Dawn had not yet broken when the Star Dou Forest moved.
Not with sound.
Not with violence.
But with decision.
At the deepest edge of the inner forest, where even titled Douluo rarely dared to tread, mist gathered unnaturally thick. Spirit beasts that ruled their territories for tens of thousands of years lowered their heads instinctively, retreating without being chased.
A path was being opened.
From within the mist, a figure emerged.
She walked barefoot upon fallen leaves that did not dare to crunch beneath her steps. Her silver hair flowed freely, reaching her waist, glowing faintly as if moonlight had been woven into every strand.
Her eyes were clear.
Too clear.
They reflected the forest—but belonged to something older.
"Human land…" she murmured, tasting the words. "It has changed."
Her gaze turned toward Shrek Academy.
—
Shrek Academy awoke to pressure.
Not killing intent.
Not hostility.
Just an overwhelming sense that something important had arrived.
Zhao Wuji shot upright from his bed, heart pounding.
"What in the hells—"
Yu Xiaogang froze mid-step, eyes wide behind his glasses.
"This presence… it's not human."
Students poured into the courtyard, unease spreading like wildfire.
Tang San instinctively activated Purple Demon Eyes.
Then he staggered.
"I can't see through it," he muttered. "It's like… looking at the forest itself."
Xiao Wu stepped outside—
And the world went silent.
Her breath caught.
She knew.
Before the figure even reached the gates.
Lin Chen appeared beside her instantly, aura restrained to a razor-thin edge.
"Don't move ahead of me," he said quietly.
She nodded.
The gates creaked open on their own.
The silver-haired woman stood outside, hands folded calmly before her, expression gentle—but her presence bent the air around her.
Her eyes locked onto Xiao Wu.
For a heartbeat—
The seal flared.
Lin Chen stepped forward.
The pressure snapped.
The woman's gaze shifted to him—and sharpened.
"…You," she said softly. "You are not of this world."
Lin Chen met her eyes without flinching.
"And you are not merely a messenger," he replied.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Well spotted."
She inclined her head slightly—not a bow, but acknowledgment.
"I am Silver Empress A'Yin's Voice," she said. "One of the forest's keepers."
The name hit Tang San like lightning.
Silver… Empress?
Lin Chen's eyes narrowed. "You came for the rabbit."
"Yes," the emissary replied simply.
Xiao Wu stepped forward despite herself.
"I don't belong to you," she said, voice trembling—but firm.
The emissary regarded her quietly.
"Little Princess," she said, not unkindly. "You were born to the forest. To deny it is to deny your roots."
Lin Chen's aura shifted.
The ground beneath his feet cracked.
"She belongs to herself," he said coldly. "And until she chooses otherwise—no one touches her."
The emissary studied him.
Then—
She laughed.
Soft.
Ancient.
"How interesting," she said. "You shield a future calamity… without fear."
Her gaze sharpened.
"You know what she becomes."
"Yes," Lin Chen said. "And I know what you'll lose if you force her."
Silence stretched.
Finally, the emissary raised a hand.
"We will not take her," she said. "Not yet."
Xiao Wu's shoulders sagged in relief.
"But hear this," the emissary continued, eyes gleaming. "The seal is breaking. When it falls completely—"
Her gaze flicked to Lin Chen.
"—even you may not decide the outcome."
She turned to leave, mist already reclaiming her form.
"Prepare her," she said over her shoulder."Or prepare to fight the forest."
The presence vanished.
Only silence remained.
Zhao Wuji exhaled shakily. "…That was real, right?"
Lin Chen stared at the empty gate.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"And it was a warning."
High above, unseen—
Fate adjusted its grip.
And the countdown continued.