After circling and taking detours, it took half a month before Oscar and Zhao Wuji finally made it back to Shrek Academy.
Counting the trip there and back, the whole journey had taken almost a full month. Oscar now had less than two months before his ninth birthday.
And yet, at not even nine years old, he was already a level twenty-two Soul Master. Compared to the goal he had set for himself—reaching rank thirty before turning twelve—he still had thirty-eight months left.
He was only eight levels away. Even if he advanced just once every four and a half to five months, he could still reach rank thirty before twelve. But judging from his current pace of one level every three to four months, Oscar was confident he could break through to rank thirty around the age of eleven.
Of course, the higher one climbed, the slower cultivation would become. But Oscar's drive would never slacken. Barring any major accidents, it was only a matter of time before he met his goal.
It might sound exaggerated, but Oscar was no longer the same as the one in the original novel. In the original, Oscar was indeed a genius for breaking through rank thirty at fourteen as a Food-Type Soul Master. But compared to the current him, that version was far lazier.
Now, Oscar spent nearly every night cultivating. During the day, he used to strengthen his body and study all kinds of knowledge. Even then, whenever he could, he also cultivated.
As a natural-born full spirit power genius, he had no bottlenecks for the foreseeable future. Even without heavenly treasures, as long as he continued training, his cultivation would rise steadily.
That fact alone was a blessing. He didn't need to waste time like a novel protagonist desperately searching for fortuitous treasures just to keep up.
Though not the strongest on the continent, as a Food-Type soul master with innate full spirit power, Oscar's talent was practically unrivaled at this stage.
Later on, if the world followed the original path, Tang San would eventually come to Shrek Academy. At that time, Oscar only needed to befriend him, just like in the story.
After all, while Tang San wasn't particularly warm to outsiders, to his comrades and teachers at Shrek, he had always been loyal.
As for all the talk he'd once read online—like "The endless flame domain had Yao Lao, but the God Realm had no Yu Xiaogang"—Oscar found it amusing, but not worth overthinking.
He wouldn't fawn over Tang San, but neither did he hate him. At the end of the day, this wasn't a novel anymore—it was real life.
And in living here, Oscar had realized something: the story was limited by the author's perspective. The real world, however, was far richer and more detailed than words could capture.
Shaking his head, Oscar stopped those wandering thoughts. No matter how much he speculated, time would prove everything.
That was why he trained so hard. What if Tang San never came to Shrek? What if he came but never gave me immortal herbs?
Oscar understood those possibilities clearly. After all, if he could transmigrate, then it was only natural that the plot might deviate too.
As Zhao Wuji led him toward Flender's office, he noticed Oscar shake his head and asked:
"What's on your mind, Little Ao?"
Oscar just smiled:
"Nothing much, Teacher Zhao. I was just thinking about Hong Jun. I've been away for days; that kid probably slacked off again. I was considering how to 'discipline' him when I get back. But then again, he has been working hard these past few months, so maybe I'll let it slide."
Zhao Wuji chuckled:
"You, ah… not even nine years old and already this mature. If you didn't need us old fellows from time to time, I'd think you were one of Shrek's teachers instead of a student."
Oscar grinned:
"Well, isn't that what a student should do? Besides, I'm the oldest here. As the Academy's 'big brother,' it's only right that I keep an eye on my juniors."
Zhao Wuji nodded with satisfaction:
"Little Ao, you're the most steady and mature student Shrek has had in over twenty years. If you were to inherit the Academy in the future…"
He paused, glanced at the office just ahead, then leaned close to whisper:
"…you'd definitely do better than Flender."
Oscar laughed:
"Teacher Zhao, you're teasing me. If our honorable Dean overheard that, I'm afraid your meager salary would shrink even further."
Zhao Wuji's face darkened instantly:
"Oi, you brat! I treat you so well, and this is how you repay me? Setting me up to lose my pay?"
At that moment, the office door creaked open. Flender appeared, carrying his usual thermos and wearing his trademark square black-framed glasses, his expression calm.
Seeing Oscar and Zhao Wuji at the door, a flicker of joy crossed his eyes.
"How did it go? Little Ao, how much progress did you make?"
Zhao Wuji shot Oscar a glance, then quickly stepped up and slung his arm around Flender's shoulder, steering him inside.
"Boss, this time Little Ao's luck was heaven-defying. Sit down and we'll tell you slowly."
At those words, the joy in Flender's gaze deepened. He stared at Oscar as if looking at Shrek's greatest hope.
"Speak."
And so Zhao Wuji explained everything: Oscar's second spirit ability and the external spirit bone he'd gained.
When Flender finished listening, he froze on the spot. Even the teacup in his hand seemed to pause midair.
Moments later, his face flushed with visible excitement. Forget the external spirit bone for now—even just Oscar's second ability was terrifying.
Not only could it detoxify, it granted five full minutes of immunity to all negative conditions—and without level restriction.
That alone made it a trump card against control-type or poison-type Soul Masters.
The continent was vast, with tens of thousands of soul masters wielding all manner of bizarre martial spirits. Many specialized in sinister debuffs and status effects.
If Oscar's second skill were auctioned off, it would fetch an astronomical price. Beyond combat, even adventurers entering soul beast forests would fight over such an ability.
But that wasn't what had Flender most excited. No—the real treasure was the external spirit bone.
In nearly fifty years of life, Flender had seen spirit bones before, but never an external one.
He knew how special they were: unlike the six main bone slots, external spirit bones became a true part of the soul master, evolving with their strength.
If the master grew strong enough, such a bone could rival a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone.
That was why external spirit bones were known as "the first spirit bone beneath the hundred-thousand-year level."
And, unlike normal spirit bones, they couldn't be stolen—once fused, they were inseparable from the host.
Of course, if an external bone was too heaven-defying, it might still draw the attention of those who would rather kill the owner young than let him grow.
Fortunately, here at Shrek Academy, though the people were eccentric, they cared deeply for their students. For now, Oscar didn't need to worry about such dangers.
Please bookmark, recommend, and vote with your monthly tickets!