Dawn burned soft over Suotuo's horizon when Leng Xue crossed through Shrek's broken archway for the first time. His companions followed, stunned that gatekeeper waved them through after so long. Huan grinned wide, finally able to walk in without rage boiling, Yan clutched journal tightly, whispering prayers.
Inside, compound looked poorer still. Yet beneath cracked huts and weedy paths there pulsed an invisible weight. The air felt condensed, as if beasts watched hollowly. Xue's skin prickled; every motion told him there were predators here much stronger than face suggested.
They were led to courtyard where Flender stood with arms folded, glasses faintly gleaming. Zhao Wuji nearby leaned like stone wall, watching expressionless. "Leng Xue," Flender spoke, testing voice as though tasting syllables. "You know already that rules deny you. Today, still, you enter not as student but observer. Show me a reason why monsters accept frost too late and too weak."
Without hesitation, Xue knelt in soil. Hands trembling faint shield released, Frost Veil expanding quietly. The air chilled, dew forming across blades of grass. It was not fireworks, not dramatic. But circle widened steady, ten meters, fifteen, mist unbroken, density controlled. Villagers watching gasped, recognizing unnatural endurance. Zhao Wuji raised brow. "For his rank this stability shouldn't be possible."
Flender smirked faintly, eyes narrowing. "Endurance is something. But monsters survive battle, not meditation. Wuji, test him."
The bear‑like teacher grinned cruel and stomped forward. "Boy, if you collapse in three moves I toss you." He lunged without spirit possession, merely physical might. Xue's body trembled but remained calm. Frost spread wider, bind coiling across knee just enough to shift timing. Wuji's swing thudded ground inches from him. Children watching gasped.
Two more sweeps followed, each time frost slowed fraction, giving Xue ability to dodge by hair's breath. Cold beads of sweat fell but gaze steady always. Finally Zhao Wuji halted, laughter booming. "Good! You're not strong, but your frost makes giants stumble. Patience indeed."
Lenience glimmered rare in Flender's smile. "Enough. You are no official monster yet, but gate didn't shatter against your frost either. Stay, train. Prove rule wrong."
He turned sharply, striding away. Zhao Wuji clapped enormous hand on Xue's thin shoulder. "You'll break yourself if not careful. But maybe monster enough."
Leng Xue bowed deeply, voice quiet, trembling with raw relief. "Thank you." Inside, heart whispered words only he understood: First life I died rejected, second life I enter—even half‑step, more than before.
The Tome glowed in his soul: Shrek Entry Spark Engraved. Frost Path Divergence Achieved.