The atmosphere in the Shrek Academy plaza was incredibly tense. Oscar was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself, while Ma Hongjun's hands were still smoking with residual phoenix fire. Tang San and Dai Mubai had come out of their dorms upon hearing the commotion, their expressions grave. Even Vice Dean Zhao Wuji looked ready to charge down the dirt road.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden gates creaked open.
Headmaster Flender strode into the plaza, pushing his square glasses up his nose and sweating profusely. Right behind him, looking completely immaculate and entirely unbothered, was Bai Ming.
"Ming!" Fatty yelled, running forward. "You're alive! What happened to the bandits?!"
"Oh, them?" Bai Ming smiled smoothly, casually brushing a speck of imaginary dust from his silver cuff. "I simply erected a massive wall of fire across the road. The heat was rather intense. They realized they couldn't breach it without burning to a crisp, so they cursed a bit and ran away into the woods. Nothing to worry about."
Tang San frowned, his analytical mind immediately picking apart the story. Eleven hardened mercenaries, including a Spirit Elder, just gave up and ran away from a Spirit Grandmaster's fire wall? He looked at Flender for confirmation. The Headmaster, still deeply traumatized by the glass crater and utterly convinced of a hidden, god-like protector lurking in the shadows, swallowed hard and nodded far too quickly.
"Yes! Exactly!" Flender coughed, his voice an octave higher than usual. "The... the fire was very bright. The bandits fled in terror. Young Master Bai handled it perfectly. Now, let us move on!"
Before anyone could question the Headmaster's strange, jittery behavior, Bai Ming stepped forward and clapped his hands once. The sharp sound drew everyone's attention.
"Now that the unpleasantness of the road is behind us, we have much work to do," Bai announced, his pitch-black eyes scanning the dilapidated wooden buildings surrounding the plaza. "As agreed with the Headmaster, I am officially upgrading this academy from a biological hazard to a livable environment."
Bai raised his voice so the gathered teachers—including the staff who had come out to see the commotion—could hear him.
"I need everyone to evacuate the buildings immediately. Take your personal belongings, keepsakes, and anything you do not want flash-incinerated. I will be performing the purge as quickly as possible, moving from the dormitories to the staff quarters, the kitchen, and the training grounds."
Ning Rongrong's cyan eyes lit up like stars. She stepped forward, practically vibrating with excitement. "Bai! Does this mean you can do our whole dormitory building? Not just the bedroom, but the lounge and the bathrooms too?!"
"Of course, Rongrong," Bai offered a flawless, aristocratic bow. "Ladies first. Please, gather your things."
The girls didn't need to be told twice. They sprinted into their dormitory, quickly grabbing their few valuables and the mountain of shopping bags they had just acquired, dragging them out into the dirt plaza.
Once the building was clear, Bai Ming walked up to the entrance.
The entire academy watched in silence. Tang San secretly channeled spirit power into his eyes, activating his Purple Demon Eye, eager to see exactly how this arrogant noble manipulated his energy.
Bai raised his hand. The Cosmic Origin Core spun.
A blinding, roaring tide of golden Sun-Ape Ki erupted from his palm and flooded the entire building. The heat was instantaneous and staggering, forcing the onlookers to shield their faces.
Through his Purple Demon Eye, Tang San gasped. He expected a chaotic, destructive explosion of fire. Instead, he saw a terrifyingly precise, almost sentient web of energy. The golden light completely ignored the structural integrity of the wooden beams, but ruthlessly hunted down and vaporized every speck of dirt, mold, rotting straw, cobweb, and grime. The sheer micro-control required to burn the impurities without setting the dry wood on fire was beyond anything Tang San had ever witnessed.
His control is absolute, Tang San thought, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. He isn't just powerful. His mastery over his element is flawless.
Even Dai Mubai, who desperately wanted to hate the boy, stared at the glowing building in begrudging, silent awe.
The golden light snapped off. Bai stepped inside the perfectly sterilized, empty building. He tapped his void-black spatial ring.
Thud. Thud. Thud. In a matter of minutes, he completely transformed the space. He replaced the rotting floorboards with thick woolen carpets. He set up memory-foam beds, ironwood wardrobes, and crystal chandeliers in the bedrooms. In the lounge, he placed plush, padded chairs and a polished table. Most impressively, he hauled out massive porcelain bathtubs and connected continuous-flow hot water spirit tools to them.
When he stepped out and gestured for the girls to look, the resulting squeals of joy echoed across the entire village.
"Next," Bai said smoothly, turning to the boys' dorm.
The process was repeated. A flash of golden light, a few minutes of spatial ring manipulation, and the drafty shack was turned into a high-end suite.
Ma Hongjun sprinted inside. The moment he saw the massive, luxurious memory-foam bed with its breathable silk sheets, he took a flying leap and face-planted directly into the mattress.
"It's so soft!" Fatty laughed hysterically, rolling around like a giant red ball. He bounded off the bed, ran straight up to Bai Ming, and dropped into a deep, theatrical bow. "Big Bro Bai! You are my actual savior! I will follow you forever! If anyone talks back to you, I'll burn them myself!"
Oscar nodded vigorously, gently stroking his new ironwood desk. "All hail Big Bro Bai."
Tang San and Dai Mubai stood rigidly by the door, refusing to look impressed, though their eyes kept darting longingly toward the incredibly comfortable-looking beds.
"Do not grovel, Hongjun, it is unbecoming," Bai smirked, adjusting his cuffs. "Now, onto the heart of the academy."
Bai marched toward the cafeteria. The academy's sole chef, a weary middle-aged man known simply as Uncle Shao, hurriedly grabbed his favorite cleaver and ran outside before Bai unleashed the golden purge.
Once the dining hall and kitchen were sterilized of years of grease and grime, Bai didn't just place new tables and chairs. He walked into the kitchen and began pulling industrial-grade equipment from his ring.
Five self-heating obsidian stoves slammed onto the floor. Two massive frost-gem refrigeration units hummed to life. Crates of premium steel cookware clattered onto the counters.
Uncle Shao poked his head into the kitchen and completely froze. His jaw dropped so far it nearly hit his chest.
"But wait," Bai murmured, "a kitchen is nothing without supplies."
From the ring came fifty-pound sacks of premium pearl-grain rice, giant slabs of hundred-year spirit beast meat, rare spices from the Star Luo Empire, and barrels of imported fruit wine.
Uncle Shao dropped his cleaver. Tears literally burst from his eyes. He ran forward, throwing his arms around Bai Ming's leg in a desperate, weeping hug.
"Young Master!" the chef sobbed uncontrollably. "Thank you! Heavens bless you! I've been cooking with moldy potatoes and stringy rat-meat for three years! I can finally make real food!"
"Please release my trousers, the silk is delicate," Bai sighed, gently prying the weeping chef off his leg.
"Just leave it all right there, Young Master Bai!" Uncle Shao cried, wiping his tears with his apron as he stared lovingly at an obsidian stove. "I'll put the ingredients away! I'm making a feast tonight!"
Flender and Zhao Wuji watched from the doorway, utterly speechless.
Over the next few hours, Bai Ming systematically dismantled Shrek Academy's poverty. He sterilized and furnished the teachers' quarters, giving Flender and Zhao Wuji beds that cost more than their entire annual budget. He moved to the infirmary, setting up the massive bronze recovery cauldrons and stocking the shelves with the soothing spirit grass he had purchased. He even set up the profound iron gravity bracers and hundred-year ironwood striking dummies in the training yard.
By the time the sun fully set, the Shrek Academy village was unrecognizable on the inside.
The exterior of the buildings still looked like drafty wooden shacks—a necessary camouflage—but the interiors were breathtaking. The air smelled of clean linen and expensive wood. Warm, steady light from spirit-crystal chandeliers spilled out of the windows.
It wasn't quite on the level of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, which boasted halls paved with solid gold and jade. But for Suotuo City, this was the absolute pinnacle of luxury.
Flender stood in the center of the dirt plaza, looking around at the glowing windows. He listened to the joyous laughter of his students echoing from the dormitories, and smelled the mouth-watering aroma of roasting spirit beast meat drifting from the kitchen.
The Headmaster slowly took off his glasses and wiped a single, highly emotional tear from his eye.
I gave him absolute freedom to do whatever he wants, Flender thought, his heart swelling with a mix of overwhelming greed and profound gratitude. And in return, he bought me a resort. Giving that boy the run of the school was the absolute best decision of my entire life.
The night sky above Suotuo City was dark, but the central plaza of Shrek Academy was practically glowing. Warm, steady light from spirit-crystal chandeliers spilled out of the windows of the wooden cabins, casting a luxurious, welcoming aura over the previously depressing dirt yard.
The students and teachers stood together in the center of the plaza, utterly stunned by the sheer scale of the transformation.
Headmaster Flender stood perfectly still, his sharp owl eyes scanning the illuminated windows. He could hear the hum of the frost-gem refrigerators in the kitchen. He could see the gleam of the heavy profound iron training equipment in the yard. He could smell the rich, intoxicating aroma of roasting hundred-year spirit beast meat wafting through the air.
Flender slowly took off his square glasses. His hands were actually trembling. A single, highly uncharacteristic tear escaped his eye, tracking down his sharp cheek.
For twenty years, he had poured his blood, sweat, and meager savings into this academy. He had endured the mocking laughter of the major cities and the poverty of the countryside, holding onto the stubborn belief that he could build an academy for true monsters. Now, looking at the high-end training gear and the luxurious living conditions, it was finally real. It was close to the dream he had envisioned all those years ago.
If only Xiaogang could see this, Flender thought, his chest tightening with profound nostalgia. If only Erlong were here... she would have loved this. Our dream is finally taking shape.
Zhao Wuji noticed the Headmaster's emotional state and placed a heavy, comforting hand on his shoulder. "We made it, old friend. It took a while, but we finally caught a golden dragon."
Before Flender could compose himself, Bai Ming stepped into the center of the plaza.
The silver-robed aristocrat looked entirely unfazed by the manual labor he had just performed. He flawlessly adjusted his cuffs, clasping his hands behind his back as he addressed the stunned assembly of teachers and students.
"Now that the biological hazards have been thoroughly purged, I believe a formal accounting of the academy's new inventory is in order," Bai announced, his metallic voice ringing with absolute, calculating authority. "Listen closely, as I expect you all to utilize these resources to their absolute limits."
Bai raised a single finger, ticking off the upgrades.
I. The Living Quarters "First, the dormitories and staff rooms. I have completely incinerated the rotting straw, the splintering wood, and the mold infestations. The structural integrity remains, but the interiors have been entirely replaced.
Bedding: Imported memory-foam mattresses and breathable silk sheets. Proper spinal support is mandatory for high-level cultivation.
Furnishings: Carved ironwood wardrobes, writing desks, and thick woolen carpets to insulate the floors.
Hygiene: I have installed porcelain bathtubs in the washrooms, powered by continuous-flow hot water spirit tools. There is absolutely no excuse for any of you to smell like wet dogs anymore."
Ning Rongrong and Oscar actively cheered at the mention of the hot water.
II. The Culinary Department Bai raised a second finger. "Cultivators require dense, high-quality calories. Shrek's previous diet of watery porridge and questionable vegetables was actively hindering your physical growth."
Equipment: Five self-heating obsidian stoves and two frost-gem refrigeration units have been installed.
Provisions: The pantry is now fully stocked with hundred-year spirit beast meat, premium pearl-grain rice, and imported spices. Uncle Shao has been given strict orders to ensure every meal is a high-protein feast."
Ma Hongjun wiped a line of drool from his chin, his stomach rumbling loudly in agreement.
III. The Training & Recovery Facilities Bai raised a third finger, his pitch-black eyes narrowing as he looked directly at Tang San and Dai Mubai. "This is the most critical addition. Comfort is a privilege, but power must be forged. I purchased specialized equipment from Suotuo City's premier blacksmiths."
Conditioning: In the eastern yard, you will find heavy-duty profound iron gravity bracers. They can be adjusted via spirit power injection. From tomorrow onward, I expect those who rely on physical strength to wear them constantly.
Combat: I have set up reinforced, hundred-year ironwood striking dummies for Hongjun to test his flames, and spools of razor-thin evasion wire for Zhuqing and Xiao Wu to practice high-speed agility training.
Recovery: Beside the infirmary, I have placed massive bronze cauldrons. The academy is now stocked with hundreds of bundles of soothing spirit grass. After training, you will boil the grass and bathe in the medicinal water to repair your torn muscle fibers overnight."
Tang San's eyes widened. As a Tang Sect disciple, he instantly recognized the value of everything Bai had just listed. The gravity bracers for weight training, the evasion wire for agility, the medicinal baths for forced recovery—it was a flawless, elite physical conditioning regimen. It was exactly the kind of setup the world's top sects used to forge their disciples.
"The items I removed from this academy belonged in a landfill," Bai concluded smoothly, dropping his hands to his sides. "The items I have provided are the absolute pinnacle of what Suotuo City has to offer. If you want better, you will have to travel to the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy itself."
Bai offered a slight, impeccable bow to the Headmaster.
"The Shrek Academy is now properly equipped to forge monsters, Headmaster Flender. I trust this meets your expectations?"
Flender let out a booming, ecstatic laugh, entirely abandoning his previous melancholy. He wiped his eyes and puffed out his chest, looking at his fully furnished, heavily equipped academy.
"Meets my expectations? Bai, you've completely exceeded them!" Flender grinned, his greedy, ambitious nature fully restored. He turned to the stunned students. "You heard him! We have the best beds, the best food, and the best training equipment in the province! If any of you slack off now, I'll personally throw you out of the gates!"
"Food is ready!" Uncle Shao's joyous voice echoed from the cafeteria doors.
The Shrek Seven Devils—and their terrifying, multiversal King Beast benefactor—didn't need to be told twice. They rushed toward the dining hall, ready to consume their first proper feast, completely energized for the brutal hunt that awaited them in the Star Dou Great Forest the next morning.
Chapter 30: The Golden Renovation (Conclusion)
The heavy wooden doors to the cafeteria swung open, and the Shrek Seven Devils completely stopped in their tracks.
The dining hall, which had been a dreary, depressing room filled with splintering benches and the lingering smell of boiled cabbage just that morning, was entirely unrecognizable. Twenty spirit-crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in a warm, inviting glow. The rickety benches had been replaced by polished ironwood dining tables and plush, padded chairs.
But the true masterpiece was the food.
The tables practically groaned under the weight of the feast. Massive platters of roasted hundred-year Iron-Horned Boar meat sizzled in thick, savory gravies. There were towering bowls of steaming, fragrant pearl-grain rice, platters of vibrant, perfectly seared spirit-vegetables imported from the Star Luo Empire, and crystal pitchers filled with sweet, chilled fruit wine.
Standing at the head of the tables was Uncle Shao. The chef had abandoned his greasy rags for a crisp, brand-new white apron. He was beaming with such intense pride that he looked ten years younger.
"Dig in, you little monsters!" Uncle Shao announced, gesturing grandly to the spread. "This is the finest meal I have ever cooked in my entire life!"
Ma Hongjun didn't even wait for Flender to sit down. The Evil Fire Phoenix practically dove across the table, grabbing a massive, bone-in boar shank. He took a massive bite, and his eyes instantly rolled to the back of his head.
"Heavens..." Fatty mumbled around a mouthful of meat, tears of pure joy streaming down his face. "It's so tender! It melts! The flavor is literally exploding!"
The rest of the group quickly scrambled to their seats. Even Zhu Zhuqing, usually a pillar of cold restraint, immediately reached for a slice of perfectly seared meat, her feline eyes widening in genuine shock at the rich, savory taste. Xiao Wu found a platter of high-tier spirit carrots glazed in honey, her rabbit ears twitching in absolute bliss with every crunch.
Ning Rongrong took a delicate bite of the pearl-grain rice and nodded in profound satisfaction. "The texture is perfect. The spices are perfectly balanced. This is actually on par with the private chefs back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan!"
Even Tang San and Dai Mubai, who had sworn to themselves they wouldn't act impressed by Bai Ming's wealth, found their pride completely shattered by the sheer quality of the meal.
Tang San chewed slowly, his analytical mind reeling. It isn't just the flavor, he realized, feeling a warm, soothing current of energy flow down his throat and into his meridians. The hundred-year spirit beast meat and the pearl-grain rice... they are packed with dense, pure nutritional energy. Eating this will actively strengthen our physical bodies and speed up our spirit power recovery!
Unable to deny the benefits, Tang San and Dai Mubai abandoned their pride and began eating aggressively, matching Ma Hongjun bite for bite.
At the head of the table, Bai Ming sat with perfect, upright posture. He cut his meat with surgical precision, chewed with his mouth closed, and occasionally dabbed his lips with a silk napkin. His aristocratic etiquette was utterly flawless.
However, Tang San, who was sitting across from him, noticed something deeply unsettling.
Despite Bai Ming's slow, elegant movements, the sheer volume of food vanishing from his plate was mathematically impossible. Every time Tang San blinked, Bai's plate was empty, instantly refilled, and emptied again. The silver-robed boy was eating with the quiet, bottomless efficiency of a black hole. It was a subtle, terrifying glimpse into the biological caloric demands of the King Beast's Saiyan physiology.
Flender and Zhao Wuji sat at the teachers' table, happily tearing into their own roasted boar, toasting each other with cups of expensive fruit wine.
"This is the life, Flender," Zhao Wuji laughed, wiping grease from his chin. "I could get used to this."
As the feast began to wind down, the students leaned back in their padded chairs, clutching their overly full stomachs in absolute, satisfied bliss. Fatty looked like he was ready to slip into a food coma, while Oscar was happily picking his teeth with a toothpick.
Bai Ming gently set his silver fork down, wiping his mouth one final time before placing his napkin on the table. He looked around at the exhausted, well-fed faces of his peers.
A slow, brilliant smile spread across Bai Ming's face. He raised his crystal glass of fruit wine.
"Now," Bai Ming declared, his metallic voice carrying across the dining hall, rich with dark, multiversal amusement. "This is proper sustenance for Spirit Masters. Watery porridge and rotten vegetables do not forge champions. Dense energy, heavy gravity, and brutal recovery... that is the true path to power."
He let out a rich, cultured laugh that sent a subtle thrill of anticipation down the spines of everyone in the room.
"Drink up and rest well tonight, my peers," Bai smirked, his pitch-black eyes gleaming with the promise of the hunt. "Because tomorrow we enter the Star Dou Great Forest. With this foundation... now we can truly grow as the monsters this academy claims us to be. Hahahaha!"
The Shrek Seven Devils raised their glasses, the excitement of the impending journey and the absolute certainty of their future growth burning brightly in their chests. Tomorrow, the true hunt would begin.