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After her conversation with Gu Yuena, Na'er once again stood before the gates of Shrek Academy. Gazing at the ancient and solemn entrance, she let out a soft sigh before stepping inside.
The outer academy was vibrant and full of life, with birds singing and flowers blooming. The young students who had earned their place at Shrek were filled with joy, yet they also pushed forward under immense pressure. Along the paths, their laughter and playful banter could be heard—a radiant display of youthful energy.
Inner Academy, Sea God's Island.
The island was as beautiful as ever. Na'er had lived here for many years, and now that she was leaving, she couldn't help but feel a tinge of reluctance. The Shrek Seven Monsters had already returned from their training, enthusiastically sparring and exchanging insights.
Rumor had it that they had ventured to a place called Devil Island—a mysterious land that held great opportunities. This seemed perfectly fitting for her brother.
Tang Wulin had grown even stronger. Even Yuanen Yehui, who possessed the Titan Giant Ape martial soul, had no choice but to yield before the Golden Dragon King. His golden bloodline soul rings were unprecedented, so dazzling that it seemed everyone had forgotten his original martial soul was the Blue Silver Emperor. The Golden Dragon King simply outshone everything else.
"Na'er!" Tang Wulin waved at her cheerfully.
"Brother." Na'er smiled back before quietly walking away, taking in the scenery of the inner academy. There were so many unforgettable people and memories here. Now, as she witnessed its glory, she couldn't help but reflect on her deep connection to this place.
When she had first arrived at the inner academy, she had made her debut as the Pavilion Master's disciple. Her first challenge had been against him—she had defeated him with a single strike of her spear. Yet, he never gave up, training relentlessly to reclaim his pride. Later, when she lost her talents, it almost felt like repayment for that initial defeat.
Now, as she looked back, her heart was at peace. The storms of the past had long faded, and she had grown so much since then.
Sea God's Island, Yali's Courtyard.
She arrived here next. Yun Ming and Yali had given her the greatest care, treating her as their own daughter.
"Na'er, you're here?" Yali was dignified and gentle, her demeanor warm and affectionate. Yun Ming also emerged from the house, smiling as he watched the scene before him.
Life now was nothing short of perfect.
"What's wrong? You seem a little down. Did Bai Xu bully you?" Yun Ming stood beside Yali, asking softly.
Na'er chuckled. "No, it's nothing like that. I'm just feeling a little sentimental, Master. Life is so beautiful right now that I can't help but feel a little lost in it."
Yun Ming was taken aback. "Have you been around Bai Xu for too long? Even you're saying such things now."
Yali covered her mouth with a light laugh, silently agreeing with Na'er's words.
This was truly a good life.
"Well, I won't disturb you two any longer. I'll take my leave now!" Na'er cheerfully departed from the courtyard, heading to her final stop—her own residence.
"It's been almost ten years, hasn't it? I never thought a split personality like me could exist for so long." She took out paper and a pen, quietly writing farewell letters to everyone.
Looking back, she realized that Shrek's beauty had never truly belonged to her. In some distant, unpredictable future—or perhaps in another parallel world—she might exist permanently. Not as the Silver Dragon, not as Gu Yuena, and not as Gu Yue.
Just as herself—as Na'er.
"Goodbye, everyone."
Outside Shrek City, a Secluded Temple.
Gu Yue waited there as Na'er slowly appeared. Both of them carried a trace of sorrow in their eyes as they gazed at each other.
"Finished your goodbyes?" Gu Yue asked, forcing a light tone.
"Yes. There's nothing left tying me here. It's time for her to awaken. The merging of our origins is inevitable—you and I are, after all, the Silver Dragon King."
"True. It's just a shame Bai Xu isn't here."
Na'er didn't respond. Instead, she looked in a certain direction and smiled faintly. "Gu Yue, do you trust him?"
"Of course!"
"Then… see you in the future."
"Exactly what I wanted to say. See you in the future."
The two girls embraced. A flash of silver light erupted as Gu Yuena fully awakened, while Gu Yue and Na'er fell into slumber. Inheriting the memories of both, Gu Yuena also felt a pang of sadness as she gazed into the distance.
"Bai Xu… I hope you can succeed."
She hadn't fully merged Gu Yue and Na'er—instead, she had allowed them to fall into slumber while she took the dominant role. If Bai Xu truly reached that level in the future, he would be able to find traces of their existence within her spiritual sea.
"This chessboard… only you can solve it."
Beep beep beep—
The sound of a soul communicator rang out. Bai Xu picked up. "Hello?"
But there was only silence on the other end.
"Gu Yue?" he ventured, yet still, no one answered.
"Gu Yuena," he said, this time with certainty.
"...Mn." Her voice was soft.
"I'll be done here in a few days. I'll return soon."
"Okay."
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"Na'er is gone!?" Yun Ming was stunned, staring at the letter in Yali's hands.
"She had already said her goodbyes. She mentioned that her family needed her to take on responsibilities, so she wouldn't be back for a while. If fate allows, we'll meet again in the future," Yali sighed.
"Ah… Couldn't she have told us? Even if it's a reclusive family, I could've pulled some strings. This child…" Yun Ming smiled bitterly.
"She didn't want to rely on us. After all, we can't accompany her forever. Let her go."
"She's grown up. It's time for her to spread her wings."
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About Half a Month Later.
The silent room was vast, with a domed ceiling that curved downward into the walls, covered in intricate magical patterns.
The chamber stood thirty meters tall, with a diameter exceeding fifty meters—an immense space. At its center, twelve figures sat cross-legged in a circle.
Beneath them, the floor was carved with complex magical inscriptions. More horrifyingly, the grooves of these inscriptions were filled with flowing blood, forming channels that pulsed with shifting energy.
Along the outer edges of the room stood over a hundred figures, all clad in black robes with hoods covering their heads, leaving only their left hands exposed. The blood flowed from their slit wrists, feeding the ritual.
The evil soul masters' sacrificial ceremony had long since begun.
Tonight, the sky was pitch-black, shrouded in dense clouds. Yet above Shrek City, a meteor shower streaked across the heavens. Those with high cultivation bases felt uneasy—only when the "meteors" drew closer did they realize they were fixed soul guide shells, enough to blanket the entire inner city of Shrek.
At that moment, beams of light shot up from the direction of Sea God's Island, soaring into the sky. At first, only seven figures rose, followed by dozens more in quick succession.
They were the mighty experts of Shrek Academy's inner academy.
Boom—! Boom—! Boom—!
One explosion after another erupted in the sky, blooming like dazzling fireworks.
Judging by the force, not a single one of these fixed soul guide shells was below Rank 7.