Three days after the victory feast, Flender gathered all eight students in the main courtyard at dawn.
The air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine from the distant forest and the faint metallic tang of morning dew on spirit tools. Everyone stood in loose formation, packs slung over shoulders, water skins filled, dried rations packed. Even Ning Rongrong had traded her usual delicate dresses for practical travelling robes in soft lavender—still elegant, but sturdy enough for the road.
Flender's eyes gleamed with the greed of a man who saw glory (and tuition fees) on the horizon.
"Listen well," he began, voice booming. "Most of you are hovering near or past the thirtieth rank bottleneck. Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing—you need your third spirit rings. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai—you're close to fourth. And Aza…" Flender paused, glancing at the pale youth who stood quietly with his ever-present court. "Well, we'll see what happens with you."
Grandmaster stepped forward, map scroll in hand.
"We will travel to the Great Star Dou Forest, south-west of Suotuo City. It is one of the largest spirit beast habitats on the continent and contains beasts suitable for every level up to ten-thousand-year. Zhao Wuji will lead as primary guardian. I will accompany for theoretical guidance and beast selection. Flender stays to guard the academy."
Zhao Wuji cracked his knuckles. "Any beast that thinks it can touch my students will learn why they call me the Immovable Bright King."
The students nodded—some excited, some nervous.
Aza simply listened, void eyes reflecting the rising sun like twin black mirrors.
Nyarlathotep, in his sleek black tailcoat, leaned close to Aza's ear and murmured something too soft for others to hear. Aza inclined his head slightly in response.
Yog-Sothoth's opalescent hair shifted, gates within her eyes opening briefly to show glimpses of green canopy and ancient trees.
Shub-Niggurath smiled, stroking one of her tiny young. "The forest will be fertile ground, my Sultan."
Grandmaster unrolled the map. "We leave within the hour. Travel time: two days on foot, one if we push. We enter from the north-east gate where human hunters are most active—safer for acquiring thousand-year beasts. No one is to wander alone. Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, Teacher!" rang out.
As the group dispersed to make final preparations, Ning Rongrong found herself walking beside Aza toward the academy gate.
She glanced sideways at him.
"You've never hunted a spirit ring before, have you?"
Aza shook his head. "I have existed since before such things were needed. But in this form… I feel the pull. Something waits for me there."
Rongrong hugged her arms. "It's dangerous. Spirit beasts can be vicious. And absorbing a ring hurts—a lot."
Aza looked at her fully.
"Pain is new to me," he said softly. "But I am not afraid. My court walks with me."
As if summoned by the words, Nyarlathotep appeared on Aza's other side, hands clasped behind his back.
"Indeed, little light-bearer," he said to Rongrong with that velvet-smooth voice. "No beast in that forest—nor any forest in any world—would dare raise claw or fang against our Sultan while we draw breath."
Rongrong huffed. "I wasn't worried about him. I was just… explaining."
Nyarlathotep's mismatched eyes sparkled. "Of course."
She quickened her pace, cheeks pink again.
The journey began at mid-morning.
Zhao Wuji led the column, massive frame cutting through the dirt road like a siege engine. Grandmaster walked beside him, discussing beast habitats in low tones. Tang San and Xiao Wu took the middle, hands occasionally brushing. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing scouted the flanks. Oscar and Ma Hongjun brought up the rear, bickering good-naturedly about food rations.
Aza walked near the centre, his court in human form keeping perfect pace.
They made excellent time. By late afternoon of the second day, the Great Star Dou Forest loomed on the horizon—a vast wall of ancient green stretching across the sky, alive with the distant cries of spirit beasts and the heavy scent of life.
At the forest's edge stood the usual market town: stalls selling beast hides, medicinal herbs, weapons, and information. Hunters and spirit masters milled about, eyeing the Shrek group with professional interest.
Zhao Wuji rented rooms at a sturdy inn for one final night of rest before entering the forest proper.
That evening, after a simple dinner, most students retired early.
Ning Rongrong, however, found herself on the inn's rooftop, gazing at the dark treeline.
The pagoda floated beside her, towers glowing faintly in the moonlight.
Footsteps—soft, almost silent—announced company.
Aza emerged from the stairwell, followed by Yog-Sothoth alone tonight. The gate-woman stood a respectful pace behind, serene and watchful.
"Couldn't sleep?" Rongrong asked without turning.
"The forest sings," Aza replied. "Old songs. Deep songs. They call to the dream."
He stepped to the railing beside her.
Below them, the town lights flickered. Beyond, the forest breathed like a living creature.
Rongrong glanced at him. "Are you… excited? For your first ring?"
Aza considered.
"I feel anticipation," he said. "A new note wishes to join the music. I wonder what it will sound like."
She smiled faintly. "Grandmaster says your martial soul is unprecedented. The ring you absorb might be… unusual."
"Perhaps." He turned to her. "And you? Your third ring will complete the Seven Treasures. A milestone."
Rongrong's expression dimmed slightly.
"Father sent a letter this morning. He expects me to find a beast that enhances support capability perfectly. No risks. Nothing experimental." She sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if he cares more about the pagoda than about me."
Yog-Sothoth spoke for the first time, voice a gentle overlap of whispers.
"Light-bearer, your worth is not measured by utility. You shine because you choose to shine."
Rongrong blinked, startled by the direct address.
Aza nodded. "She speaks truth. Your song is already perfect. The ring will only make it louder."
Rongrong looked down, fingers tracing the railing.
"Thanks," she murmured. "Both of you."
A comfortable silence settled.
After a while, she spoke again, quieter.
"Aza… when we're in there, stay close to the group, okay? Even with your court. Just… be careful."
He studied her face in the moonlight.
"I will," he said. "Because you ask it."
Her heart skipped.
She turned away quickly. "Good. Now go get some rest. We enter at dawn."
Aza bowed slightly—formal, almost courtly—and descended the stairs with Yog-Sothoth gliding behind.
Rongrong remained on the roof a long time, pagoda chiming softly in rhythm with a distant, mad piping she could now, faintly, hear herself.
The next morning, the group gathered at the forest gate.
Zhao Wuji paid the entry fee to the stationed Spirit Hall guards (who eyed Aza's court with deep unease but said nothing).
Grandmaster addressed them one last time.
"Remember: we seek specific beasts. Thousand-year level, suitable attributes. No unnecessary risks. If we encounter a beast beyond our capability, we retreat. Understood?"
Nods all around.
They stepped beneath the ancient canopy.
Immediately, the world changed.
Sunlight filtered in green shafts. The air grew thick with life—chirps, rustles, distant roars. Spirit power fluctuations brushed against their senses like invisible currents.
And something else.
Every spirit beast within a kilometre radius fell suddenly, unnaturally silent.
Birds stopped mid-flight and settled. Predators froze in place. Even insects hushed.
A path seemed to open before the group—trees leaning subtly aside, vines parting.
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed. "The forest… is quiet."
Grandmaster's eyes widened behind his glasses. He looked at Aza.
Aza walked calmly forward, court at his sides.
"They sense the dream," he said simply. "They listen."
Nyarlathotep smiled broadly. "All living things know their Sultan, even if they have never seen him before."
Shub-Niggurath laughed softly. "The forest offers welcome."
Ning Rongrong, walking just behind Aza, felt her pagoda vibrate—not in fear, but in eager resonance.
Tang San exchanged a glance with Grandmaster.
Whatever beasts they sought, the hunt had already become something no one in Douluo Continent had ever witnessed.
The dream had entered the wild.
And the wild, in its ancient wisdom, bowed.