Target Sunset Forest

"Very well, you've been accepted. There's no need to pay any registration fee."

"What? Your academy is this rundown, and you don't even charge registration fees? How are you supposed to keep it running?"

Yu Xiaogang could not be bothered to waste words with him and opened his mouth, ready to start talking him into it.

"Young man, do you know who I am?"

"I am the Grandmaster. Although I am not yet a teacher at this academy—unless you are willing to take me as your master!"

Dai Mubai was left utterly bewildered. You're not even a teacher, yet you're putting on airs here and recruiting students?

As the two bickered, hurried footsteps came from within the academy. A burly man of around fifty emerged.

He had short black-and-gray hair, a goatee, square black-rimmed glasses, broad cheekbones, a hooked nose, and a protruding chin. His appearance carried the distinct air of a scheming merchant.

The moment he saw Yu Xiaogang, his eyes lit up, and he quickly strode forward.

"Xiaogang? You brat, I thought you'd forgotten about me!"

"Flender, you haven't changed one bit!"

Looking at Yu Xiaogang, who had barely changed, Flender felt a complex swirl of emotions. The man would likely never break through level thirty in his lifetime; that had to be the greatest pain of his life.

"What brings you here? Look, this is my dream—Shrek Academy. We only accept monsters!"

Yu Xiaogang nodded. They truly only accepted monsters, considering the academy apparently did not even have a single student right now.

Seeing this, Dai Mubai chose to leave and look for another academy first. He had fled all the way here, not to listen to two men reminisce.

"Wait! Aren't you here to enroll? This is the headmaster. You should believe it now, right?"

Dai Mubai stopped. After wrangling with this crew-cut fellow for so long, an actual staff member had finally shown up.

Before Dai Mubai could speak, Yu Xiaogang rattled off all his information to Flender. The latter's eyes likewise lit up. With such talent, he definitely qualified as a little monster!

"Student, you've been accepted. Pay ten Gold Soul Coins for registration first."

"Ahem. Enrolling is certainly a good thing, but as a little monster, you surely won't be satisfied with ordinary instruction, right? Why not take a master? You could even receive one-on-one tutoring outside of class."

Yu Xiaogang crossed his arms, his face plainly saying, "Hurry up and take me as your master."

As Yu Xiaogang's old friend, how could Flender not know what he was thinking? So he began touting Yu Xiaogang's accomplishments.

The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul, martial soul mimicry, no useless martial souls, only useless soul masters.

After that combination of blows, Dai Mubai's eyes went clear. This really was a true Grandmaster!

Without hesitation, Dai Mubai clasped his hands in salute and bowed to Yu Xiaogang. "This disciple, Dai Mubai, greets Teacher!"

"Mm, you are teachable!"

Yu Xiaogang puffed out his chest, wearing the air of a reclusive master.

"Alright, Mubai, follow us inside. Xiaogang, you can't leave this time. Our academy is sorely lacking talents like you!"

"Of course. I came this time to contribute to Shrek Academy. With the two of us joining forces, I believe we can definitely cultivate a large batch of little monsters!"

"Haha, naturally!"

Back at Nuoding Academy.

At that moment, Tang Chuan had already completed Tang San's early graduation procedures. Amid the reluctant gazes of the teachers and headmaster, they slowly walked out of the academy.

Not long afterward, a pink figure came running in as well. Panting, she said, "Headmaster, I want to graduate early too!"

"Student Xiao Wu, are you sure?"

"I want to go with Teacher Tang Chuan and Xiao San!"

Thus, Xiao Wu tucked away her graduation certificate and left the academy as well.

Outside Nuoding Academy.

"Father, where are we going first?"

Although Tang San looked much the same as he had a year ago, he had grown considerably taller. His Soul Power Level had also reached level twenty-seven, rising by a full three levels over the past year.

As for Xiao Wu, ever since she realized that she liked Tang San, she had neglected her cultivation considerably. She was only around level twenty-two now.

"Teacher Tang Chuan! Xiao San!"

The two turned around and saw Xiao Wu jogging toward them.

"Xiao Wu? Why are you here?"

A flash of delight passed through Tang San's eyes. Had Xiao Wu graduated early as well?

"I completed the early graduation procedures too. Can I come with you?"

"Father, Xiao Wu isn't an outsider. I think it should be fine, right?"

Tang Chuan did not refuse this time. Rather than leaving her here, it was better to keep her by his side.

"You can, but don't run around recklessly. The cities outside are far more dangerous than Nuoding City!"

Xiao Wu nodded. She always felt that Teacher Tang Chuan seemed to know something, but she could not bring herself to say it outright.

The three boarded the carriage and began their journey to Heaven Dou City.

Inside the carriage, Tang San and Xiao Wu sat together, chatting away. Tang Chuan held Ah Yin in his arms, appearing to rest with his eyes closed, though he was actually looking over the system panel.

[Tang Chuan]

[Soul Power Level: Level 85]

[Blue Silver Emperor Soul Ring Configuration: Black, Black, Black, Black, Red, Black, Red, Red]

[Domains: Blue Silver Domain/Forest of Myriad Phenomena, Divine Slaughter's Domain]

[Spirit Bone Configuration: Blue Silver Emperor Right Leg Bone, Mental Condensation Wisdom Skull, Evil Spirit Orca Left Leg Bone, Eight Spider Lances]

With this monstrously powerful soul ring configuration and a body full of top-grade spirit bones, Tang Chuan could now confidently face Dugu Bo. Even against Tang Hao as he was now, he definitely would not be at a disadvantage.

"Little San, although our next stop is Heaven Dou City, we'll mainly be making a trip to Sunset Forest first."

Tang Chuan opened his eyes and spoke calmly to Tang San before him. Since the carriage route was planned for Heaven Dou City, and Sunset Forest lay on its outskirts, they intended to enter the city first to settle their belongings before making further plans.

"Father, is there anything in Sunset Forest worth paying attention to?"

Curiosity filled Tang San's eyes. Over the past year, he had often heard his father mention going to Sunset Forest, so he directly voiced his doubts in the hope that Tang Chuan would explain.

"Do you remember what I told you before?"

Mindful of Xiao Wu's presence, Tang Chuan did not mention Ah Yin. Once Tang San's Purple Demon Eye reached the Mustard Seed Realm, he would naturally discover Xiao Wu's true form.

"Could it be...?"

Tang Chuan nodded. Tang San's heart immediately leaped with joy. His mother finally had a place where she could settle!

"You know about the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, right?"

"Of course!"

Tang San was genuinely surprised now. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was the most suitable place he could think of for his mother to grow and recover. He had never expected his father to be heading there.

Moreover, such a place was only recorded in the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. Did such a place really exist on Douluo Continent?

Xiao Wu, sitting beside them, looked utterly bewildered. She had no idea what the two of them were talking about and could only make out terms like the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.

"Little San, Teacher Tang Chuan, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing. The things we were discussing are all good things. You'll understand when the time comes."