Recruiting Oscar

Liu Tianfeng gave Xue Tianxing a meaningful look, his eyes holding a trace of expectation.

Xue Tianxing nodded in understanding. When he turned to Oscar, the smile on his face deepened as he said:

"Wow, a Food System Spirit! With this level of Soul Power at your age, I believe it now. You'll definitely become the Continent's Number One Support Spirit Master someday."

Oscar's cheeks flushed slightly from the praise, though the corners of his mouth could not help but curl upward. His pride practically spilled from his eyes.

Seeing that the timing was right, Xue Tianxing softened his tone and asked seriously:

"Oscar, with talent like yours, have you ever considered joining our Balak Kingdom?"

Xue Tianxing paused, laying out the terms one by one as he spoke sincerely to Oscar:

"As long as you're willing, I can immediately ask Father King to grant you the title of viscount. I can also bring your parents to Barak City, provide them with a residence, and let them live in comfort. As for cultivation resources—Soul Rings, Soul Bones, Cultivation Rooms—so long as the kingdom has them, you will never be shortchanged. The Royal Family will spare no effort in nurturing you."

The table fell silent at once.

Flender sighed to himself at the side. So it had finally come.

Flender truly did not want to let Oscar go, but he knew Shrek Academy's shabby state better than anyone. A few drafty wooden huts and several teachers barely making up the numbers—how could they compare with the resources of the Balak Kingdom?

Besides, Oscar had not formally enrolled yet. He was only learning the basics from Shao Xin, and in the end, it still depended on what he wanted.

With that thought, Flender said nothing and merely held his teacup in silence.

Oscar was completely stunned, his eyes wide and round.

Though he was young, he understood what "viscount" meant. He also understood how precious it was for one's family to live in peace and comfort.

He came from an ordinary family. His parents struggled every day just to make a living. If he truly followed Xue Tianxing, not only could he cultivate properly, but he could also give his parents a better life...

Oscar clenched the sausage in his hand, his heart racing. His eyes were filled with shock as he looked at Xue Tianxing, along with a trace of hesitation he could not hide.

But Oscar still found himself torn.

Shrek Academy's conditions were indeed poor. The roof leaked whenever it rained, and thin, watery meals were commonplace. But over the past three years, the teachers had truly cared for him. Teacher Shao Xin always secretly saved dried Spirit Beast ingredients for him to practice his Martial Soul with, while Zhao Wuji often trained his body so that he could avoid enemy attacks in future battles... How could he simply leave all those warm memories behind?

Seeing him clutching the corner of his clothes, his brows knotted tightly, Flender sighed and stepped in:

"Oscar, if you haven't thought it through, don't rush to agree. Wait until we help you obtain your second Soul Ring, then take your time deciding. I trust His Highness the Prince and Senior Cold Sword won't begrudge us this little time?"

After speaking, Flender looked up at Xue Tianxing and Liu Tianfeng, his gaze carrying a hint of plea.

Xue Tianxing nodded readily and smiled at Oscar.

"Dean Flender is right. Oscar, take all the time you need. Once we've obtained the Soul Rings, you can give me your answer."

Only then did Oscar let out a breath of relief and nod heavily.

"Alright, let's eat first."

Xue Tianxing raised a hand in invitation.

"Get some rest after dinner. We'll be entering the forest tomorrow, so make sure you're well rested."

Liu Tianfeng responded, and the group picked up their bowls and chopsticks again. The atmosphere at the table was noticeably more relaxed than before.

After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms. Oscar had just reached his door when Xue Tianxing poked his head out from the room beside his and called softly:

"Oscar."

Oscar turned around and saw Xue Tianxing walk over to him.

"I forgot to mention something. If you truly wish to come to the Balak Kingdom, I can not only provide you with resources, but also help solve the problem of Food System Spirits cultivating slowly."

"Solve... the slow cultivation problem?"

Oscar froze. It was common knowledge that Food System Soul Masters cultivated with difficulty. Even the teachers could only say that diligence made up for shortcomings, trading time for Soul Power. He had never heard of anyone being able to "solve" it.

But Xue Tianxing did not elaborate. He merely smiled and patted Oscar on the shoulder.

"Rest well. We'll talk tomorrow."

With that, he returned to his room, leaving Oscar standing where he was. The night was cool, yet his heart burned. The words "solve the slow cultivation problem" kept circling through his mind.

At that moment, Flender's door creaked open. He stood at the doorway with an outer robe draped over his shoulders, clearly having heard what was just said.

Flender beckoned to Oscar.

Oscar nodded, walked over to Flender, and said quietly:

"Dean, he said he can help me solve the problem of cultivating slowly..."

"Mm, I heard."

Flender leaned against the doorframe and gazed at the pitch-black forest in the distance. He sighed again and again before speaking to Oscar.

"The conditions he offered would tempt even me, let alone you. Especially when it comes to cultivation—you've only just broken through to Soul Grandmaster, so you haven't felt it yet. Once you absorb your second Soul Ring, you'll understand. Every time a Food System Soul Master advances a level, he has to spend twice as much Soul Power as an ordinary Soul Master. It's slow enough to drive a person mad."

Oscar bit his lip.

"But I've been at Shrek for three years. You brought me back from the village and said I'd officially enroll once I turned twelve..."

"You silly boy."

Flender smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair. The satisfaction in his eyes was impossible to hide as he spoke to Oscar.

"An academy is a place for nurturing people, not tying them down. If the Balak Kingdom can give you a better path, why shouldn't you go? As for officially enrolling at twelve... just remember us old fellows from Shrek. Come back and visit when you have time. That's better than anything."

Oscar looked at the fine lines at the corners of Flender's eyes, then remembered Xue Tianxing's promise. The last of his hesitation suddenly faded away.

He nodded forcefully, as if making the greatest decision of his life, and said to Flender:

"Dean, I've decided! Once I get my Soul Ring, I'll go to the Balak Kingdom!"

Afraid that Flender might be saddened, he hurriedly added:

"When I make something of myself, I'll definitely renovate Shrek Academy! I'll build you a dean's office with a heater!"

Flender laughed at that, though his eyes grew a little hot. He raised a hand and patted Oscar on the back.

"Good lad. Having that thought is enough. Go back and sleep. We still have to hunt a Soul Ring tomorrow."

Oscar answered with an "Okay" and skipped back to his room.

Flender stood where he was, watching his retreating figure. The smile on his lips gradually faded, but he nodded gently. The child having a bright future was better than anything.

The next day, dawn had barely broken, and morning dew still clung to the stone roads of the small town when Xue Tianxing and Liu Tianfeng were already waiting outside the inn.

Before long, Flender emerged with Oscar. Oscar carried a bulging pack on his back, his eyes full of excitement. He was clearly looking forward to obtaining his Soul Ring.

"Let's go."

Liu Tianfeng took the lead. Frost-white Soul Power quietly spread beneath his feet, stirring a faint breeze.

Flender also patted Oscar on the shoulder. The four of them set off one after another toward the Star Dou Great Forest.

The moment they entered the forest, the surrounding bustle was shut out behind them.

Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, and sunlight could only filter through the gaps in the leaves, scattering mottled patches of light. The air was thick with the damp scent of vegetation and a faint trace of blood.

However, with Liu Tianfeng, an eighty-ninth-level Spirit Douluo, present, ordinary Spirit Beasts did not dare approach. Though he did not deliberately release his Soul Power, the aura he had built through years of fighting Spirit Beasts was enough to make low-level Spirit Beasts retreat at the sight of him.

Occasionally, a heedless thousand-year Spirit Beast would poke its head out from the trees, only to shrink back into the depths of the forest after a cold glance from Liu Tianfeng.

Flender walked at the front, using his many years of experience hunting Soul Rings to determine their direction. At times, he bent down to inspect claw marks on the ground; at others, he listened closely to the sounds within the woods.

Xue Tianxing and Oscar walked in the middle, occasionally speaking in low voices. Oscar was talkative, chattering away about his Martial Soul's abilities. Xue Tianxing listened patiently, asking now and then about the details of Food System Soul Master cultivation, encouraging him to continue.

Liu Tianfeng walked at the rear like a steady mountain, his gaze sweeping over their surroundings as he eliminated every potential danger.