The Shrek Academy cafeteria was a modest wooden hall that smelled of simple stew, roasted meat, and the faint tang of Oscar's freshly conjured sausages. Lanterns hung from the rafters, casting warm golden light over the long tables where students and teachers gathered.
Flender, ever the showman despite the academy's poverty, had insisted on preparing a "grand welcoming feast" for their mysterious guest. In reality, it was the usual dinner with a few extra portions scavenged from the kitchen stores, but the gesture was sincere.
Luo Fang sat at the main table alongside the teachers and the Shrek Seven Devils. Grandmaster (Yu Xiaogang) occupied the head seat, his rigid posture and analytical gaze fixed on the newcomer. Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Ming King, lounged with arms crossed, occasionally eyeing Luo Fang with a mix of curiosity and wariness. Flender fluttered about like an excited cat, already calculating how such a powerful individual might benefit the academy's reputation.
The younger students—only a handful beyond the Seven Devils—whispered excitedly from nearby tables, stealing glances at the handsome stranger in flowing black robes.
"Eat, eat!" Flender urged, pushing a plate toward Luo Fang. "Our Shrek food may not be luxurious, but it's made with heart!"
Luo Fang smiled politely and accepted a bowl of steaming vegetable stew. The flavors were earthy and honest—far removed from the spiritual elixirs he was used to, but refreshing in their simplicity.
"Thank you for your hospitality," he said, his voice carrying easily across the table. "It's been a long time since I've shared a meal like this."
Rongrong, seated to his right, glanced at him. "You make it sound like you usually dine alone on mountaintops or something."
A faint chuckle escaped him. "Close enough."
Tang San, across from them, leaned forward slightly. "Senior Luo—sorry, just Luo Fang—Grandmaster has some questions about your cultivation method. If you're willing, we'd all like to hear more."
Grandmaster nodded, his expression serious. "Your energy completely bypasses the spirit ring system. In all my research, I've never encountered anything similar. If you're open to sharing even basic principles, it could expand our understanding of soul master theory immensely."
Zhao Wuji grunted. "Or he could just be hiding his rings. Some Titled Douluo can conceal them perfectly."
Luo Fang shook his head. "No concealment. Where I come from, we don't absorb spirit rings. We refine qi directly from heaven and earth, circulating it through meridians until it becomes immortal foundation. Spirit rings… would actually restrict my path."
The table fell quiet as everyone processed that.
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened. "So you're saying you could keep getting stronger forever? No ninety-nine limit?"
"In theory," Luo Fang replied. "Though the higher realms are… difficult."
Oscar whistled. "That's broken! Imagine no rank cap. Rongrong, your boosts on someone like him would be insane!"
Rongrong shot him a glare, but her cheeks pinked slightly. "Don't be crude, sausage freak."
Dai Mubai smirked. "She's right. Though I wouldn't mind a thirty percent power boost in my next fight."
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, picking at her food, but her dark eyes flicked toward Luo Fang occasionally, assessing.
Xiao Wu tilted her head. "Big brother Luo Fang, do you have a martial spirit at all? Or is it just that qi stuff?"
Luo Fang considered how to explain. "My 'martial spirit' is my own body and soul unified. Qi manifests however I will it—sword, shield, dragon, or pure force."
To demonstrate gently, he raised a hand. A tiny silver dragon formed from qi coiled around his fingers—lifelike, scales shimmering, eyes intelligent. It flew once around the table before dissipating harmlessly.
The younger students gasped. Even Grandmaster's eyes gleamed with academic hunger.
"Incredible…" the theorist murmured. "No spirit power consumption visible. The efficiency is beyond anything in our records."
Flender clapped his hands. "See? This is why Shrek accepts only monsters! And now we have a monster among monsters as our guest!"
Rongrong looked at the spot where the qi dragon had vanished, then at Luo Fang. "You could probably beat a Titled Douluo without breaking a sweat, couldn't you?"
Luo Fang met her gaze, his obsidian eyes softening. "Strength isn't everything. I've fought enough to know that."
Something in his tone—ancient weariness hidden beneath calm—made Rongrong's heart tighten unexpectedly. She quickly looked down at her plate.
After dinner, the group moved to the academy's central yard. The night air was cool, stars bright overhead. Grandmaster proposed a light spar to better understand Luo Fang's abilities.
Zhao Wuji volunteered eagerly. "Come on, kid. Let this old bear test you a bit. No killing moves, just friendly exchange."
Flender paled. "Wuji! If you destroy the yard again, I'll deduct it from your salary!"
Zhao Wuji laughed booming. "Relax, boss. I'll go easy."
The Seven Devils and teachers formed a loose circle. Luo Fang stepped into the open space, robes fluttering lightly.
Zhao Wuji activated his Vigorous Vajra Bear martial spirit. Seven rings rose—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black. His body swelled with muscle, fur sprouting, aura pressing down like a mountain.
"Seventh spirit skill—Vigorous Vajra Avatar!" he roared. His form grew even larger, power surging.
Then he charged, a single palm strike aimed to test defenses.
Luo Fang stood motionless until the last instant. He simply raised two fingers.
A thin barrier of qi appeared—translucent silver. Zhao Wuji's palm slammed into it and… stopped. The impact sent shockwaves rippling across the yard, cracking the ground beneath Zhao Wuji's feet, but Luo Fang didn't budge an inch.
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened. He pushed harder, veins bulging, but the barrier held effortlessly.
"Enough," Luo Fang said softly. With a gentle flick, the qi barrier expanded slightly—sending Zhao Wuji flying backward ten meters. The burly teacher landed on his feet, skidding to a halt, laughing heartily.
"Hah! Amazing! I used seventy percent power there, and you brushed it off like dust!"
The students erupted in cheers. Ma Hongjun whooped loudest. Even Zhuqing looked impressed.
Grandmaster stroked his chin. "Defensive conversion and redirection… flawless."
Rongrong's eyes shone as she watched Luo Fang walk back toward the group. Pride swelled in her chest for reasons she couldn't quite name.
Later, as the excitement died down, Flender pulled Luo Fang aside.
"Young friend, why not stay a while? Teach the children a few things. In return, free board, food, and whatever else we poor folks can offer."
Grandmaster added, "I would be deeply grateful for any insight into your qi circulation method. Even basic meditation techniques could revolutionize auxiliary system soul masters."
Luo Fang glanced toward the Seven Devils. Rongrong was laughing at something Xiao Wu said, silver hair catching the moonlight. His vacation, he realized, had already taken an unexpected turn.
"I'll stay," he said finally. "For a time."
Flender nearly danced with joy.
That night, in the simple guest room provided, Luo Fang sat cross-legged on the bed, qi circulating slowly. Yet his thoughts kept drifting—not to cultivation, but to a certain proud princess with a Seven Treasure pagoda.
Outside, Rongrong lay in her dorm bed, staring at the ceiling. Her heart raced whenever she remembered the way he had appeared in front of her in the forest, shielding her without hesitation.
"What is this feeling…?" she whispered to the dark.
Neither of them slept much that night.
And in the shadows of Shrek Academy, the wheels of destiny began to turn faster.