After the battle ended, Zhao Wuji shot Oscar a knowing glance.
Oscar immediately understood. Carrying four Recovery Big Sausages he had made earlier, he hurried over.
He had started making them as soon as Tang San and the others began to show signs of defeat.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong took the sausages and ate them in silence.
A gentle warmth spread through their bodies, easing some of the fatigue and dull aches from the impacts. But the sting of defeat lingered in their hearts.
They had believed their talents were far from poor, and their teamwork was beginning to take shape. Yet against the other side's overwhelming strength and incomprehensible fighting style, they had been utterly helpless.
Tang San took a deep breath, tamping down his churning thoughts, then walked over to Xiao Qing and looked up at the calm-faced young man.
"Xiao Qing, can you tell me what level you are now?"
Xiao Qing glanced at him, his tone even. "Level thirty-seven."
The eight-level gap dealt a harsh blow to the pride Tang San had felt in his Mysterious Heaven Skill and Tang Sect Secret Techniques.
Still, Tang San thought, If I used every trick I had and gave it everything, I might be able to fight him. At the very least, I wouldn't lose so easily.
Tang San's lips had just parted as he prepared to ask whether they could spar one-on-one again, so he could learn more from the experience, when Zhao Wuji's booming voice rang out.
"That's enough. The test is over. You lot, come here."
Everyone gathered around. Zhao Wuji's gaze swept over the four new students, each wearing a different expression, and a rare smile crossed his face.
"Congratulations. From this moment on, you're officially students of Shrek Academy."
Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all froze, unable to take it in.
Hadn't they lost? And lost decisively, at that.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Zhao Wuji gave a low chuckle and explained, "Don't overthink it. The examiner for your final test was supposed to be that kid Ma Hongjun."
He pointed at the chubby boy, who was scratching his head. "But I figured it wouldn't be fair to make the four of you take turns fighting him. Even if you won, the Fatty wouldn't have had the stamina for it. So I switched in Xiao Qing at the last minute."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "I never expected you to beat Xiao Qing. I wanted to see what you four could do under completely uneven pressure, whether you had any brains for teamwork, and whether you had the backbone to stand your ground."
"In that fight, Tang San, your command and quick thinking were decent. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing carried out your instructions and coordinated well in an instant, and Ning Rongrong's timing with her boosts was pretty good too."
"Most importantly, none of you wavered, and none of you messed around. That's enough to earn you a place at Shrek. Did you think our motto, 'We only accept monsters,' was just for show? A monster isn't judged by level alone. It's also about what's in here!"
Zhao Wuji pointed to his head, then clenched his fist.
So that's how it was! Tang San finally understood, and relief washed over him.
"That's it. Meet on the field tomorrow morning. We'll discuss the lessons then. Spend the rest of today however you like. Get familiar with the place or cultivate, but don't cause trouble."
After Zhao Wuji left, the subdued atmosphere on the field quickly loosened and turned lively.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were especially outgoing, and with the talkative Oscar and the ever-curious Ma Hongjun joining in, conversation soon flowed.
Before long, Tang San and the others had been at Shrek Academy for a full week.
Over that week, Tang San had come to understand firsthand why Dai Mubai had said the cultivation conditions here were special.
Oscar's Clear Heart Sausage had a reliable effect. Eating one before cultivation each night left his mind especially calm during meditation and noticeably improved the efficiency of his Soul Power circulation.
And Zhao Wuji's Gravity Training Room was a powerful way to hone physical strength, Soul Power control, and mental resilience.
Starting at onefold gravity, every increase felt like trudging forward under the weight of a mountain. It put the muscles, bones, organs, and even the circulation of Soul Power through a severe trial.
But the results were striking. He estimated that at this rate, he would reach the threshold of level thirty in a little over a month.
That was far faster than he had ever progressed in Nuoding City.
One morning, after finishing his Purple Demon Eye cultivation, Tang San jumped down from the dormitory roof.
Almost at the same moment, the neighboring door flew open, and Oscar rushed out like a gust of wind, unable to hide his joy.
Xiao Qing had just finished breakfast. Seeing him, he slowed and went over to ask, "What happened?"
Oscar pumped his fist, his voice trembling with excitement. "I broke through! Xiao Qing, I'm level thirty! I finally made it to level thirty!"
His voice carried, and Tang San, who had just landed, heard every word.
Level thirty? Oscar had reached level thirty!
Tang San stopped in his tracks, a complicated feeling surging through him.
Oscar was only a couple of years older than him, yet even as a food-type Soul Master—widely considered the slowest to cultivate—he had reached the threshold of level thirty. That pace was simply astonishing.
But Tang San quickly steadied himself. If Oscar can do it, then there's no reason I can't, with the Mysterious Heaven Skill and the Tang Sect Secret Techniques. I should even be faster!
At the morning assembly, Zhao Wuji appeared alongside Flender.
Flender pushed up his glasses and announced, "Today's regular classes are suspended. Everyone, go get ready. We'll leave for Star Dou Great Forest first thing tomorrow morning."
"We're going to hunt a suitable third Soul Ring for Oscar. Teacher Zhao Wuji will lead the trip, and every student must come. It'll be a rare chance to get field experience and practice working as a team."
"But stay alert. Star Dou Great Forest isn't a playground, and danger could strike at any moment. Teacher Zhao will go over the specific precautions with you on the way."
"Now, dismissed. Go prepare."
Ning Rongrong had been cheered by the prospect of classes being canceled, but when she heard they were going Soul Hunting rather than getting the day off, her excitement dulled a little. Soon, though, she perked back up.
Her eyes darted around as she took Xiao Wu's hand.
"Xiao Wu, we have nothing to do today, and the teachers need time to prepare. Let's go into town and have some fun! Suotuo City is so lively. I didn't even get to look around properly last time!"
Xiao Wu loved to have fun, and she immediately nodded. "Sure! Third Brother, why don't you come with us?"
Of course, Xiao Wu wanted Tang San to come along.
Tang San had planned to make the most of the time and cultivate, but seeing the eager look in Xiao Wu's eyes, and knowing that his training had been intense lately, he decided a little relaxation wouldn't hurt. He nodded.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing nearby, shook her head slightly, her voice cool. "You go. I want to cultivate."
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and stepped forward, gently persuading her. "Zhuqing, cultivation requires a balance between tension and rest. If you keep pushing yourself, you'll hit a bottleneck more easily and get half the results for twice the effort. Going out for a walk and clearing your head might even help your cultivation. Besides, taking part in group activities will help us get to know each other."
Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment. She looked at Dai Mubai, then at Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, who were both watching her hopefully. At last, she gave a light nod.
"All right."
Delighted that Zhu Zhuqing had agreed, Ning Rongrong turned to the other boys. "Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Tang San are going. You should come too! It'll be more fun with everyone!"
Tang San felt awkward about going out alone with the girls, so he took the opportunity to invite Dai Mubai and Oscar. "Brother Dai, Oscar, why don't you come along? It'll be good to have you there."
He knew Dai Mubai was familiar with Suotuo City.
Dai Mubai smiled and didn't refuse.
Oscar was happy to join. He wanted to celebrate his breakthrough and maybe get another chance to talk with Ning Rongrong.
Seeing that everyone else was going, Ma Hongjun hurriedly raised his hand. "I'm coming too! I know a few great places to eat!"
At last, everyone's eyes fell on Xiao Qing.
His expression remained calm as he said, "I need to go into town to restock some things: special ingredients for making Soul Beast food, as well as a few cultivation supplies for myself."
"Then come with us!"
Xiao Wu clapped her hands and laughed.
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