By the time Mo Xuan's matter was settled, the sun had already sunk to the rooftops of Heaven Dou City. Tang San accompanied Lin Zhixia back toward Shrek Academy. Having just endured the double blow of illusion and memories, she spoke less than usual, but Tang San deliberately slowed his pace to keep her by his side. The occasional soft chime of the Star Guidance Bell eased some of the gloom.
As they rounded the corner, both of them froze—the Shrek Academy before them was nothing like the shabby place they remembered. A vermilion gate had replaced the old wooden fence, and the five gilded characters reading "Shrek Academy" gleamed in the fading light. Stone-carved White Tigers stood on the flanks, made with the exclusive craftsmanship of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family. Looking inside, the former leaking school building had been renovated into a small blue-brick structure, its windows fitted with clear glazed glass. Even the perimeter of the training ground had been lined with waist-high stone rails, and a newly added sparring platform could vaguely be seen within.
"The... changes are way too big, aren't they?" Lin Zhixia blurted out. Her Star Breath Perception swept through the academy, and she detected several auras belonging to imperial spirit masters.
Tang San frowned as well. Just as he was about to step forward, a student guarding the entrance recognized them. "Senior Tang San! Senior Lin Zhixia! You're back!" The student hurried over with a proud grin. "Ever since we won the Spirit Master Competition and took in students from the Four Elements Academy, His Majesty personally issued a decree naming us 'Tiandou's Number One Academy'! He even allocated special funds for renovations, and the guards were sent by the imperial family!"
The two followed him inside. The moment they entered the