In addition to the original Shrek Academy 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 voluptuous figure. This must be the legendary Liu Erlong.
In contrast to Yu Xiaogang's livid expression—his usual stern demeanor replaced by visible restraint—Flender's eyes seemed to gleam with a hint of delight.
Flender was the first to introduce her: "Little monsters, today I'll introduce you to a new teacher. This is Teacher Liu Erlong. From now on, she will assist Teacher Zhao in overseeing your combat training."
Liu Erlong appeared sharp and decisive, cutting straight to the point as soon as she spoke: "I've heard from Boss Flender that you're all a bunch of little monsters. Don't disappoint me."
The other students seemed indifferent, but Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel a jolt of unease. Liu Erlong was known as the "Corner of Slaughter." Though she appeared calm, she might just be the fiercest and most ruthless among all the teachers.
Yang Xiong also found it strange. Liu Erlong was undoubtedly a stunning beauty, so why was she so infatuated with Yu Xiaogang? No wonder Yu Xiaogang was so despised—this mismatched couple was truly baffling. Especially since Yu Xiaogang appeared to be reluctantly pursued.
Flender seemed to sense something. "Yang Xiong, you've reached Soul Elder level?"
Yang Xiong nodded. "Teacher Flender, I took leave yesterday to hunt for a soul ring. I'm now a Level 32 Soul Elder."
Everyone was astonished. Originally, Yang Xiong had the lowest soul power among them, but since entering the academy, his growth had been the highest. Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun had only improved by two levels, while Tang San, who had advanced the most, had gained five levels. Yet Yang Xiong had surged six levels—a speed that was almost absurd.
Keep in mind, it had been less than ten months since joining Shrek Academy.
Sure enough, Liu Erlong quickly demonstrated what it meant to be the Corner of Slaughter. She personally faced off against all nine members of Shrek Academy. Within minutes, everyone was knocked flat on the ground. Her attacks were merciless and brutal.
Surprisingly, just two days after Liu Erlong began teaching at Tian Dou Imperial Academy, Flender announced a week-long holiday. He claimed it was necessary for balancing hard work and rest, preparing everyone for an even more grueling and dangerous training phase ahead. However, Yang Xiong noticed Yu Xiaogang looking utterly despondent, likely because the teachers had some matters to attend to.
Yang Xiong brought Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang back to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Upon returning home, Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia. This was the longest time he had ever been away from the sect. Only by returning did he feel like he was truly home.
Oscar was still relentlessly pursuing Qin Shuang, and it seemed Qin Shuang was starting to warm up to him. At least, she no longer remained completely aloof as she had been at first. Ning Rongrong had even spoken highly of Oscar in front of Qin Shuang. Unfortunately, Qin Shuang followed Ning Rongrong's lead in teasingly calling him "Uncle Big Sausage," leaving Oscar utterly embarrassed.
After returning to the sect, Yang Xiong's father, Yang Lin, and mother, Sun Yu, were overjoyed. Even his older brother, Yang Wei, was home, as Zixing Academy had also granted a long vacation.
The family gathered together for meals, conversations, and drinks, filled with warmth and laughter. Though they might not have exceptional cultivation talent, they were his true family.
Yang Wei had been training diligently lately and had reached Level 34, becoming a substitute member of Zixing Academy's team.
Yang Xiong also revisited his collection of immortal herbs, his eyes flickering with thought. Since undergoing the Ice-Fire Tempering, he hadn't fully digested the effects of those two herbs. For now, consuming more immortal herbs wasn't advisable. Additionally, due to his limited understanding of their properties and identities, Yang Xiong hadn't considered using them on his parents or family. He planned to wait until Yang Wei graduated before making any decisions.
Especially considering that in about six years, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect would face an apocalyptic disaster. The Spirit Hall would launch an attack with ten thousand soul masters and four Title Douluos. His peaceful life would be shattered, and his parents and brother would face unimaginable calamity. Yang Xiong's sole desire was for them to survive this catastrophe. Nothing else mattered.
Yang Xiong was well aware that even six years from now, he would likely only be a Soul Emperor. In the grand scheme of things, his influence would be negligible. What the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect truly lacked was high-level combat strength.
No matter how much Yang Xiong pondered, the foundation of everything lay in his need to familiarize himself with more immortal herbs.
Across the entire Douluo Continent, only three people truly understood immortal herbs: Tang San, Chrysanthemum Douluo, and Yang Wudi. Each of them had unique inheritances and treated their knowledge of immortal herbs as top-secret information, unlikely to share it easily. The real breakthrough would come from Yang Wudi.
However, it was still too early. Yang Xiong didn't dare approach Yang Wudi yet—he was an extremely volatile peak Soul Douluo, and his family resided in the distant Star Luo Empire.
After returning to the academy, Yang Xiong spent most of his time in the gravity-controlled simulated environment, aside from group training sessions.
Looking back at the original storyline, the true opportunities for Shrek Academy's members came in two forms: immortal herbs and the Sea God Island trials.
Compared to the radiance of the Sea God, the gravity-controlled simulated environment paled significantly. Yang Xiong had even considered inviting a Soul Sage capable of manipulating gravity to simulate the Sea God's radiance, but the results weren't ideal. After all, each person had unique soul power fluctuations and attributes. Moreover, even a Soul Sage couldn't maintain gravity control for extended periods. In contrast, the gravity simulation environment was a better option.
The gravity simulation environment housed many independent rooms. Aside from physical training under intense pressure, Yang Xiong primarily used this space for meditation.
Though challenging at first, as his cultivation improved, his mind gradually settled. Meditating in this gravity-controlled environment indeed yielded tangible benefits.
However, this kind of training tested one's aptitude and mental fortitude. Under extreme pressure, many struggled to focus their minds. Only those with unwavering determination could persevere.
Though initially uncomfortable in the gravity simulation environment, its benefits became apparent over time.
From another perspective, all three of Yang Xiong's absorbed soul rings were power-oriented, making this environment particularly suitable for his cultivation.
Time flew by, and a year passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Yang Xiong focused entirely on his training. Once he fully adapted to the gravity-controlled environment, he invited Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Qin Shuang to join him. Initially struggling to adapt, they gradually experienced increasingly noticeable improvements, and their cultivation speeds accelerated.
Among the three, Qin Shuang adapted the fastest. Her martial soul was the Mighty Golden Bear, which also emphasized pure strength. In terms of physical fitness, she even surpassed Ning Rongrong and Oscar, despite being an entire major stage behind them.
While Yang Xiong and his companions trained in peace, others faced more chaotic circumstances—or simply had more distractions.
Liu Erlong continued to pursue Yu Xiaogang relentlessly, even suggesting that Yu Xiaogang and Flender relocate the Shrek Academy members to Lanba Academy. She was even willing to rename Lanba Academy to Shrek Academy.
However, Flender was now caught between a rock and a hard place. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the three Elder Committee members placed great importance on Shrek Academy, providing free resources and frequent personal visits. Leaving now would invite backlash from the Tian Dou Imperial Family, especially since the three Elder Committee members were all Soul Douluo-level experts. It wasn't as simple as coming and going freely.
Moreover, living in the luxurious environment of Tian Dou Imperial Academy, returning to the conditions of an ordinary school would likely be unacceptable to both students and teachers.
Under the leadership of Zhao Wuji, many teachers had grown accustomed to their comfortable lives. With monthly salaries of 3,000 gold soul coins, along with training resources and various imperial privileges, life here far surpassed their previous existence in Suotuo City. Everyone was thoroughly enjoying themselves.
By comparison, Lanba Academy lagged far behind in every aspect. Among the many advanced soul master academies, Lanba Academy was one of the few that accepted commoner soul masters. Its finances were strained, and its facilities paled in comparison to Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
After much deliberation, Flender and the others ultimately decided to remain at Tian Dou Imperial Academy. If they stubbornly moved to Lanba Academy, the school's faculty and students would likely disperse instantly.
Consider this: apart from Principal Liu Erlong, there wasn't a single Soul Sage in Lanba Academy. This was because Soul Sages commanded high value, and the academy simply couldn't afford to hire them.
Interestingly, Zhao Wuji had advanced one level after arriving at Tian Dou Imperial Academy, reaching Level 77. Simple-minded and straightforward, he lived a carefree life, focusing solely on training students and himself.
There was also a small anecdote. Since Qin Shuang's enrollment, perhaps due to their similar martial souls, Zhao Wuji and Qin Shuang had developed a close relationship. Zhao Wuji often gave Qin Shuang private training, and Qin Shuang, equally determined, responded enthusiastically. Their bond grew stronger, and it seemed Zhao Wuji was treating her like a half-disciple.
In contrast, Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu shielded Tang San from most temptations, whether noble recruitment or flirtations from beautiful young women.
However, Tang San's life was busy. Aside from cultivation, he had to manage Xiao Wu and spend his spare time crafting and assembling hidden weapons. His days were tightly packed.
Ma Hongjun was in paradise at Tian Dou Imperial Academy. He quickly found a girlfriend—a beautiful noblewoman. Even Flender, as his teacher, couldn't stop it.
Dai Mubai reverted to his playboy ways, maintaining an ambivalent relationship with Zhu Zhuqing. They seemed to be on the verge of getting together but were plagued by growing rifts. Unlike Tang San, Dai Mubai lacked the resolve to resist all temptations. However, in terms of cultivation, he remained diligent, consistently leading the group in soul power due to being three years older than Yang Xiong and the others.
Zhu Zhuqing continued her rigorous training, working even harder than before entering Tian Dou Imperial Academy. Though her cultivation speed wasn't slow, her potential was ultimately limited.
Compared to the students' innocence, the teachers were an entirely different story.
Flender oscillated between excitement and frustration. On one hand, he fretted over Ma Hongjun's situation; on the other, he rejoiced in the students' growth.
Meanwhile, Liu Erlong relentlessly pursued Yu Xiaogang, often leaving him visibly awkward and stripping him of his usual dignity. It was clear that Yu Xiaogang was inwardly tormented.
But then again, Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong were once lovers—and also cousins by blood. This tangled web of relationships was undeniably complicated.
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