Aside from the original Shrek teachers and students, there was now an additional female teacher on the training grounds. She appeared to be in her late twenties, with delicate features and a curvaceous figure, this must be the legendary Liu Erlong.
Compared to others, Flender seemed somewhat pleased, while Yu Xiaogang's face was ashen, as if he was suppressing some strong emotion. He looked nothing like his usual composed self.
Flender was the first to speak, introducing her. "Little monsters, let me introduce a new teacher to you. This is Teacher Liu Erlong. From now on, she'll be assisting Teacher Zhao with your combat training."
Liu Erlong appeared sharp and capable. She spoke directly and without hesitation. "I've heard from Old Flender that you're all little monsters. I hope you won't disappoint me."
Most of the students didn't react much, but Yang Xiong was secretly shocked. Liu Erlong was known as the "Slaughtering Horn." Though she seemed calm on the surface, she might be the most ruthless and ferocious of all the teachers.
Yang Xiong also found it strange. Liu Erlong was undoubtedly a stunning beauty, why was she so devoted to Yu Xiaogang? No wonder Yu Xiaogang was so widely disliked. The gap in strength between them as a couple was astounding, especially since Yu Xiaogang acted as if he were the one being pursued.
Flender seemed to notice something. "Yang Xiong, have you advanced to Soul Elder?"
Yang Xiong nodded. "Teacher Flender, I took a leave yesterday to hunt a spirit ring. I'm now at level 32."
Everyone was surprised to hear this. Yang Xiong had originally been the weakest in terms of spirit power, but since enrolling, he had made the most progress. Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun had only improved by two levels so far, and even Tang San had only increased by five. Yang Xiong, however, had advanced by six levels, which was rather astonishing.
It had only been about ten months since they joined Shrek Academy.
Liu Erlong quickly demonstrated why she was known as the "Slaughtering Horn." She personally took on all nine Shrek students at once and had them all flat on the ground within minutes. Her attacks were ruthless and merciless.
Unexpectedly, just two days after Liu Erlong began teaching at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Flender announced a one-week break. He claimed everyone needed to rest before the next stage of training, which would be even tougher and more dangerous. However, Yang Xiong noticed that Yu Xiaogang looked utterly miserable, suggesting that something was going on among the teachers.
Yang Xiong took Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang with him back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Back home, Yang Xiong felt a deep sense of comfort. This was the longest he had ever been away from the clan. Only at home did he truly feel at peace.
Oscar was still persistently pursuing Qin Shuang. From her demeanor, it seemed she was starting to accept him, at least no longer giving him the cold shoulder. Ning Rongrong had even been helping Oscar by speaking well of him in front of Qin Shuang. Unfortunately, Qin Shuang still called him "Uncle Sausage," just like Ning Rongrong did, leaving Oscar rather embarrassed.
Back at the clan, Yang Xiong's parents, Yang Lin and Sun Yu, were delighted, and even his older brother Yang Wei was home. It seemed the Purple Star Academy had also given a long holiday.
The family ate, chatted, and drank together, enjoying each other's company. Though their cultivation talents were average, they were true family.
Yang Wei had been training diligently lately. His spirit power had reached level 34, and he was now a substitute member of the Purple Star Academy's battle team.
Yang Xiong also resumed tending to his medicinal herbs. His eyes gleamed as he worked. Since undergoing the Ice-Fire Body Refinement, two of the herbs had yet to be fully absorbed, so it wasn't suitable to consume any more herbs yet. Furthermore, he didn't know the properties of most of the herbs, so he didn't plan on giving any to his parents or brother until after Yang Wei graduated.
Especially considering that in about six years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would face a catastrophic disaster. The Spirit Hall would send ten thousand spirit masters and four Title Douluo to attack. Yang Xiong's peaceful life would be shattered, and even his family might not survive. His only goal was to ensure they lived through it. Nothing else mattered.
Yang Xiong knew clearly that even in six years, he might only reach the Soul Emperor level. He would have no influence over such a massive event. What the clan truly lacked was high-end combat power.
No matter what, his first step was to recognize more herbs.
Across the Douluo Continent, only three people truly understood medicinal herbs, Tang San, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Yang Wudi. Each of them had their own heritage and kept their knowledge secret. The only potential breakthrough was Yang Wudi.
But for now, it was too early. Yang Wudi was a hot-tempered, top-tier Soul Douluo, and his family lived far away in the Star Luo Empire.
After returning to the academy, Yang Xiong spent most of his time training in the gravity-controlled simulation environment, aside from group training.
Looking at the original story, Shrek's students had only two real opportunities: medicinal herbs and the Sea God's Trials on Sea God Island.
Compared to the divine light of the Sea God's Trials, the gravity-controlled simulation environment was clearly inferior. Yang Xiong had even considered inviting a Soul Sage capable of controlling gravity to simulate the Sea God's divine pressure, but the effect was not ideal. After all, each person's spirit energy and attributes were different, and even a Soul Sage couldn't sustain a gravity field for long. The gravity simulation environment was a better option.
The environment had many users and private rooms. Besides physical training under heavy pressure, Yang Xiong primarily used the space for meditation.
At first, it was difficult, but as his cultivation progressed, he grew more peaceful. Meditating under pressure did have certain benefits.
However, this type of training greatly tested one's talent and mental resilience. Many people found it hard to concentrate under heavy pressure. Only those with unwavering willpower could endure it.
Over time, as he adapted, the training proved effective.
This was especially true for Yang Xiong, who had absorbed three strength-type spirit rings, making him particularly suited for gravity-based cultivation.
Time flew by, and a year passed. During this year, Yang Xiong trained diligently. Once he adapted fully to the gravity environment, he brought Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Qin Shuang along as well. They too struggled at first but gradually adapted, and their cultivation speed noticeably improved.
Among the three, Qin Shuang adapted the fastest. Her martial spirit was the Giant Strength Vajra Bear, also a pure strength type. In terms of physical attributes, she even surpassed Ning Rongrong and Oscar, despite being an entire realm lower than them.
While Yang Xiong's group trained diligently, others were more distracted or had more going on.
Liu Erlong continued to pursue Yu Xiaogang and even suggested that he and Flender take the Shrek students to Blue Tyrant Academy. She was even willing to rename it Shrek Academy.
However, Flender was now in a dilemma. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the three education commissioners placed great importance on the Shrek group. All resources were provided for free, and the prince personally visited multiple times. Leaving now might invite suppression from the Heaven Dou royal family. The three commissioners were all Soul Douluo-level experts, not people they could just walk away from.
Besides, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy offered such favorable conditions that neither teachers nor students would want to return to an ordinary academy.
Most teachers, led by Zhao Wuji, were now thoroughly enjoying their time. Each received 3,000 gold soul coins per month, training resources, and numerous imperial benefits, far more than they ever had in Soto City. Everyone was living comfortably.
In contrast, Blue Tyrant Academy fell far short in every way. Among top-level soul master academies, it was one of the few that accepted commoners. Financially, it was struggling, and its conditions were nowhere near as good as those at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
After much deliberation, Flender and the others decided to stay. Forcing everyone to move to Blue Tyrant Academy might cause the group to fall apart.
After all, Blue Tyrant Academy didn't even have a single Soul Sage apart from Liu Erlong. Soul Sages were simply too valuable, and the academy couldn't afford them.
Zhao Wuji, after coming to the imperial academy, had already advanced by one level, reaching 77. He was straightforward and kind-hearted, never overthinking. Aside from training students, he focused on his own cultivation and lived quite well.
Interestingly, he had grown close to Qin Shuang since she enrolled. Perhaps because their martial spirits were the same, Zhao Wuji often gave her personal training. Qin Shuang, being strong-willed, accepted his guidance. Their relationship became closer than that of others. It seemed Zhao Wuji had begun treating her as a half-disciple.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu shielded Tang San from various temptations, including noble invitations and charming girls, rejecting them all.
Tang San's schedule remained packed. Aside from cultivation and dealing with Xiao Wu, he also spent his spare time forging and assembling hidden weapons. Life was tight and busy.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was living the dream. He quickly got a beautiful noble girlfriend. Even Flender couldn't do anything about it.
Dai Mubai returned to his usual flirtatious self. His relationship with Zhu Zhuqing was ambiguous, close yet distant. It was as if they wanted to be together but couldn't bridge the gap. At least Dai Mubai didn't have Tang San's strong resistance to temptation. However, he trained diligently and still had the highest spirit power among them, being three years older than Yang Xiong and the others.
Zhu Zhuqing remained focused and trained even harder than before joining the academy. Her cultivation speed wasn't slow, but her talent still had limits.
While the students remained innocent and simple, the teachers were quite different.
Flender constantly wrestled with conflicting emotions, concerned about Ma Hongjun yet excited by his students' progress.
Liu Erlong pursued Yu Xiaogang relentlessly, often leaving him awkward and overwhelmed, stripping him of his usual dignity. Clearly, he was under emotional strain.
To be fair, Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang had been lovers and were also cousins. Their complex relationship was truly troublesome.
If you want to read 40 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel