The Star Dou Forest breathed.
That was the first thing Lin Chen noticed when he crossed the outer boundary—no marked line, no warning formation, just a subtle shift, like stepping into the lungs of a living world.
The air grew heavier.
Not oppressive—evaluative.
Behind him, the academy lights dimmed into the distance. Ahead, ancient trees towered like silent judges, their roots coiling through the earth as if they were veins rather than wood.
Lin Chen walked alone.
He had refused company.
Not out of arrogance—but necessity.
"This isn't a hunt," he murmured. "It's a conversation."
The system interface hovered faintly.
[Entered High-Risk Zone: Star Dou Forest][Spirit Beast Awareness: Increasing][Recommendation: Maintain Suppression Level 92%]
Lin Chen adjusted his aura.
Instantly, the pressure he carried folded inward, abyssal depth sealed behind layers of restraint. To most beasts, he would feel like an anomaly—present, but unreadable.
Still, eyes watched.
From the shadows, a thousand-year Shadow Leopard crouched atop a branch, muscles tense. Its instincts screamed danger—but not hunger, not fear.
Confusion.
Farther in, the ground trembled as something massive shifted beneath the soil, then settled again, choosing not to rise.
Lin Chen continued forward.
Each step was deliberate.
He stopped beside an ancient stone half-buried in moss—the true boundary. Beyond it lay the inner forest, where rules changed and survival was no longer guaranteed by strength alone.
Lin Chen placed a hand on the stone.
Cold.
Old.
Imbued with countless wills that had passed… and failed.
"This far is enough," he said calmly.
The forest answered.
Not with sound—
But presence.
The temperature dropped. The wind died. Leaves froze mid-fall.
Then, from all directions, pressure converged—not crushing, but immense, like mountains leaning in to listen.
A voice echoed, layered and ancient.
"You are not prey."
Another followed, slower, deeper.
"Nor hunter."
Silence stretched.
Lin Chen straightened, eyes steady.
"I didn't come to claim," he said. "Nor to provoke."
The presence shifted.
"You altered a bloodline," the forest said."The Rabbit remembers.""The Shadow sharpens."
Lin Chen nodded once. "I reinforced what already existed. I did not awaken what should remain sealed."
A pause.
Long enough for centuries to pass.
Then—
"You walk beside fate," the voice said."But you are not written in it."
For the first time since entering the forest, Lin Chen smiled slightly.
"Neither are you," he replied.
The pressure surged—then stilled.
Golden light flickered deep within the woods, unseen but unmistakable. An ancient existence had turned its gaze fully upon him.
"Name yourself," the forest demanded.
"Lin Chen."
"Purpose?"
"To keep the balance from breaking too early."
The forest considered.
Finally—
"Then walk carefully, Variable.""The next step will not be forgiven."
The pressure receded.
The wind returned.
Leaves fell.
The forest exhaled.
Lin Chen stepped back from the stone.
That was enough for tonight.
As he turned toward Shrek Academy, far away, Xiao Wu stirred in her sleep—hand pressed lightly to her chest.
Something ancient had noticed her.
But something older had decided to wait.
And high above the forest canopy, unseen by all—
Fate hesitated.