Five years passed quietly. Nuoding Academy had reached graduation season once more, and the deadline for the wager with Yu Xiaogang had arrived as well.
Early that morning, Lin Mu packed his belongings and left the inn where he had lived for so long.
After leaving this time, he most likely would never return.
Lin Mu walked down the street as the morning sunlight poured down, accentuating his handsome features. Tempered by time, the childishness had completely faded from his face, leaving it more sharply defined and imposing.
Five years ago, with Tang Hao's help, Lin Mu successfully absorbed a Hellfire Dragon Soul Ring and broke through to level fifty-two in one stroke.
After another five years of cultivation, Lin Mu had raised his Soul Power to level seventy. He only needed one more Soul Ring to break through to become a Soul Sage.
Even without absorbing his seventh Soul Ring, the sheer power of his Martial Soul meant his strength surpassed that of most Soul Sages. He could even contend against a Soul Douluo.
"Master, we're over here."
The moment Lin Mu stepped through Nuoding Academy's gates, he heard a familiar voice from afar. Looking up ahead, he quickly spotted the conspicuous Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Tang San had a head of blue hair, and his appearance remained ordinary. He had already grown to over 1.7 meters tall, which was nothing unusual among Soul Masters.
Compared with the unremarkable Tang San, Xiao Wu was exceptionally beautiful. Her exquisite face, pure temperament, and lively personality made her an utterly adorable and energetic little girl.
However, Lin Mu preferred beautiful women with gentle or icy temperaments. He had no interest in this sort of little girl.
Of course, there was another crucial reason. He knew Xiao Wu was a transformed Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, and he felt somewhat conflicted about it.
After all, she was a rabbit that had lived for a hundred thousand years. Who knew whether she had ever given birth to little rabbits?
Although the rules of this world differed from those of Blue Star, as a transmigrator, he could never quite get past that hurdle in his heart.
After Lin Mu approached, Tang San hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master, Xiao Wu wants to come with us to Heaven Dou City too. Can we bring her along?"
"No."
Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Mu rejected the idea outright.
Tang San revealed a troubled expression. One was the master he respected, while the other was the sister he cherished.
Just then, Xiao Wu suddenly skipped in front of Lin Mu, hugged his arm, and coquettishly said, "Brother Lin Mu, take me with you. I promise I won't cause you any trouble."
Seeing this, Tang San felt a strange sensation in his heart.
Faced with Xiao Wu's coquettishness, Lin Mu remained completely unmoved. He even felt a faint, goosebump-inducing disgust.
In truth, Lin Mu's main reason for not wanting to bring Xiao Wu was that he feared her Soul Beast identity would be exposed. Once Spirit Hall discovered her, the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Spirit Bone would be gone.
It was absurd. She was a Soul Beast that had lived for a hundred thousand years, yet after merely six years together, she did not even care about her own safety.
No wonder she never thought about revenge and only knew how to indulge in fun all day. With a brain like that, she would probably help count the money after being sold.
"Remember what you just said. If you cause trouble, don't expect me to clean up after you."
After careful consideration, Lin Mu reluctantly agreed.
She was, after all, a mobile Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring. Rather than sending her back to the Star Dou Great Forest, it was better to keep her nearby. She would surely come in handy sooner or later.
Under Lin Mu's guidance, Tang San's way of thinking had changed greatly. He understood that Soul Masters and Soul Beasts stood on opposing sides, with no distinction between good and evil.
It was only natural for Soul Masters to obtain Soul Rings by hunting Soul Beasts.
Hunting Soul Beasts based on whether they were good or bad was simply pretentious.
One day, Tang San would surely discover Xiao Wu's Soul Beast identity. What he would do then remained unknown.
"Master, I promise I'll keep an eye on Xiao Wu and won't let her cause any trouble."
Seeing Lin Mu relent, the weight in Tang San's heart finally lifted. Being separated from Xiao Wu for a long time would have been torture to him.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu merely stuck out her little tongue, clearly not taking it seriously.
"Let's go. We'll find Gangzi first."
With that, Lin Mu headed toward Yu Xiaogang's room, with Tang San and Xiao Wu following close behind.
Before long, the three arrived outside Yu Xiaogang's door.
"Hmm?"
Lin Mu frowned. There was not the slightest sound from inside, and an ominous feeling immediately rose in his heart.
Bang—
With a loud crash, the door was kicked open.
Sure enough, the room was already completely empty. Other than books scattered all over the floor, there was no sign of anyone.
It was clear that the old bastard Yu Xiaogang had packed up and fled long ago.
Suddenly, Lin Mu's gaze landed on the desk. Beneath a book lay a note.
With a pull of Soul Power, Lin Mu drew the note into his hand.
[Lin Mu, I guarantee you in the name of Grandmaster that once I gather one hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins, I will certainly deliver them to you.]
After reading the note, Lin Mu's expression remained calm, but a trace of ferocity flashed in his eyes.
The monk may run, but the temple remains. Gangzi, once I finish handling my affairs, I'll come find you.
Lin Mu silently thought to himself.
There were only a few places Yu Xiaogang could go.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan could be ruled out first. Yu Xiaogang had sworn never to return, and since he was still a worthless failure, he naturally would not go back to the clan.
Then there was Blue Tyrant Academy, which was impossible as well.
After all, neither Yu Xiaogang nor Flender knew that Blue Tyrant Academy's dean was Liu Erlong.
To be fair, the Shrek Academy founded by Flender was purely hypocritical. It claimed to be an academy for commoners while swindling commoners out of their money.
Compared to Shrek Academy, Blue Tyrant Academy truly was a good academy. At the very least, it genuinely cared about commoner Soul Masters.
Yet Liu Erlong was hopelessly lovestruck. The moment she saw Yu Xiaogang, her intelligence plummeted. She directly handed Blue Tyrant Academy over to Flender and merged it into the new Shrek Academy.
Flender was an even bigger simp than Boiling Goat.
In a love triangle, being willing to become the third party was understandable enough. After all, everyone had their own ambitions.
What was truly incomprehensible was that after learning of Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong's relationship, Flender not only did not object, but strongly supported them. He even said that after they died, he would officiate their wedding in the underworld.
It was absurd beyond all reason!
The opportunity was right in front of him, yet he did not know how to seize it. He did not even understand taking advantage of a vulnerable moment. Compared to Flender, Boiling Goat was practically a rookie.
It could only be said that not a single person in the Golden Iron Triangle was normal.
No wonder a group of two men and one woman could use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. All three of their personalities were indispensable.
After investigating the possibilities, the place Yu Xiaogang was most likely to have gone was Shrek Academy.
First, Shrek Academy had two powerful Soul Sages who could protect him. Second, it had several geniuses who were perfect for becoming his test subjects.
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