The sun had barely touched the tops of the crooked trees surrounding Shrek Academy when Flender, with a sly smile, introduced Fu Huan to his three most... unconventional students. The dilapidated courtyard served as their training ground, and each was occupied with their own, rather telling, task. Dai Mubai, a young man with short, stiff hair that resembled bristles, was relentlessly practicing a series of chopping palm strikes through the air. His movements were sharpened to a razor's edge, and his gaze burned with an untamable resolve. Off to the side, like a shadow, Mei Lin moved silently and gracefully, her long black hair tightly braided into intricate plaits. She glided noiselessly, disappearing into the dimness beneath a canopy, only to reappear elsewhere, showcasing astonishing agility and stealth. Zhang Kai, the plumpest of the trio, sat on the ground, concentrating on drawing some intricate symbols with his finger. His chubby forehead was creased with deep furrows, a sign of a thinker at work. The sound of Flender and Fu's footsteps made them pause their activities and turn their curious eyes toward the newcomer.
Dai Mubai, tall and stately, with a mane of thick dark hair framing his self-assured face, stepped forward. His piercing gaze swept Fu from head to toe, not hiding his possessive interest, and Fu immediately had the warning thought: Words would flow like honey, but behind them lay only a desire to impress and, possibly, use her for his own ends.
"At your service, charming stranger," he purred, bowing theatrically. His polished smile seemed like a part of a well-rehearsed performance.
Next, Oscar, a boy with a mop of tousled wheat-colored hair and mischievous, sparkling eyes that seemed to exude perpetual joy, lazily approached. In his hands, he skillfully juggled a few strange-looking mushrooms, tossing them into the air and catching them with remarkable ease. "Oscar, at your... uh... at your complete and unreserved admiration! Welcome to our, undoubtedly outstanding, though somewhat dilapidated establishment!" His speech was peppered with eccentric words and unexpected interjections, but Fu was taken aback by the pure clarity of his soul. Not a trace of deceit or hidden intentions tainted his sincere greeting.
The last to approach was Ma Hongjun, a chubby boy with a good-natured, slightly out of breath look, as if he had just finished an intense workout, though he was standing still. His round, rosy face broke into a wide, sincere smile, and his eyes gleamed with genuine curiosity and friendliness. "Ma Hongjun. Or just Fatty, as some... not the most tactful individuals here tend to call me," he said with light self-irony, casting a brief glance at Dai Mubai, though there was no trace of offense or animosity in his expression. A warm wave of calmness and openness emanated from him.
Fu Huan, gifted with a rare ability to empathize, silently scanned this unusual trio. Her ability to sense true intentions and fleeting emotions was working at full capacity, painting a complex yet surprisingly truthful picture of these "monsters" of Shrek Academy. Each one was a bright individual with their own quirks and hidden depths.
"Well, today is a momentous day," Flender announced, winking at Fu mischievously. "Allow me to introduce our new student, Fu Huan. Fu Huan, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to our... promising students?"
"My name is Fu Huan," the girl calmly spoke, exuding an inner confidence that was not fitting for her young age. "I don't have a pronounced specialization, I prefer to be a generalist. My fighting spirit is a spatial energy emanation, rank thirty-four. It's a pleasure to meet you."
In the ensuing silence, only the faint rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard. Dai Mubai froze for a moment, interrupting his training, Oscar stopped juggling the mushrooms, and Fatty seemed to stop daydreaming. Fu's rank had taken them by surprise.
"Rank thirty-four... at such a young age?" Dai Mubai said skeptically, his own three proud shining soul rings, evidence of his considerable, thirty-first rank as a Great Spirit Master, now seeming not so impressive. "Well, if that is truly the case, I suppose you wouldn't mind if we see your power for ourselves?" There was a challenge in his voice, mixed with genuine curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
"She will definitely surprise you," Flender assured with a smug smile, anticipating his students' reactions to Fu's abilities.
The fight began as suddenly as Dai Mubai's challenge. Before he could fully summon his majestic White Tiger, enveloping himself in a powerful aura, Fu had already made her move. She allowed him to fully cloak himself in his battle spirit, watching as Dai Mubai's muscles swelled with power and the image of the mighty beast took shape around him. But before the tiger could make a move, Fu struck swiftly, concentrating all her spiritual energy into her fist. The blow was so precise and powerful that it knocked Dai Mubai off balance, causing him to stagger. Before he could regain his footing and attempt to activate his third spiritual skill, the "White Tiger's Strike," which was supposed to double all his basic attributes, Fu delivered a second, even more devastating blow, this time without using her soul rings, only greatly enhancing her fist with concentrated spiritual energy. This single strike was enough to bring the once self-assured Dai Mubai to his knees, shaken not so much by the physical pain but by the realization of the colossal difference in their strength. Oscar instinctively stepped forward, wanting to help his fallen friend, but froze, stunned by what he had seen. Ma Hongjun, however, looked at Fu with open adoration, his eyes sparkling with genuine admiration, as if a deity had appeared before him. A slight shadow of embarrassment flickered across Fu's face at such idolization, but she quickly got used to the strange worship from Fatty. Once the strongest student of the academy, he now cast wary glances at the girl who was a year younger than him.
And so passed the first days of Fu at Shrek Academy. Thanks to her rapid growth, obvious talent, and unexpectedly emerging authority, she quickly gained the respect of not only the students but also the teachers. Noticing the academy's financial struggles and genuinely wishing to help her mentor, Fu shared with Flender some of her own developments that could bring in a significant income. Thus, the production of cosmetics based on whale fat and medicinal potions developed by Fu was established. These goods, which stood out for their high quality and unique properties, were successfully sold at auctions through a trusted intermediary, providing a steady stream of funds to the academy. Once a run-down and impoverished place, the academy began to transform. A diverse and balanced diet was organized for the students, healing herb baths to aid in recovery were introduced, and training programs became more personalized. Fu also took care of the teachers, creating special mimicry zones—areas with concentrated spiritual energy that, while only slightly—by 10-15%—increased their cultivation speed. Fu earned special gratitude from her mentor, for whom she had done something truly special, bringing tears of joy to the usually stoic Flender. Despite all the new responsibilities and acquaintances, Fu still remembered her first friends, Tang San and Xiao Wu. Every month, she sent them letters, sharing her successes, new ideas, and some of her inventions. In response, she received letters from the academy, telling her about their lives, training, and how Xiao Gan, with his usual enthusiasm, dedicated himself to his research, possibly secretly nurturing the hope of one day meeting a student whose talent could prove his previously unsubstantiated theories.
Despite the distance, they all missed each other, cherishing the warmth of their first bonds of friendship. And so the months passed unnoticed.
Just under a week ago
Fu Huan carefully handed Flender a small vial made of dark glass, filled with a thick, emerald liquid that gave off a faint but distinct scent of medicinal herbs.
"Teacher, this is a special elixir I've prepared especially for you," she said softly, her voice laced with sincere care and deep respect. "It will cleanse your body of accumulated toxins, restore your life force, and… perhaps return a sliver of youth lost with the years. I tailored it precisely for your constitution and spirit. You are undoubtedly talented, Teacher, but with your current cultivation pace… it is unlikely you will ever reach the title of Douluo."
Flender accepted the vial with visible doubt, examining the mysterious liquid with a thoughtful gaze. Over time spent beside Fu, he had grown accustomed to trusting her peculiar knowledge and inventions, which had only ever yielded benefits. Still, this gift felt more personal, more profound than anything before. After a moment's hesitation, he uncorked the vial and drank the thick, slightly bitter liquid. A shadow of surprise flickered across his face, replaced by a subtle flush in his cheeks. A gentle warmth flowed through his veins, lifting the weight from his limbs and filling his body with lightness and renewed vigor.
In the days that followed, the students began to notice a startling change in their usually stern dean. Flender appeared younger, more spirited—his movements carried a new energy, his gaze was sharper, more alive. One evening, after an exhausting training session, Fu Huan happened to catch sight of him alone in the teacher's hall. Bathed in the dim silver of the moonlight, she saw rare tears sliding down his wrinkled cheeks. When he noticed her, he quickly brushed them away, averting his eyes in quiet embarrassment.
"Fu… I don't know what exactly you did," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion, "but I feel as though ten years have fallen away from my shoulders… Thank you, child. You have no idea how much this means to me."
Flender, whose spirit rank as a Saint Spirit Master had lingered stubbornly at 76 for many years, began to ascend with renewed speed after completing Fu's elixir treatment, soon reaching the peak of Rank 78. For the first time in decades, the title of Spirit Douluo no longer seemed like a distant dream—it was within reach, and faster than he ever expected. It had saved him nearly a year and a half of painstaking cultivation, and more importantly, reignited a fire within him he thought long extinguished.
She was right, he thought with quiet gratitude. Without her, I might have reached this rank eventually… but at what cost? And how much harder would the rest of the climb have been?
The title of Spirit Douluo was no longer a mere aspiration—it had become a necessary path to at least attempt to match the brilliance of a talent like Fu.
A year passed since Fu Huan first entered Shrek Academy. In that time, the academy transformed beyond recognition. With the improvement in its financial standing and a stream of passive income—thanks in part to several profitable restaurants and a growing reputation—new gifted students began to arrive at Shrek. All of them under twelve years old, all possessing spirit power ranks above 25. Among them were three particularly promising disciples: the determined Li Wei (Rank 26, battle spirit: Steel Blade, a fierce close-combat warrior), the elusive and agile Mei Lin (Rank 27, battle spirit: Shadow Cat, known for her extraordinary speed), and the intelligent and calculating Zhang Kai (Rank 25, battle spirit: Tactical Golem, capable of manifesting strategic constructs from spirit energy).
With such progress, and no doubt aided by a few well-placed connections, Shrek Academy was officially recognized by the royal court and granted the right to participate in the prestigious Continental Tournament of Elite Spirit Masters, hosted by the Spirit Hall itself. And yet, the strict entry standards remained unchanged: Shrek continued to welcome only true monsters.
By then, Fu Huan had already reached Rank 38 as a Great Spirit Master and had become the academy's unofficial leader, a figure others looked up to. Dai Mubai had advanced to Rank 35, Oscar to 31, and Ma Hongjun to 28. At thirteen years of age, Fu Huan had become a legend in her own right—her contribution to the academy's revival was immense, though few aside from her closest friends and her mentor fully grasped the depth of her efforts.
The teachers had not stood still either. Zhao Wuji had reached Rank 76 and was nearing the next threshold, while Flender steadily approached the long-coveted Rank 80. Though the effect of Fu's elixir had now faded—its unused potential within his body fully absorbed—it had nonetheless nudged him further along the path, elevating both his spirit and his standing.