Xiao Wu dreamed.
At first, it was warm.
She stood barefoot on soft grass, the sky impossibly blue, the air rich with spirit energy so pure it felt alive. Tall trees surrounded her—not the chaotic wilderness of the Star Dou Forest, but something older. Kinder.
A home.
She looked down.
Her hands were small. Too small.
I'm… young?
Laughter echoed.
Clear. Bright.
She turned—
And froze.
A woman stood beneath a massive ancient tree, dressed in flowing white and gold. Her presence was gentle, yet overwhelming, like the earth itself breathing.
Her eyes were red.
Just like Xiao Wu's.
"Wu'er," the woman said softly.
Xiao Wu's chest tightened.
"…Mother?" she whispered.
The word came out without thought.
The woman smiled, sadness hidden beneath endless affection. She knelt, opening her arms.
Xiao Wu ran into them.
The embrace was warm. Safe. Real.
I remember this, Xiao Wu thought hazily.Why did I forget this?
The world shifted.
The sky darkened.
The grass withered.
Cracks spread across the land as distant explosions shook the earth. The ancient tree trembled, leaves falling like tears.
The woman stood again, expression no longer gentle—but resolute.
"Listen carefully," she said, hands on Xiao Wu's shoulders. "You must forget."
Xiao Wu shook her head violently. "No! I don't want to!"
"If you remember," the woman said softly, "you will die."
Figures appeared in the distance—humans, Spirit Masters, their soul power blazing like weapons drawn against the heavens.
Xiao Wu felt fear.
Real fear.
"Hide your bloodline," the woman continued. "Hide your past. Hide… me."
She pressed two fingers against Xiao Wu's forehead.
Pain flared.
The world shattered.
Xiao Wu screamed—
And woke up.
She sat upright in bed, breath ragged, heart pounding violently in her chest. Moonlight spilled through the dormitory window, illuminating sweat-soaked sheets.
"…Mother," she whispered.
Her hands trembled.
Not from fear.
From recognition.
Something had changed.
Her soul power stirred unnaturally, flowing smoother, deeper—older. Beneath her first soul ring, a faint red hue pulsed, then vanished.
A seal—tightened.
Somewhere else, Lin Chen opened his eyes.
The system interface flared urgently.
[Alert: Suppressed Memory Activity Detected][Source: Xiao Wu — High-Level Bloodline][Seal Integrity: Stable (Temporary Strain)]
Lin Chen exhaled slowly.
"So it started anyway," he murmured.
He stood and looked toward the girls' dormitory, gaze calm but intent.
The forest nudged her, he thought.But didn't push.
Back in the dormitory, Xiao Wu hugged her knees to her chest.
She didn't cry.
She wasn't afraid.
She was angry.
"They took you from me," she whispered to the empty room. "Didn't they?"
A soft knock came at the door.
Zhu Zhuqing stepped in quietly. "You're awake."
Xiao Wu looked up, forcing a grin. "Yeah. Bad dream."
Zhu Zhuqing studied her closely.
"…Your aura shifted," she said.
Xiao Wu's smile faded.
Outside, unseen by either of them, a faint ripple passed through the air—Lin Chen's presence brushing the corridor, not entering, not intruding.
Watching.
Waiting.
High above the Star Dou Forest, ancient golden eyes slowly closed again.
"Not yet," the forest whispered."But soon."
And in Spirit Hall, far from Shrek Academy—
Bibi Dong paused mid-step, fingers pressing lightly against her chest.
"…That feeling," she murmured.
Something precious.
Something familiar.
Had just stirred.