The morning air at Shrek Academy was sharp and cool, the sky brushed with early hues of orange and lavender. Dew clung to the grass, and the faint calls of birds stirred the quiet campus. It was the kind of morning that whispered of change, of momentum.
Li Wei stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed as he surveyed the group. Today marked their return to the Sunset Forest, but this time not for herbs or training, but for spirit rings. Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Meng Yiran had all reached Rank 40.
Their goal was clear.
"You're all set?" Flender's voice rang out, carrying authority as he stepped forward in his owl-embroidered robe.
Zhao Wuji followed behind him, arms folded with a toothy grin. "This group again, huh? Let's hope the forest hasn't grown any nastier."
But it was the third figure that turned heads.
A woman in a black robe with a dragon pattern, long black hair cascade toward the back freely, walked beside them. Her aura was sharp, fiery, and fierce.
"Liu Erlong," Flender introduced, gesturing to her. "Your other escort. She's not exactly... gentle, but you'll be safer with her around."
The Dragon Duchess herself gave a quick once-over of the students. Her gaze paused briefly on Li Wei. "So this is the one you mentioned? The so-called 'tactician'? Looks too calm for someone responsible for three girls' breakthroughs."
Li Wei merely nodded. "Pleasure to meet you, Vice-dean Erlong."
She raised an eyebrow. "Polite. Hmph. We'll see if you stay that way when the beasts show up."
The students chuckled nervously, though Li Wei remained unmoved. Xiao Wu stood beside him, unusually quiet. Ning Rongrong glanced his way now and then but quickly looked away, her cheeks still a soft pink. Zhu Zhuqing stood stoic, her usual calm doubled today.
Meng Yiran leaned her staff on her shoulder. "So when are we leaving, or are we going to stand here making introductions all day?"
Zhao Wuji let out a laugh. "Right now, of course. Everyone ready? Good. Move out."
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The road to Sunset Forest was familiar now. Winding trails, rustling leaves, the occasional spirit beast howl in the far distance. They moved in formation: teachers surrounding the students, Li Wei naturally falling into a middle position, where he could assess all directions.
Xiao Wu walked beside him, arms crossed behind her back.
"You've been quiet," he said.
She shrugged. "Nothing to say."
He glanced at her. "That's rare."
"Maybe I'm tired of saying things you don't hear."
He blinked, but she smiled right after, light and teasing. But something in her eyes remained unreadable.
Zhu Zhuqing marched ahead, focused and distant. Behind them, Ning Rongrong was whispering something to Meng Yiran, who let out a soft chuckle.
"He's really collected a fanclub, hasn't he?" Meng Yiran joked just loud enough for Li Wei to hear.
Rongrong let out a small squeak of protest. "Yiran!"
"I didn't say it was a bad thing. Just do not play a dangerous game."
They reached the forest before sunset.
The towering trees welcomed them with their usual ominous quiet, casting deep shadows even in daylight. The air thickened, and even the bravest of them subconsciously tightened their grip on their weapons.
Flender motioned to a clearing. "We camp here. The girls need rest. Tomorrow, we hunt."
Zhao Wuji make sure the perimeter was secure while Liu Erlong help the the girl setting up the camp.
Li Wei moved to help, but she waved him off.
"You focus on your girls," she said bluntly. "They'll be relying on your brain tomorrow."
So Li Wei move to find firewood and to set up the campfire. Flender sitting there looking over the surrounding making sure everything is in order.
That night, the campfire crackled gently under the stars. Everyone sat close, warmth a small comfort against the growing chill.
Zhao Wuji stretched his arms. "Alright, let's strategize. Zhuqing, what kind of beast are you looking for?"
Zhu Zhuqing leaned forward, voice calm. "Agility. Something with claws or sharp enhancements."
"A ghost-type or shadow panther, maybe," Liu Erlong offered.
"I'll keep an eye out for movement signatures of that kind," Li Wei said.
Rongrong looked down at her lap. "I need something that amplifies spiritual energy or enhances my defense. Something passive but powerful."
"There are wind-type foxes with chant-enhancing abilities," Li Wei mused. "But rare. We may settle for a crystal tortoise or a sky resonance bird."
Meng Yiran grinned. "I want poison. Something nasty. Maybe a nine-scaled cobra or venom wasp queen."
Liu Erlong nodded approvingly. "You're direct. I like that."
As the conversation continued, Ning Rongrong glanced at Li Wei several times, hesitant. She inched closer to speak but was cut off when Zhu Zhuqing stood.
"I'll take first watch."
"I'll join," Li Wei said.
They walked to the perimeter in silence. Once there, Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke.
"Do you like her?"
Li Wei blinked. "Rongrong?"
She didn't answer, only looked at the trees.
He exhaled. "I'm not sure. She's kind, brave... but I don't know yet."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Figure it out before someone gets hurt."
She returned to the camp without another word, leaving Li Wei staring into the darkness.
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The forest was still.
Until he felt it.
A ripple.
Not of wind.
But pressure.
He closed his eyes, extended his senses. There—movement. Massive. Powerful.
He spun on his heel and sprinted back to camp.
"Flender! Zhao Wuji! We've got company! Big spirit beast, thirty degrees east!"
Within seconds, the teachers were alert.
Zhao Wuji grinned. "Finally. Something to smash."
Liu Erlong cracked her knuckles. "Let's see what kind of beast fate brought us."
Li Wei voice turned low. "Let's hope it's one of the ones we need."
As the group followed him into the darkness of the trees, weapons drawn and spirits flaring, the forest around them stirred—a new hunt had begun.