Teacher

With Little Ant leading the way, the two were highly efficient and returned to the hotel where everyone had gathered before sunset.

It happened to be mealtime, and everyone was gathered in the hotel's first-floor hall.

Seeing the two return, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun both greeted Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao..."

Only Tang San and Oscar greeted Shi Yi. "Senior Disciple Brother... Xiao Yi..."

Shi Yi smiled and nodded gently, then slowly found an empty seat and sat down. As Shi Yi settled into his seat, Tang San could not help but reveal a shocked look in his eyes. As a martial artist, he sensed the changes in Shi Yi.

Senior Disciple Brother's breathing has grown stronger, even stronger than mine. His control over his footsteps has weakened. With Senior Disciple Brother's control over his body, that should be impossible. The only possibility is that he has become stronger again. What did Teacher Zhao take Senior Disciple Brother to do? Why has such a huge change occurred? Could Senior Disciple Brother have broken through again? That's impossible. He is still three levels away from breaking through to Soul Elder. Could his Martial Soul have changed again? Tang San thought to himself as he looked at Shi Yi with a strange expression.

At that moment, Zhao Wuji cast his gaze over the group. When he had entered earlier, he had noticed that Shi Yi was absent, yet Shrek's atmosphere had become much more harmonious. Just as he had said before, Shi Yi was not suited to being a student, but to being a teacher. Every student had obvious shortcomings of their own, making them easier for teachers to manage. Students were young and immature in their thinking, so once a leader emerged, they could unite more easily.

Shi Yi, on the other hand, was tactful in everything he did, so flawless that not even the slightest weakness could be found. For a teacher, someone like that was a thorn in the side as a student. Moreover, Shi Yi's theoretical knowledge was incredibly extensive, even surpassing that of teachers like them. The status of teacher was far too weak a restraint on Shi Yi, and Shi Yi simply did not care about the others. Or rather, the others were far beneath him in his eyes. This gap in perspective made it impossible for Shrek's students to unite.

Oscar was the best example. When Shi Yi was absent, Oscar could sit quietly off to the side. But when Shi Yi returned, it was as though he had immediately found someone to rely on, and the atmosphere changed accordingly. Of course, Zhao Wuji understood that this was the nature of an auxiliary Soul Master.

With Zhao Wuji present, everyone finished dinner in a relatively peaceful atmosphere.

The next day, the group set out once more. After a full day of travel, they successfully returned to Shrek Academy outside Suotuo City.

"We're finally back. There's nothing better than coming home!" Oscar shouted rather dramatically.

Zhao Wuji glared at Oscar. "Keep your voice down. Can't you see it's already dark? All right, go back to your dormitories and rest. I'm going to see the Dean and report what happened on this trip."

After traveling all day, everyone was tired, and they each headed toward their dormitories.

Meanwhile, in the Dean's office.

Flender listened to Zhao Wuji's account of their trip to the Star Dou Great Forest with great surprise, only to meet Zhao Wuji's gloomy gaze afterward.

"Isn't it all because of you? You let that brat enter Shrek through the back door. That kid is the worst thorn in the side of them all!" Zhao Wuji said irritably to Flender.

Flender adjusted his glasses and said calmly, "Someone with innate first-rank Soul Power broke through to Soul Elder at fourteen. Do you still think I let him in through the back door?"

Zhao Wuji froze, staring in disbelief. "That kid had innate first-rank? Are you kidding me? If you wanted to let him in through the back door, just say so. Even a reason made up with your feet would be better than that."

Flender did not speak. He merely looked at Zhao Wuji with his calm eyes.

Seeing Flender's utterly unchanging expression, then recalling Little Ant's explosive increase in Soul Power after devouring Soul Beasts, Zhao Wuji began to look less certain.

"That kid really had innate first-rank?" Zhao Wuji still found it hard to believe.

"Back then, I was just like you. I didn't believe it either," Flender said calmly.

"Even if that kid didn't come in through the back door, he's still a major problem. He can't fit in with those little ones. He's an eccentric genius, and his rich theoretical knowledge really does live up to the reputation of that old friend of yours. His perspective is far above those little ones. Only old fellows like us are worth a bit of respect in his eyes," Zhao Wuji said to Flender.

"Teacher Zhao, you flatter me." A somewhat stiff and strange voice came from outside the door.

Zhao Wuji was startled. Earlier, he had already heard footsteps approaching, but he had not paid them much attention, assuming it was one of the academy's teachers. Only upon hearing that voice did he realize something was wrong. There was no one in the academy with such a voice.

"Haha, the person who can handle that kid for you is here. Xiao Gang, come in." The door opened, and a middle-aged man walked in from outside. It was Yu Xiaogang.

"Come, Wuji, you haven't met him, have you? Let me introduce you. This is my old companion from back then, and also that kid's and Tang San's teacher. Just call him Master. Almost everyone in the Soul Master world calls him that." Flender smiled at Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred as he looked at Yu Xiaogang in surprise. "So you are Master. Hello, I'm Zhao Wuji."

Yu Xiaogang's tone was as calm as ever. His stiff face barely squeezed out a hint of a smile. "Immovable Bright King, there is no need to be polite. It is my unworthy disciple who has caused you trouble."

Zhao Wuji chuckled. "Master, your disciples are both outstanding. That kid may be troublesome, but he is indeed talented. Actually, I think he should not be a student at all. He should be a teacher."

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, taking Zhao Wuji's words as mere politeness. However, Flender nodded seriously. "I think Wuji's suggestion is quite good. Since that kid can't get along with those little ones, it might be interesting to have him join us old fellows instead."

As Flender spoke, he actually assumed a thoughtful expression, seeming not to be joking at all.

Yu Xiaogang was slightly taken aback. But in all fairness, ever since he had accepted Tang San as his disciple, Shi Yi, as Tang San's senior disciple brother, had indeed helped him fulfill quite a few responsibilities that belonged to a teacher.

"Wouldn't this be a bit hasty?" Yu Xiaogang asked the two of them hesitantly.

Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang and chuckled. "Xiao Gang, he's your disciple. Honestly, you should know his capabilities very well. Wuji is right. He truly isn't suited to being a student, because the path he wants to take is already incomparably clear in his heart. Besides, it's not as though we can simply make him a teacher because we say so. Whether he can win everyone over will depend on him."

"All right. Actually, Xiao Yi is quite easy to get along with, but just as Teacher Zhao said, the more one knows, the higher one's perspective becomes. Even Xiao San is nothing more than a conceited child in his eyes." Yu Xiaogang seemed to think of something and sighed softly.

Over the years, Yu Xiaogang could tell that as time passed, problems had emerged in the relationship between his two disciples. From the perspective of a teacher, he believed that the problem arose because Shi Yi's strength was insufficient. Even advice given by him as their teacher might not be accepted by Tang San. At the root of it, their strength was simply not enough.

Even if one's theory was exceptional, it needed actual facts to support it. That was why Master still needed to accept Tang San, a disciple of extraordinary talent. Sometimes, the existence of facts was far more convincing than theories written in books.

"Even you, their teacher, have a headache over this?" Flender teased with a chuckle.

Yu Xiaogang shook his head slightly. "Xiao Yi is still very obedient. It is only that, as his teacher, I have no way of improving his relationship with Xiao San."

"You just think too much. The palm and the back of the hand are both flesh. Let the children handle their own affairs. If it can't be improved, then so be it. How bad can it get? Your disciple is smart. Even if they don't get along, would he really go and offend the Clear Sky Sect?" Flender walked to Yu Xiaogang's side, patted his shoulder, and smiled.

Yu Xiaogang revealed a helpless expression. "I hope so."

Flender laughed heartily and casually draped an arm around Yu Xiaogang's shoulders. "We brothers can finally be together again. It's a pity she isn't here."

When Flender mentioned her, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed slightly. He frowned and said, "Flender, don't mention her. I don't want to argue with you."

Flender shrugged helplessly. "All right. I don't want to argue either. After all these years, I have poured my heart and soul into Shrek Academy. Now that I've finally decided to close the academy, I hope this final batch of students can give me a perfect ending."

Yu Xiaogang saw a hint of weariness in Flender's eyes. The expression on his stiff face softened somewhat, and he nodded.

Flender said to Zhao Wuji, "Wuji, then I'll have to trouble you to tell that kid about our decision. Let him prepare himself to be challenged as well."

Zhao Wuji grinned, a trace of anticipation flashing through his eyes as he nodded. "I'll go talk to that kid now. I don't think he'll necessarily agree to such a troublesome matter."

"As if he gets a choice? He's used so many of my treasures. Just tell him this is a demand from me and his teacher. He has to agree whether he wants to or not," Flender said to Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji chuckled upon hearing that, seemingly eager to see Shi Yi's reaction. He then rose and left Flender's office.

Soon after, inside Shi Yi's room.

"What? You want me to be a teacher?" Shi Yi looked at Zhao Wuji in disbelief.

Zhao Wuji smiled and nodded. "What? You don't want to?"

Shi Yi immediately nodded. How could he possibly be willing to take on such a thankless task?

Everyone was an independent individual with their own life trajectory and fate. The essence of education was changing others, and that was an extremely troublesome thing. If it were not for Yu Xiaogang's sake, he could not even be bothered to deal with Tang San, much less change anyone else.

That said, teaching was indeed a very great profession. A suitable teacher could change a person's destiny. Just like Shi Yi's relationship with Yu Xiaogang, perhaps Yu Xiaogang was not a suitable teacher for Tang San, but without a doubt, from Shi Yi's perspective, Yu Xiaogang was a teacher who had changed his destiny. He had not only provided Shi Yi with abundant material resources, but also vast knowledge and valuable connections.

"This is a joint decision made by the Dean and your teacher. You'd better prepare yourself. Tomorrow won't be easy for you," Zhao Wuji said with a laugh.

Shi Yi revealed a helpless expression and could only nod silently. Zhao Wuji had invoked both of them. What else could he say?

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji smiled. "Looks like there are still people who can keep you in line, kid."

Shi Yi could not help rolling his eyes. Then Zhao Wuji continued, "When do you plan to give me that treasure you mentioned?"

"It should be soon," Shi Yi said with a light smile. Yu Xiaogang had already arrived. Once he obtained Blue Lightning's Medicinal Bath formula, he would set out for the Sunset Forest.

"Then Old Zhao will wait for your good news." Zhao Wuji was also quite curious what kind of treasure Shi Yi could produce.

"Rest assured, I guarantee you won't be disappointed," Shi Yi said with a smile to Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji nodded. "You've received the news, so cultivate properly. I'll be going first."

"Take care," Shi Yi said politely.

After Zhao Wuji left, Shi Yi sighed softly. "What a hassle. There isn't much time to begin with, and now I have to teach these problem children too. Forget it. You can't take someone's gifts and refuse to help. I'll consider it a favor returned to the Dean."

With that thought, Shi Yi slowly sat on his bed and began his daily meditation.

The next day, early morning.

Shi Yi woke from meditation, washed up simply, and slowly headed outside.

Following his familiar route, he began running around the village. Yesterday, after absorbing the Soul Ring, he felt that his strength had undergone another tremendous breakthrough, and his control over his strength had weakened accordingly. Although this kind of daily training was not intense enough to bring qualitative breakthroughs, it could continually hone a Soul Master's control over their body.

Any simple thing, taken to its extreme, became art. It was because one's control over that simple task grew stronger, even reaching the so-called realm of doing as one wished.

The greater a Soul Master's control over their body, the less likely any error would occur during battle.

Breathing, heartbeat, muscles, meridians—the stronger one's control over these, the better the body performed in motion. Only when undertaking extreme training in pursuit of breakthroughs could one identify one's shortcomings and conduct more targeted training.

This was also how modern athletes sought breakthroughs in various sports. After quantifying their body's data, they found their shortcomings and improved them one area at a time.

However, this world had no modern instruments for measuring the body's various indicators, so they could only rely on one thing: a Soul Master's Mental Power. As a Soul Master's cultivation increased, their perception of themselves also grew stronger. Naturally, all of this came from the power of Mental Power.

"Xiao Yi..." A familiar voice entered Shi Yi's ears.