Master had actually arrived at Shrek Academy without a word, filling Zhang Yang with delight.
"I've been here for several days. I happened to arrive when you all went to the Star Dou Great Forest." Master habitually rubbed Zhang Yang's head and sighed. "I didn't expect you to break through Level 30 so quickly. You and Xiao San have given me a huge surprise."
"I didn't expect it either. Reaching level 29 was only natural, but I'm confused about how I broke through to Level 30." Zhang Yang scratched his head. "I fought a Soul King, then broke through Level 30."
"That's still remarkable. What level 29 Soul Master could beat a Soul King until he vomited blood?" Master sighed. "It seems your mutated Martial Soul still has many secrets waiting to be discovered."
"I can only rely on Teacher, then." Zhang Yang lightly flattered Master.
"You." Master smiled and shook his head, then asked, "Where did you go? Why are you only returning to the dormitory so late?"
Master's parental concern made Zhang Yang feel deeply appreciated. "I went to Suotuo City, collected my subsidy from Spirit Hall, then fought a spirit battle at the Great Soul Arena."
Master nodded. "Mm. Sit down and tell me about the battle."
"Okay."
Zhang Yang sat on the bed and carefully described today's spirit battle to Master from beginning to end.
After hearing Zhang Yang's account, Master nodded. "Mm. You're already consciously training your practical combat ability. That's good. Although your First Soul Skill is practically unbeatable, you cannot become dependent on it."
"Yes, Teacher. That was what I was thinking too." Zhang Yang nodded.
Master smiled faintly, extremely satisfied with his disciple. "Mm, let's go outside the academy. Let me see your Third Soul Skill."
Without disturbing Tang San, Zhang Yang and Master quietly made their way to a small forest outside Shrek Academy.
Master stood to one side. Zhang Yang removed his shirt and activated Martial Soul Possession. His height instantly surged to over seven feet, and his body became considerably more muscular.
"After absorbing the Third Soul Ring, my physical fitness improved across the board while under Spirit Infusion. The increase was enormous—more than double," Zhang Yang explained.
Master smiled in satisfaction. "As expected of a top-tier Beast Martial Soul. If this continues, you may be able to easily surpass the age limit for absorbing Soul Rings in the future."
"That would be wonderful." Zhang Yang smiled.
As he spoke, Zhang Yang's three Soul Rings lit up at once. With a thought from Zhang Yang, his right leg rapidly began to radiate yellow light. Then Master's vision blurred, and a tree nearly two feet thick in front of Zhang Yang was kicked clean through.
Bang. The enormous tree crashed to the ground, snapping many branches from other trees with it. Its stump tilted to one side, countless roots were torn from the ground, and the surrounding earth was left with numerous depressions.
Master stepped forward, examined the tree's broken cross-section, and touched the severed edge. "What astonishing destructive power."
After listening to Zhang Yang's impressions of Light Speed Kick, Master asked, "Your Third Soul Ring skill is called Flash Body Technique. I understand the meaning of flash, but what about body technique? Does it have other forms of expression?"
"Yes, Teacher." Zhang Yang nodded, then demonstrated Light Speed Palm Blade and Light Speed Elbow Strike on the fallen trunk, splitting it directly into several pieces.
"Mm. In that case, rather than an offensive skill, your Third Soul Ring skill is more like a state-type Soul Skill that enhances the attacking power of physical techniques." Master pinpointed its true nature in a single sentence.
"Yes, Teacher. That was how I explained it to my teammates." Zhang Yang nodded.
In Zhang Yang's understanding, the essence of Light Speed Kick was simply an extremely powerful kick. It was only because its power was so immense and its effects so flashy that it became Borsalino's signature skill.
Master rubbed Zhang Yang's head, his tone gentle. "All right, let's go back. You've been traveling all day, so don't cultivate today. Get some sleep and relax your mind."
"Yes, Teacher." Zhang Yang nodded.
That night, Zhang Yang had a good sleep for the first time in a long while. If the class bell had not woken him, he would definitely have slept until lunchtime.
After hurriedly getting dressed, Zhang Yang finally reached the Training Ground before Dean Flender.
Flattening his wild, windblown hair, Zhang Yang had Oscar make him a sausage to fill his stomach.
The academy was especially lively today. Not only were both the dean and vice dean present, but even the other three teachers, who usually appeared and disappeared like dragons, were willing to let the students see their faces today.
"Good, everyone is here. I have several matters to announce." Flender walked before the eight students, his stern gaze sweeping over them one by one.
"First, I will introduce the academy's teachers to the five new students."
"This is teacher Li Yusong. His Martial Soul is the Dragon Pattern Staff. He is a level 63 Soul Emperor."
"This is teacher Lu Qibin. His Martial Soul is Star Luo Chess. He is a level 66 Soul Emperor."
"This is teacher Shao Xin. His Martial Soul is Candy Bean. He is a level 71 Soul Sage. Among the Food System Soul Masters I know, teacher Shao is unquestionably among the top five strongest."
"A Food System Soul Sage?" Zhang Yang and the other newcomers stared in shock.
If there might have been other reasons why powerful figures like Flender, Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, and Lu Qibin were willing to remain here and teach students, then Teacher Shao Xin staying at Shrek Academy was a true embodiment of boundless love.
Not to mention that he had turned down the honored guest treatment offered by the major sects and instead chosen to live in poverty at this tiny Shrek Academy. That could not possibly be explained by simply saying he preferred a peaceful life.
There was great love in this world. Zhang Yang was almost moved to tears.
"Finally, I must introduce this last person to you properly."
Flender threw an arm around Master's shoulders and introduced him with great emotion. "He is the man who developed the Ten Great Martial Soul Competitiveness through his own research, hailed as the foremost authority in Martial Soul theory and the wisest Soul Master. He is also Tang San and Zhang Yang's teacher, Mr. Yu Xiaogang. From now on, you may call him Master."
The moment Flender finished speaking, Zhang Yang impatiently began applauding for Master. Of course, if everyone else applauded too, Zhang Yang would even cheer aloud.
It felt just like when his own homeroom teacher went onstage to receive an award during a school assembly in his previous life.
When everyone learned that this thin, stern-faced man before them was actually Zhang Yang and Tang San's teacher, a feeling of respect rose naturally within them.
If you think this book is good, please add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.
After all, if he could teach such outstanding disciples as Zhang Yang and Tang San, how could their teacher possibly be anything less than exceptional?
After introducing Master, Flender said a few more simple words before handing the remaining time over to Master.
Master's expression was rather stiff at the moment, and his speech was equally brief. He mentioned only two things. First, all future training plans for the students would come from him. Second, no one was to miss breakfast tomorrow.
Zhang Yang somehow felt that Master was directing those words at him.
Because of that, Zhang Yang felt somewhat regretful. How did I get criticized just for skipping breakfast one day?
Today was a rest day. Ma Hongjun wanted to go to Suotuo City to deal with his Evil Fire problem and do some shopping along the way, so he wanted someone to accompany him.
Tang San needed to prepare Godly Zhuge Crossbows for everyone, so he planned to go to Suotuo City and consult a Blacksmith Shop. He happened to travel with Ma Hongjun.
Having returned from Suotuo City only yesterday, Zhang Yang expressed little interest. He wanted to ask Teacher for some study materials to enrich his mind.
However, the studious Zhang Yang ran into a wall at Master's place today.
Since a new stage of training would begin tomorrow, Master told Zhang Yang to rest properly for the entire day.
Master's words were very direct. Even if Zhang Yang returned to the dormitory to sleep in, he was not allowed to cultivate or study during the day.
Zhang Yang left Master's room with a regretful expression and returned to the dormitory, intending to take another nap.
But Zhang Yang ultimately did not get that nap, because Ning Rongrong came to ask him to go shopping in Suotuo City.
Zhang Yang hated shopping with girls, but if it was Ning Rongrong, he could tolerate it. After all, Ning Rongrong was a little rich girl. When she went shopping, she actually bought things.
What annoyed boys about shopping with girls was not carrying bags or paying the bill. It was spending all that time browsing without buying anything.
Zhang Yang and Ning Rongrong strolled through Suotuo City, occasionally entering a clothing store. Ten or so minutes later, they would leave with several outfits stored in their Soul Tools, then enter another clothing store.
Zhang Yang had never been to the girls' dormitory and did not know whether there was a wardrobe as large as an entire wall inside. But Zhang Yang believed that even if there really were such a massive wardrobe, it probably could not hold all the clothes Ning Rongrong had bought today.
Ning Rongrong had a wonderful time shopping today, while Zhang Yang was happy that he had successfully passed the day.
After dinner in Suotuo City, Zhang Yang proposed taking Ning Rongrong somewhere thrilling, exciting, and fun.
"Where?" Ning Rongrong asked with great interest.
"Just follow me!"
"This is it. Thrilling, exciting, and fun—the Suotuo City Great Soul Arena!"
When he mentioned the Great Soul Arena, Ning Rongrong noticed that Zhang Yang's eyes were practically shining.
"Could it be that Zhang Yang enjoys spirit battles?" Ning Rongrong guessed.
Although Ning Rongrong could not understand Zhang Yang's strange hobby, she still followed him inside. After visiting so many Clothing Stores, visiting a Great Soul Arena for a change was not bad either.
Once they entered the Great Soul Arena, Ning Rongrong finally understood why Zhang Yang's eyes had been shining.
"Take this money and remember to bet on me winning." Zhang Yang handed all his possessions to Ning Rongrong, his tone exceedingly solemn.
"Uh..." Ning Rongrong watched Zhang Yang's retreating figure as he headed toward the Rest Area and was left speechless for a long time.
Before long, Zhang Yang's opponent was determined: a level 39 Soul Elder with a Weapon Martial Soul.
In terms of odds, neither the Great Soul Arena nor the spectators trusted Zhang Yang, who had Soul Power Level 31 and a record of only three wins and no losses. The odds on Zhang Yang's victory were extremely high, and far more spectators clearly bet on his opponent.
After all, there was an eight-level difference in Soul Power between the two of them.
Watching the bustling crowd placing bets, Ning Rongrong suddenly revealed the Little Witch's signature smile.
After lining up at the betting counter, Ning Rongrong took out a glittering golden card and handed it to the staff member. "I'm betting ten thousand Gold Soul Coins on Zhang Yang to win."
"What did you say? How much?" The staff member froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked again.
In such an ordinary Soul Elder battle, there had never been a wager of this magnitude.
Ning Rongrong waved for the staff member to hurry up and shouted, "I'm betting ten thousand Gold Soul Coins on Zhang Yang to win. Process it quickly."
Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, the people preparing to place bets nearby began discussing among themselves.
"That's such a huge wager. She must have inside information."
"Should we follow her bet?"
"I think it could work. We can follow her."
"It's ten thousand Gold Soul Coins, after all. No one would be willing to throw away that much money, right?"
At the same time, several people eyed Ning Rongrong with hostile expressions.
When they saw that the Great Soul Arena truly issued Ning Rongrong a betting certificate, then immediately adjusted Zhang Yang's odds, the surrounding bystanders realized that it would be too late if they did not act now. They hurriedly rushed to place their bets.
The Great Soul Arena staff busily processed wagers for the spectators, while Zhang Yang's odds changed again and again, dropping from 1 to 1.2 after Ning Rongrong's bet all the way down to a minimum of 1 to 0.1.
Seeing that events had unfolded exactly as she expected, Ning Rongrong lined up once more. Only after Zhang Yang's odds had reached 1 to 0.1 and could not go any lower did she place Zhang Yang's own money on him.
Fanning herself with Zhang Yang's betting certificate beside her face, Ning Rongrong giggled smugly after her prank succeeded.
Before you continue