Return

Tang San turned and walked towards the town outside Sunset Forest.

Upon arriving in the town, Tang San rented a carriage and headed towards Nuoding City.

Tang San leaned against the carriage wall, touched the Ruyi Hundred Treasures Purse at his waist, and felt a surge of satisfaction.

The harvest of this nearly one year has far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I obtain the Immortal Herb, but I also gained Dugu Yan, a girl who was willing to give her whole life to me.

Of course, there was also a Titled Douluo's grandfather.

Tang San plans to bring up the matter of his mother, the Blue Silver Emperor, the next time he encounters Tang Hao. At that time, he can transplant the Blue Silver Emperor into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, allowing it to recover its vitality in the most suitable environment.

She just didn't know when Tang Hao would come looking for her.

Tang San suppressed his thoughts, closed his eyes, and slowly entered a meditative state.

Ten days later, Nuoding City.

The carriage stopped at the city gate. Tang San paid the fare, jumped off the carriage, and took a deep breath.

The familiar, bustling atmosphere of Nuoding City gave Tang San a unique sense of peace.

Having been away for nearly a year, Tang San felt a pang of trepidation, as if he were returning home.

I wonder how Xiao Wu has been this past year?

Have you been practicing diligently?

Did you cause any trouble?

Tang San strode into the academy and headed straight for the dormitory building.

The door to Dorm Seven was ajar.

Tang San reached out and pushed open the door. The dormitory was much emptier than when he left, with only five people inside.

Tang San instantly realized that several of his older roommates, including Wang Sheng, had already graduated.

Now only a few traces of past inhabitation remain.

Tang San's gaze swept across the dormitory and landed on that familiar spot in the corner.

Xiao Wu's bed was still there, and Tang San's lips curled into a slight smile.

A thin, small boy, probably a new part-time worker, timidly asked, "Who... who are you looking for?"

Before Tang San could answer, a voice boomed from the bed.

"Third Brother?!"

Xiao Wu sat up abruptly in bed, her hair disheveled and her face flushed from just waking up from a nap.

Tang San was taken aback.

Xiao Wu rubbed her eyes, and after confirming that the person standing at the door was indeed Tang San, she sprang up from the bed.

"Third Brother!!"

Xiao Wu rushed over in three steps, throwing herself into Tang San 'Tang San arms, tightly hugging his waist, and burying her face in his chest.

"You're finally back! Do you know how long I've waited for you! You said you'd be back soon, but you've been gone for a year! You lied! You broke your promise!"

Xiao Wu's voice was muffled, tinged with tears, and her shoulders trembled slightly.

Tang San was knocked back half a step by the impact, then reached out and gently patted Xiao Wu's back.

"Alright, alright, I'm back now, aren't I?" Tang San's voice was soft, carrying a gentleness he himself was unaware of.

"Do you know how worried I was about you!" Xiao Wu looked up, her eyes red. "You said you'd be back soon when you left, but I hadn't heard from you for a whole year! I thought you were dead!"

"I..." Tang San opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say for a moment.

"What do you mean, 'you'!" Xiao Wu buried her face in Tang San again, her voice muffled, "You're not allowed to leave me alone again!"

Tang San's hand stopped on Xiao Wu's back, feeling her body trembling slightly, and a strange emotion welled up in his heart.

This little rabbit is genuinely worried about itself.

Tang San didn't push her away, but gently patted her back, as if comforting a frightened little rabbit.

Okay, I won't leave you behind anymore.

Xiao Wu gave a muffled "hmm" in his arms, and after a while, she slowly raised her head.

The four new work-study students standing nearby stared in disbelief.

Sister Xiao Wu was notoriously fierce in Dorm Seven; anyone who dared to mess with her would get a beating. They had never seen Sister Xiao Wu like this before; she seemed like a completely different person.

Xiao Wu seemed to realize that she had lost her composure. She let go of Tang San, turned around, and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

"What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen anyone before?" Xiao Wu yelled at the group of work-study students.

The four work-study students quickly withdrew their heads, pretending they hadn't seen anything.

Tang San smiled and sat down on his old bed.

Xiao Wu followed him and sat down next to him.

"Where have you been this past year?" Xiao Wu turned her head, her eyes full of curiosity.

"I've been to many places. The Soul Hunting Forest, the Sunset Forest, Heaven Dou City... I've been everywhere," Tang San said casually.

"Heaven Dou City?" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "Is it fun there?"

"It's alright, much bigger and more bustling Nuoding City."

"Then why didn't you take me with you?" Xiao Wu's tone carried a hint of resentment.

Tang San looked at her and gently patted the top of her head.

I'll take you next time.

Xiao Wu's ears twitched, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile, but she quickly suppressed it again.

"Hmph, who cares?"

Tang San smiled and asked, "Xiao Wu, what level is your Soul Power now?"

"Level 21, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Tang San shook his head, a thought suddenly popping into his mind.

There are still four years until graduation, so there's no need for me to stay here any longer.

Tang San asked, "Xiao Wu, do you want to graduate soon?"

Xiao Wu was stunned for a moment, then tilted her head to look at Tang San: "Graduation? Don't we still have four years until graduation?"

"I mean, applying for early graduation. With our current Soul Power Level, we won't learn anything at the Nuoding Academy anymore."

Xiao Wu blinked. "Is it okay? I'm fine with anything, I'll just go with you."

Tang San stood up and said, "Okay, let's go find the teacher first, and then go to the academic affairs office."

After Tang San finished speaking, he walked towards the dormitory entrance. Xiao Wu followed behind him.

Tang San arrived at Yu Xiaogang's door and knocked.

"Teacher, I'm back."

There was a few seconds of silence inside the door, then a voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Tang San pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The room's furnishings remained the same, but the person sitting at the desk had changed.

Yu Xiaogang wore a light purple robe with a small flower embroidered on the collar. He had grown his hair long and tied it back with a ribbon, revealing his bald chin.

His beard had all fallen off.

His face was clean, without a single stubble. His skin was much whiter and smoother than before.

Yu Xiaogang sat in the chair, his posture no longer as upright as before, but slightly turned to the side, one leg crossed over the other, one hand supporting his chin, the other holding a pen, the tip of the pen gently drawing circles on the paper.

Hearing Tang San enter, Yu Xiaogang Tang San up and glanced at him.

The look of depression and frustration that had been in his eyes was gone, replaced by a hint of resentment.

Tang San couldn't help but shudder at the sight, and goosebumps rose on his skin.

"The Xiao San is back." Yu Xiaogang, his voice much higher than before, with a slight upward inflection at the end, carrying an indescribable awkwardness.

Tang San's lips twitched.

"Teacher, you... have changed a lot."

Yu Xiaogang seemed oblivious to the oddity in Tang San's words, waving his hand lightly, his tone tinged with self-pity and melancholy. "Ah, people always change."

Tang San took a deep breath and said, "Teacher, I came back this time to apply for early graduation."