Rest and Recovery: Warmth Amid Fireworks, Gains for All

In the carriage returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, falling on the Soul Tools in Tang San's and Lin Zhixia's hands—the former stroked the palm that had just absorbed a soul ring, while the latter lightly touched a Star Rock Arrowhead with her fingertips. Starlight intertwined with the faint glow of Blue Silver Grass inside the carriage. Master Yu Xiaogang sat opposite them. Seeing the lingering exhaustion in everyone's eyes, he finally broke the silence. "Once we're back at the academy, you'll have five days to rest and recover."

His words were like a pebble dropped into still water. Ma Hongjun immediately straightened up, his drooping head suddenly perking up. "Five days? Master, you're not joking, are you? No morning runs? No Spirit Power Control training?" Flender, seated at the driver's position, turned back with a smile and patted his shoulder. "Silly boy, rest and recovery are part of cultivation too. A tightly drawn bowstring breaks easily. You've just fought soul beasts, and both your Soul Power and minds need time to settle."

By the time the carriage entered the gates of Shrek Academy, the setting sun had painted the wooden stakes on the training grounds gold and crimson. Zhao Wuji had already ordered hot water prepared, while a great iron pot in the dining hall simmered with soul beast bone broth, its fragrance drifting halfway down the street. That evening, everyone sat around the long dining table, steam from their bowls blurring their faces. Oscar brought out freshly made Ham Sausages and said with a grin, "For the first day of rest, I'm treating everyone! These sausages have Thousand-Year Snow Fox Meat in them. They can nourish your Soul Power." Ma Hongjun snatched up three at once, stuffing them into his mouth as he mumbled, "Xiao Ao really gets me!"

Over the following days, the academy had less of its usual special training noise and more of the warmth of everyday life.

On Suotuo City's Snack Street in the early morning, Xiao Wu held Lin Zhixia's hand as they stood before a Candied Chestnuts stall, stretching onto their tiptoes to look. "Look, Zhi Xia! They just came out of the pan, and the shells have all split open!" Xiao Wu handed her a peeled chestnut. When Lin Zhixia bit into it, its sweet, soft texture and warmth spread across her tongue. Not far away, Ning Rongrong was carefully picking through the Osmanthus Cakes, while Zhu Zhuqing held an oil-paper bag for her. Every so often, she picked up a piece and tasted it, an almost imperceptible smile flickering in her eyes. Looking at the scene before her, Lin Zhixia suddenly remembered the osmanthus sugar cakes her mother, Jun Yunshu, used to make for her. Her fingers unconsciously brushed the Star Guidance Bell at her waist. The bell swayed gently, as though answering her emotions.

In a corner of the Soul Dueling Arena at noon, Tang San and Dai Mubai were engaged in practical sparring. The Blue Silver Grass around Tang San's wrist glimmered under the sunlight. Though the Mystic Star Wheel had yet to be activated, it was already helping him control the Vines with precision. A wooden stake that had originally taken two seconds to Entangle now required only one. "Again!" Dai Mubai released his White Tiger Spirit, and Golden Spirit Power crashed into the Blue Silver Grass, only to be tightly trapped by the Vines. He laughed as he broke free. "Tang San, your control precision has improved again! Once you activate the Mystic Star Wheel, you'll probably be able to trap even a level-forty Soul Master." Tang San nodded, gathering Soul Power in his palm. "I want to try combining Spider Web Restraint with Blue Silver Grass. It'll give me another layer of control in future battles."

On the training grounds that afternoon, Oscar's and Ma Hongjun's squabbling rose and fell without pause. Holding up a newly developed Mint Sausage, Oscar chased Ma Hongjun around. "If you complain that it tastes bad again, I'll make you Bitter Gourd Sausages next time!" Ma Hongjun shouted as he ran, "Who told you to add so much mint? It feels like swallowing ice cubes!" Zhao Wuji, passing by, shook his head with a smile. Yet he quietly placed two Soul Power cushioning pads behind them, worried that they might run too fast and fall.

In the evenings, Lin Zhixia often sat on the roof tiles and watched the sunset. She would take out the Grass Butterfly her mother had left behind and gently stroke it on her lap. Sometimes Tang San would come up to the roof and hand her a bottle of warmed honey water. They did not speak, merely watched the cooking smoke curl into the distance. "Do you still remember our days in Sacred Soul Village?" Tang San suddenly asked. "Back then, you always sat beneath the Old Scholar Tree, drawing star maps on the ground with a branch." Lin Zhixia paused, then smiled and nodded. "I remember. You even helped me retrieve the Star Guidance Bell when it fell into the tree." The evening breeze drifted past, carrying the fresh scent of scholar tree leaves, and their shadows stretched long beneath the sunset.

On the final day of rest, Master gathered everyone on the training grounds. "These five days may have seemed like rest, but in truth, each of you has gained something." He looked at Tang San. "The control precision of your Blue Silver Grass has increased by fifteen percent, and you've completed the basic adaptation for the Mystic Star Wheel. Zhi Xia's Star River Armor-Piercing Arrow can now accurately pierce stone within thirty meters, and her utilization rate of Star Rock Arrowheads has reached eighty percent. Mu Bai's White Tiger Blazing Light Wave now wastes half as much Soul Power when compressing it." He paused, his gaze sweeping across them all. "Once this recovery period ends, we will begin special team coordination training. But remember—trust between companions is more important than any soul skill."

As the sun set, Lin Zhixia stood on the training grounds and drew the Starfall Bow. A Star Rock Arrowhead, trailing pale blue starlight, struck the distant Alloy Target, and its bullseye instantly exploded. She turned to look at the companions beside her. Xiao Wu was waving at her, Tang San's eyes held approval, and Dai Mubai smiled as he gave her a thumbs-up. The Star Guidance Bell at her waist chimed softly. Suddenly, she understood that her parents had wanted her to live well not merely so she could take revenge, but so she could embrace the warmth before her—these people who laughed with her, trained with her, and walked with her through her darkest days had long since become her family.

In the distant woods, Tang Hao stood with the Mysterious Iron Heavy Sword on his back, watching the figures on the training grounds as the wine bottle in his hand swayed slightly. He could feel that Lin Zhixia's emotions were no longer so heavy, and he could see Tang San growing ever more adept at controlling the Mystic Star Wheel. The corner of his lips lifted almost imperceptibly. He knew that these five days of rest had not only restored the children's strength, but also brought their hearts closer together. And this bond would be the strongest armor they possessed when facing Spirit Hall.