Storm Clouds Gather, A Glimmer in the Dark Night

In the final half month before the tournament, Shrek Academy's training pace strangely slowed somewhat instead. Master no longer arranged high-intensity sparring, shifting the focus to tactical reviews, Soul Power consolidation, and psychological adjustment. As he put it, "A bowstring drawn too tight is liable to snap."

This change initially left the Eight Devils, accustomed to training relentlessly day and night, somewhat uncomfortable. But they soon came to understand its benefits. Their taut nerves were able to relax, the exhaustion accumulated over many days gradually faded, and their Soul Power became more solid and harmonious through its steady circulation. Even their understanding of their own abilities and team coordination seemed to deepen through this period of reflection.

At dusk, after completing a day of targeted training, the eight of them did not immediately return to their dormitories. Instead, as though by unspoken agreement, they came to the familiar mimetic cultivation grounds on the academy's back mountain. Countless drops of their sweat had been left here, and it had also witnessed Xiao Xiaoxiao's difficult recovery and the official formation of the Eight Devils.

The afterglow of the setting sun gilded the forest in warm gold, while a breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees. Without speaking, the eight scattered in tacit understanding, each finding a spot of their own. Some sat cross-legged in meditation, some gently guided their Soul Power, while others simply sat quietly and gazed into the distance.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing sat side by side on a massive boulder, quietly discussing a detail of their coordination during training earlier. Dai Mubai gestured as he spoke, and Zhu Zhuqing nodded occasionally. Her cool profile looked much softer beneath the sunset.

Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun huddled together, whispering about something unknown. From time to time, they burst into suppressed laughter, making Ning Rongrong look over curiously. Oscar sat beside Ning Rongrong, idly playing with a translucent Mushroom Sausage. His face wore its usual lazy smile, yet his gaze drifted toward Ning Rongrong from time to time, carrying a trace of tenderness that was hard to notice.

Tang San chose a spot near an area where Blue Silver Grass grew thickly. With his eyes closed and his mind focused, the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated slowly, his aura faintly blending with the life force around him. His expression was calm, but there was more contemplation between his brows than usual. Clearly, he was still processing the many tactical possibilities from the day's review.

Xiao Xiaoxiao did not disturb him. Instead, she sat beside a Moonlight Flower some distance away. At dusk, the Moonlight Flower emitted a faint pearly glow, which offered slight benefits in nurturing Spiritual Power. She gently shook the silver bell in her hand, listening to its deep, hoarse chime, but her gaze could not help falling upon Tang San.

He wore the academy's gray uniform, his figure lean but upright. The sunset outlined his resolute silhouette. Though he was merely sitting there quietly, he seemed to possess an invisible presence that made people feel at ease. Xiao Xiaoxiao recalled the sight of his back as he stood before her during the castle training, the slight tremble of his fingers when he handed her a cup of water, and his calm tone when he said, "I'm here." Her heart felt as if it had been lightly brushed by a feather, sending ripples spreading through it.

As if sensing her gaze, Tang San slowly opened his eyes and turned toward her. Their eyes met, and Xiao Xiaoxiao, like a child caught red-handed, hurriedly looked away. She pretended to admire the evening glow at the horizon, though the tips of her ears quietly turned crimson.

Tang San said nothing. His gaze merely paused for an instant on the faintly reddened tips of her ears before he closed his eyes again. The corner of his lips curved upward almost imperceptibly, then quickly returned to normal.

A wordless understanding flowed between them.

"Hey, how far do you think we can go in this tournament?" Ma Hongjun suddenly raised his voice, breaking the silence.

Xiao Wu immediately replied, "Is that even a question? Of course we're taking the championship! With the Shrek Eight Devils making a move, who cares whether it's the Golden Generation or the Diamond Generation? We'll knock them all flat!"

Dai Mubai laughed heartily. "Fatty, Xiao Wu, confidence is a good thing, but don't underestimate the enemy. Those veteran academies aren't made of clay."

Waving his Mushroom Sausage, Oscar chuckled. "What's there to fear? If we can't beat them, we can still fly away! When it comes to running... ah, no, strategic retreat, we're professionals!"

Ning Rongrong laughed at that and shot Oscar a reproachful glance. "Can't you think of something more positive?"

Zhu Zhuqing's cool voice rang out. "Give it our all and have no regrets. That is enough."

Tang San opened his eyes as well, his gaze sweeping across the group. "Master said that a tournament is not only a contest of strength, but also a test of wisdom and will. We just need to do our best and fight one match at a time."

His voice was steady and powerful, calming the somewhat restless atmosphere once more.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at her companions, at the fighting spirit burning in their eyes and the trust they shared. Her heart filled with strength. She was no longer a lone observer who had crossed into this world by herself. She was a member of the Shrek Eight Devils. Her joys and sorrows, her prospects and future, had long since become tightly entwined with these people.

"We'll win," she said softly. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an extraordinary determination.

Everyone looked at her. Seeing the light shining in her eyes, they all smiled.

The sun finally sank completely below the horizon. Night fell, and stars dotted the sky. Across the mimetic cultivation grounds, the areas corresponding to various martial souls began to emit hazy glows, adorning the forest with a dreamlike beauty.

The eight did not leave at once, continuing to savor this rare tranquility before the great battle. They knew such calm would soon be shattered. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament would be a massive vortex gathering the finest talents from across the land, a hall of glory and a cruel battlefield.

The wind filled the tower before the mountain storm arrived.

Yet at this moment, beneath the starlight, the Shrek Eight Devils felt no fear. There was only anticipation for the future and the warmth of supporting one another. Like those seemingly tiny yet steadfast stars in the night sky, they might not yet shine brightly enough, but they would one day gather into a dazzling galaxy impossible to ignore.

At some point, Tang San walked over to Xiao Xiaoxiao and handed her a small cloth pouch.

"What is it?" Xiao Xiaoxiao asked curiously as she accepted it.

"Teacher Shao made a new Calming Sachet. He said it would be good to use before the tournament," Tang San replied calmly.

Xiao Xiaoxiao opened the pouch, and a crisp medicinal fragrance that soothed the mind wafted out. She held the sachet in her palm and looked up at Tang San. Starlight fell into his deep eyes, making them shine with startling brilliance.

"Thank you." Her eyes curved into crescents.

Tang San gave a quiet "Mm" and looked away toward the night sky. The two stood side by side, neither speaking again, yet it seemed they could hear each other's heartbeats, clear and strong in the silent night.

A glimmer in the dark night illuminated the road ahead. And the legend that belonged to them was about to begin.