The dean assembled them after weeks. His sharp hawk eyes glinted under sun, voice ringing like iron. "New term begins across Empire. Great Spirit Master Tournament will commence soon. Our Shrek shall participate. Monsters shall show glory, win coin, carve name eternal." Students cheered, fire sparking in veins.
Leng Xue stood calm, listening. He had no lust for glory, tournament meant nothing personal. Yet he understood instantly: opportunity. Exposure of frost heritage to whole continent. The chance to etch Leng Clan into broader soil. Not glory of self, but spreading of root.
Training intensified. Strategies built. Tang San paired often with him deliberately: grass nets weaving stronger behind ice barriers. Team recognized synergy quickly—when frost wall rose, vines hunted with ruthless efficiency. Mubai charged confidently knowing glacier shielded flank. Rongrong boosted less fearfully knowing frost always there.
Yet worry gnawed him. His rank still lower. Tournament teams across empire held prodigies, talent leaps beyond. Could slow frost survive fire of continent's geniuses? He meditated deeply, whispering to ancestor within: "We never sought victory. We sought roots eternal. Even if others shine brighter, frost must endure competition so future Leng children believe in blood."
The Tome pulsed strong, as if hearing oath: Continental Stage Trigger Approaching. Survival significance immense.
Around him, Shrek monsters laughed, strategized, argued. Amid noise, he stepped to stone wall once more, carving final line before leaving for tournament: Endure. No matter flame, thunder, sword—frost endures.
When he stepped back, moon cast glow across Frost Wall inscriptions, each etched patient, unshaken. It was proof his second life already had spread roots further than first. Tomorrow, frost would travel onto continental stage.