As the light from the spirit ring faded, Clint slowly opened his eyes, a faint current of lightning crackling at his fingertips.
[Spirit Skill Gained: Thunder-Piercing Bolt]
—A high-speed, armor-piercing energy bolt infused with storm essence. Ignores basic defenses and temporarily numbs the target's nerves, reducing reaction time.
One by one, the others had followed, claiming their own rings in the spirit beast forest:
Natasha gained [Golden Mirage Lunge] — A blinding dash with illusion trails, creating two false images that mimic her attack.
Bruce gained [Molten Cleave] — A fire-enhanced greatsword strike that burns through shields and leaves a searing trail.
Steve gained [Guardian's Echo Slash] — A twin-slash technique that creates a protective echo shield for brief moments after impact.
Bucky gained [Gale Rift Fang] — A crescent-shaped wind blade that cuts in a wide arc and can ricochet once.
Shuri gained [Moonlit Edge Fan] — A ranged slash from her fan that carries freezing energy, slowing enemies on contact.
Tony gained [Violet Arc Mirage] — A mid-range illusion fox strike that confuses enemies by delaying the real attack.
There was no change when they used these skills with their Martial Spirits in their beast forms, as Ling Yuan explained—that was how it was supposed to be.
Meilin gained [Lily Bloom Aura] — A healing field that regenerates nearby allies over time and purifies mild poisons.
"Now, only you are left," Ling Yuan said as she looked at Dave.
"I've already chosen one," Dave replied confidently.
They turned toward the quiet end of the Spirit Beast zone—and there, floating peacefully in a crystal-clear pond, were watery blobs—simple creatures resembling animated water slimes.
Ling Yuan raised an eyebrow. "These... these are the weakest spirit beasts here. Are you sure you want to absorb one of them?"
Dave nodded with a small smirk. "Yes, they suit me perfectly."
To others, they might seem insignificant. But to Dave, who deeply understood spirit mechanics and internal energy flow, these water slimes were ideal for his first Martial Spirit, which was designed for manipulation and elemental shaping. And the one he had chosen was just over 2000 years old—just within safe absorption limits, given its inherently gentle spirit nature and weak spirit bones.
"They may look weak," Dave added, "but for my type… it's the best start."
Dave stepped forward toward the serene pond, his calm demeanor masking his excitement. The 2000-year-old water slime bobbed slightly, as though aware it had been chosen.
He channeled his spirit power, summoning his Martial Spirit—the radiant blue-hilted katana surrounded by flowing water droplets. With precise control, he unleashed a series of strikes to weaken the slime while keeping its spirit intact. After a final decisive slash, the creature dissolved, leaving behind a shimmering, translucent purple spirit ring.
Dave sat cross-legged and began the absorption process. Ling Yuan watched intently, still skeptical yet intrigued. The ring's energy surged into Dave, and his body shimmered faintly with an aqueous glow. Time passed, and the absorption completed without a hitch.
As the light faded, Dave opened his eyes. A sharp ripple of energy danced around him, and his Martial Spirit shimmered with new intensity.
[Spirit Skill Gained: Water Edge]
—An amplification skill that boosts the user's power, speed, and fluidity of movement by 100%.
The skill resonated perfectly with Dave's fighting style, enhancing both his katana strikes and his adaptability in combat.
He stood, testing his newfound ability by activating Water Edge. His movements became a blur, water trailing behind him as if part of his very essence. With a grin, he turned to the others.
"Looks like it wasn't such a weak choice after all."
Ling Yuan nodded thoughtfully, her expression softening just a bit as she looked at Dave. Getting an amplification skill as a first spirit ring wasn't just rare—it was valuable.
"At my level," she said quietly, "I haven't used my first four spirit skills in years. They're too weak now. But an amplification skill… something like that evolves with you. It grows stronger the stronger you become."
Dave gave a small smile, understanding exactly what she meant.
"Yeah. It's an investment," he replied simply.
She gave a short nod of approval, then turned to the group. "Let's head back."
Everyone nodded, and they began making their way out of the forest. The mood was lighter now—calmer. With their first spirit rings absorbed, their Martial Spirits had finally begun to blossom into their true forms. Each of them could feel the subtle difference in power, the stability of spirit energy that now flowed more naturally through their bodies.
Six Years Later
On the outskirts of Soto City, nestled deep within the forest where talent and chaos often danced together, stood a sprawling training ground—an extension of Shrek Academy, the infamous haven of monsters among men.
At one corner of the field, the air shimmered with intense pressure. Two young boys clashed in an exchange of spirit power.
One was tall and broad-shouldered, wielding a massive ember-forged greatsword—none other than Bruce, now hardened by years of battle. His every strike carried weight, precision, and restraint.
The other was younger, stockier, and notably surrounded by faint crimson mist. He had a flaming phoenix-like projection rising from behind him—Ma Hongjun, the infamous Evil Fire Phoenix spirit master. Though only a few years older than Bruce, he was in an embarrassed state right now.
Each time Ma Hongjun lunged, Bruce countered smoothly, guiding his stance, correcting footwork mid-battle. It wasn't just a spar—it was a live lesson.
Nearby, others watched with interest. Dave, calm and unreadable as ever, stood with his arms crossed, his signature deep-blue aura faintly humming around him. The others—Steve, Bucky, Natasha, Shuri, Clint, and Tony—stood relaxed but alert, clearly trained into unified synchronicity. The presence they exuded was far beyond ordinary students.
These weren't just Spirit Masters anymore—they were Shrek's newest monsters.
After their first spirit rings, they had quietly joined the academy, blending in under the pretense of being remote prodigies. At that time, three others had also entered the Academy's ranks before them—Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun—the three of the original Seven Devils of Shrek.
Originally, despite having great Martial Spirits, they were considered weak compared to Tang San during his early time at the Academy. Their spirits had potential, yes—but back then, they lacked the technique, discipline, and cohesion that Tang San embodied. However, that situation had completely changed over the years.
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