Fan Yue slowly opened his eyes. He didn't rush to rise, lying still for a few more moments, allowing his consciousness to fully return to his body. Only when his breathing stabilized did he sit on the bed, once again recalling his father's words.
The sensation of Spiritual Power flowing through his body brought an incomparable lightness. Deep in his chest, the Gene Vortex slowly rotated, calmly absorbing life force and Spiritual Energy, filling his body with a strength he had never felt before.
Fan Yue rose from the bed and, raising his hand, summoned his Battle Soul.
Without flash or sound—as if a shadow had touched the light—the Sword of the Three Sacred Lights appeared in his hands. Light and darkness intertwined along the blade, forming a spectacle reminiscent of a starry night.
As soon as his fingers closed around the hilt, his whole body felt as if it had plunged downward. The sword was not merely heavy—it pressed on him like an entire mountain collapsing onto his shoulders.
His knees trembled. His fingers went numb. His arms shook.
Only at the last moment, just before the sword could slip from his grasp, Fan Yue steadied himself and withdrew his Battle Spirit. The blade vanished, dissolving into the air as suddenly as it had appeared.
He sank onto the edge of the bed, breathing heavily, and murmured:
— Heavy… so heavy… It seems my body is still too weak.
The joy of realizing that he was now a Spiritual Master made him beam with happiness. Yet, even stronger than his joy was a profound gratitude that rose from the depths of his heart.
Fan Yue whispered softly:
— Good luck, Father…
Only then did he notice nine black iron chests lined up against the wall, with an envelope lying next to them. Taking the letter in his hands, he immediately recognized his father Fan Hobin's handwriting.
"Yue, if you are reading this letter, it means I am no longer in this world.
Forgive me. I truly didn't have the time to speak with you calmly and explain everything. So I ask you—read carefully. Every word is important.
You already know that the Blood Breathing Method concentrates immense amounts of life force in your blood. It nourishes and strengthens your lineage, fortifies your body, which in turn stimulates and increases your potential. Through this, you can awaken a lineage comparable to a Divine one. Your physical strength, defense, and endurance will be overwhelming.
You will be able to forge an absolute body.
But, my son, this method is deadly. It is unsuitable for ordinary beings, and in principle, no creature except its creator could cultivate it. The concentration of life force becomes so extreme that every drop of your blood is comparable in power to a divine weapon. Such pressure would literally tear the body apart from within. I could not allow you to go through this.
The method was created by a Dragon, and over time it would have granted you the purest dragon lineage. But from birth, your body and health were weak. That is why all these years, I secretly provided you with Treasures of Heaven and Earth. They worked deep inside—strengthening your organs, muscles, and vessels. You grew healthy because of them, even if it was almost invisible outwardly.
But, Yue, the limits of the human body still exist.
And you had long approached those limits.
Only when you became a Spiritual Master could you expand those limits.
I gathered incredibly valuable resources meant to transform your body, making it capable of enduring the Blood Breathing Method. But even that was not enough. So I took one last step. I used a forbidden technique and bestowed upon you the Phoenix lineage.
The most resilient creature in the world. Its body is not inferior to a dragon's, and sometimes surpasses it. Now, two powers—the Dragon and the Phoenix—are entwined within you. They will protect you. And if one day you can bring them into unity, even I cannot imagine the heights you will reach.
But a price had to be paid.
You have paid with years of your life.
You now have eight years remaining.
Do not fear these words, Yue.
I would not have told you the truth if I did not believe in you with all my heart.
You must become a God. Not just for power, but for life. For your future. So that you can calmly observe this world.
You can do it.
I believe in you."
The words of Fan Hobin ended there. The rest of the letter carefully detailed the order for consuming the Treasures of Heaven and Earth—each item, its effect, its risk, and the expected outcome.
Fan Yue read the letter again. And again. As if trying to grasp the warmth of his father's words, hidden between the lines.
— Father… I can't even imagine what you went through to give me the chance to become a Spiritual Master.
He slowly clenched his fists. Something firm and unyielding kindled in his chest. A pure, unwavering determination lit his eyes.
— I will become a God!
Fan Yue carefully examined the remaining text of the letter. Opening the nine chests one by one, his room was instantly filled with waves of energy, power, and the aroma of the rarest treasures. He gazed at each item with awe and anticipation, feeling his body respond merely to their presence.
First — Jade Narcissus of Flesh and Bones, 52,000 years old. Strengthens bones, muscles, and tendons, preparing the body for extraordinary strain.
Second — Royal Ginseng, 80,000 years old. Expands and makes blood vessels more elastic, also fortifying internal organs.
Third — Dragon Scale Fruit, 10,000 years old. Strengthens muscles and bones while relaxing vessels and enhancing endurance.
Fourth — Diamond Baboon Tendon Fruit, 35,000 years old. Grants the strength of Diamond Baboon tendons and increases their elasticity.
Fifth — Purple Immortal Ganoderma, 120,000 years old. Though only tenth among Immortal Herbs, its value is immense; it doubles cultivation speed for a full year and endows meridians and vessels with power comparable to a Titled Douluo (9).
Sixth — a mixture of Dragon Bone Marrow (20,000 years), Dragon Spirit Fruit Juice (42,000 years), and the Emperor Fruit. This combination purifies, concentrates, and strengthens his lineage, accelerating the awakening of bloodlines.
Finally — Golden Sun Lotus, 32,000 years old. Stabilizes and fortifies the foundation.
After preparing the treasures, Fan Yue locked himself in the training room.
— Classes are over, so no one will disturb me.
He glanced at the treasures and continued:
— Mastering all this will take about a week. The rest of the time I must dedicate to cultivation. At minimum, I aim to reach Soul Elder (3), and if fortune favors, break through to Soul Ancestor (4). Though I've already been admitted to Shrek, if my abilities don't meet standards, they will simply expel me.
He smiled slightly, speaking to himself:
— What was Shrek's motto again…
"We don't need geniuses, we only accept monsters!"
A month and a half later
Fan Yue sat by the viewport, gazing at the planet shining with incredible beauty. Blues and greens intertwined, three vast continents forming a harmonious scene, as if someone had painstakingly painted a masterpiece.
— Here it is—the Mother Planet. The central planet of the Federation, where the history of Douluo began, he thought, feeling awe and reverence.
In these six weeks, Fan Yue had changed noticeably. His skin was clearer and brighter; his youthful features had gained a hint of maturity. He had grown—now 145 centimeters tall—and though still slender, his body looked healthy and full of energy.
The spacecraft descended slowly. Through the viewport, Fan Yue watched the planet grow nearer. As it touched down, Douluo Continent spread before him; green expanses transitioned into modern cities perfectly blended with nature, as if the planet itself maintained harmony.
The life energy of the Mother Planet was overwhelming. It permeated everything—even steel structures seemed enveloped in greenery, merging with the natural world.
— Doors will open soon, — a mechanical voice announced.
— Be ready. Life energy here is dense. You must adapt gradually. Seat belts will automatically release in ten minutes.
When the doors opened, a powerful surge of life energy rushed into the cabin. Fan Yue's hair lifted slightly, and a soft green glow filled the air.
Inside him, the Gene Vortex spun faster. It was like a bottomless abyss, greedily absorbing life force, saturating his blood.
— Incredible… — he whispered, feeling life energy fill his body with every breath.
Ten minutes later, the seat belts released, and Fan Yue, accompanied by a Shrek Academy guide, left the spacecraft.
The city of Ming, where they arrived, was relatively low in life energy, allowing newcomers to adapt more easily before entering denser energy zones.
The guide summoned a soul vehicle, and they boarded. During the ride, Fan Yue continued to observe the scenery.
— Since you were admitted through a special quota, you don't need to take any exams, — the guide said, catching his attention.
— The Academy has a few mandatory subjects, but besides that, you can freely choose one or two faculties. For the most part, your life here will depend on yourself. You decide where to live, how to spend your free time, how to train, and how to earn Emblems.
The guide handed him one yellow and twenty white emblems. A faint envy flickered in Fan Yue's eyes.
— Lucky… I struggled to earn even one white emblem per month in my first year. And he, thanks to the special quota, immediately gets one yellow and twenty white. So enviable…
— This is the Academy's currency, called Emblems. They come in three types: white, yellow, and purple. The conversion is decimal. There is also a black emblem, obtainable only in the inner courtyard. You can use Emblems as you see fit. This is all the Academy provides you as a special student; the rest depends on you.
— There are some subtleties in exchanging Emblems. For example, you can freely exchange white and yellow Emblems, but you cannot exchange ten yellow Emblems for one purple. So I advise against lowering their value.
— Thank you for the advice, senior. — Fan Yue accepted the Emblems, carefully inspecting them. They resembled small shields, made of a shiny, unusual metal. Each bore a strange, crude figure, surrounded by a spiritual array created by Shrek Academy, ensuring no one could forge them.
The guide nodded and said:
— Remember, Shrek Academy invests more in you than you give back. Also, my advice: rent a dormitory—it's one of the best investments for your development.
Fan Yue thanked him again, realizing that his life in the Academy would now be fundamentally different from before.
The soul vehicle stopped near a plaza where about a hundred children, around twelve years old, were gathered. The guide led Fan Yue to the square and said.
— That concludes my work here. I hope to see you in the Inner Courtyard.
Fan Yue nodded.
— Thank you, and goodbye.
He looked at the group of children and noticed two familiar silhouettes. A wide smile spread across his face.
— It will be interesting to see their reaction. But for now, I shouldn't distract them, he thought.
His gaze lingered on Dong Qianqiu. Until recently, her figure had seemed untouchable, as if she existed in another universe. But now, as a Spiritual Master, he felt something had changed between them—an invisible barrier had thinned, and the distance had shortened. A quiet but firm hope stirred in his chest; he now had a chance to win her heart.
In the center of the plaza, near the statues, stood a woman in a sharp black suit. This was Yin Lohun, Dean of the Outer Courtyard at Shrek Academy. Her slender figure was accentuated by the suit, and a gentle, beautiful smile graced her face. A step behind her, several men and women stood in attendance.
Naturally, Fan Yue did not know who they were, but it was clear they were no ordinary figures in Shrek Academy.
A man with crimson hair, Xiao Qi, stepped forward and said:
— As you already know, Shrek Academy only accepts thirty students. The remaining seventy will leave Shrek. I will now announce the names of those admitted. Those whose names are not called may return to the hotel, pack their belongings, and prepare to depart. But before leaving, remember that the Emblems you earned during the exam can be exchanged at a special exchange point. Academy staff will accompany you.
Xiao Qi paused briefly, then continued:
— Now, I will call the names of those who passed the exams and were admitted to Shrek: Yuan'en Huihui, Lan Xuanyue, Lan Mengqin, Dong Qianqiu, Bing Tianlian, Qian Lei…
Fan Yue's name was called last.
— That's all. For those who were not admitted, do not be disheartened. Your journey does not end here. You are young, and your future is still ahead, — Xiao Qi added, attempting to encourage the children whose names were not called.
When Xiao Qi finished, some candidates could not hold back tears. At twelve years old, this was a shock—they had come so far, yet failed to gain admission. They felt hollow inside. The Academy bus slowly arrived to take them away.
After the bus carried off the unsuccessful candidates, thirty-four students remained in the plaza, admitted to Shrek Academy. Aside from Fan Yue, three other students had been admitted under special conditions.
Yin Lohun stepped forward and spoke:
— My name is Yin Lohun. I am the Dean of the Outer Courtyard at Shrek Academy. First, I want to welcome you on behalf of the Academy.
Hearing her words, the students straightened instinctively. A woman appearing no older than thirty serving as dean surprised them all.
Yin Lohun smiled faintly and continued:
— Many of you may think Shrek Academy will be as strict as the Federal Academy, and that study will be grueling. But in reality, Shrek is much simpler than you imagine.
— Here, there will be no teachers controlling your study and cultivation. While you are here, everything depends on your own desire. An annual test will be held every year.
Yin Lohun paused, then spoke in a serious tone:
— I will tell you in advance: if you fail this test, you will return to where you came from.
The children tensed visibly upon hearing that failing even one test could lead to expulsion.
Her tone softened, and she continued:
— But if you want to study, there will be people here to teach you. The Emblems you earned on the exam are Shrek Academy's currency. You can use them to buy cultivation resources, secret Tang sect techniques—the list is so extensive even I do not know all of it. Teachers here are also paid in Emblems. If you need to earn more, you can complete tasks assigned by the Academy.
— In short, Shrek is a wonderful place with endless opportunities. How vast these opportunities are, you will discover for yourselves. I hope to see you all again after the annual test.
— One more thing: do not hide your abilities. The brighter you shine, the more attention the Academy will give you. That is all.
Nodding to the first-years in farewell, she turned and left.
Xiao Qi stepped forward and added:
— You are the new class of the Outer Courtyard. Your class schedule and other important information can be found in the enrollment materials.
Forms were distributed to all students.
— A month of dormitory living costs one white Emblem. You may also choose to live in tents, which are free.
Students looked at the forms and saw information about the villas. Each villa was large enough for five people but intended for a single student. Remembering how hard they had worked to earn their Emblems, they realized the villas were not worth the cost.
— Teacher, can I invite friends to live in my villa? — asked one student.
— Certainly not. Only one student may live in a villa. The Academy has special rooms in the dormitory. One white Emblem per month is not much. In fact, the Academy invests far more than that.
Fan Yue immediately handed over five white Emblems. He decided to follow the advice of the guide and Xiao Qi.
Study at Shrek was free, at least the basic curriculum. Each student received a green school uniform.
Those who paid for dormitory housing were taken there immediately. Each student was assigned an individual guide and transport.
Although Fan Yue was eager to meet Dong Qianqiu and Lan Mengqin, he decided to settle his own matters first.
Shrek Academy was truly enormous. He traveled along a large lake and only reached the dormitory area twenty minutes later.
Before him stood massive three-story villas in a peculiar architectural style. Life force emanating from the Lake of the Sea God filled the air, making it incredibly refreshing. Beautiful trees and flowers grew nearby—everything looked like a fairy tale.
Fan Yue looked at his villa and thought:
— I can't believe one villa is meant for a single person.
He was assigned Villa No. 4. Bringing his Soul Communicator to the door, it opened. Shrek Academy acted quickly, and his communicator was already linked to the villa.
Inside greeted him a spacious hall. A comfortable sofa, a coffee table with a magazine, and cream-and-light-yellow decor created a sense of warmth. Stone and wood blended perfectly, pleasing the eye with harmony and simplicity.
On the coffee table lay a magazine listing the villa's rooms and functions.
The first floor housed the living room, bathroom, storage, and kitchen. The second floor had two bedrooms. Shrek allowed families to visit students once a year for a month, hence two bedrooms. The third floor was entirely for cultivation.
Additionally, there was a basement level, serving as a training room. It included a high-security, soundproof gym with various training devices and a gravity chamber.
Each floor covered about a hundred square meters, and although his home was larger, Fan Yue still felt impressed.
He inspected each floor: beds were soft, linens new and neatly arranged. Special attention was drawn to the simulation chamber—a portal into the Virtual World. There, one could fully replicate a Spiritual Master's power, refine skills, and spar for practice. Ordinary people could not use such privileges due to the absence of Spiritual Power.
The third floor impressed Fan Yue the most. Ascending, he noticed a massive metal door guarding what seemed like a treasure.
As soon as he crossed the threshold, a slight tingling ran through his body, as if the energy of the room itself welcomed him.
The meditation room was circular, about a hundred square meters. The ceiling arched upwards, made of transparent glass, allowing soft daylight to enter. On the floor lay a spiritual array for absorbing and storing energy.
Fan Yue sensed that the heavenly and earthly energy here was at least three times stronger than outside, and the life force flow was twice as intense.
He stepped forward, took a deep breath, then paused. Instead of immediately beginning cultivation, he decided first to organize his belongings and the space.