Leaving the tree-lined path, I held Gu Yue's hand and headed toward the Martial Soul Training Ground with Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and Xu Lizhi. This was the core training ground for the Outer Academy's assault- and agility-type students. The sounds of sword energy and Soul Power colliding rose and fell endlessly. It was also where Ye Xinglan spent most of her time.
Gu Yue walked quietly at my side, her silver-blue hair cascading down her back. Her star-silver eyes swept lightly over the surroundings, the aura of the Silver Dragon restrained until it was almost imperceptible. Only when her fingertips touched mine did faint elemental fluctuations flow softly between us. She did not speak much, yet she never strayed more than half a step away, like a cool and solitary laurel tree that showed tenderness to me alone. Xie Xie had recovered his usual sharpness. His twin-dagger martial soul was hidden within his sleeves, and he occasionally looked back to keep an eye on Xu Lizhi, afraid that the little fatty would fall behind while fussing over his meat buns. Gentle starlight surrounded Xu Xiaoyan as she silently cast a faint protective glow over us, her expression as soft as ever.
Before we even entered the training ground, a fierce yet pure sword aura rushed toward us.
It carried no hostility, only focus and pride. It was unmistakably the aura of Ye Xinglan's Stargod Sword.
My heart settled. In the original story, Ye Xinglan had been an Inner Academy prodigy—proud by nature, devoted to the sword, and deeply concerned with strength and honor. Though there had been friction when we first met, she had always upheld the bottom line of her teammates and the academy. Her sword aura was at its peak now, proving that she was immersed in her daily training, just as she had been when we first met.
As we stepped into the grounds, a tall, straight figure immediately came into view at the center.
The girl wore a white training uniform, her black hair tied high. Her face was cold and composed, and her gaze was as sharp as a blade. The Stargod Sword floated before her, blue light intertwined with starlight. Every swing was precise and crisp, and the sword wind swept across the bluestone ground, leaving behind fine yet restrained marks. Students nearby paused to watch, but none dared disturb her—her focus and strength naturally inspired awe.
It was Ye Xinglan.
"Xinglan," I called, my tone calm and without deliberate excitement, more in keeping with the captain's steadiness in the original story.
Ye Xinglan sheathed her sword and turned around. Her gaze swept first over Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan before settling on me, her brows drawing together slightly. She could sense the depth of my Soul Power and the faint fluctuations of the Gold Dragon bloodline, yet she did not lose her composure. She merely said, "Tang Wulin? What are you doing here?"
Her pride had never been rudeness. It was confidence and strictness carved into her bones. I stepped forward and spoke frankly. "We're forming a team to train together. We came to find you. The Shrek Seven Monsters can't be complete without you."
The hand holding Ye Xinglan's sword tightened slightly. She had always recognized strength, responsibility, and teammates. She never let personal feelings entangle her, but neither did she ever abandon those who fought beside her. She looked at me, then at Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and the honest-looking Xu Lizhi. Her cool face showed no unnecessary expression as she gave a small nod.
"My sword only walks beside those who are worthy," she said, her voice clear and cold, every word resolute. "Since the captain has spoken, I'll join the team."
There was no sentimentality and no unnecessary promise. That was Ye Xinglan's style—proud, decisive, and true to her word.
Xie Xie grinned and lightly tapped his twin daggers together. "That's what we were waiting to hear!" The starlight in Xu Xiaoyan's eyes softened further, while Xu Lizhi hugged his meat bun and nodded vigorously. "Sister Xinglan is the best!"
Gu Yue raised her eyes and glanced at Ye Xinglan. There was no hostility in her star-silver eyes, only faint approval. She never took the initiative to grow close to others, but she would silently accept the companions I acknowledged.
I looked at the five people before me: Xie Xie, the agility attacker; Xu Xiaoyan, the control-support; Xu Lizhi, the food-support; Ye Xinglan, the assault attacker; and Gu Yue at my side, whose elemental control had reached the extreme. The auras of the five blended together. Though we had not yet gathered all seven, the Shrek Seven Monsters had already begun to take shape.
Golden Dragon Power circulated steadily within me, neither flamboyant nor violent, fitting my current state with the seal not yet fully released. I looked toward the other side of the training ground, where faint fluctuations of sacred Soul Power and the Titan Giant Ape bloodline could be sensed—Yue Zhengyu and Yuanen Yehui were nearby.
The Star Sword had returned to its place, the silver moon stood by my side, and starlight and food support watched over each other. The bond of the Seven Monsters was gradually becoming whole.
I said softly, "Let's go find Yuanen Yehui and Yue Zhengyu. This time, we'll set out as a complete team and won't be separated again."
The sword aura withdrew, the starlight remained warm, and the auras of the Gold Dragon and Silver Dragon intertwined softly as we headed toward the next companion.
Before you continue