Two months later.
Shrek Academy, Advanced Class classroom.
The bell rang, and the students quickly returned to their seats.
Compared to before, three new seats had appeared at the front of the classroom. They belonged to Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ma Hongjun, who had recently obtained their third Soul Rings.
Yu Xiaogang glanced over the students below. Seeing that everyone was present, he picked up a piece of chalk and sketched two Spider-type Soul Beasts on the blackboard.
The one on the left had a fearsome appearance. Its eight legs were twice as long as its body, and its entire body was covered in black armor. On its abdomen, white markings formed a savage human face, with eight small eyes gleaming purple within it.
The one on the right was relatively slender and elongated, its body gray all over. Its legs were somewhat shorter and thinner, but its two front legs were exceptionally sturdy. Overall, it looked rather unremarkable.
Yu Xiaogang pointed to the spider on the left and addressed the students. "The Man Faced Demon Spider is known as the 'nightmare of small Soul Beasts' because of its unique body structure and fighting instincts. Besides its keen reflexes and speed, its most terrifying weapon is its web."
"The Man Faced Demon Spider produces its web by spitting it out directly. It is extremely sticky and tough, and carries a horrifying neurotoxin that can quickly paralyze its prey. It can spit out its web three times a day."
Then he pointed to the spider on the right. "The Cave Demon Spider may look rather unremarkable, but it is known for its cunning and its use of traps. Its two sturdy front legs are well suited to digging trap holes, and if the venomous stinger on its abdomen hits its target, it can briefly paralyze its prey."
"The Cave Demon Spider's most powerful weapon is still its web, but unlike the Man Faced Demon Spider, which spits out its web directly, the Cave Demon Spider has to set its web in advance. It lays invisible strands of web across the ground as it travels. Once prey enters the trap's range, it activates the web instantly with its Spirit Power, forming an iron-like cage to trap its quarry."
Yu Xiaogang went on to explain the habitats and habits of the two Soul Beasts, as well as how to deal with them in the wild. After that, he began analyzing Soul Masters who possessed Spider Martial Souls.
As Yu Xiaogang continued his lecture, the students' understanding of Spider Martial Souls grew deeper.
With the end of class approaching, Yu Xiaogang gathered his thoughts and began wrapping up the lesson.
"Most Soul Masters with Spider Martial Souls follow the Control Type path, but among Soul Beasts, there are Assault Type creatures like the Man Faced Demon Spider. I hope you'll keep that in mind when you venture out into the world."
When the bell rang, the students stood and thanked him before leaving the classroom one after another. They headed to the Mimicry Training Grounds best suited to them to begin their cultivation.
Yu Xiaogang glanced around the classroom and noticed a girl in a pink dress still sitting in her seat. She was gazing at the image of the Man Faced Demon Spider on the blackboard, looking slightly dazed.
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang set down his eraser and called to the girl below. "What's wrong, Xiao Wu? Do you miss Xiao San?"
At his words, Xiao Wu quickly came back to herself, then spoke with a hint of hurt in her voice. "It's been half a year, and my brother still hasn't come back. I'm getting a little worried."
I know you're worried, but don't worry just yet. I'm even more worried than you are.
Yu Xiaogang sighed to himself, helplessly, then silently calculated how much time had passed. With a smile, he said, "Xiao San will be back soon. He might even come back today."
"Really?" Xiao Wu's face lit up with delight.
"Of course. So don't worry. Hurry along and go cultivate."
Xiao Wu nodded excitedly, then jumped up from her seat and bounced out of the classroom.
Watching Xiao Wu's retreating figure, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help smiling. Then he remembered that a few days ago, Liu Erlong had told him she wanted to take Xiao Wu as her goddaughter.
Yu Xiaogang naturally had no objections. Because of their blood relation, he and Liu Erlong always treated each other with propriety, so they couldn't have children together. Taking Xiao Wu as their goddaughter would be a comfort to them both.
And when he thought that once he became Xiao Wu's godfather, he would naturally become Tang San's godfather-in-law as well, the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
"I've somehow ended up with an extra generation in the family. Sure enough, the ones who live long enough become artists."
Afternoon.
Shrek Academy, Dean's Office.
Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and Liu Erlong were discussing the academy's future teaching direction, as well as the Advanced Academy Soul Master Competition that would take place in six months.
It was a grand event for the entire continent. Making a name for themselves there would be a tremendous honor for any academy.
Blue Tyrant Academy had originally risen to fame after defeating a team from Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the competition, establishing itself in Heaven Dou City in one fell swoop.
Now that the academy had officially been renamed Shrek Academy, and with the Shrek Seven Devils joining them, the three naturally hoped to aim for a higher ranking in the competition and use it to raise the academy's profile.
Just as they reached a crucial point in their discussion, a rapid knock suddenly came from outside the door.
A puzzled expression appeared on Flender's face. Under normal circumstances, nobody should have interrupted them at this time. But the knocking was so urgent that something important must have happened, so he called toward the door. "Come in."
The office door immediately swung open, and Zhao Wuji hurried inside. "This is bad, Boss Fu. That old monster Dugu Bo is here, and he's brought Xiao San with him."
At this, Flender immediately stood up from the sofa, his expression turning grave. He muttered, "What does that old monster want this time?"
Liu Erlong beside him also looked a little tense. But when Yu Xiaogang heard the news, a glint flashed in his eyes. He stood and asked Zhao Wuji, "Where are Dugu Bo and Xiao San now?"
"At the academy's main gate. I informed the teachers, and they're all heading there now."
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Since Dugu Bo was willing to come through the main gate this time, it might be a good thing. After all, when we left back then, he and Xiao San seemed to get along quite well."
Flender and Liu Erlong considered this, and their expressions gradually relaxed.
The three then followed Zhao Wuji out of the office and hurried toward the academy's main gate.
Quite a crowd had gathered at the gate. Nearly all of Shrek Academy's strongest fighters were there.
Dugu Bo, however, paid them no mind. He simply stood with his arms crossed, staring at the academy sign above the gate.
Not long afterward, the three arrived with Zhao Wuji. The moment Tang San saw Yu Xiaogang and Flender, he stepped forward to speak with them.
When Flender heard that Dugu Bo was willing to serve as a consultant to Shrek Academy, surprise flashed across his face. Then he approached Dugu Bo with a broad smile to discuss the matter.
The misunderstanding was resolved with ease. Everyone returned to the academy, while Yu Xiaogang took Tang San to see Xiao Wu first.
After the two shared an affectionate moment, they realized their sibling affection had taken on a somewhat different flavor, so they quickly let go of each other.
Tang San cleared his throat and immediately changed the subject, saying he had brought something.
Yu Xiaogang wore an amused, knowing smile. Then he led the two of them deeper into the woods.
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