The dawn broke through the night sky, and the first glimmer of light fell across the woods of Shrek Academy. The clear chirping of birds replaced the silence of the late night, and the once-quiet grounds gradually came alive. Everything returned to how it had been before, as if last night's highly secret meeting had never left a trace in the world.
Lin Chen rose early. His aura was as calm as ever, without the slightest trace of Soul Power escaping him. He looked no different from the steady, reserved student he had always been. He walked out of his room at an unhurried pace, his fingers lightly brushing the Storage Soul Tool. He had given away three peerless Immortal Herbs last night, a seemingly enormous sacrifice, yet composure and certainty remained hidden in his eyes. Tang San had been taken away by Tang Hao, removing the greatest variable. The three women had all given him their hearts, and his trump cards were quietly taking shape. Now all he had to do was wait for the right moment, keep his edge concealed, and unleash a storm when the time was right.
Morning training at the academy began on schedule. Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun still looked exhausted as they dragged their feet to the training grounds. They had slept soundly until dawn and knew nothing about what had happened during the night. They were still talking about Tang San's sudden departure, saying that without a comrade at their side, even training lacked some of its usual spirit. Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the other instructors stood at one side of the training grounds, their gazes sweeping over the students, their expressions as usual. They had no idea that several of the children around them had undergone a transformation overnight that most people could not achieve in a lifetime.
Xiao Wu bounced into the training grounds, as lively and playful as ever. With her jaunty ponytail and bright, smiling eyes, she gave Lin Chen a sweet smile, looking no different from before. But only she knew that the gentle power flowing through her heart constantly concealed the aura of her Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast origin. Even a Soul Saint or Soul Emperor examining her at close range would never spot a flaw.
Her gaze toward Lin Chen held an irrepressible tenderness and dependence, but she deliberately kept her feelings in check, afraid to let anything unusual show. She simply edged closer to him and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Lin Chen, with you here, I'm not afraid at all." Her voice was soft and sweet, yet full of reassurance. The warmth of being protected with all someone's might last night still lingered in her heart, allowing her to finally let go of every fear.
Lin Chen gave a slight nod, a hint of warmth in his eyes. Without drawing attention, he gave her a reassuring look, telling her to focus on training and not reveal anything unusual. Xiao Wu understood at once and composed herself, throwing herself into the morning exercises. Her movements were still light and graceful, but her speed and physical resilience had quietly increased several times over. She deliberately suppressed her strength, making sure every movement looked much the same as before, for fear of attracting anyone's attention.
Nearby, Zhu Zhuqing remained cold and taciturn, practicing Hell Hundred Claws alone in a corner. Her movements were ghostlike, so fast that they left trails of afterimages. Refined by the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone, the origin of her Nether Civet Martial Soul had been elevated and the limits of her body shattered. Her speed and ability to conceal herself far surpassed what they had been before. But she had always been careful and meticulous, so she completely hid her transformation, keeping the force and speed of her attacks at their former levels. The coolness in her eyes remained unchanged; only when she looked at Lin Chen did a fleeting hint of tenderness sometimes pass through them. She kept the affection hidden deep in her heart firmly beneath her sharp exterior.
She knew how secret Lin Chen's plans from the previous night were, and understood that this heaven-defying opportunity must never be exposed. She devoted herself to training and said little to anyone, playing her usual self to perfection. Even Dai Mubai, who had always kept an eye on her, only thought that her bearing seemed steadier than before. He had no idea that her strength had already been utterly transformed.
Ning Rongrong stood at one side of the training grounds. Usually lively and coquettish, she seemed more composed today. She instinctively raised a hand to summon her Martial Soul, but the moment light shimmered at her fingertips, she remembered Lin Chen's warning from the night before and forced her Soul Power back under control. She summoned only the seven-tier Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its radiant light flowing just as it always had.
She lowered her eyes to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in her hand, excitement and elation almost impossible to suppress. Overnight, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, breaking the thousand-year-old limit of her sect's Martial Soul. This opportunity had come from Lin Chen, who had poured his heart and effort into securing it for her. Her gaze toward him was full of admiration and affection. Her usual little airs had disappeared, replaced by a little more obedience and docility. She trained with unusual focus and gave her companions her full support, while keeping the secret of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda buried deep in her heart.
Oscar watched Ning Rongrong acting so obediently and couldn't help scratching his head, puzzled. "Rongrong, why are you being so well-behaved today?" Ning Rongrong glanced at him. Instead of bickering as she usually did, she merely said, "Train properly and stop talking nonsense." Then she turned her eyes back to Lin Chen. Her affection was plain to see, yet she knew where to draw the line and did not let it show to others.
The entire morning's training passed without incident. Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun remained groggy, and the instructors noticed nothing. No one realized that among the Shrek Seven Devils—excluding Tang San, who had been taken away—four of them had undergone a shocking transformation overnight.
Xiao Wu had safeguarded the secret of her identity and finally felt at ease; Zhu Zhuqing had overcome the flaw in her Martial Soul and greatly increased her strength; Ning Rongrong had broken free of her sect's destiny and gained a heaven-defying trump card. Lin Chen, meanwhile, had firmly secured the affection of all three and taken control of the whole situation. The three women each kept their secrets, understanding one another without a word. They hid all their transformations and feelings beneath the calm of everyday life, revealing not a single edge.
After morning training, everyone headed to the dining hall together, chatting and joking along the way, full of youthful spirit. Lin Chen walked among them, seeming to listen casually to his companions' conversation, while keeping his mind on alert and discreetly watching everything around him. Once he had confirmed that nothing was amiss and there was no sign that any secrets had leaked, the last of his concerns finally faded.
He knew the brief calm would not last. Tang Hao had taken Tang San away to train him, and he would return in a few months at the earliest, or half a year at the latest. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament was also drawing near, and forces from every quarter would gradually turn their attention to Shrek Academy. By then, undercurrents would surge and danger would lurk everywhere.
But he had already set his pieces in place. The three women's transformations were his most solid trump card, and their affection was his strongest support. Now all he had to do was bide his time, keep his edge hidden, and build up his strength. When the tournament began, he would reveal his brilliance and shock the entire crowd. It would also be the perfect opportunity to take complete control of the situation and protect those by his side.
During the meal, Xiao Wu instinctively placed food in Lin Chen's bowl, Zhu Zhuqing silently handed him some water, and Ning Rongrong sat obediently nearby, watching him with a smile. Their gestures were natural and discreet. Though they looked like ordinary acts of care between companions, they held a tenderness and affection meant only for Lin Chen. The others saw nothing more than friends looking after one another and gave it no further thought.
Feeling the affection of the three women beside him, Lin Chen's lips curved in a faint, almost imperceptible smile. He lowered his head to eat, but a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.
The peaceful days continued, but beneath the calm, undercurrents were already stirring. Lin Chen quietly planned his next moves, while the three women worked to improve their strength and conceal their transformations. Everyone was waiting for an opportunity—one that would astound the entire continent and let Lin Chen finally reveal his brilliance.
Far away, in a secluded place, Tang San was being rigorously trained by Tang Hao, honing the Clear Sky Hammer day and night. He remained completely unaware of the shocking changes at Shrek Academy, never imagining that during his absence, the companions who had once stood by his side had gained strength and made plans far beyond anything he could have imagined.
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