Luo Feng's POV
The grand joint-capital arena was a marvel of the continent: a colossal circular structure of white marble and gold inlays, capable of seating over a hundred thousand. Banners of the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires flanked the imperial viewing box, while Spirit Hall's sacred emblems dominated the highest tier.
Today marked the opening of the finals—round-robin among the top five teams, followed by single-elimination for the championship.
Shrek Academy's first match: against Thunderclap Academy, masters of lightning and explosive power.
Luo Feng sat in the team's designated area, close enough to the field to intervene if needed, far enough to avoid drawing undue attention. Flender fanned himself nervously beside him. Grandmaster's eyes never left the arena.
Below, the Shrek Seven Devils took their positions on the elevated platform—green uniforms freshly tailored (sponsorship money at work), faces calm but burning with focus.
Ning Rongrong stood at the center rear, pagoda already faintly glowing. She glanced up to the stands, finding him instantly. A small, confident smile—just for him—before she turned back to the match.
His heart steadied. Whatever Spirit Hall planned, it would have to go through him first.
In the Arena – Tang San's POV
Thunderclap Academy's team was led by Yu Tianxin, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon martial soul at rank 49—arrogant, powerful, crackling with electric fury.
The referee's flag dropped.
Thunder roared.
Lightning forked across the field in a web meant to paralyze movement.
Tang San's Purple Demon Eyes pierced the glare.
"Blue Silver Grass—deploy!"
Prisons erupted, grounding electricity through insulating vines. Ma Hongjun's phoenix flames vaporized residual charge. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing split to flank.
Ning Rongrong's voice rose clear and commanding.
"Strength ninety-five percent! Speed ninety-five percent! Defense eighty-five percent! Spirit recovery sixty-five percent!"
Dream Veil shimmered, neutralizing the oppressive thunder pressure.
Thunderclap faltered—accustomed to overwhelming foes with raw elemental force, not facing a team that adapted instantly.
Yu Tianxin roared, dragon arms manifesting in crackling fury, charging straight at Tang San.
Hidden weapons flew—Godly Zhuge Crossbow bolts meeting dragon claws in explosive bursts.
The battle was fierce, brutal, beautiful.
In twelve minutes, Thunderclap's formation shattered.
Shrek victorious.
The crowd—once divided—now chanted their name without reservation.
Spirit Hall Viewing Box – Bibi Dong's POV
Bibi Dong sat enthroned in crimson and gold, expression serene, eyes cold.
Beside her knelt Ju Douluo and Ghost Douluo, whispering reports.
"The girl's boosts have reached ninety-five percent," Ju Douluo murmured. "At rank 44 now—breakthrough during training. Unprecedented."
Ghost Douluo's shadowy form flickered. "The unknown man has not acted openly. But three assassination teams have vanished without trace."
Bibi Dong's fingers drummed once on her armrest.
"Ning Rongrong alive and growing threatens everything. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan already wavers in loyalty. A Nine Treasure empress at her side…"
She turned to Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan standing respectfully behind.
"You will face them in three days. Publicly, win cleanly. Privately…" Her voice dropped to silk over venom. "Ensure the girl suffers an unfortunate spirit backlash. Permanent, if possible."
Hu Liena bowed, golden eyes gleaming. "As you command, Teacher."
Shrek Quarters – That Night
Victory was celebrated quietly—Grandmaster forbade complacency.
After strategy review, the team dispersed.
Ning Rongrong found Luo Feng waiting outside her door.
Wordless, they slipped inside.
The door closed.
No urgency tonight—just slow, deliberate worship.
He undressed her like unwrapping something sacred, lips tracing every inch revealed. She arched beneath him, whispering his name like a prayer.
When they joined, it was languid—deep strokes, shared breaths, eyes locked in silent conversation.
After, she lay sprawled across him, fingers drawing patterns on his chest.
"I felt them watching today," she said quietly. "Spirit Hall. The woman in the high box—her gaze was… heavy."
Luo Feng's hand stilled in her hair.
"Bibi Dong," he confirmed. "She fears you. Your potential. What you could become."
Ning Rongrong lifted her head. "Then let her fear. I'm not stopping."
He smiled—proud, fierce.
"Nor would I let you."
She kissed him again, soft and lingering.
"Three days until we face their Golden Generation," she murmured. "Promise me—whatever happens in the match, you'll trust us to handle it."
He hesitated—the protective instinct warring with respect for her strength.
"I promise," he said finally. "I'll only step in if life is truly threatened. You fight your battle. I'll guard the shadows."
She nodded, satisfied.
Sleep came with her curled against his side, his arm a steel band around her waist.
Two Days Later – Semi-Finals
Shrek crushed Star Luo Empire's secondary team in a display of overwhelming coordination.
Spirit Hall Academy dispatched their opponent with chilling efficiency—Hu Liena's charm disrupting minds, Xie Yue's moon blades carving precision wounds, Yan's hellfire overwhelming defenses.
The championship match was set:
Shrek Academy versus Spirit Hall Academy.
The entire continent held its breath.
Eve of the Final – Shrek Common Room
The team gathered one last time before the decisive battle.
Grandmaster's voice was steady. "They will target Rongrong first. Protect her at all costs—but trust her to protect us in return."
Nods all around.
Tang San looked at each teammate. "We've come further than anyone believed. Tomorrow, we show the world what monsters really are."
Dai Mubai grinned. "And if Spirit Hall cheats…"
Luo Feng spoke for the first time, voice quiet but carrying cosmic weight.
"Then they learn the difference between power and true strength."
Ning Rongrong met his eyes, love and determination shining.
"We win fair," she said firmly. "On the stage. In front of everyone. Let them see what Shrek is."
The team raised fists in silent unity.
That Night – Rooftop
Luo Feng and Ning Rongrong escaped to their favorite spot one last time before the storm.
Stars wheeled overhead.
She sat between his legs, back to his chest, his arms wrapped around her.
"No matter what happens tomorrow," she said softly, "I'm glad it was you. That you stayed."
He rested his chin atop her head.
"And I have crossed infinite voids," he whispered, "fought gods and primordial beasts… yet nothing in all existence has been more worth it than this. Than you."
She turned in his arms, straddling him, kissing him with everything unspoken.
The night deepened around them—two souls bound across worlds, ready to face the dawn.
Tomorrow, the championship.
Tomorrow, Spirit Hall's ambition would clash with Shrek's unbreakable will.
And in the heart of it all, a love that had started as a slow burn now blazed like a star—unyielding, eternal.