Because of Oscar's tolerance toward her, Xiao Wu trained with even more seriousness afterward. Even without Tang San by her side, this time she seemed to have felt an unprecedented warmth at Shrek Academy, especially from Oscar.
She didn't know if it was her imagination, but for the first time she felt, outside of her "family" and Tang San, that there was a place where she didn't have to constantly remain tense and suppressed.
Usually, with Tang San around, she would behave a bit more arrogant and domineering. But when Oscar exposed her identity, it gave her a crisis she had never felt before.
Fortunately, Oscar was different. He didn't treat her as an outcast. Instead, he chose to keep her secret and protect her, letting her feel warmth once again.
Of course, that was Oscar's genuine feeling. At this point, Oscar didn't harbor many thoughts about Xiao Wu. Protecting her was sincere.
How he might make use of her identity in the future was a matter for later. For now, his feelings were real.
Under the training programs Oscar arranged for them, although the Shrek Academy students were working hard, their strength was also steadily improving.
The ones who felt this the most were Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing. Now one had reached level 39, and the other level 29 far more progress than when they first joined.
That afternoon, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were standing solemnly by a stream, with Oscar watching them sternly.
And they weren't the only ones. At the same time, in the Soul Arena, Dugu Yan, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun were training under the stern supervision of another Oscar.
In Zhao Wuji's courtyard, Ning Rongrong was also being supervised by an Oscar clone. Zhao Wuji himself wasn't present the clone had eaten a sausage made with Zhao Wuji's blood, copying his abilities, and was using his grounds to train Ning Rongrong.
For Oscar, splitting his mind three ways was now as easy as eating or drinking. So group training was no difficulty at all.
While team coordination was important, drawing out each person's individual potential was also essential.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were being trained in the specializations of agility attack type spirit masters. For example, how to perfectly control their spirit power, concentrating it into a single point for explosive bursts, or running across water for a short time. This was their current training task.
This effectively trained their coordination and explosive power both crucial traits for agility attack masters.
As for Dugu Yan, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun, they were all trained as power attack spirit masters. Though Dugu Yan was both power attack and control type, her martial spirit's evolution had greatly strengthened her offensive abilities, so it made sense to train her alongside them.
Oscar's goal for them was to develop perfect combat awareness. For a power attack spirit master, combat was everything. As the vanguard of the team, they were of utmost importance.
Oscar rigorously trained them to be able to adapt to any kind of opponent, ensuring that they wouldn't be helpless if they faced someone who countered their abilities.
Ning Rongrong's training was simpler. As a support type spirit master, her physical fitness was the worst in the group. So Oscar used Zhao Wuji's third spirit skill, Gravity Control, to specially train her.
Next was training her use of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Though she was support type, with proper training she could still use the tower's sturdiness for some self defense.
After all, with spirit skills enhancing it, the pagoda could pack a decent punch. It wasn't overwhelmingly strong, but hitting an enemy on the head unexpectedly was still something most people couldn't handle.
Although Ning Rongrong found the training extremely tough, she grit her teeth and endured.
Everyone here was a genius. Her noble background gave her no special advantage. With her own pride, she naturally didn't want to fall behind.
Thus, Shrek Academy's month of hellish training began and once it started, it couldn't be stopped.
After all, Oscar was the one in charge. If he didn't say they could rest, then no oneeven Dugu Yan would dare stop. They believed that if Oscar hadn't said no, it meant they hadn't reached their limits yet.
Soon, half a month more had passed. Nearly a month since Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong had joined the academy. One day, while Dugu Yan and the others were still in training, Tang San suddenly returned together with a middle aged man.
The man was of average build, slightly thin, appearing about forty to fifty years old, with short black hair parted three to seven. His face was ordinary, his hands clasped behind his back. He carried a unique aura, and his eyes, half open and half shut, revealed hints of laziness and decadence.
But when his gaze landed on Oscar, a flash of anger appeared in his eyes quickly concealed.
Tang San hadn't changed much, but only Xiao Wu could see that something was different: his closeness with his teacher had changed. Normally inseparable, this time he kept almost a meter of distance from the Master as they entered the academy, one ahead of the other.
Clearly, something had happened between Tang San and the Master during this time, making their previously harmonious relationship somewhat delicate.
When Tang San saw Oscar, he bowed deeply: "Senior, I'm back."
Seeing this, Master Yu Xiaogang's anger rose again. If it had been before, he would have been pleased with Tang San's respectfulness.
But now, he was greatly displeased. His disciple, who should have been honoring him, was bowing instead to a mere fourteen year old boy?
He, Yu Xiaogang, had studied spirit master theory for decades, earning the title of "Master." And yet his disciple was being swayed by some boy not yet grown?
Relying on a little theoretical knowledge, that boy thought he could trick his disciple? To steal away the third twin spirit genius of the continent?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!!!
Though Yu Xiaogang was only a Grand Spirit Master, he would not tolerate such humiliation! That was why he came with Tang San to Shrek Academy in advance.
He had even decided already: he would make Flender expel this scheming, dangerous student Oscar, or else he would refuse to let Tang San remain at Shrek!
In Yu Xiaogang's mind, Tang San was not only innately full of spirit power but also a rare twin spirit genius. If he and Tang San stayed at Shrek, they could fulfill Flender's dream of making Shrek Academy famous.
After all, if an academy could produce a powerful spirit master, that was proof of its strength.
But Yu Xiaogang never considered that a student's power came not only from hard work but also from innate talent.
Seeing Tang San's bow, and noting the subtle changes between him and Yu Xiaogang, Oscar already understood.
"Tang San, you're back. It seems you've found your answer." Oscar smiled and helped him up, speaking softly.
Tang San looked earnestly into Oscar's eyes for a moment, then turned to Yu Xiaogang and introduced: "Senior, this is my teacher, Yu Xiaogang."
Oscar glanced at him and nodded lightly: "Hello. Oscar."
A very brief introduction no honorifics, no extra courtesy. In Yu Xiaogang's eyes, it was blatant disrespect for his elders.
Proud as he was, Yu Xiaogang coldly replied: "Xiao San has already told me everything. I'm here now for you."
Oscar nodded. "I see. Then please wait a moment. My students are training right now, and their time is precious. It cannot be interrupted."
He then turned to Tang San: "Take your teacher to the dining hall for something to eat first. I'll come find you soon."
Tang San nodded without objection.
If it had been before, if someone treated his teacher this way, he might have shown dissatisfaction even if not outright anger.
But now, nobody knew what Tang San was thinking. He simply acknowledged Oscar's words and left with Yu Xiaogang.
Although Yu Xiaogang was displeased with Oscar's attitude, he didn't argue because in truth, he was hungry.
On the way to the dining hall, Yu Xiaogang asked: "Xiao San, where is Dean Flender? Why haven't I seen him? And why is a student handling instruction here? Where are the teachers?"
He muttered with discontent: "Flender may not be experienced in teaching, but as someone who reached the Spirit Douluo level, surely he could have recruited some proper teachers?"
"It seems I was right to come here. After all, what can a student possibly teach you?"
Hearing this, Tang San frowned. But this was the teacher who had guided him for six years, so he didn't rebuke him. Instead, he said: "Teacher, although I only stayed at the academy for one day before, it's not as bad as you say."
"After all, wasn't it you who recommended me here because you believed this place could offer me unique training?"
Yu Xiaogang replied: "But being taught by just a student how good could that be? Flender must be muddleheaded. I'll speak with him myself later"
Before he could finish, Tang San interrupted: "Teacher, it seems you don't truly know Dean Flender. Though I was here only a day, Senior Oscar is far from ordinary."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Those students you just saw none of them has spirit power below level 26, and the highest has already reached level 49. And Senior, though only fourteen years old, has reached a terrifying level 47."
"In both strength and knowledge, he is fully qualified to be a mentor."
Originally, Tang San hadn't planned to tell Yu Xiaogang this. When he realized Yu Xiaogang's knowledge couldn't compare to Oscar's, he had decided only to speak with him about cultivation.
Along the way, Tang San had revealed nothing else, fearing that Yu Xiaogang wouldn't dare confront Oscar otherwise.
But now, his teacher seemed intent on belittling the academy, relying on his ties with Flender to press matters. Even though it was his teacher, Tang San felt a sense of unfamiliarity.
Yu Xiaogang, for his part, not only felt dissatisfied with Tang San recently, but also truly looked down on Oscar.
Yet hearing Tang San's words, Yu Xiaogang froze. After a long pause, he exclaimed in disbelief: "Impossible! Fourteen years old at level 47? Absolutely impossible! Even the youngest Title Douluo in history didn't have such talent! Do you understand what that means?"
But seeing his teacher's shock only elevated Oscar's image in Tang San's heart.
If even his teacher found it unbelievable, then how terrifying must Oscar's talent truly be?
"Teacher, you know I would never make baseless claims, nor do I have any reason to lie to you," Tang San replied earnestly.
Yu Xiaogang stared at his serious expression, deep in thought. He had read countless records, heard many legends of gifted spirit masters, but none who had nearly reached Spirit King at just fourteen.
Was such a talent really possible?
Tang San continued: "Precisely because his talent is so extraordinary, I believe his words are not false. Otherwise, how would I have dared to seek you out?"
Yu Xiaogang glared at him: "Xiao San, you're still young. There are many things you don't understand. Think about it. With your talent, reaching level 29 at twelve already made you a rarity. If Oscar is as gifted as you say, where would he find the time to both study and cultivate so deeply?"
"I may never reach level 30, but I spent most of my life on spirit master theory to achieve what I have. Yet Oscar, a fourteen year old child, supposedly reached nearly Spirit King level while also gaining knowledge equal to my lifetime's study? Do you think that's possible?"
Finding his strongest argument, Yu Xiaogang pressed harder: "Xiao San, you're smart. Think carefully. Even you don't have such monstrous talent. How could Oscar? Don't let yourself be deceived and let it harm our bond as teacher and disciple."
Hearing this, Tang San didn't agree. Instead, he recalled Oscar's words: "Some people are born this way weak, self important, relying on others to climb higher. Tang San, you are wise don't let emotions be used against you…"
Looking at Yu Xiaogang now, Tang San could hardly believe this was the teacher he had respected for six years.
He knew he was inexperienced, but had he really been misled by this man for so long?
Though he acknowledged Yu Xiaogang had once guided him, he was also the one who had ruined his future.
Now, with clarity dawning, Tang San felt conflicted but said nothing.
After a long silence, he made a decision and spoke calmly: "Teacher, let's go eat first. Whatever questions you have, we can discuss them with Senior Oscar directly."
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