A mile later, they emerged into a broader clearing where the trees thinned and sunlight pooled like liquid gold. There, walking beneath a single ancient oak, stood eight figures in the variety of color clothing reminiscing of color super hero. Upon closer look, the face and the attire of the people gave a some semblance of familiarity to Li Wei.
Li Wei froze, heartbeat quickening. Student of Shrek Academy and Zhao Wuji… Of all places to encounter his classmates, never had he expected so abrupt a reunion in the peripheral of Star Dou Forest.
'Why did they come here?' He tried to search his own memories, then he remember it. Oscar.
He forgot about it completely after that fight. He thought that he might able to change the timeline, but look like the margin of error was not that big.
Tang San was the first to step forward—his calm, pale face framed by the morning glow. Behind him came Xiao Wu, nimble and bright-eyed; Ning Rongrong, showing a graceful and her noble upbringing ; Zhu Zhuqing, composed but watchful; Dai Mubai, puffing a proud chest; Ma Hongjun, ever mischievous; and Oscar, looking like an old uncle.
Li Wei rose, smoothing his robes. "Hey guys, what are you doing here?" he called softly, voice warm.
"Oh, oh. Li Wei! Hahahah, you will never believe this but look at this form of mine." Oscar then release his spirit power as he want to show off infront of Li Wei.
"Look like you have reach rank 30. So you guys must have come here to get the spirit ring for you, Oscar." Pretending to be shock as though he had just found out felt awkward.
Xiao Wu bounded forward, ears twitching. "Wei! You're here! And… who are they that accompanying you?" She glanced at Meng Yiran, then back at Li Wei, excitement and confusion dancing in her eyes.
Li Wei stepped aside, his respectful bow deep. "Allow me to introduce you, Senior. This is my fellow students from Shrek Academy." He swept a hand toward the group. "Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar. The big one is one of our teacher Zhao Wuji."
"Senior." Zhao Wuji then walk to the front of the group and Meng Shu nod toward him.
Meng Shu straightened, amber eyes assessing. He inclined his head in return. "I am Meng Shu. This is my wife, Chao Tianxiang and my granddaughter, Meng Yiran" His formal tone was polite but carried an undercurrent of authority. Beside him, Chao Tianxiang offered a gentle nod. "It is a pleasure." While Meng Yiran just give a nod and cross her arm and moving closer to Li Wei.
Ning Rongrong curtsied demurely. "The pleasure is ours," she said, voice soft like lavender. Her violet gaze roved over Meng Yiran and her demeanor while scrutinized the distance she stood to Li Wei.
Ma Hongjun smirked. "Getting a long with a beauty, eh, even together with the family. One might wonder if this is a secret interview." He elbowed Oscar, who only shrugged before giving an envious gaze.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing at first—her eyes narrowed fractionally as she studied Meng Yiran and Li Wei. The ease between them felt like a chord struck in her heart, resonating with a note of… something unfamiliar. Jealousy? She frowned inwardly, daring not to show it.
While Dai Mubai look toward Meng Yiran appreciating beauty and Tang San subtle glance.
---
A hush fell as introductions concluded. The forest air felt charged, as though unseen spirits watched the convergence of two worlds. Meng Shu cleared his throat. "All of you gonna hunt for the spirit rings, yes? We have already claimed the spirit ring for ours so right now we are on our way back. You are welcome to pass through, just be careful in there." As they are a school mate of Li Wei, he at least need to put a few good words.
Zhou Wuji nodded. "We appreciate the warning, Senior. One of our own student already reach Spirit Rank 30." He mention while holding out his hand toward Oscar. "This is the student that we will hunt the spirit ring for, Oscar. We are trying at least to get a good spirit ring for him as he is one of genius of the rare food martial spirit."
Meng Shu's eyes flicked to Meng Yiran, remembering the hard road that they take to get the spirit ring. "A food soul master. You wi have a hard path in front of you youngsters. The path of food system martial spirit can be said to be hard. Not many able to advance as far. Good luck." Hearing that it's the food martial spirit, he can only give condolence. To advance as food type martial master will be hard. But it can be said that this one is already a genius able to reach rank 30 even though younger than Yiran.
Chao Tianxiang added, "Spirit beasts roam in packs here. Trust each other, and move as one." Her calm gaze settled on each Shrek student in turn, measuring their resolve.
Oscar swallowed, fingers brushing his googles. "We will. Thank you, Senior."
Meng Yiran stepped forward, regal even in casual garb. "Safe travels for all of you. May you find a perfect rings for your martial spirit—and returning unharmed." She offered each student a small bow. Li Wei felt her eyes linger on his longer then the others—a silent farewell colored by unspoken words.
Xiao Wu beamed. "Thanks! And, Meng Yiran… if you ever want to cross-train, you can come to our Shrek Academy!"
Meng Yiran laughed softly, a melody in the morning air. "I may take you up on that offer someday."
---
The railway of introductions complete, the two parties now prepared to part ways. Meng Shu placed a firm hand on Li Wei's shoulder. "Li Wei, your path now leads with your companions. Thank you for accompanying my granddaughter for her spirit ring. Without you here, Yiran might not be able to gain as much. Go." His amber gaze bore pride and kinship. Not mentioning anything about the knowledge that he gains and the thing Yiran gains.
Human are a fickle being, having something more than the other might invite jealousy of others except you have the strength to back it up.
Li Wei inclined his head deeply. "Thank you, Senior Meng. Thank you, Senior Chao." He then turned to the Shrek group. "I will follow you guys. This is Oscar moment, I will need to be there to celebrate when he got the third spirit ring."
Oscar offered a gracious nod. "We are glad you do."
Xiao Wu skipped forward to loop arms with him. "It's good having you back, Wei."
Zhu Zhuqing stepped closer, face composed. "Just stay vigilant." Though her voice was calm, Li Wei sensed the weight behind her words—and the flicker of something else in her eyes.
Ning Rongrong squeezed his other arm. "Let's go, Wei!" Her enthusiasm was infectious.
Dai Mubai clapped Li Wei's shoulder. "Let's enter the forest again but by this time it is by using Shrek style!"
Ma Hongjun grinned. "You owe me celebration party."
Oscar winked. "Come on now!"
When Tang San look at Xiao Wu holding the hand of Li Wei suddenly he felt uneasy, he felt a pang in the heart. But he just buried it deep as he do not understand it's.
Li Wei laughed softly. Home. The word settled in his heart like a warm fire.
---
Meng Yiran watched as Li Wei was drag over by the others student. But it just a moment before Li Wei move to over to them for an instant, their hands brushed—fleeting contact that sent a warmth through her fingers. She swallowed, turning back toward the forest's depths in the direction that Shrek academy left. Beside her, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang exchanged approving glances.
"Your friend is… admirable," Meng Shu said quietly. "A good character, even respecting an elder."
Chao Tianxiang nodded. "He chose his path wisely."
Above them, the canopy stirred in a gentle breeze, as though the forest itself whispered blessings.
---
Tang San's group pressed forward, Li Wei thought, the path ahead uncertain but shared. He glanced at his classmates: the determined set of Tang San's shoulders, Xiao Wu's bright nod, Zhu Zhuqing's watchful gaze. Each carried their own hopes and fears.
His mind drifted back to last night—moonlight entwined with spirit power, the fierce dance of the Riders. And before that, the fragile bond with Meng Yiran, born amidst danger. Now, two journeys branched beneath the same trees.
We walk different roads, yet once they diverged under these boughs, he mused. Our stories are intertwined by fate.
Ahead, the forest darkened as they approached the ridge capped in tangled roots. Oscar's having a glinted in his eyes. Dai Mubai flexed. Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Ma Hongjun chattered about women with Dai Mubai and the latter frown when he caught Zhu Zhuqing glance before saying "Fatty, shut up." While Zhao Wuji follow from behind.
Li Wei smiled, stepping into the dappled shade. "Let's go," he said softly—more to himself than to anyone else.
And so the nine of Shrek Academy moved as one, their laughter and footsteps fading into the forest's quiet hymn. Behind them, Meng Yiran watched until dawn's first birdcall drew his silhouette beyond sight.
No bond, however distant, can be broken so easily, Li Wei thought as the path swallowed them. Our ties remain, guiding us forward—even when our roads diverge.
With that promise in his heart, he walked on—toward spirit rings, friendship, and the destiny that awaited.