Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Along the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, cold, massive gray walls stretched without end, cutting across the earth like enormous scars. These barriers built by humans were nominally for "protection," but in truth, they penned soul beasts inside until they had grown sufficiently, then subjected them to merciless slaughter and exploitation.
Shrek Academy's stance toward this iron curtain had long since undergone a world-shaking change. Yun Ming, the current Sea God Pavilion Master, advocated peaceful coexistence between humans and soul beasts and had already resolved to tear down these walls that symbolized enslavement.
Yet the demolition had reached a stalemate.
Under the Federation's stringent current laws, Shrek Academy alone could not decide whether the walls stayed or went. Demolition could begin only after five powers—Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, the Federation government, the Spirit Pagoda, and the Federation military—jointly signed their consent. For now, however, the Spirit Pagoda and the Federation military, coveting the soul beasts' power and seeking to control them, obstructed the effort at every turn, leaving the demolition plan unable to advance a single step.
Deep within the forest, beside the Lake of Life.
Gu Yuena sat cross-legged by the lake, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, her face slightly pale. Her eyes were tightly closed, and a faint silver halo surrounded her body. Clearly, her injuries had yet to heal. Tang Wulin stood anxiously beside her, watching the soul tool turrets faintly visible atop the distant walls, his heart filled with urgency and helplessness.
"Gu Yue, this wall..." Tang Wulin clenched his fists, his voice low.
Gu Yuena slowly opened her eyes, weariness and coldness flashing through her silver gaze. "Don't rush, Linlin. This wall will come down sooner or later. But right now..."