Blood-Stained Past: Zhi Xia Confesses, Companions Embrace

The morning mist had yet to disperse when a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly rang out across Shrek Academy's training grounds. Holding up freshly made Recovery Sausages, Oscar ran frantically toward Tang San, who was guiding Ma Hongjun in fire control. "Tang San! This is bad! Xiao Wu and Rongrong were attacked on the academy's back mountain!"

Tang San's expression changed abruptly, and Blue Silver Grass instantly gathered in his hand. Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Lin Zhixia immediately halted their training as well and rushed toward the back mountain with Oscar. Rounding the mountainside, they found Xiao Wu sitting on the ground, clutching her arm, while Ning Rongrong stood protectively beside her. Several poisoned crossbow bolts lay scattered before them, their shafts carved with the distinctive dark patterns of Spirit Hall—the exact same markings as those on Ye Jin's attendants yesterday.

"Xiao Wu! How are you?" Tang San quickly crouched down to examine her wound. It was not deep, but the poison on the bolt had turned her arm slightly black, and even her Soul Power circulation had become sluggish. Oscar promptly handed her a Detox Sausage. "Eat this quickly. It'll ease the poison!"

Ning Rongrong said between breaths, "We came to the back mountain to collect morning dew, and several men in black suddenly burst out of the woods and fired crossbow bolts at us without a word! Their Soul Power wasn't weak, and their target was very clear—they came specifically for us! Luckily, Zhuqing sensed something in advance and rushed over to help us drive them back. Otherwise..."

Zhu Zhuqing stood to one side, her eyes filled with coldness. "Those people retreated very quickly. I chased them for a while, but they vanished. Still, I caught the same incense scent on them that I smelled on that man in white yesterday, Ye Jin. They must have been sent by Ye Jin!"

Lin Zhixia stood frozen in place, staring at the wound on Xiao Wu's arm, her fingertips trembling uncontrollably. Ye Jin's words echoed in her ears once more—"Then I'll start with these people." He had truly kept his word, directing his malice at the companions she cared about most. Guilt and fury surged through her like a tide, crushing her until she could barely breathe.

"This is my fault." Lin Zhixia's voice caught in her throat, and everyone's gazes turned toward her. She took a deep breath and slowly raised her head, the coldness in her eyes replaced by pain. "Those people came for me. Ye Jin... he is the son of the Spirit Hall Law Enforcement Elder who slaughtered my family years ago. I never told you because I was afraid of dragging you into this, but now..."

She crouched down and took a small silver bell from the inner side of her quiver. Fine star patterns were carved upon it, and when gently shaken, it gave off a clear, warm chime. "This is the Star Guidance Bell my mother left me. It's also my only keepsake. My martial soul isn't called the Starfall Bow. Its true name is the Star River Shattering Bow, the inherited martial soul of the Lin Family. Eight years ago, when I was only five, my father, Lin Jingyuan, was a Rank 78 Soul Sage. Because he refused to hand the Star River Shattering Bow's cultivation method over to Spirit Hall, they massacred the Lin Family under the name of 'Abnormal Soul Masters.'"

By this point, Lin Zhixia's voice had dissolved into sobs. "That night, there was fire everywhere and the stench of blood in the air. My parents drew away Spirit Hall's Soul Masters to cover my escape, and in the end... in the end, they died beneath their swords. Holding the Star Guidance Bell, I ran for three days and three nights. When I was hungry, I ate wild fruit; when I was tired, I hid in caves. Then I passed through Sacred Soul Village and met Tang San and Uncle Tang Hao. Uncle Tang Hao took me in for a while and taught me basic Spirit Power Control. Later, I came to Shrek with Tang San."

She clenched the Star Guidance Bell tightly, her knuckles turning white. "I never dared tell you any of this. First, I was afraid that once you learned I carried such a blood debt, you would think I was dangerous. Second, I was afraid that if Spirit Hall found me, I would drag you all down with me. But now Ye Jin has found me and even attacked you. It's all my fault..."

The training grounds fell silent, with only Lin Zhixia's stifled sobs remaining. Enduring the pain in her arm, Xiao Wu rose and walked to her side, gently patting her back. "Zhi Xia, this isn't your fault! Spirit Hall is too cruel, and Ye Jin is too despicable! You don't have to bear all this alone. We're companions!"

Ning Rongrong came over as well, her eyes red-rimmed. "I always thought I was a little spoiled, but compared to you, I've been far too fortunate. Don't worry. From now on, we'll face this together. If Spirit Hall dares to come again, all eight of us will fight them back together!"

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. She simply walked silently to Lin Zhixia's other side and gently wrapped her arms around her. This usually aloof and quiet girl's embrace now carried an unwavering strength. Soon after, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong leaned in as well. The four girls held each other tightly, sheltering Lin Zhixia in the middle.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, the faint outline of his Tiger Claw martial soul appearing. "From now on, whether we train or go out, all eight of us must act together! Oscar, prepare more Detox and Recovery Sausages. Rongrong, stay ready to provide boosts at any time. Tang San, Zhi Xia, Zhuqing, and I will handle vigilance. We absolutely cannot let Ye Jin find another opening!"

Tang San crouched down and looked at the Star Guidance Bell in Lin Zhixia's hand, his voice gentle yet resolute. "Zhi Xia, you're not alone. Back in Sacred Soul Village, we were already friends. Now, we're even more than that—we're companions. We'll help you avenge your family, and we'll bear Spirit Hall's threats together. From now on, don't treat us like outsiders anymore."

Oscar handed over a warm Recovery Sausage and said with a smile, "That's right! With this 'Sausage Vendor' around, everyone will recover quickly whenever they get hurt! We, Shrek's Eight Monsters, have always advanced and retreated together!"

Leaning into her companions' embrace, Lin Zhixia felt warmth coming from all directions, and the heartstrings she had kept taut for eight years finally began to loosen. The Star Guidance Bell swayed softly in her hand, its clear chime seeming to disperse the gloom that had shrouded her for years. She knew that from this day onward, she was no longer the orphan girl fleeing alone while carrying the burden of vengeance. She had companions who could fight at her side and "family" willing to share her pain.

Sunlight gradually pierced through the mist, falling over the eight youths. Ye Jin's malice had failed to break them; instead, it bound their hearts even more tightly together. And Lin Zhixia finally understood that true companions would never distance themselves because of your past. They would only stand more firmly at your side because they ached for what you had endured. In this struggle against Spirit Hall, she would no longer fight alone.