Chapter 18. The Hunt for the Rings

Two weeks ago

With each painful breath escaping from his emaciated chest, it seemed that another piece of life left Wei Zhang, the current patriarch of the influential Wei family. His gaze, usually authoritative and piercing, was now clouded by a veil of weakness, but deep inside still lingered the fatherly worry directed at his only daughter.

— Yue... — he rasped, each word accompanied by a painful cough that shook his body. — I hope... you can become strong... much stronger than I... to survive... in this... cruel world...

Little Yue, sitting at the edge of his bed, gripped his trembling hand with her slender fingers. Her large ruby eyes, usually radiant and full of childlike innocence, were now filled with tears and despair, reflecting the pain tormenting her young heart.

Spending the final hours by her dying father's side, Yue had almost stopped eating. Her survival instinct whispered to her to conserve every dwindling drop of energy. She had long noticed the strange, barely perceptible bitter aftertaste and unnatural smell in her father's food, but her childish indecision and lack of substantial proof kept her from directly accusing her stepmother — the cold and calculating woman who had become the patriarch's wife after her mother's death. For the sake of her father, whose face grew more gaunt with each passing day, Yue tried to accept this stranger as a mother, doing her best to ignore the icy contempt that flickered in the woman's eyes.

When the fragile thread of life holding the patriarch together snapped, as if pulled too tight, a sense of darkness and fear settled over the Wei household. Persecution fell upon Yue like a pack of hungry hyenas. She ate almost nothing, each bite filled with suspicion, and fear paralyzed her will. Any minor infraction during the grueling training sessions, now overseen by new, brutal guards, was met with painful beatings. Her fragile body was covered with ragged wounds, yet in the depths of her large eyes burned the spark of unwavering stubbornness. She was strong in spirit and silently endured the pain, gritting her teeth, nurturing a plan to escape.

One night, when the vigilance of the guards faltered, like a thin web swept by the wind, Yue made the decision to flee. As the daughter of the patriarch, she knew the location of the guard posts and their shift times. Her disappearance wasn't noticed until dawn, granting her precious hours of a head start. Her meager savings were enough to secure a place in a cheap, rattling cart, which took her to the outskirts of Soto City. But even there, ruthless pursuers caught up with her, tracking her down through subtle clues known only to members of the Wei clan.

Desperate, Yue headed for the only place she believed could be an impenetrable fortress — Shrek Academy. In her childlike mind, this place appeared as a bastion of strength and stability, where she could find protection from her pursuers and perhaps gain a new home and a loving family...

Present day

The morning sun gently warmed the emerald grass of Shrek Academy's inner courtyard, lighting the leisurely stroll of Fu Huan and Yue. Fu, usually reserved and few of words, was slowly telling her new student about the history of the academy, showing the training grounds, living quarters, and the vast patches of rare medicinal herbs she had personally cultivated. Her normally low voice carried an unfamiliar softness, and in her fluid movements, one could sense a hidden care. Yue, mesmerized, listened intently, her large ruby eyes wide open, gazing at every corner of this new, safe world with childlike curiosity.

— Is this Fu's student? — Ma Hongjun muttered in surprise, his chubby cheeks rounding out as his gaze scanned the little girl, shyly hiding behind her mentor.

— That's right, — Oscar replied with a sly smile. — I learned yesterday that our Ice Queen warmed up and accepted her as a student. And you know, their smiles are just... captivating.

The contrast between Yue's golden, flowing hair and Fu's long, silky lavender locks created an unusual yet harmonious picture. The delicate features of Fu's face, with soft eyebrows and a small, neat nose, gave her an aristocratic and refined look. Her movements were graceful and smooth, like a gentle breeze, and her posture conveyed inner strength despite her young age. And Yue, with her two large pigtails tied with dark hairpins, framed her childlike face. Her large ruby eyes, expressive and curious, seemed even bigger against her youthful features. Her face was more rounded, with chubby cheeks.

The two girls, despite their noticeable difference in age and character, chatted and laughed easily, like two sisters who had been separated for a long time and finally found each other again.

Soon, all ten of Shrek's "Monsters" gathered in the courtyard. It had been more than three weeks since the new students had joined, and the atmosphere in the group had become more cohesive and friendly.

After scanning the gathered group and ensuring that everyone was present, Fu Huan stepped forward to introduce her new student.

— This is Yue Zhin, a new student at Shrek Academy and my pupil.

Little Yue, slightly embarrassed, stepped forward and, folding her hands in a polite greeting, spoke:

— It's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Yue Zhin, but you can just call me Yue. My spirit rank is 22nd, my battle spirit is the hourglass, and it's a semi-control, semi-support type. I'm glad to meet you, — her voice was quiet, but it carried an inner strength.

Everyone was delighted by her cute appearance and modest yet confident introduction.

— Looks like we have one more girl! — Ma Hongjun exclaimed with a satisfied grin, rubbing his hands in anticipation of new friendships.

— Yeah, and she's such a cutie, she's no less beautiful than Fu! — Oscar added, but immediately received a sharp smack on the back of his head from Rong Rong, who looked at him coldly, and a disapproving glance from Mei, standing beside Kan.

— I don't think you should think of her that way. She's Fu's student, and she clearly won't let you spoil her, — Zhu Zhuqing cut in, her eyes flashing with icy warning, while Kan and Mei silently supported her gaze.

— I also noticed that this time five of us have reached the 30th rank, — Fu Huan continued, ignoring the argument. — Soon, we will leave the academy to go on a hunt for our third spirit rings in the Star Dou Forest.

The eyes of Tang San, Zhang Kai, Li Wei, and Mei Ling lit up with anticipation for the strength they would gain from the new rings. Xiao Wu also tried to display joy, but her smile seemed strained, and her eyes betrayed hidden concern that didn't escape Fu Huan's watchful gaze.

The next morning, a small group of Shrek students, accompanied by Flender and Zhao Wuji, ventured deeper into the Star Dou Forest. The two mighty Spirit Masters—Spirit Douluo Flender, at the eighty-second rank, and Spirit Sage Zhao Wuji, at seventy-ninth rank—oversaw the safety of their young charges with vigilance forged from years of battle-hardened experience.

Their week-long expedition proved surprisingly fruitful. The ancient forest, generous in its dangers and opportunities, had rewarded those who had reached the fabled thirtieth rank with the chance to find suitable spirit beasts.

Li Wei, Zhang Kai, and Mei Ling were among the fortunate ones. Each encountered a spirit beast aged between 1,800 and 2,000 years—slightly exceeding the ideal range, but nothing their rigorous training under Fu Huan and newfound physical prowess could not overcome. Each of them instinctively chose a beast that resonated with their individual martial spirits.

Li Wei, at thirty-first rank, a master of fierce close combat and bearer of the Steel Blade Spirit, absorbed a lightning-fast Tiger Hornet, aged 1,840 years. The resulting spirit ring vastly enhanced his attack power and speed. Mei Ling, also at thirty-first rank, with her deadly and elusive Shadow Cat Spirit, absorbed a graceful Hellcat, aged about 1,800 years, greatly improving her agility, stealth, and swiftness. Zhang Kai, who had reached rank thirty-one slightly later due to slower cultivation progress but who possessed unwavering will and iron discipline, subdued a powerful Stone Elephant, aged over 1,900 years. Its essence dramatically bolstered his already formidable defense and strength.

Finding a suitable spirit beast for Tang San, however, proved more challenging. He required a plant-based creature—one brimming with vitality to sustain his unique dual spirits, while also possessing offensive capabilities to complement the controlling nature of his Blue Silver Grass.

After days of meticulous searching, they stumbled upon the Royal Thorn of Life (生命王棘, Shēngmìng Wáng Jí) deep within the forest.

It was a rapidly growing vine-like plant that curled around an ancient oak—more of a robust shrub than a true vine—with thick emerald-green stalks densely covered in large, sharp thorns glowing with a noble golden sheen. At the tips of each stem bloomed radiant flowers, pulsating softly like miniature suns, exuding a faintly sweet, almost sacred fragrance that lingered in the air.

This rare spirit beast possessed not only piercing offensive capabilities—the golden thorns could pierce even hardened armor—but also astonishing vitality. The luminous blossoms seemed to pulse with condensed life essence.

Its age could be gauged by the number of thick primary stalks wrapped around the oak. There were twenty-four in total, suggesting an age of over 2,400 years, but not quite reaching the critical 2,500-year threshold.

"This is exactly what I need," Tang San whispered, eyes ablaze with resolve as he sensed the plant's overflowing life force.

"Regroup. Don't let it ensnare you," Flender ordered in a quiet but commanding voice, his seasoned gaze sweeping over the dense foliage. A subtle yet growing sense of unease gnawed at him.

The plant proved tenacious—its vine-like stalks clung to the oak and soil with a death grip. Yet before the overwhelming might of Spirit Douluo Flender, it stood no chance. Utilizing only the first few of his spirit rings, the academy director skillfully severed its connection to life, draining its essence and pushing it to the brink of death.

"Tang San, finish it. After that, we'll look for a suitable ring for Xiao Wu," Flender instructed, his voice taut.

Xiao Wu, standing nearby, tensed slightly. Her gaze unfocused, her movements stiffened, but she masked her growing anxiety behind forced cheer.

"Yes, San… This spirit beast will greatly enhance your martial spirit," she said with a strained smile, avoiding the teachers' eyes.

Tang San sat cross-legged, preparing to absorb his long-awaited third spirit ring. At the same time, Xiao Wu felt a pressing need to slip away from the group—if only for a moment. Once, in the confines of the small town of Nuoding, such disappearances had come easy. But here, under the constant watch of powerful Spirit Masters, her plan seemed nearly impossible.

She didn't have long to think. Just as Tang San completed the absorption, his eyes gleaming with joy, ready to demonstrate his new spirit ring, a thunderous, primal roar tore through the forest. From the shadows of the dense thicket, the Tyrant Ape burst forth.

Sensing the lethal danger radiating from the hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast, Fu Huan acted without hesitation. She pushed the nearest students aside, creating vital distance between them and the rampaging creature. The last thing she wanted was to see one of her charges fall in such a hopeless battle.

But Tang San, eyes wide with fury and despair, refused to retreat. All he wanted—no, needed—was to protect Xiao Wu. Despite his desperate attempts to draw the creature's attention, the Tyrant Ape—its strength rivaling that of a high-ranking Titled Douluo—ignored him completely. Its gaze fixed solely upon a single fragile figure.

Seeing the inevitable clash unfold, Zhao Wuji and Flender unleashed their full spirit power. The aura of two mighty Spirit Masters surged like a tidal wave. Their martial spirits emerged in colossal, fearsome forms. Zhao Wuji let out a thunderous roar, unleashing his most destructive skills in a bid to divert the beast's wrath. Simultaneously, Flender utilized the blistering speed and finesse only a Spirit Douluo could achieve, striking with rapid blows aimed at the beast's vital points from behind.

But the Tyrant Ape, its hide tougher than iron, snorted dismissively. With a single sweep of its clawed arm, it sent Zhao Wuji flying like a rag doll. The counterattack on Flender came instantly. Though swift, Flender was no match for the beast's overwhelming velocity. Both teachers suffered grievous injuries—Flender in particular, whose Owl Spirit lacked physical resilience, bore the brunt of the monstrous strike.

Yet still, they stood their ground, bloodied but unyielding, unwilling to let the raging beast reach their students. But from the very beginning, the Tyrant Ape hadn't deemed them a threat. Its gaze never wavered.

It seized Xiao Wu in its massive paw and, in a single, breathtaking leap, vanished into the dense canopy.

Tang San's heart thundered with fear and resolve. Without a second thought, he dashed after the abductor. Behind him, Fu Huan followed with equal speed, her violet hair streaming behind her like a battle banner, her eyes locked on the fading silhouette of the Tyrant Ape.

At the same time, a delicate, invisible thread of her spiritual power reached out—piercing through the chaos—gently brushing against Xiao Wu's consciousness.

"Don't you have something to tell me?" Fu Huan's voice echoed coldly in Xiao Wu's mind, sharp and devoid of emotion—yet that very lack made it all the more weighty.

"What do you mean? I was kidnapped..." Xiao Wu's mental reply was filled with fear, but Fu Huan detected a false note, the barely perceptible tremor of a mental image.

"You're a terrible liar, Xiao. I'm with San right now, and believe me—you're far more than just a sister to him. I don't know the full extent of your connection to the Ape-Tiger, but your behavior during spirit ring absorption has always been… unnatural. I'll be there soon."

"San, hold tight—I'm going to speed up, it's going to get a little bumpy," Fu Huan said aloud, her eyes flashing pink for a brief instant as her fourth soul ring lit up, signaling the use of her spatial ability.

Without waiting for Tang San's response, she activated her fourth soul skill—Spatial Rift. The air around them distorted, like water rippling from a dropped stone. Space shattered briefly, forming an unstable tunnel, and they surged forward at incredible speed. Tang San was jolted by the sudden lurch, but he clung tightly to Fu Huan's hand, fully trusting her strength.

This ability allowed Fu Huan to traverse vast distances in mere seconds, linking two points through space. However, the prolonged focus required to use it made it unsuitable for fast-paced combat—ideal for pursuit, but not battle.

In the next instant, they stood directly before the Ape-Tiger. The giant beast had come to a stop in a small forest clearing. Xiao Wu sat on his massive shoulder, her face a mix of fear and an odd, wistful sadness. Beside the Ape-Tiger stood another majestic soul beast—Jiaolong, its long, serpentine body covered in emerald scales, twisting like a living river. Small horns crowned its head, marking its draconic nature. Its amber eyes with vertical pupils fixed intently on the approaching humans.

"Stop! They're my friends—please don't harm them!" Xiao Wu pleaded, leaping down from the Ape-Tiger's shoulder. Her voice trembled, but determination rang clearly as she stepped between Fu Huan, Tang San, and the two mighty soul beasts.

The two ancient creatures focused their piercing gazes on them. The Ape-Tiger let out a low, menacing growl, baring sharp fangs. Jiaolong hissed, hot breath steaming from its nostrils as its scales glimmered dangerously.

"Xiao Wu, for your safety, it would be better to kill these two," the Ape-Tiger rumbled, his voice brimming with primal power and dominance.

"Agreed, elder brother," Jiaolong hissed, his amber eyes narrowing as he assessed the threat the humans posed and his readiness to defend Xiao Wu.

Seeing the deadly intent behind her kin's words, Xiao Wu stepped forward with resolve and spoke firmly:

"Never! My entire childhood in the human world was with them—I owe them so much. They are my dearest friends."

A tense silence followed. Three pairs of eyes—golden simian, amber draconic, and resolute ruby—locked in a silent standoff. Fu Huan and Tang San watched the scene unfold, ready to act at any moment to protect their young friend.

Finally, Xiao Wu lowered her gaze and began to speak, her voice tinged with bitterness. She confessed the truth to her kin: she was a hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast, a Soft-Boned Rabbit who had taken human form in a desperate bid to escape the divine judgment that inevitably hunts spirit beasts of her level.

The Ape-Tiger and Jiaolong listened to her confession in silence. Their massive forms remained still, but their eyes reflected surprise and understanding.

"So be it—this is your choice, and we have no right to judge it," the Ape-Tiger said at last, shifting his gaze to Fu Huan and Tang San. "But you two… Swear upon your spirits that you won't harm her or reveal her true origin. If you break this oath, I will find you—wherever you are—and make you pay."

Understanding the gravity of the situation and the soul beasts' sincere care for Xiao Wu, Fu Huan and Tang San didn't hesitate. They made their vow with utter honesty and determination:

"We swear upon our spirits never to reveal Xiao Wu's true identity or her bond with soul beasts. On the contrary, we'll protect her to our last breath, as one of our most precious friends."

They spoke in unison, their words coming from the depths of their hearts.

Jiaolong, having closely observed their faces and sensed the sincerity behind their vow, slowly nodded his serpentine head in acceptance. The decision not to kill these humans—so important to Xiao Wu—was not easy, but for the sake of his longtime friend, he was willing to take the risk.

"Ahh..." Xiao Wu murmured, her eyes brimming with grateful tears. She didn't know what to say in the face of such unwavering support.

"You have your own method, don't you? Unique to soul beasts—for creating spirit rings without killing others?" Fu Huan asked unexpectedly. Her sharp mind and keen observations had led her to this conclusion, especially considering Xiao Wu's odd behavior during past ring absorptions.

"Yes… that's right," Xiao Wu nodded. "Well, for the first seven rings I can form them this way. After that, I'll need to obtain them normally—by killing spirit beasts."

Fu Huan's interest visibly flared at this revelation—something entirely new about the world of spirit beasts. Her eyes lit up with scientific curiosity.

"May I watch the process? The ability to cultivate spirit rings by condensing pure spirit energy… Even if I can't adapt it for humans, seeing it would be incredibly enlightening."

Xiao Wu found nothing wrong in that request. Trusting Fu Huan and sensing her genuine interest, she sat in a lotus position and slowly began to release concentrated spirit energy from her body, forming her third spirit ring.

Fu Huan watched in fascination throughout the strange process. Her violet eyes tracked every movement of the energy—how it condensed and took shape. Sometimes, a flash of understanding lit her eyes; at other times, confusion, as the method was utterly alien to human Spirit Masters. The process was long and draining, taking about an hour and a half.

At last, a violet spirit ring formed around Xiao Wu, radiating a soft glow.

"And what ability did you gain?" Tang San asked eagerly. He hadn't understood much of the process, but he was dying to know what unique skill Xiao Wu had acquired.

"Golden Body," Xiao Wu replied, rising to her feet. "I can nullify damage below the Spirit King level for four seconds when I activate it. The higher the incoming damage, the more spirit power it consumes and the faster the duration drains."

"That's definitely a useful ability—especially in close combat," Tang San said thoughtfully. "But I think it's time we returned. The teachers must be really worried by now."

Fu Huan, Tang San, and Xiao Wu said their goodbyes to the Ape-Tiger and Jiaolong, promising to keep their secret safe.

"Elder brother, are you sure it's okay to let her go with those two?" Jiaolong asked doubtfully, watching the trio disappear into the forest.

"I don't know… Time will tell," the Ape-Tiger sighed. "But I sensed their sincerity and their readiness to protect one another to the very end. That boy clearly feels strongly about her… I even caught a faint scent of a spirit beast from him—that's unusual. And the girl… like a void. She's dangerous, but I sensed no deception in her. She reminds me more

of a curious scholar, fascinated by knowledge..."