On the journey back, nothing unexpected happened. After rendezvousing with Zhao Wuji, everyone returned safely to Shrek Academy. There were only five days left before the preliminary rounds of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament began.
During this time, Yu Xiaogang frequently appeared at the training grounds, arranging team battle tactics for the Shrek group. His requirements for Shi Yi were actually simple: do the right thing at the right time. That was also what Shi Yi excelled at. As a substitute during crucial moments, he only needed to observe their opponents from the sidelines and respond appropriately when it was his turn to take the field. In a sense, collecting data was Shi Yi's old trade.
Additionally, just as in the original, Yu Xiaogang selected four more substitutes from the student base of the former Blue Tyrant Academy.
Tai Long, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu. Aside from Tai Long, who was level thirty-eight, the others were all around level thirty-five. Their average age was somewhat higher than that of the Shrek group, but their strength was not much different.
Without the advantage of Immortal Herbs, Shrek's strength had diminished considerably. Among the Shrek group led by Dai Mubai, only Dai Mubai had broken through to Soul Ancestor, reaching level forty-one. Tang San had advanced one level over the past few months and was now level thirty-nine. Oscar was level thirty-six, Ning Rongrong level thirty-eight, Ma Hongjun level thirty-five, and Zhu Zhuqing level thirty-eight.
The Shrek group's levels revealed quite a lot. Aside from Dai Mubai, whose higher level was due to his age, Tang San had clearly gained some benefits from Dugu Bo, and with his advanced cultivation method, he retained a certain lead despite studying many different things. Oscar and Ma Hongjun appeared rather average.