Master's Arrival: The Final Class, a Promise of Victory

Shrek Academy's morning was awakened by birdsong in the forest. Outside the simple wooden dormitories, Tang San was practicing his control by using Blue Silver Grass to entangle a tree trunk. After resting the previous night, most of his Soul Power had recovered. The Blue Silver Grass at his fingertips flowed with his Soul Power, precisely winding around every groove in the trunk. Not far away, Lin Zhixia fastened Void Piercing Feather Fletching onto a Starwood Arrow Shaft. In the morning light, she condensed a Void Penetration arrow and aimed at a target a hundred meters away. The instant the arrow pierced the thin bark, it left behind a smooth little hole.

Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing had also arrived at the training ground early. Xiao Wu was practicing her kicking techniques against a tree trunk, the agility of her Soft Bone Rabbit making her movements as light as willow fluff in the wind. Ning Rongrong held the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, whose light flashed from time to time as she repeatedly practiced the precision of her enhancements. Zhu Zhuqing darted through the woods, her black figure like a Hell Spirit Cat, leaving behind only several afterimages.

"Not bad. You're all very serious about your morning training." A familiar voice came from the entrance to the training ground. Everyone turned around to see Master Yu Xiaogang, dressed in a gray robe and holding a Soul Master's Notes, walking over slowly. Tang San's eyes immediately lit up as he hurried forward. "Master! Why are you here?"

"I came to see the results of your assessment and, while I was at it... fulfill our previous agreement." Master smiled and patted Tang San's shoulder, his gaze sweeping over the five present. "Flender already told me about yesterday's assessment. Your coordination was outstanding. You did not disappoint me."

Just then, two figures ran over from the direction of the wooden dormitories. One was a slightly chubby boy in a red short-sleeved shirt, with an honest smile on his face and a belly that jiggled slightly as he ran. The other wore a white chef's uniform and still held a sausage in his hand, his handsome face carrying a hint of playfulness.

"The dean said there were new students, so we hurried over to take a look!" The boy in red spoke first, his voice booming. "My name is Ma Hongjun. I'm twelve years old, an Assault System Battle Soul Master, and my martial soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix!" As he spoke, a ball of orange-red flame ignited in his palm. Faint Spirit Power Fluctuations emanated from the fire, drawing the attention of both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Oscar, twelve years old, Food System Artifact Soul Master, martial soul: sausage." The boy in white waved the sausage in his hand and added with a smile, "My soul skill is Recovery Sausage. It can quickly restore Soul Power and stamina. If you're injured or short on Soul Power in the future, just come to me!"

"Evil Fire Phoenix? Food System sausage?" Xiao Wu curiously moved closer. "Ma Hongjun, is your fire very hot? Oscar, can your sausages really restore Soul Power?"

Ma Hongjun scratched his head and put away the flames. "They aren't usually hot, but they get pretty intense when I activate my soul skills." Oscar directly handed her a sausage. "Try one and you'll know. It tastes pretty good too."

Lin Zhixia looked at the two of them, understanding flashing through her eyes. With Dai Mubai included, it seemed Shrek Academy's core students had all assembled. Assault, control, agility attack, support, and Food System Soul Masters—every type was present. Their combination could be called perfect.

After everyone had gotten to know one another, Master's expression gradually turned serious. He walked to the center of the training ground. "I have something important to tell you—you may very well be Shrek Academy's final class of students."

The words were like a stone thrown into a still lake, and everyone froze. Dai Mubai frowned. "Master, why is that? Hasn't Shrek Academy always been doing well?"

"When Flender founded Shrek Academy, his original intention was to nurture true Soul Masters rather than value status or background." Master opened the Soul Master's Notes, his voice low. "But in recent years, the academy's funding has been tight, and with such strict enrollment requirements, fewer and fewer students have come. Flender has already decided that if this class cannot win the championship in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament, Shrek Academy will disband."

"The Elite Tournament championship?" Tang San's expression sharpened. He had seen an introduction to this competition in Master's notes before. It was the top Soul Master Academy competition across the continent. Every participating team consisted of elite students from major academies, and winning the championship would be extraordinarily difficult.

Lin Zhixia tightened her grip around the Starwood Arrow Shaft in her hand. "Master, are you saying that we need to represent Shrek Academy in the Elite Tournament and win the championship to save the academy?"

"That's right." Master nodded, his gaze passing over each of them. "I know it will be difficult. Among the participating teams are top forces like Spirit Hall Academy. Their students not only possess high Soul Power, but are also equipped with the finest soul bones and resources. But you have your own advantage—you are all 'monsters.' You have reached the Soul Elder level before the age of fourteen. With proper coordination, you may not be without a chance."

Oscar put away his joking expression and said seriously, "As long as it can save the academy, I'll give it everything I have! My sausages can provide everyone with continuous Soul Power support!" Ma Hongjun clenched his fists as well. "My Evil Fire Phoenix isn't just for show. I'll definitely help everyone drive back our enemies!"

Ning Rongrong shook the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. "My Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda can give everyone the greatest enhancement and ensure your strength rises to its peak!" Zhu Zhuqing spoke more simply. "I'll handle scouting and close-range ambushes. I won't let enemies approach the support and Food System Soul Masters."

Xiao Wu tugged on Tang San's sleeve, her eyes full of determination. "Tang San, Zhi Xia, let's work hard together and win the championship! I won't hold everyone back!"

Tang San looked at the companions around him, then at Master, and spoke solemnly. "Master, we accept this challenge. Not only to save Shrek Academy, but also to prove ourselves—to prove that the potential of 'monsters' is inferior to no one."

A trace of relief flashed through Master's eyes. He took several rolls of blueprints from his pack and handed them to Dai Mubai. "This is the training plan I have devised for you. Over the next three months, you will undergo high-intensity practical combat training, including soul skill coordination, team formations, and adaptation to extreme environments. Dai Mubai, you are the senior student. You will be responsible for leading everyone in carrying out this plan."

Dai Mubai accepted the blueprints and said earnestly, "Rest assured, Master. I will not let you down!"

The morning sun gradually rose higher, spilling across the training ground. Everyone gathered together to study the training plan Master had devised and discuss the arrangements ahead. Tang San would be responsible for formulating control tactics. Lin Zhixia and Ma Hongjun would study the coordination between long-range attacks and assault. Ning Rongrong and Oscar would practice linking enhancement and recovery. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing would refine their coordination in close-range ambushes.

Master stood to one side, looking at the spirited young boys and girls with anticipation in his eyes. He knew this road would be filled with thorns, but he believed even more strongly that these children could create miracles.

On the training ground, Blue Silver Grass wrapped around tree trunks, Starlight Arrows pierced targets, the flames of the Evil Fire Phoenix flickered, the light of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda flowed, the fragrance of sausages filled the air, the afterimages of the spirit cat darted about, and the kicks of the Soft Bone Rabbit were fierce—the training of Shrek's Eight Monsters (at this time, the eight were Dai Mubai, Tang San, Lin Zhixia, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun; this could be adjusted according to the later plot) had officially begun. They did not know how many hardships lay ahead, but they knew that as long as they fought side by side, there would be no challenge they could not overcome. And at that moment, the promise of winning the Elite Tournament championship was deeply etched into every one of their hearts.