Back at Shrek, change was visible. Students who once ignored him called out cheerfully now, some offering food, others practicing beside him without complaint. The title "Frost Brother" solidified—no longer jest but respect.
Ning Rongrong approached during one dawn, pagoda glow shimmering with morning rays. She hesitated before murmuring, "I was spoiled once. But that day, I hid behind your wall… and I felt safe. I owe you." Xue shook head. "Frost never asks debt. Only endure so others breathe." Her eyes softened, faint blush hidden in hair.
Even Oscar boasted openly, "Without Fro—without Leng Xue, my sausages waste. He's wall, I'm cook!" Students laughed merrily but acknowledgment true.
Teachers too accepted quietly. Zhao Wuji spoke before group drill, pointing out, "Lesson: strength not only attacking. Without endurance, offense dies. Remember frost boy." Young monsters bowed heads, nodding. Flender meanwhile calculated gleam—Xue's barrier would be invaluable asset in future tournaments.
Tongues wagged across Suotuo. Rumor traveled that unknown frost adept at Shrek had shielded team against ancient beast, unheard of for rank barely past twenty. It drew curiosity, envy, and even noble disdain. But recognition stuck: Shrek housed new monster of endurance.
At night, calm alone, Xue inscribed again on Frost Wall new words: Root stronger when others shelter under it. Carving with bleeding fingers, lungs heavy, he trembled with exhaustion. But seeing slabs filled line by line gave him strength beyond spirit rank. Frost heritage would not die. Even if body lost, words lived.
The Tome blazed again: External Recognition Cultural Spread. Frost doctrine begins assimilation into foreign groups. For a fleeting second, Leng Xue almost wept—the first life dream of eternal clan was real, growing across lands.