The woman they addressed as queen smiled gently. There was no trace of arrogance in her gaze.
"Shrek Academy is a place I have long wished to see. Since the Pavilion Master has come in person, it would be discourteous of me not to meet you. You have traveled far. Please, follow me."
At that moment, a startled voice rang out from the crowd.
"Grandmother?!"
Fan Yue barely had time to turn toward the voice before Yuanen Huihui broke from the group at a run. Without hesitation, he crossed to the woman in the green dress and pulled her into a tight embrace.
The queen simply laughed softly and returned it.
"My little Huihui is here too. Let your grandmother look at you. I've missed you so much." She kissed him gently on the forehead.
The first-years exchanged glances. Surprise was written on every face — none of them had ever imagined that Yuanen Huihui might be the grandson of the Elven Queen. Fan Yue turned instinctively and noticed that the expression on Tang Yuge's face had darkened slightly. She stood still, but her gaze had grown distant.
He stepped closer and said quietly, "Are you alright?"
Tang Yuge nodded, but the reply was guarded, almost clipped. The shadow on her face didn't lift.
Fan Yue thought for a moment, and the words Lan Xuanyu had once mentioned surfaced in his memory.
"Tang Yuge and Yuanen Huihui are brother and sister. Different mothers, same father."
It seems there's something complicated between them, Fan Yue thought, glancing at Tang Yuge with quiet concern.
Across the group, Lan Xuanyu had already noticed Tang Yuge's reaction. He caught Dong Qianqiu and Lan Mengqin's eyes and gave them a subtle nudge in her direction.
The girls will find it easier to reach her. But whatever is between Tang Yuge and Yuanen Huihui — that's something they have to work out themselves. We can't step into their family affairs.
At that moment, another figure appeared beside the Elven Queen. He stepped quietly into place, gave a slight nod in Wang Tianyu's direction.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master Wang. It's good to see you again."
He was a young man — pale, almost sickly in complexion. But what was truly unusual were his eyes: multiple pupils, layered one within another, as though they swallowed all the light around them. The aura that surrounded him was dark and cold.
Wang Tianyu took the initiative and extended his hand.
"Hello. It's been a long time, King of Myriad Demons."
The King of Myriad Demons smiled and shook it firmly.
"Indeed. I haven't left the Spirit Beast territories in quite a while. The Beast God needed to finish the final preparations, so he couldn't come in person — he asked me to convey his apologies."
The Elven Queen and the King of Myriad Demons represented the two dominant races of this planet: the native Elves, and the Spirit Beasts who had migrated here over time.
"Please, there's no need for such formality," Wang Tianyu replied calmly.
The Elven Queen took Yuanen Huihui by the hand and made an inviting gesture.
"Pavilion Master Wang, and our friends from Shrek Academy — please, follow me."
Led by the King of Myriad Demons and the Elven Queen, the group made its way toward the hollow of an enormous tree. It was wide and spacious, serving as a natural entrance to the magnificent structure concealed behind it. This complex was the planet's most important administrative and spiritual center — a symbol of the Spirit Beasts' authority, and at the same time the primary point of contact with the Federation.
Only a handful of people accompanied the King of Myriad Demons. Among them, two stood out distinctly — a man and a woman. The ability to take human form meant their age and cultivation had long since surpassed a hundred thousand years. Which meant that beyond the King himself, these two were also hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts.
For most people from the Federation, this was a rare opportunity to stand before genuine Spirit Beasts in the flesh, rather than the images from books and the Douluo Virtual World.
The enormous wooden structure that rose among the trees was more than an administrative center — it was a living reflection of the complex relationship between the Federation and the Spirit Beasts. Formally, the planet fell under Federation jurisdiction, but real authority rested entirely with the beasts. Without their consent, no Federation vessel could arrive or depart.
And yet, in the interest of maintaining peace and fostering exchange, the planet opened itself to the outside world at certain intervals. During those periods, events were held that drew tourists and researchers alike. Access, however, was always strictly controlled — only a select few were ever permitted to set foot here.
There were exceptions, of course. Three organizations held a particular status: Shrek Academy, the War God Temple, and the Spirit Pagoda. These three maintained close ties with the Spirit Beasts, and their representatives were free to visit the planet without restriction.
Though the Federation and the Spirit Beasts now coexisted in peace, the beasts held Shrek Academy in considerably higher regard than the Federation itself. The origins of this respect reached back to the era of war between Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts, when Shrek Academy had played a decisive role in maintaining neutrality and brokering peace between the two sides.
The Spirit Beasts valued the Academy's neutrality and recognized the contribution it had made to preserving stability. They understood that Shrek's strength lay not only in its military capability, but in its wisdom — its ability to find solutions that both sides could accept. It was no accident that figures like Ice Douluo Huo Yuhao and Golden Dragon King Douluo Tang Wulin had become the cornerstones of peace between Spirit Masters and Spirit Beasts.
The Beast God's Trial carried enormous significance in the Spirit Beast world. Reaching the divine level would bring not only tremendous power to the Beast God himself, but would strengthen the bloodline and standing of his entire species. The path to that level, however, required the fulfillment of certain conditions — among them, the support and formal recognition of the Federation.
Whether the Federation would permit a being as powerful as the Beast God to attain divine status remained an open question. The answer depended on a complex web of factors: the current political and military climate, and what the Federation stood to gain or lose.
This was precisely where Shrek Academy's role became decisive. The Academy supported the Spirit Beasts' aspiration toward divinity, holding that the emergence of a divine beast could ultimately benefit the Federation. It served as guarantor that even upon reaching the divine level, the Beast God would pose no threat to the Federation — this was ensured through strict treaties and agreements governing the conduct and influence of divine beasts.
The Beast God Di Tian himself had personally pledged his support to the Federation, and Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect had each added their guarantee to the arrangement, creating a three-way balance of power. This cooperation had become the solid foundation upon which the relationship between Spirit Beasts and Federation rested.
It was through this framework that the Spirit Beasts of the Elven Planet had developed an especially close bond with Shrek Academy specifically. They took the initiative in cooperation — particularly when it came to the selection of spirit souls — and regarded the Academy as a partner that genuinely respected their culture and interests.
The Spirit Pagoda and the War God Temple, by contrast, maintained far more strained relationships with the Spirit Beasts. While certain forms of cooperation existed, an underlying distance and quiet distrust persisted between the parties, complicating every interaction.
When the expedition party emerged from the Elven Space Center, a group of more than a dozen enormous beasts was already waiting for them, resting calmly on the ground. Comfortable seats had been fitted to their backs, clearly prepared for the purpose of carrying guests.
These were unmistakably the Elven race's riding beasts — magnificent birds, vividly colored, each more than four meters in length. Their feathers caught the sunlight and shifted through a spectrum of colors, giving them the appearance of living works of art.
But the Elven Queen's mount stood apart even from these. A great bird with iridescent plumage over ten meters long, radiating a refinement that seemed almost unreal. Most striking was its tail — with every movement, the feathers left a faint trail of light behind them, as though the bird were in flight even while standing still.
The Elven Queen lifted Yuanen Huihui onto the bird's back with easy grace. In the same moment, a soft but clearly visible multicolored halo bloomed around the creature, enveloping the Queen, Huihui, and the bird alike — a visible expression of their spiritual connection and harmony.
The Queen turned to Wang Tianyu with a warm smile.
"Pavilion Master, the sacred ceremony this time is being conducted primarily by the Spirit Beasts, so we will not be directly involved. We'll meet again on the day of the ceremony. I'll take Huihui with me — he'll return a little later."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for receiving us in person. We'll see you at the ceremony."
The Queen nodded. Without delay, she led her company of Elven warriors skyward, and soon they were gone — leaving behind only a shimmering trail of soft green light, a quiet reminder of their deep bond with the natural world.
When the Queen's graceful silhouette had dissolved among the clouds, the King of Myriad Demons stepped forward. His imposing presence and the quiet, pressing weight of his aura commanded involuntary respect. With a calm gesture, he invited Wang Tianyu and his companions to take their places on the back of a ten-thousand-year Earth Demon Rhinoceros.
The other two hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beasts guided the remaining students toward the other great riding beasts waiting for them.
These magnificent creatures — ancient, powerful, and possessed of a deep wisdom — moved with a surprising grace. They looked fearsome, but their stillness spoke of a profound harmony with the world around them.
For the students, it was a genuinely singular experience. Accustomed to the technological vehicles of the Federation, they were traveling for the first time on the backs of living, powerful creatures.
The Elven Planet was enchanting. The absence of roads and machines only deepened its pristine beauty. Forest stretched to the horizon in every direction. Immense canopies interlocked and layered overhead, nearly swallowing the sky, forming a natural vaulted ceiling. Only scattered beams of sunlight found their way through the foliage, casting a living play of light and shadow.
Between the trees, streams wound their way through the undergrowth, glittering like ribbons of crystal. Their murmur wove itself into the broader symphony of the forest. The air was rich with the fragrance of flowers and damp earth. The temperature was surprisingly comfortable, and a light breeze carried a sense of ease and open space.
"Fan Yue, it's so beautiful here — like a mysterious kingdom on earth," Lan Mengqin said, her wonder unguarded.
Fan Yue answered with a brief smile and a nod. He could feel it clearly — if he cultivated here, his rate of progress would be no slower than on the Mother Planet. Except, perhaps, compared to the Sea God's Lake.
Xiao Qi turned to his students.
"This environment is precisely why the Federation deliberated for a long time over whether to take the planet by force. The Elves value peace, and the matter was resolved without conflict. The Spirit Beasts didn't settle here by accident — this environment suits them perfectly. For humans, it would have meant construction, reshaping the landscape, destroying the ecosystem. Leaving the planet as it is became one of the Federation's most sensible decisions."
Fan Yue was quiet for a moment, then asked, "But Teacher — why did the Elves agree to cooperate so readily? And how can they coexist with the Spirit Beasts? Whichever way you look at it, the Federation and the Spirit Beasts essentially claimed this planet."
Xiao Qi blinked.
I didn't expect anyone to think about that. I wouldn't have expected Fan Yue to see things so broadly. He was genuinely surprised — that kind of question he would sooner have anticipated from Lan Xuanyu.
"The Elven Planet and places like it are among the most coveted prizes in the universe. We weren't the only ones with an interest in this planet, not by far. The Elves have no advanced technology and no great concentration of powerful Spirit Masters. They had to choose a force to align with. In the end, the planet entered the Federation, and we took it under our protection."
Hearing Xiao Qi's words, Fan Yue found himself thinking of something his father had once said.
Father said the Federation is constantly at war — but I never imagined he meant entire planets.
"Protect them? The Federation and this planet have other enemies — from beyond the Federation? From the universe itself?" Lan Mengqin asked, genuinely shaken.
Xiao Qi nodded calmly.
"Yes. The universe is vast and without limit. Intelligent life exists on countless planets. The Federation doesn't advertise this, so that ordinary citizens don't worry. But conflict is inevitable. If things were simple, the Planet of Sin would not exist. The forces behind it don't permit the Federation to eliminate it entirely."
The teacher's words struck the first-years like a blow. Their world had been bounded by the Federation — they had never once considered that beyond its edges, other powerful forces might exist.
"Teacher — where do these enemies come from?" Lan Xuanyu asked.
"That's a complicated question, and there's no simple answer. You're still too young. When you reach the fourth year, the Academy will share more, and you'll encounter them yourselves."
Fan Yue only shook his head slowly. He didn't want power for the Federation's sake. He wanted to survive. He wanted to protect his parents.
Father — I hope you're alright. I hope you and mother are already on your way home.
The Earth Demon Rhinoceros slowed, dropping to a walk. Ahead, a broad plain opened up, filled with Spirit Beasts. Large and small, swift and ponderous, they moved with calm, unhurried dignity. They had grown accustomed to humans and paid the group no attention whatsoever.
At the center of the plain lay a vast lake. Along its bank stood trees of immense height — over five hundred meters tall. Their colossal canopies cut across the sky and cast long shadows over much of the water's surface. The space near those trees was comparatively open, and it was there that a cluster of wooden houses had been built.
Simple but graceful, they fit naturally into the surrounding landscape. The pale wood of their walls seemed to extend the forest inward, making the structures feel like something that had grown there rather than been placed. The accommodation had clearly been prepared with care — built to offer human guests a comfortable stay within Spirit Beast territory.
When the Rhinoceros stopped, the King of Myriad Demons gestured an invitation to Wang Tianyu. A group of people had already gathered at the lakeside, in front of the houses. Among them, one figure stood out immediately — a man in Federation military dress, two stars on his shoulders, his posture straight and his gaze focused in the way that marks someone who has spent a long time in the field.
The rest of the Shrek Academy delegation followed Wang Tianyu's lead, dismounting one by one.
Xiao Qi, who had been watching his students carefully, moved to the front and took a central position.
"Listen carefully. There are Federation representatives and other guests of the ceremony here. You'll be assigned rooms to rest in. No one is to leave the grounds without permission — this is a matter of safety. When you encounter any Spirit Beasts, show respect. Conflict of any kind here is unacceptable. Is that understood?"
His voice was firm, but not harsh — the care behind it was plain. His first-years were still young, and Xiao Qi understood perfectly well that unchecked curiosity could lead to trouble.
He had no such concerns for the Inner Court students. Those who had made it that far had been to the Elven Planet before and knew how things worked here.
Wang Tianyu, accompanied by the King of Myriad Demons and the other senior representatives, moved toward the welcoming group for the formal reception. The rest — around fifty people, mostly first-years — were quickly settled into the wooden houses beneath the tall trees.
Originally, two students per room had been planned. But at Lan Xuanyu's request, he, Fan Yue, and Liu Feng were placed together; Lan Mengqin, Tang Yuge, and Dong Qianqiu were given a separate room. Xiao Qi agreed.
The room was small but comfortable — a bathroom and shower, a bedroom with two beds.
Fan Yue was first through the door. He went straight to the window and threw it open. Fresh air poured in.
"Ha — the air on this planet is something else entirely."
Lan Xuanyu nodded. "It really does feel lighter. More alive somehow."
Then, without warning, an enormous head thrust itself through the open window, making all three boys flinch.
A round, fluffy creature with snow-white fur tipped in dark blue, its coat traced with elegant dark-blue markings, peered into the room with open curiosity. It was a white tiger. Its head alone was large enough that you would have needed both arms to hug it. A pair of bright blue eyes examined the room with careful interest.
Fan Yue recognized it at once as a Spirit Beast. One he had never come across in any book. The round face, the upward-curling whiskers — the creature looked unexpectedly endearing.
"Who are you?" Lan Xuanyu asked cautiously, stepping forward.
Fan Yue glanced at him.
"You think the tiger cub is going to answer?"
But in the next instant, a clear, slightly sharp voice came from the tiger's mouth.
"Who are you?"
Lan Xuanyu stared at the creature in astonishment.
"You can talk?"
Could this possibly be a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast? Fan Yue thought.
"You can talk?" The white tiger blinked innocently, repeating the question back.
Lan Xuanyu, unable to contain himself, reached out and gave one of those round, plump cheeks a gentle pinch. The fur was soft and thick, the warm skin beneath it oddly pleasant to the touch.
The white tiger clearly had not expected this. It went still for a moment — then opened its jaws wide and bared its fangs.
"You actually dared to pinch my noble face. You're dead."
With that, it lunged through the window.
Lan Xuanyu scrambled back in shock, instinctively summoning the Blue Silver Grass. Liu Feng, who had been in the bathroom, heard the commotion and came running out. Fan Yue didn't react immediately. He simply watched the white tiger with mild interest.
The tiger was enormous — more than five meters in length. Its white fur was patterned with dark blue markings. It raised its right paw toward Lan Xuanyu, sharp claws extending, lending it a genuinely threatening air. The bedroom had not been large to begin with; with the tiger inside, it felt very small indeed.
Fan Yue noticed the strangest detail: on the tiger's forehead, a marking in the shape of a butterfly was set into the dark blue fur, as though painted there. He was quite certain — in everything he had read, no Spirit Beast with a marking like that had ever been mentioned.
Liu Feng leveled his Silver Dragon Spear at the white tiger.
The white tiger looked pleased with Lan Xuanyu and Liu Feng's reactions.
"Humans — are you afraid of me?"
Fan Yue simply shook his head. He sensed not the faintest trace of danger from this tiger.
Lan Xuanyu pressed down on Liu Feng's spear with one hand and smiled.
"Afraid of what? This planet may be governed by Spirit Beasts, but it still falls under Federation jurisdiction. If you harm us, the law will hold you accountable."
The white tiger blinked and retracted its claws.
"You're so annoying. You're no fun at all."
"Then what do you consider fun?" Lan Xuanyu couldn't hold back a smile. He found himself unexpectedly fond of this white tiger.
The white tiger tilted its head, as though genuinely pondering the question. After a moment's reflection, it appeared to come up with nothing better.
"Why don't you brush my fur?"
Liu Feng tilted his head in bafflement.
"What exactly is happening right now? Should we call a teacher?"
Fan Yue stifled a small yawn.
"Feng, don't worry about it. This tiger is perfectly harmless. Xuanyu — I'll sit outside. There's a chair right there."
"Fine, just don't go past the building," Lan Xuanyu called after him, already running a hand through the tiger's fur.
Fan Yue stepped outside and settled into the chair. He was still within the building's grounds — he hadn't broken any of Xiao Qi's rules. His eyes grew calm, his breathing steadied. His body came quietly alive, beginning to absorb the life energy around him — slowly, gently, drawing no attention.
"Not bad here at all," he murmured, and closed his eyes.
At midday, Xiao Qi gathered all the students and brought them to Wang Tianyu.
"The ceremony is three days away. Since you're on the Elven Planet, make use of the opportunity — see the Spirit Beast world and understand it." He paused. "As I mentioned earlier, we will be visiting the Garden of Rest, also known as the Paradise Garden. This is a special sanctuary that cares for Spirit Beasts whose lives are drawing to a close. That is where you will have the chance to form a contract."
We might form a contract with a Spirit Beast? The moment Wang Tianyu's words registered, most of the students couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement — the first-years most of all.
"Remember — Spirit Beasts agree to become your spirit soul entirely of their own will. You will be observed here not only by the Spirit Beasts themselves, but by representatives of the Spirit Pagoda, the War God Temple, and the Tang Sect. So show them what the number one Academy is made of!"
The crowd stirred with excited energy, particularly the first-years. Their eyes shone. Even those who had not yet reached the limit of their spirit power knew that thanks to the evolution of contract rituals, the bond could be formed in advance — a spirit soul could reside temporarily within a person's body, waiting for the breakthrough to come.
Spirit Beasts that had lived out their natural span and stood at the edge of death were, as a rule, no less than ten thousand years old. Obtaining a spirit soul like that was, without question, an extraordinary stroke of fortune.
"Move out!" Wang Tianyu commanded, and set off first toward the forest.
The journey would be made on foot. Wang Tianyu led the way, the others following behind. All of them were Spirit Masters — even the weakest among them had three rings — so moving through the forest presented no difficulty.
As they pressed deeper in, the primeval beauty of the place unfolded before them. Ancient trees wound with vines formed a green canopy through which only scattered rays of sunlight could penetrate. Bright flowers glowed like embers in the undergrowth, and the air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and green growth. The rustle of leaves and distant sounds of creatures in the depths created the impression of a living, whole world.
Spirit Beasts moved freely through the forest, sometimes drawing closer, watching the group with unhurried curiosity.
After an hour of walking, the dense forest parted without warning, opening onto a broad, open expanse. Tall trees formed a ring around it, and winding streams fed into small lakes that scattered across the clearing.
Fan Yue felt it clearly — the life energy here was considerably more concentrated than in the place where they were staying.
Wang Tianyu slowed, stopped, and turned to the students.
"This is the Garden of Rest of the Spirit Beasts. You will bow to this place."
With that, he stepped to the side. Given his rank, he was evidently not expected to bow himself.
Every student stopped and bowed — Xiao Qi among them.