After half a day of work, Oscar finally refined the Phoenix Nirvana Pill. Judging from its luster, color, and the medicinal fragrance it gave off, this immortal-grade pill was a success.
Although his technique could not compare to that of a true alchemist, turning herbs into a pill was not beyond Oscar's skill.
In the following days, Oscar spent half of each day refining immortal pills, and his nights cultivating inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
When he was with Du Gu Yan, besides guiding her in cultivation, he also taught her various methods of poison usage and the preparation of toxins.
Du Gu Yan had studied these things before, but only because of Du Gu Bo's insistence, and she had done so reluctantly.
She herself hated poison—after all, she had been tormented by it her entire life. But for some reason, when Oscar was the one teaching her, she felt no disgust. Instead, she studied diligently.
Oscar was pleased. With her prior foundation and her innate talent in this area, she picked things up quickly.
He could only imagine what expression Du Gu Bo would make when he discovered how much his granddaughter had changed.
In seven days, Oscar refined five immortal pills. Among them, the only one he had already chosen a recipient for was the Phoenix Nirvana Pill, prepared specifically for Ma Hongjun.
After three years together, the two had built a deep bond. Though Ma Hongjun often behaved like Oscar's little brother, Oscar had long since recognized him as family. That pill was his gift to Fatty.
The other four immortal pills were:
Qi Rong Tong Tian Pill (奇茸通天丹)
Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid Pill (八瓣仙兰丹)
Water Immortal Jade Skin Pill (水仙玉肌丹)
Qiluo Tulip Pill (绮罗郁金丹)
These corresponded exactly to the immortal herbs the Shrek Seven Devils consumed in the original story. Oscar hadn't even changed the names. He wasn't truly creating new pills, only purifying and amplifying the herbs' medicinal effects.
The result was astonishing. These pills were at least 50% more effective than directly consuming the immortal herbs—equivalent to one and a half times their original potency.
Such an increase was nothing short of terrifying. Though the process consumed many rare thousand-year-old herbs, the outcome was absolutely worth it.
An immortal herb could already create a genius. But when refined into a pill, it might elevate a genius into a super-genius!
The only exception was the Yearning Heartbroken Red. Oscar could not pick it now, and it didn't need refining anyway. As the "Emperor" of immortal herbs, no other material could compare with it. Even consumed raw, its effects surpassed those of any purified pill. Such was its tyrannical dominance.
Oscar wasn't stopping at only five pills—he simply hadn't had time to refine more. Because just then, Du Gu Bo returned, bringing Gai Yue with him.
Gai Yue and Shao Xin had set off earlier than Du Gu Bo, but because Du Gu Bo was a Title Douluo, he moved faster. Eager to deliver news to Gai Yue, he spent only three days reaching Soto City, then quickly located Shrek Academy through some "inquiries."
At this time, Gai Yue and Shao Xin still hadn't returned. They had taken a carriage along the main road, moving leisurely, which would take half a month. Since they left a day before, they would arrive in at least eleven more days.
Du Gu Bo, however, had rushed ahead by side paths to catch up sooner.
His sudden appearance at Shrek Academy put Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the other teachers on high alert. They thought they had somehow offended a Title Douluo.
They had even prepared to fight to the death. With Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai still in the academy, they were ready to sacrifice themselves just to send those two children away safely.
But their worries were unnecessary. Du Gu Bo wasn't here to cause trouble. He explained his reason directly.
When he learned Gai Yue wasn't back yet, Du Gu Bo realized he had acted in haste—rushing to Shrek in just three days because of Oscar's situation. Gai Yue and Shao Xin, not knowing, had no reason to hurry.
When the teachers heard the news, it was like a bolt from the blue.
Oscar was dead?
Gone after just over a month?
The eleven-year-old Food System prodigy, who had already reached Spirit Elder, was just gone?
Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the others were devastated. Especially Ma Hongjun—he burst out in tears, shouting that it was impossible. His "Oscar-ge," so talented and extraordinary, couldn't have died like that!
Du Gu Bo, however, didn't take offense at the boy's outburst. He had expected such a reaction. It was just that, with Gai Yue absent, his apology couldn't be delivered face-to-face this time.
Still, being a man of swift action, Du Gu Bo didn't linger. He told Flender where Gai Yue could find him, made a promise, and then departed.
Flender and the others had wanted more details, but Du Gu Bo said nothing further. They dared not question him—he was a Title Douluo, after all. Crushing them would be as easy as swatting flies.
As for doubting the news—was that even possible? A Title Douluo had come in person to deliver it, even prepared to apologize to Gai Yue. How could it be false?
Flender felt the fickleness of fate deeply. Oscar was the most gifted, determined, and independent child he had ever met.
Because of Oscar, this year's Shrek class had been smoother, the academy's finances had improved, and their environment had gotten better.
Though only a boy, Oscar had already changed Flender's life, making him more motivated than he had been in the original timeline.
Now, with this news, Flender was heartbroken. The entire academy sank into grief, its atmosphere heavy with sorrow.
Dai Mubai, though only acquainted with Oscar for less than a day, had been impressed. There was a mystery to that senior brother he had yet to understand—and now, he was gone?
He wasn't like Ma Hongjun, crying and locking himself in his dorm, but even Dai Mubai couldn't resist being drawn into the academy's grief.
Still, he had to admit: Oscar was incredible. Even in death, he could move so many people. What kind of charisma did that take?