A Letter from Master

Tang San and Lan Xue nodded and followed Flender into the academy at a brisk pace.

Flender's office was also his residence, located not far from the small practice field where Tang San had fought Zhao Wuji yesterday. The room was simply furnished, containing only the necessities.

Flender sat down behind his desk and looked at Tang San. A complicated light suddenly appeared in his eyes. "Is Master well?"

Tang San nodded. "Teacher is doing well."

Flender looked at him in surprise. "You're his student? No wonder, no wonder he gave you this belt. When I saw you wearing it that day, along with your age, I knew you were coming to my Shrek Academy. I just never expected you to be his disciple. Back then, he once told me that one day, he would cultivate a genius Soul Master who would shock the continent. It seems you are the one he chose."

Tang San brushed a hand over Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges and handed a letter to Flender. "Before I left, Teacher told me to give this letter to the dean only after I passed the academy's assessment and was accepted."

At Tang San's words, a trace of sorrow and amusement flashed through Flender's eyes. "He's still as stubborn as ever. That's his style. That guy finally knows to contact me?"

As he spoke, he slowly opened the envelope and took out the pristine white letter inside. Tang San clearly saw that Flender's hands trembled slightly as he opened it.

Tang San did not know what was written in the letter. He could only watch as Flender's expression continuously changed.

At times, Flender was delighted; at times, he was furious. Joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure—almost every emotion appeared on his face.

"Good, good, you old bastard. You old fool, what exactly are you trying to prove? What is there to prove? Don't you know that actually..."

Flender seemed to have become somewhat unhinged, muttering things Tang San could not understand.

Suddenly, he raised his head and fixed his gaze on Tang San. "Since you are his proof, do not disappoint him. Go. Hurry and prepare for tonight's lesson. It won't be easy."

Tang San had completed the task Master had given him. Although Dean Flender struck him as rather strange, he had no interest in thinking about it. After his battle with Zhao Wuji, Tang San had discovered many of his own weaknesses. Rather than waste time, he might as well cultivate.

After Tang San left, Flender bowed deeply to Lan Xue. "Greetings, Pope of Orchid Hall, Your Majesty Orchid Douluo. Thank you for honoring this humble academy with your presence."

Lan Xue frowned slightly. "I came here only for Tang San, my father Tang Hao. Right now, I am merely a student here. Please call me Little Xue, Dean."

"Yes." Flender replied, somewhat flattered and overwhelmed.

Leaving Tang San and the others to cultivate on their own, Oscar and Ning Rongrong were currently running outside the academy.

"Oscar, just how far is one lap?" Ning Rongrong's voice carried a hint of helplessness.

At the beginning, she had been full of confidence. Although she was an auxiliary-type Soul Master, her father had always required her to train her body at home, saying almost exactly the same things Flender had said earlier. Thus, her physique was not poor. While she could not compare to a battle-type Soul Master, long-term training had not only given her a healthy body, but also made her especially skilled at running.

Yet, from the moment they left the academy until now, Ning Rongrong had not even completed a single lap under Oscar's lead, and quite some time had already passed. If they continued at this pace, let alone lunch, it was questionable whether they would even make it back for dinner. What was more, their stamina was constantly declining, so it was impossible to maintain this speed indefinitely.

Oscar gave a bitter smile. "I said when we set out that this was simply an impossible task. But don't be afraid. With two auxiliary-type Soul Masters together, are we really going to worry about going hungry? Want something to eat?"

Ning Rongrong shot him a glance. Though still young, her soft and charming gaze carried a touch of allure.

Oscar's bones seemed to go weak beneath her gaze. He chuckled and lowered his voice as if presenting a treasure. "I have a Great Sausage." A flash of light appeared, and a fragrant sausage was already in his hand as he offered it to Ning Rongrong.

"My sausage's first Soul Ring skill is recovery. It can not only promote wound healing, but also restore stamina. Have some. With my sausages supporting us, forget twenty laps—even two hundred laps won't leave us worrying about food."

Ning Rongrong looked at Oscar oddly, then suddenly said something incredibly fierce. "I still have two thick slices of bread, damn it. Eat your own head."

After saying that, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floated out. Agility enhancement was applied, and her speed abruptly increased as she ran ahead.

"Uh..." Oscar froze completely. Not just him—even if Tang San and Dai Mubai had been there, hearing such words from a girl as elegant in temperament as Ning Rongrong would likely have left them dumbfounded. They did not know what sort of person Ning Rongrong was within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. And Ning Rongrong herself had finally been unable to hold back, revealing a little of her true nature.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Council Hall.

On the north side of the hall stood the seat of honor, facing south: a large carved rosewood chair. Set into its back was an enormous piece of jade. The jade was emerald green and emitted a faint, gentle warmth. It was clearly a supreme-quality warm jade.

A man sat upright in the carved rosewood chair. His face was as fair as jade, his nose straight and his mouth square. He had an elegant, gentle appearance, and his spotless white robe was without a speck of dust. He looked to be around forty years old. His gaze was mild, and by all appearances, he seemed like an ordinary man. His smooth black hair fell loosely down his back. Everything about him seemed so casual, without the slightest affectation. At that moment, he was looking at a young man kneeling below him, dressed in fitted white clothing.

"Reporting to Sect Leader, the young lady has arrived at Shrek Academy and successfully enrolled," the young man said respectfully.

The middle-aged man nodded, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face. "It is good for that little ancestor to go out and temper herself. Otherwise, she would turn the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect upside down. How is Shrek Academy?"