Oscar and Dugu Yan were still stationed at the fourth trial. Out of sheer boredom, the two of them started playing chess. They didn't notice at all that, from a distance in the shadows, a tall figure in a black robe was watching them intently.
"Shrek… so this is the so called Monster Academy? Fourteen years old, Spirit Rank 47. Fifteen years old, Spirit Rank 39… Even my talent back then might not have been able to compare with this group of children," the black robed figure murmured to himself in the dark.
"It seems the Grandmaster has indeed paved the way for Little San. Learning together with talents of this level will surely help him in the future. And if Little San can even subdue these youngsters under his command…"
"Hehe, Little San, I hope you won't disgrace the name of our Clear Sky Sect…"
After a long pause, the figure whispered again:
"With the Concealing Grass that Ah Yin left behind back then, even if Flender and Zhao Wuji break through to the Spirit Douluo realm, there's no need to worry about Xiao Wu's identity being exposed. Little San and the others should be able to learn much here. It's about time I went to handle that matter…"
As his words fell, the black figure vanished on the spot, without a trace, as if he had never appeared at all.
Dai Mubai escorted Tang San back to the dormitory, chatting along the way about Oscar and the others in Shrek Academy. However, when it came to secrets, he kept his mouth shut.
After all, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong had only just joined Shrek Academy. They were still in the probation stage. The academy's secrets couldn't be casually revealed.
Once Tang San entered the dorm, he stopped overthinking and began meditating to recover his spirit power.
By afternoon, enrollment for the day was just about over. Tang San and the others had almost fully recovered. Xiao Wu, after eating Oscar's Super Recovery Sausage, was in much better condition too. With two more days of rest, she'd be fine.
So that afternoon, Oscar brought them all to the cafeteria. Though Shrek Academy's facilities weren't luxurious, aside from the simulation training grounds, everything else was fairly complete.
When they arrived at the cafeteria, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong being new were still unfamiliar with everyone. But they weren't the least bit timid.
Tang San was different reborn with the soul of an adult, he naturally remained calm. Xiao Wu, on the other hand, had a bit of an outgoing personality. Having been "big sister" at Notting Academy for six years, even when facing Oscar and these prodigies, she could interact normally.
As for Ning Rongrong, born into one of the Three Upper Sects as the sect master's beloved daughter, she usually played with Title Douluo as her companions. Though amazed by the talent and strength of Shrek's students, she didn't find it difficult to get along.
Besides, under Oscar's leadership, Shrek's students had already shed their bad habits. Unlike in the original story, they got along much more harmoniously.
On the way to the cafeteria, Tang San and Xiao Wu whispered to each other, while Ning Rongrong directly struck up a conversation with Oscar.
"Senior, Sister Zhuqing told me you're actually the leader of the academy! Everyone usually trains under your guidance!" Ning Rongrong couldn't help asking, "How did you manage that? Even at home I've never met a genius like you!"
She then glanced at Dugu Yan:
"Especially you, Senior Sister! Zhuqing said your spirit power has already reached Rank 49, just one step away from Spirit King…"
Before Oscar or Dugu Yan could reply, Ma Hongjun cut in with a grin:
"Junior Sister, you're surprised far too early. You'll need to get used to it."
He then added:
"But you've got sharp eyes. A direct line genius of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and you came all the way to study at Shrek!"
Ning Rongrong smiled:
"I sneaked out. Home felt too stifling, so I wanted to venture far. Looks like I made the right choice."
Oscar chuckled:
"Heh, who would've thought the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had such a personality?"
At first, Ning Rongrong was pleased by the compliment. But soon she realized something was off.
"You… how do you know?" she asked in surprise. "I never mentioned my identity…"
Oscar explained:
"Running away from home with three Spirit Saints secretly escorting you in the shadows other than Sect Master Ning's precious daughter, who else could it be?"
Instantly, Ning Rongrong understood. Her carefully planned escape had clearly been discovered by her father. Thinking about it, though Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa doted on her so much of course they'd look for her if she disappeared.
But since her father hadn't dragged her back, it meant they had tacitly approved. Realizing this, her heart was at ease.
Dugu Yan laughed from the side:
"Looks like our Junior Sister Ning Rongrong isn't simple at all."
Somewhat embarrassed, Ning Rongrong replied:
"Senior Sister, it's not that I wanted to hide it. But identity is something decided at birth. No need to announce it everywhere…"
Oscar, after a brief moment of reflection, found that Ning Rongrong wasn't the spoiled brat she was in the original story.
Could it be that in the original, the other Shrek Seven were so flawed that she acted out because of them?
Now, under Oscar's positive influence, Shrek's students were at least "model youths."
Besides, as the beloved daughter of the Seven Treasure Sect Master, how could her upbringing have been poor? In the original, it was Flender constantly belittling her with harsh words that made her lash out. Having never experienced such treatment before, her reaction was understandable.
And later, didn't she change for the better? Many things can't be judged from the surface you have to experience them.
So Oscar smiled wryly:
"Seems like all of you have extraordinary backgrounds. Only Hongjun and I truly have no power or influence."
Ma Hongjun quickly nodded in agreement:
"Exactly! But still, being classmates with you guys, don't forget about us in the future!"
Hearing the two brothers' banter, Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing both rolled their eyes:
"You two call that powerless?"
Zhu Zhuqing added bluntly:
"Someone here got himself a girlfriend and even a godfather, yet still claims to have no backing!"
Oscar's face darkened. He thought: Wasn't I just teasing Ning Rongrong? Why are you two piling on?
Hongjun, however, didn't care. He laughed:
"Then I guess it's just me. Boss has a godfather and a girlfriend. I've got nothing."
Dugu Yan smirked, giving him a light kick:
"You've got nothing? You stick to your boss like glue what's his is yours."
Hongjun chuckled cheekily:
"Sister-in-law is right! Sister-in-law is always right!"
But Oscar frowned:
"Right my ass! She's my girlfriend, not your Sister-in-law!"
Dugu Yan instantly blushed and punched Oscar, while Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but laugh.
Getting jealous over your own brother?
Ning Rongrong, watching this warm atmosphere, thought: Isn't this exactly what I've always longed for?
At that moment, Tang San said quietly:
"Senior, by that logic, Xiao Wu and I are the ones who are truly without power or influence."
Oscar turned his head:
"Oh? Is that so?"
"?" Tang San froze, then replied instinctively:
"Isn't it? Could I possibly have some special background? I was just born in a remote village, the son of a blacksmith."
Oscar only smiled. At this stage, Tang San truly didn't know his identity. Worse still, he didn't even know his second spirit was the Clear Sky Hammer.
That was one of the holes in the original story. Wasn't the Grandmaster supposed to be a "theory master"? After six years of teaching Tang San, how could Tang San not be curious about his second martial soul?
In the novel, Tang San never investigated it himself. Instead, when he reached Heaven Dou City, Titan of the Strength Clan recognized him and told him the truth.
Honestly, that was ridiculous.
Tang San wasn't a child he was a reincarnated adult, curious about his mysterious father, and yet he never investigated after discovering his twin martial souls?
But Oscar didn't care much. He would take action himself.
Still, now wasn't the time to reveal it. Since Tang San clearly didn't want to expose his second martial soul, Oscar wouldn't announce it in front of everyone. He'd find time to ask privately.
As the senior, and the leader of the academy, it was only natural to show concern.
When they entered the cafeteria, Shao Xin had already prepared a hot meal. Tang San and Xiao Wu were stunned at the precious ingredients the academy actually ate this well?
Even Ning Rongrong was slightly surprised. These soul beast ingredients cost at least a hundred gold spirit coins per meal.
For an academy to spend so much on food it was no wonder it produced only geniuses.
Shao Xin, seeing the three newcomers, asked:
"Oscar, new students again this year?"
Oscar replied:
"Yes, Teacher Shao. The three of them are quite talented. This year, we might have the largest intake yet. We'll be troubling you more often."
Shao Xin smiled warmly, his chubby round face full of kindness:
"No trouble at all. With such prodigies in our academy, I'd be delighted to cook for you every day."
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong all felt touched this teacher was wonderful.
During the meal, Oscar introduced Tang San's group, and when they learned Shao Xin was actually a Food type Spirit Sage, they were shocked.
Everyone knew how difficult it was for Food type spirit masters to cultivate. For Shao Xin to reach Spirit Sage before fifty was already an achievement that placed him among the very best of his type.
Oscar, of course, was the exception a true monster, a Food type spirit master whose cultivation speed surpassed even innate full spirit power Assault types.
Compared to him, Tang San and Xiao Wu, though both innate full spirit power, were left far behind.
As they ate, Oscar introduced the academy's environment, while Ma Hongjun and Dugu Yan also explained their own situations.
Hearing firsthand, Tang San's group felt it all unreal. Especially Ma Hongjun and Dugu Yan one was already Rank 45 at age twelve, even more terrifying than Oscar, while Dugu Yan, at eighteen, had reached Rank 49.
With their strength, they could've graduated already. They stayed only to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament two years later, not wanting any regrets.
Still, Tang San's group focused most on Oscar. Even prodigies like Ma Hongjun followed his lead without question.
And in truth, Oscar's talent was even greater. For a Food type spirit master, cultivation was far more difficult yet at fourteen he had reached Rank 47. This was something no one could easily accept.
Oscar didn't reveal everything, only said with a smile:
"You've just joined the academy. We'll have plenty of time together in the future. You'll learn about me eventually. If I tell you now, you might just be scared."
Tang San and the others sensibly didn't press further. After all, they had only just met.
After the meal, Dai Mubai took Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong for a walk around campus, while Oscar pulled Tang San aside.
Tang San, puzzled, didn't refuse. He wanted to learn from such a genius especially how a Food type spirit master could wield power rivaling an Assault type.
If Oscar could do it, then maybe his "trash" Blue Silver Grass wasn't so useless after all.
This made him think again of the Grandmaster's words: There are no useless martial souls, only useless spirit masters.
"Teacher was right. True strength isn't limited by one's martial soul," Tang San thought firmly.
Of course, soon he would realize how laughable that thought was and what kind of joke Yu Xiaogang really was…
When they reached the forest at the edge of the village, Oscar finally stopped, turned to look at Tang San, and asked deeply:
"Tang San, do you truly not know your identity?"
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