At Drunken Immortal Tavern, Flender reserved a private room and ordered the best dishes available. Among them were rare ingredients from century old soul beasts, and even the main course was sourced from a millennia old soul beast a feast that cost Flender dearly.
Surprisingly, Flender was even more excited than Oscar. To him, spending the money was worthwhile. His joy stemmed from two major points: Oscar, at just Soul Power Level 22, had defeated Bule, who was Level 36 a massive leap in combat power. Oscar had used his external spirit bone as a disguised martial soul, a method that opened Flender's eyes to Oscar's potential.
At this point, Flender was almost certain that once Oscar matured, he would bring both prestige and profit to Shrek Academy. He even believed Oscar's future achievements might surpass his own.
What most didn't know was that Flender wasn't just the head of Shrek Academy he was also the Flying Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle.
As a Food Type Soul Master, Oscar's current combat capabilities had already surpassed all his historical peers.
After the Meal
Once everyone had eaten their fill, Zhao Wuji escorted Oscar and Ma Hongjun back to Shrek Academy. Flender stayed behind in Soto City to auction off Shao Xin's medicinal candies and check on his small shop.
This time, however, he didn't plan to auction Oscar's second soul skill, the Secret Detox Sausage. After learning about its effect, he hesitated unsure whether to keep it secret or capitalize on it.
In reality, Oscar hadn't had time to produce the sausages either. It had only been two days since he obtained his second spirit ring.
Since Oscar no longer lacked petty cash, he didn't mind whether the sausage was auctioned or not.
Back on the Road
On the return journey to the academy, Oscar emptied the contents of Bule's red bracelet spirit tool throwing away all the underwear and gave the empty tool to Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun already had one soul tool given to him by Flender, but receiving a second three cubic meter storage device made him ecstatic. It even contained several hundred gold soul coins and some daily necessities stolen by Bule a nice form of compensation for yesterday's beating.
The incident with Bule lit a fire in Ma Hongjun. He began training even harder. After witnessing Oscar's brilliance, he declared that he'd one day surpass Oscar himself.
Oscar had achieved what no food type soul master had before cross tier combat. As someone with a top tier beast type martial soul, Ma Hongjun refused to believe he'd fall behind.
Flender and Zhao Wuji also took notice of something else during the battle the power of the whale glue Oscar used. Oscar clarified: The 700yearold whale glue was rare but not magical.
If given to Ma Hongjun, it might raise his physical constitution by about 5 levels, at most.
Oscar's nearly 10level increase was due to his extremely refined body, already honed to near perfection. The whale glue acted like a catalyst, unlocking hidden potential and consolidating years of buildup.
If he consumed another glue of the same level, the effect would likely not be as drastic.
Still, Flender and Zhao Wuji were impressed. From now on, Flender would actively seek more whale glue.
Oscar reminded them:
Whale glue is a product of marine soul beasts, most likely found in coastal regions.
If one had the strength, hunting whale type soul beasts was also an option.
However, whale type soul beasts were elite creatures, often group dwellers, and not easy to hunt. Even Flender, a Soul Sage, might not succeed alone.
Only if all Shrek teachers acted together might it be feasible.
Oscar wanted more glue, of course, but did not pressure them. Hunting came with risks, and he respected their autonomy.
Back at the Academy
Returning to the Academy, Oscar resumed his disciplined lifestyle:
Wakes up at 7am
Daily training, studying, and martial arts
At night, he cultivates instead of sleeping
Oscar had also begun practicing sword techniques. But with no one in the Academy possessing a sword martial soul, he was left to self teach.
His dream teacher? The Sword Douluo, Chen Xin, renowned as the supreme sword master of the continent.
Oscar knew that, in theory, he could join Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and Chen Xin might personally instruct him. Even if Chen Xin refused, Sect Master Ning Fengzhi would definitely take him in and make Chen Xin teach him.
But Oscar rejected this path for three reasons: Why Oscar Didn't Join Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He'd have to leave Shrek Academy.
That meant separating from Tang San and perhaps never crossing paths again.
Although Ning Rongrong might still come to Shrek as in the original timeline, Oscar wasn't willing to bet on it. He didn't want to join any power yet.
With his talent, any faction would eagerly cultivate him, but he valued his freedom and neutrality. Emotional Attachment to Shrek.
After nearly three years, Oscar had formed real bonds at Shrek.
He was personally brought in by Flender, and he wasn't ready to leave.
So when Flender mentioned getting him a sword instructor, Oscar just laughed it off.
Flender, however, took it seriously. From his perspective, letting Oscar study under Chen Xin would be best. Although Oscar's Sky Azure Spirit Bone Sword was technically an external spirit bone, it was now Oscar's main weapon.
Flender began to feel guilty, thinking Oscar's reluctance to leave was due to loyalty to Shrek.
In fact, Flender hadn't even let Oscar and Ma Hongjun go to register their spirit master IDs, just to keep them from being poached by other factions.
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