Outside the west gate of Shrek City, the Sunset River flowed quietly.
The afterglow of the setting sun spread like liquid gold, dyeing the rippling water in shimmering light.
Along the riverbank, green grass swayed gently in the breeze. A weathered boulder stood silently nearby, engraved with three ancient characters—
Three Lives Stone.
After rushing at full speed, Liu Yuan finally arrived at the check-in location specified by the System.
He steadied his breathing, still slightly hurried, and let his gaze fall upon the Three Lives Stone. For a moment, countless emotions welled up within him.
The Three Lives Stone symbolized fate across three lifetimes.
Yet his fate with Shrek Academy had been severed today.
And from this moment onward, a new bond between him and this world would begin.
"System, I've arrived," Liu Yuan said inwardly.
[Ding! Target location confirmed: beneath the Three Lives Stone on the bank of the Sunset River.]
[Check-in task "Stay for Ten Minutes" has begun. Countdown: 09:59… 09:58…]
As time ticked away, Liu Yuan leaned against the stone.
Unexpectedly, his mind began to calm.
The humiliation of being expelled, the resentment toward Xuan Zi—everything slowly faded into the quiet river breeze, condensing into something deeper.
Resolve.
From this day forward, he would walk this path alone.
The System… and the Rayquaza martial soul—
Those would be his only pillars.
Ten minutes felt both endless and fleeting.
[Ding! Countdown complete. Check-in successful!]
[Calculating rewards…]
[Congratulations! You have obtained a special reward—Permanent Mega Evolution Authorization (Rayquaza Exclusive)!]
"Mega Evolution?!"
Liu Yuan's pupils shrank violently, his breathing hitching.
As a transmigrator, he knew exactly what that meant.
In the Pokémon world, Mega Evolution was a transcendent state—one that surpassed ordinary evolution entirely.
It didn't just enhance appearance—
It fundamentally transformed a Pokémon's power.
Stats, abilities, even its very nature—everything underwent a qualitative leap.
For most Pokémon, Mega Evolution alone could decide the outcome of a high-level battle.
But Rayquaza?
Mega Rayquaza stood beyond conventional limits.
Its power surpassed even the so-called Creator God.
If a normal Rayquaza with nine spirit abilities was already enough for Liu Yuan to challenge gods—
Then a permanently Mega-Evolved Rayquaza?
What kind of existence would that be?
Even a God King might tremble before it.
"System… this reward is insane…" Liu Yuan's voice trembled.
[Ding! Would you like to activate Permanent Mega Evolution?]
"Activate it!"
The moment he confirmed—
A vast and majestic energy surged from within his body, resonating with the dormant emerald dragon deep within his soul.
It was as if invisible chains shattered.
A higher law descended.
Within his spiritual space, Rayquaza began to transform violently.
Mega Evolution—complete!
Liu Yuan clenched his fists.
The power within him had multiplied several times over.
For the first time, he felt true security.
And excitement.
He raised his head, unable to suppress the urge any longer.
"Come forth… my martial soul—"
"Mega Rayquaza!"
---
ROAR—!!!
A dragon's roar echoed across heaven and earth.
It wasn't loud—
Yet it carried an overwhelming authority that silenced everything.
The river stilled.
The wind ceased.
Even the drifting clouds froze in place.
A beam of emerald-gold light erupted into the sky behind Liu Yuan, rapidly condensing into form.
Then—
It appeared.
A divine dragon beyond mortal comprehension.
Its body coiled through the air, forged from emerald and gold. Long golden whiskers trailed like celestial streams, while ribbons of green energy spiraled endlessly around it.
Every movement distorted space itself.
Its gaze was cold.
Absolute.
As if all things beneath heaven were insignificant.
Mega Rayquaza… had descended.
---
At that instant—
Its ability, Delta Stream, activated.
An invisible force expanded outward.
The sky changed.
The crimson clouds of sunset were torn apart, replaced by swirling emerald currents that gathered into a massive sky curtain, blanketing all of Shrek City.
Under this sky—
All elements trembled.
They retreated, as though bowing before an emperor.
Only the wind grew wild with excitement, surging in submission.
The air pressure shifted drastically.
Birds scattered in panic, only to lose direction mid-flight, circling helplessly.
---
Meanwhile—
Shrek Academy, Sea God's Pavilion.
Inside Yan Shaozhe's office, the atmosphere had been relaxed.
Xuan Zi lounged carelessly on a sofa, holding a roasted chicken leg in one hand and a jug of wine in the other, chatting idly.
"So, Elder Xuan… you really expelled Liu Yuan just like that?" Yan Shaozhe asked calmly.
Xuan Zi snorted.
"Of course."
"He has talent, sure—but this continent never lacks geniuses."
"What it needs are obedient ones."
"I gave him the chance to join the Supervisory Team. That was an honor beyond measure—yet he dared refuse?"
"Such arrogance deserves punishment."
"A perfect example to warn the others."
Yan Shaozhe nodded slightly, saying nothing more.
But at that moment—
ROAR—!!!
The dragon's cry echoed.
Both men froze.
"What was that?!"
Yan Shaozhe shot to his feet, his expression changing drastically.
Even as a Super Douluo—
He felt fear.
Xuan Zi reacted even faster.
The chicken leg slipped from his hand and hit the ground with a dull thud.
His previously cloudy eyes sharpened instantly as he stared out the window.
He could feel it—
The laws of heaven and earth… had changed.
---
Then they saw it.
The sky had turned emerald green.
Endless currents churned, forming a vast curtain that swallowed the setting sun.
A suffocating pressure descended—
Like the heavens collapsing.
Even Xuan Zi felt his soul tremble.
"This… what is this?!" Yan Shaozhe's voice shook, his face pale.
Xuan Zi's expression turned grave.
He stepped forward, channeling spirit power into his eyes, forcing his vision toward the distant riverbank.
There—
A massive dragon silhouette hovered in the sky.
Just one glance—
And his body shook violently.
"That aura…!"
"This pressure…!"
"At least a hundred-thousand-year Soul Beast—no… even stronger!"
His voice trembled.
"Could it be… a Vicious Beast?!"
"And this level of control over the heavens… even Di Tian couldn't do this!"
Shock surged through him like a storm.
What was this existence?
Had some ancient overlord awakened?
Or had something unknown descended upon the world?
Why… here?
Why now?
For the first time in years—
The Gluttonous Douluo, Xuan Zi…
Felt fear.