Because Xiang Yang had told Flender in advance that they might arrive a little late, Flender had informed the academy's gatekeeper from the start that two students would be coming later. As a result, Xiang Yang and his two companions passed through without any trouble.
The other person besides Tang San was Lin Ping. Since Xiang Yang wanted to study her, naturally he had to keep her close. Besides, after Xiang Yang's verbal assault, Flender had already changed the rule that "Monster Academy only accepted monsters."
What was more, if the academy was going to expand, it couldn't possibly maintain such high requirements. On top of that, the request came from Xiang Yang, the new generation's "Grandmaster," and Flender was counting on his future contributions. He agreed on the spot, but also said that she couldn't become a student. It was an advanced Soul Master Academy, after all; it couldn't have no requirements at all.
They found the dean's office without trouble. Flender was inside, looking through student records. He was delighted at first to see Xiang Yang, only to be left dumbfounded by the new-look Tang San.
After hearing the explanation, Flender was still shocked, though he was often astonished by the things they cooked up. Bloodline awakening and Martial Soul Evolution were far beyond his understanding of the world.
In a daze, he heard them ask where the others were and pointed them in a direction. Watching Tang San's retreating figure, the dean of Shrek slowly sat down with a sigh. Wait, he suddenly remembered something. If Xiao San's Martial Soul wasn't Blue Silver Grass, then wouldn't Xiaogang's theory...
Hiss!
In the past, Flender would never have thought along those lines. But over the years, he had been bombarded by all sorts of theories from his old friend and Xiang Yang. Because he was a Soul Saint, Yu Xiaogang would sometimes drag him all over the place.
That alone had caused him to passively accumulate quite a bit of theoretical knowledge. Then Xiang Yang's views on Shrek Monster Academy had shattered the self-flattering lens through which he had always seen it, prompting him to actively study all kinds of knowledge related to Martial Souls. He was determined to become the perfect new dean of Shrek, with both strength and brains!
Take his assessment of those student records just now: there were quite a few promising talents among them, especially Jing Ling, whose Martial Soul was a skeleton. From what he had learned from that kid Xiang Yang, it seemed to be some kind of... Body Martial Soul? He should be worth nurturing.
As he thought about it, Flender relaxed instead. "Sigh, I'll leave these things for Xiaogang himself to worry about." He paused, then laughed. "No, wait, where would he find the time to concern himself with these things now? Hahaha."
Then he went back to the student records, looking through them at his leisure. "This one's good... this one's not bad either..."
More than ten minutes later, Xiang Yang, who had been taking in the scenery at a leisurely pace along the way, couldn't help saying, "Moving here was undoubtedly the right choice."
"Mm." Tang San felt the same way. They were walking through a dense forest. Though this place couldn't compare to a natural blessed land like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it was about the same as the Sunset Forest. In these surroundings, Tang San felt as though even his Martial Soul had become more active, and his Soul Power was flowing a little faster as well. This was only the passive effect; if he circulated the Mysterious Heaven Skill, it would surely be even faster.
Lin Ping listened quietly behind them without speaking. Her experiences over the past two days had been surreal. First, her cousin and Third Brother had brought her a Soul Beast identical to her Martial Soul. After absorbing it, not only had her Soul Power jumped by one level to reach level 12, but her Martial Soul had also become noticeably sturdier. According to her cousin, it had advanced from a Trash Martial Soul to the middle tier of Common Martial Souls.
Then, right afterward, she had come to such a prosperous place, which she had heard was also the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire. She was so nervous that she didn't dare say more than a few words, afraid that this was all a dream that would shatter at a touch.
Xiang Yang was walking at the front and didn't notice. Tang San, however, looked back at the little girl who, as a child, had followed him and Xiao Wu everywhere, matching them step for step.
With his experience of two lifetimes, Tang San certainly couldn't consider Lin Ping his peer. In his eyes, only Xiang Yang was like him. Around Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and the others, he had always maintained an "adult's perspective," doing his best to be tolerant and broad-minded about anything concerning them, Xiao Wu included.
So Tang San patted her shoulder and comforted her. "Don't worry, relax. Since we brought you here, we won't let anything happen to you."
Lin Ping looked at him and nodded obediently. "Mm."
Seeing this, Tang San smiled helplessly. Her personality was still the same as before.
"Third... Third Brother?"
Xiao Wu hesitated. The person before her gave her much the same feeling as before, but his appearance was as different as heaven and earth.
"Hahaha, I told you! Pay up, pay up!" Ma Hongjun stood a few meters away, tugging at Oscar's arm as he spoke in a low voice.
"All right, all right, just my bad luck." Oscar looked thoroughly dejected. The two of them had been the first to run into Xiang Yang and the others on the road just now. After their initial surprise, they had made a bet on whether Xiao Wu would recognize Tang San at first glance.
As it turned out, Ma Hongjun, who had bet against it, had come out on top. He took a handful of Gold Soul Coins and counted them. "Wait, this isn't right! Half of it's missing. You're actually going back on the bet!" He grabbed hold of Oscar and refused to let go.
Oscar shot him a sidelong glance. "You're lucky to get anything. If you keep shouting, you'll draw their attention." He had originally thought love could ignore everything, but he hadn't expected that the two of them hadn't yet reached the point of laying their feelings bare, so naturally things hadn't gone as he had imagined.
Ma Hongjun hurriedly looked back. Sure enough, his shouting had drawn Tang San and Xiao Wu's attention. He couldn't help shivering. He reluctantly let go of Oscar, gave them a sheepish, toothy grin, and waved. "Nothing, nothing. Carry on."
Xiao Wu's intuition told her that this damned fatty was surely up to something behind their backs again. This fellow loved watching a commotion more than anything, and he was the biggest troublemaker in Shrek.
But she couldn't spare him any attention now. Xiao Wu looked at Tang San. "Third Brother, your appearance... what happened?"
Tang San said with some relief, "That's a long story..." The two of them had thought that if they spoke quietly just now, no one else would hear them, but to him, their behavior was no different from covering their ears while stealing a bell.
So he had also been curious about Xiao Wu's reaction. As it turned out, she had recognized him immediately and was simply puzzled by his appearance.
Meanwhile, Xiang Yang took out the Immortal Herbs Tang San had given him and said to Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, "These are the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. They're both extremely rare immortal-grade medicinal herbs. Their methods of use and effects are..."
After hearing him explain the Immortal Herbs' effects, the two wore complicated expressions. They exchanged a glance, and Dai Mubai said, "A Yang, words can't express my thanks for such a great favor. I'll just say this: if you ever need your brother, just call. Whatever it is, I'll agree."
Zhu Zhuqing chimed in earnestly, "That's right. Brother Yang, you've helped us so much. Please don't refuse."
Their words took Xiang Yang aback. He had only given them the Immortal Herbs according to how they had been allocated in the original work. He said, "Actually, these are from Tang San..."
Before he could finish, the two interrupted him.
"The same goes for him. I'll tell him the same thing later." "That's right, just agree to it."
"Mm... all right. But since we're brothers and sisters, let's dispense with these empty formalities. Go on and take them." Xiang Yang gave a wry smile, feeling somewhat helpless, but he was still happy inside. After all, no one wanted the people they had helped to take it for granted or repay kindness with ingratitude, did they?
The two accepted the Immortal Herbs and returned to their dorms to absorb their medicinal power. Xiang Yang looked at the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma in his hand, then at the red-clad woman standing guard in front of the wooden house ahead. The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.