Chapter 11. A Month of Training and a Night of Confession
A full month had passed since the group returned from the hunt in the Star Dou Forest. During these thirty days, the Shrek Academy students had thrown themselves into rigorous daily training with an intensity that surprised even the instructors. Zhao Wuji's regimen was merciless: dawn strength exercises, mid-morning soul power circulation drills, afternoon sparring sessions against senior students or each other, and evening endurance runs through the surrounding forest. Flender occasionally joined the sessions, observing silently from the sidelines, his sharp eyes noting every improvement and every weakness.
The results were evident in every member of the team.
Ye Chen had broken through to level 33. His physical prowess, already formidable thanks to the Nephrite Hat's amplification skills, had grown even more pronounced. The constant pressure of Zhao Wuji's gravity-enhanced sparring had forced his body to adapt at an astonishing rate. "Green Armor" now felt almost effortless to maintain for extended periods, and the passive soul power recovery granted by the skill allowed him to train longer than anyone else without exhaustion. He sparred frequently with Dai Mubai and Tang San, learning to counter speed with raw power and control with overwhelming force.
Ning Rongrong had reached level 30 exactly two weeks into the month. Under the supervision of Flender and Zhao Wuji, the group returned to a safer section of the Star Dou Forest to hunt for her third ring. The chosen beast was a 1300-year-old Crystal Armored Tortoise — a defensive-type spirit beast known for its endurance and vitality. The battle was brief but intense: Tang San restrained it with Blue Silver Grass, Ye Chen shattered its shell with a fivefold-enhanced strike from "Green Armor," and Dai Mubai finished it with a White Tiger meteor strike. Ning Rongrong absorbed the ring without difficulty.
Her third skill was named "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile: Endurance." Upon activation, it increased the stamina and endurance of selected allies by forty percent — a tremendous boost for prolonged battles. At the same time, her previous skills had evolved with the breakthrough: "Strength" and "Speed" now granted forty percent amplification instead of thirty. She could now sustain support for the entire team for far longer periods, making her an indispensable pillar of the group.
Xiao Wu had trained with relentless determination. Her soft-boned rabbit physique allowed her to endure extreme physical drills, and she frequently sparred against Zhu Zhuqing to hone her agility and close-combat techniques. She broke through to level 30 near the end of the month and left alone for a nearby spirit beast area (with Flender's permission and a hidden escort). She returned two days later with her third ring — a 1400-year-old Moon Howling Heavenly Dog. The skill she obtained was "Teleportation Charm" — allowing her to teleport herself and one ally up to fifty meters instantly, with a short cooldown.
Dai Mubai had reached level 39, edging closer to the critical fortieth level and fourth ring. His White Tiger martial soul had grown noticeably more ferocious; his Evil Eyes now carried a sharper killing intent during sparring.
Zhu Zhuqing had advanced to level 28. Though slower than the others in raw progression, her Hell Civet agility had become almost untouchable. She often trained alone at night, practicing silent movement and sudden strikes.
Oscar had climbed to level 32. His auxiliary sausage production had become faster and more precise; he could now create multiple sausages in quick succession during combat simulations.
Ma Hongjun had finally reached level 30 and obtained his third ring — a 1500-year-old Blazing Fire Qilin. The ring granted him a powerful area-of-effect flame skill, "Evil Fire Phoenix Domain," which created a burning zone that continuously damaged enemies while boosting his own fire-type attacks.
Over the course of the month, the seven — now truly the Shrek Seven Devils — had grown exceptionally close. Sparring together every day, sharing meals, laughing at Ma Hongjun's antics, helping each other recover after brutal sessions — all of it forged unbreakable trust. Even the initial awkwardness between Ma Hongjun and the girls had dissolved into friendly teasing.
One night, after another exhausting day of training, Ye Chen and Ning Rongrong met by the lake once again. The moon hung high and full, turning the water into a mirror of silver light. The willows swayed gently, and the night was warm enough that they did not need cloaks.
They sat on the same patch of grass as before. Ning Rongrong leaned her head against Ye Chen's shoulder, her long hair spilling over his arm.
"I feel stronger every day," she murmured. "But I also feel… tired. Not physically. Just… emotionally. All this training, all this pressure to become better — it never stops."
Ye Chen nodded, running his fingers gently through her hair.
"You carry more than anyone realizes. Supporting the entire team every day… it takes a toll."
She smiled softly.
"You always notice. That's why I like coming here with you. It's the only place I can just… be."
They sat in comfortable silence for a long while, listening to the quiet lapping of water and the distant chirping of night insects. Then Ye Chen spoke — his voice low, almost hesitant.
"Rongrong… there is something I need to tell you. Something personal. Something I have never told anyone."
She lifted her head, looking at him with quiet concern.
"You can tell me anything."
He took a slow breath, staring at the moon's reflection.
"I have… a fantasy. A sexual fantasy. A fetish. It has been inside me for a long time, and it grows stronger the closer we become."
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened slightly, but she did not pull away.
"What is it?" she asked gently.
Ye Chen looked directly into her eyes.
"I fantasize about you… with other men. About you being desired by others. About you… giving yourself to someone else while I watch. It excites me in a way I cannot explain. It humiliates me. It arouses me. And the thought of it… makes me feel powerful in a twisted way."
Silence fell between them — heavy, almost tangible.
Ning Rongrong's face paled. Her lips parted, but no words came at first. She slowly withdrew her hand from his.
"I… I do not know what to say," she whispered. "That… that is not what I expected."
Ye Chen did not try to touch her again.
"I know. It is shocking. I did not want to lie to you. I did not want to hide this part of myself forever. But I also do not expect you to accept it. Not now. Maybe not ever."
She stared at the water for a long time. Her breathing was uneven.
"I need to think," she said finally. "I need time. Alone."
Ye Chen nodded.
"I understand."
Ning Rongrong stood up slowly. She looked down at him, eyes glistening but not yet crying.
"I still love you," she said quietly. "That has not changed. But this… this is something I have to understand. I will not run away from you. But right now… I need space."
She turned and walked back toward the female dormitory. Ye Chen watched her go until she disappeared among the trees.
He remained by the lake for another hour, sitting in silence. The moon slowly crossed the sky. Inside him, the Nephrite Hat pulsed faintly — not mocking, not urging, just… waiting.
The next night, after another day of grueling training, Ning Rongrong came to him again. She found him by the same lake, sitting alone. She approached quietly and sat down beside him — not touching, but close enough that their shoulders nearly brushed.
"I thought about it all day," she said softly. "And all night. It frightens me. It confuses me. The idea of being with someone else… while you watch… it feels wrong. It hurts to even imagine."
Ye Chen listened without interrupting.
"But," she continued, "I love you. More than anything. And if this is part of who you are… I do not want to reject you completely. I want to try to understand. To meet you halfway."
She turned to face him.
"I am not ready for sex with anyone else. Not now. Maybe not for a very long time. But… if it is only fantasy for you… if it stays in words, in thoughts, in private moments between us… I am willing to try. To talk about it. To let you speak your desires without judgment. To… play with the idea. Slowly. Very slowly."
Ye Chen looked at her. His voice was quiet.
"Thank you. For not running. For being willing to try."
She gave a small, trembling smile.
"I do not promise I will ever be comfortable with the reality. But I promise I will not leave you because of it. Not unless it becomes something that destroys us."
Ye Chen reached out slowly. She did not pull away. He took her hand.
"That is more than I could have hoped for," he said.
They sat like that until late into the night — hands clasped, speaking in low voices about boundaries, fears, and fragile trust. No kisses. No promises beyond the one they had already made.
When they finally stood to return, Ning Rongrong hugged him tightly.
"We will figure it out," she whispered. "Together."
Ye Chen held her close.
"Together."
They walked back to the dormitories side by side — not hand in hand this time, but close enough that their shoulders brushed with every step.
The month of training had forged them into stronger soul masters.
This night had forged something else entirely.