Gai Yue's expression at this moment showed no restraint at all, his satisfaction with Oscar was practically overflowing. Although he had only answered one word, he was inwardly excited.
At this moment, he felt like a nouveau riche who had struck gold, with no reason not to be happy.
Being able to teach such a genius, not to mention the possible future help Oscar might bring him, even the process of teaching would give him a different kind of experience.
After all, he could be considered something of a genius himself. A genius teaching a genius—what a delightful prospect.
And Oscar at this moment was also filled with admiration for Gai Yue in his heart. Because just now, although the test seemed to only involve Gai Yue extending a hand to make him freeze, the reality was far more than that.
Because just now, he felt as if he had entered a special world, facing endless pressure and the threat of death. As long as his thoughts had even the slightest slack, he wouldn't have been able to persist for so long.
And this was the first time Oscar had experienced such a feeling, which had elevated his state of mind.
And now that he had Gai Yue's approval, Oscar knelt before him: "Disciple Oscar, pays respects to..."
This was not an exaggeration. As the saying goes, "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a father." From now on, Gai Yue would be his sword dao teacher, so he was worthy of this bow.
However, before Oscar's knees could touch the ground, a vast amount of Soul Power lifted him up, and Oscar looked at Gai Yue in astonishment.
He didn't want to accept him as a disciple? Could it be that he hadn't passed the test?
Just as Oscar was puzzled, Gai Yue's icy voice sounded: "A man's knees are worth gold; he kneels only to heaven, earth, and his parents. From now on, we'll refer to each other as master and disciple, but we can skip the kneeling bow. A bow will suffice."
Hearing this, Oscar finally put his worries aside. He had thought that Gai Yue hadn't approved of him yet!
And it was only now that Oscar remembered that in this world, apprenticeships didn't seem to involve kneeling on both knees.
In the original work, when Tang San knelt to Master Xiao Wu to become her disciple, he had knelt directly on both knees, which had even flustered Master Xiao Wu. After all, with Master Xiao Wu's strength, there was simply no time to stop him.
But Oscar was facing Gai Yue, who had at least the strength of a Title Douluo, so he didn't have the chance to kneel.
Oscar straightened up again and bowed ninety degrees to Gai Yue with his fists clasped: "Disciple Oscar, pays respects to teacher."
Gai Yue solemnly helped Oscar to his feet: "From today on, Oscar, you will be my direct disciple. I will impart all my knowledge to you. How much you can learn depends on your own comprehension."
Hearing this, Oscar's handsome face revealed a sweet smile because he noticed a detail—his teacher hadn't mentioned the five-year period mentioned before, but had instead said he would impart all his knowledge.
What did this signify? It meant that the teacher had approved of him as a disciple.
And in the instant that master and disciple completed their ceremony, Flender and Zhao Wuji and the others walked over from a distance. Ma Hongjun was shouting loudly there: "Brother Oscar, are you guys hungry? I'm starving to death!"
Hearing Ma Hongjun's voice, Oscar turned his head, helplessly rolled his eyes at Ma Hongjun, and said softly to Gai Yue: "Teacher, since you've just arrived at the academy, let's welcome you properly. Today, Teacher Shao has prepared quite a feast."
Hearing this, an unexpected smile appeared on Gai Yue's usually icy face: "Today is your birthday, so you're the star of the show."
As he spoke, a flash of precious light appeared on Gai Yue's right wrist, and with a flip of his hand, he took out a jade box: "Taking you as my disciple today happens to also be your birthday. I didn't prepare a separate gift, so this one will serve both purposes. I'll make it up to you later."
Hearing this, Oscar's face lit up with joy. The gift was clearly prepared in advance, but his teacher probably didn't know today was his birthday.
So the teacher had been mentally prepared when he came? Thinking of this, Oscar couldn't help but wonder how that old man Flender had managed to coax his teacher.
Oscar didn't hesitate and accepted the gift: "Thank you, teacher."
At this moment, Flender also shouted: "Let's go. Today is a perfect occasion. Let's have a hot meal. I nearly froze to death in the Extreme North these past few months."
Afterward, Gai Yue didn't hesitate either. Since he had accepted Oscar as a disciple, he would naturally be staying, so he also wanted to quickly integrate with Shrek Academy and followed Flender toward the cafeteria.
Oscar stored the jade box in his soul device, not opening it on the spot, but followed the teachers to the cafeteria.
It was already noon, and all sorts of delicacies had long been prepared by Shao Xin, just waiting for this little birthday boy, Oscar, to start.
Today, Oscar had officially turned nine years old. At this age, his Soul Power had reached the terrifying level of twenty-three, which was worth celebrating for everyone at Shrek Academy.
In the middle of it, the Shrek Academy teachers—Flender and the others—had also prepared birthday gifts for Oscar. Although none were particularly valuable, they were indeed thoughtful.
At the dining table, Oscar sat beside Gai Yue and couldn't help but ask: "Teacher, although asking this might be a bit abrupt, but may I know your actual strength?"
That's right, Oscar really wanted to know Gai Yue's true strength, and Ma Hongjun had been egging him on to ask.
And the reason Ma Hongjun was doing this was because when he had previously asked Flender, Flender hadn't been willing to say.
Moreover, Zhao Wuji hadn't seen Gai Yue for several years, so he didn't know either.
Besides Ma Hongjun, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin also wanted to know Gai Yue's strength. After all, Flender and Zhao Wuji had both said that Gai Yue's talent surpassed theirs.
And since Gai Yue was now willing to stay at Shrek Academy, it meant he was part of their big family, so it was only natural that they were curious.
Facing Oscar's question, Gai Yue had no intention of hiding anything. After all, he had decided to stay, so he needed to integrate with them.
Gai Yue unhurriedly picked up a chicken leg and placed it in Oscar's bowl, then said lightly: "I reached Level 82 just a month ago."
Hearing this answer, not to mention Oscar himself, even Zhao Wuji looked at Gai Yue in astonishment.
After all, he had the most contact with Flender and Gai Yue, so he was naturally the most shocked by Gai Yue's breakthrough.
After all, Zhao Wuji, who was two years older than Gai Yue, was only at Level 74 now. And according to Flender and Zhao Wuji's previous descriptions, more than ten years ago, Gai Yue's Soul Power level hadn't been as high as theirs!
Now he was already a Title Douluo? And Zhao Wuji was only 47 years old now, which meant Gai Yue had broken through to Title Douluo at just 45 years old? This talent could definitely be called a genius.
After all, not everyone was as heaven-defying as Tang Hao had been, breaking through to Title Douluo at the age of 44.
At 45 years old with Level 82 Soul Power, he definitely possessed the talent to challenge Title Douluo, and might even go further on the path to becoming a Title Douluo.
At this moment, Flender said with a mysterious expression: "It's not as simple as just Level 82. Brother Gai's eighth Soul Ring was something he hunted and killed all by himself..."
Flender had originally intended to continue, but considering that this concerned Gai Yue's privacy, he hesitated and looked at Gai Yue.
Gai Yue, however, had no intention of hiding it and said generously: "Brother Flender, go ahead. This is also a good chance for the teachers and young Oscar to get to know me."
Getting Gai Yue's approval, Flender continued: "To be honest, I had trouble believing Brother Gai when he told me. His eighth Soul Ring was obtained by hunting a 70,000-year Soul Beast all by himself, and it even dropped a 70,000-year torso Soul Bone. So after Brother Gai absorbed the Soul Ring and Soul Bone, he directly broke through to Level 82."
Saying this, Flender couldn't help but sigh: "Sigh, I've known him for almost twenty years, and Brother Gai has surpassed us little by little. This guy's talent is simply too strong!"