The next morning, after breakfast, everyone gathered in the square. Flender nodded, pleased that they had all arrived so quickly.
Flender's gaze sharpened. "Xiao Huai, where's Oscar?"
Jiang Huai stepped forward. "Oscar was still cultivating when I got up. It seems he's close to breaking through to level 30."
Flender nodded and stroked his beard. "Go see if Oscar's ready. Once he is, have him come out. He can't miss today's training."
Jiang Huai nodded and started toward the dorms, but Oscar came running out on his own, grinning from ear to ear.
As soon as he reached Flender, he said with a laugh, "Dean, I've broken through to level 30!"
Jiang Huai and Gu Yue exchanged a glance and gave him an encouraging look. Oscar was already fourteen, two years older than Jiang Huai, so there wasn't much they could say to him. All they could do was offer their encouragement with a look.
Flender patted Oscar on the shoulder. "Good. Tomorrow, Wuji will take you to the Star Dou Forest for some experience. For now, let's begin today's training."
Oscar nodded and returned to the line, standing at attention. He even bumped fists with Ma Hongjun.
Ning Rongrong stood at the back of the line, looking downcast. Of the nine people on the team, she was the only support type still in the twenties.
Soon, everyone was lined up and waiting for Flender to speak. He pushed up his crystal glasses. "Oscar, step forward."
Oscar took a step forward and moved to the front of the group. Flender patted him on the shoulder. "Today's training is to eat the sausages made from Oscar's Martial Soul."
Everyone except Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Jiang Huai felt as if the sky had fallen.
Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong, looking reluctant. Just then, Xiao Wu stepped forward. "Dean, we already have a food-type Soul Master on our team—Brother Huai. I'm not eating this Big Sausage uncle's sausages. I'm dropping out of this training."
Gu Yue stepped forward without saying anything, but her expression showed she agreed. Zhu Zhuqing had tried the hamburger Jiang Huai made before, so she agreed with Xiao Wu, too.
Oscar looked dejected at her words. Seeing this, Jiang Huai stepped forward. "I'll try one first, but don't chant the spell. It's disgusting."
Oscar nodded and silently recited the incantation for his Soul skill. Soon, a Soul Power-recovery sausage appeared in his hand.
Jiang Huai took it and bit into it. Tang San stepped forward next, followed by the others, one after another. Gu Yue stayed where she was, with no intention of eating one.
Jiang Huai noticed, so he took out a hamburger. In a gentle voice, he said, "Go ahead. You don't have to eat one. Just eat the food I gave you."
Gu Yue gave a soft "Mm," and Jiang Huai smiled warmly at her.
Gu Yue took a bite of the hamburger, and Jiang Huai took out a handkerchief to wipe her face.
Soon, everyone had eaten a sausage except Gu Yue. Jiang Huai kept giving her hamburgers, so Flender didn't say anything.
Flender cleared his throat twice. "Ahem! Since everyone's eaten one, you're dismissed. All the other training sessions are canceled for today."
Jiang Huai took Gu Yue's hand and headed for Suotuo City. Xiao Wu didn't disturb their time together and stayed at the academy, waiting for them to bring her a gift.
Two hours later...
Jiang Huai and Gu Yue returned to Shrek Academy. It looked as if they hadn't bought anything, but everything was stored in Jiang Huai's Soul Tool.
When Gu Yue reached the girls' dormitory, Jiang Huai took out a single-use storage crystal and handed it to her. He placed it in her palm with a smile. "Just crush this once you're back in your room."
Gu Yue nodded and went into the dorm. As soon as she entered, she crushed the crystal. A whole collection of pretty dresses, hairpins, and shoes appeared before her.
Gu Yue smiled sweetly and began putting everything in her cabinet. She placed the pink dress they'd prepared for Xiao Wu on Xiao Wu's bed.
The next morning, everyone gathered again. Jiang Huai had made a second Deadly Void the day before. He'd painted it silver and given it to Gu Yue.
Everyone waited outside Shrek Academy for Zhao Wuji to arrive. Jiang Huai was fixing Gu Yue's hair, while she admired the silver dragon-head bracelet he'd given her.
Gu Yue had given Jiang Huai a black-and-gold mask in return, the kind that covered only the nose and mouth, like Feng Xiaotian's at the Spirit Master Tournament.
Zhao Wuji didn't keep them waiting long. He soon came out, and they all saw that his face was still swollen.
Dai Mubai couldn't help laughing, but Zhao Wuji glared him into silence.
Zhao Wuji pointed at them. "You little brats, stay sharp when we get to the Star Dou Forest."
Xiao Wu hid behind Jiang Huai and muttered, "Why not call him a blind bear?"
Zhao Wuji glared at her. "What did you say?"
Xiao Wu was so frightened that her rabbit ears drooped. She hid behind Jiang Huai, trembling.
Jiang Huai ignored Zhao Wuji and continued fixing Gu Yue's hair into a lovely style. Then he took out a mirror and handed it to her.
Gu Yue gazed at her reflection, instantly captivated by her own beauty. Jiang Huai gently flicked her on the forehead.
Gu Yue glared at Jiang Huai, cheeks puffed up. He stared right back at her.
Gu Yue gave a huff and turned away. Jiang Huai began trying all sorts of ways to coax her.
Zhao Wuji cleared his throat a few times. "The Star Dou Forest is full of dangers. First, there's you, Jiang Huai. You're a once-in-a-century twelve-year-old Soul Elder at level 39, so you should stick close to me. But after seeing how you fought against me, I've changed my mind. You, Gu Yue, and Mubai will lead the way. Oscar and Ning Rongrong will take the rear, and I'll protect you. Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Tang San will stay in the middle. Ma Hongjun will fly overhead. Once we reach the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, we'll rest at an inn and set out first thing the next morning."
The nine of them answered together, "Yes!"
Soon, no one remained outside Shrek Academy. Flender flew off toward Nuoding City to fetch Yu Xiaogang.
Shrek Academy settled into a brief quiet, and the teachers who'd stayed behind were making their own meals.
A day passed, and Jiang Huai and the others finally reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest. Zhao Wuji sent them straight to the inn up ahead.
Jiang Huai set Gu Yue down from where he'd been carrying her on his back and said softly, "Let's go."
Gu Yue gave a soft "Mm" and followed him inside. Jiang Huai saw that Dai Mubai and the others had already claimed a large round table.
Ma Hongjun called out, "Waiter, two more seats!"
The waiter brought over two stools and set them down. Jiang Huai wiped off the dust and sat down.
The nine of them took turns ordering two dishes each. Whether they could finish the food didn't matter, since they had a fatty among them who could eat it all.
Tang San asked where Zhao Wuji had gone. Dai Mubai explained that it was the dean's rule: academy teachers weren't allowed to take advantage of their students.
Ma Hongjun leaned back in his chair. "I like that rule. If the teachers don't freeload off us, we can relax and enjoy ourselves."
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