall Temporary Residence
Hu Liena knelt before a crystal communicator, Bibi Dong's majestic projection hovering above.
The Supreme Pontiff listened to the report in silence, crimson eyes unreadable.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda reaching ninety percent boosts at rank 43," she repeated softly. "And an unknown expert who bends space without rings."
Hu Liena bowed lower. "Yes, Your Holiness. The girl is the linchpin. Remove her, and Shrek collapses."
Bibi Dong's lips curved in cold calculation.
"Ning Fengzhi will protest if we act openly. But accidents happen in tournaments. Poison. Assassination disguised as spirit backlash. Or…" Her gaze sharpened. "We offer her a better future. Turn her before we break her."
Hu Liena hesitated. "She seems… deeply loyal to her team. And to the unknown man."
Bibi Dong's fingers tapped her throne arm.
"Then we start with him. Find his weakness. Everyone has one."
The projection faded.
Hu Liena rose, exchanging glances with Xie Yue and Yan.
The game had escalated.
Shrek's rise threatened Spirit Hall's dominion.
And in the quiet dark of the competitors' village, two lovers slept—unaware that the continent's most dangerous power had just placed them at the center of its sights.
But dawn would come.
Training would continue.
And when the finals arrived, Shrek would not stand alone.
A man who had devoured stars stood with them.