Yu Xiaogang? Just a Stray by the Road!

Gu Yuena did not dwell on it any further.

She looked toward the Evil Demon Forest.

"After receiving the reward, the Evil Emperor will surely return to secluded cultivation."

"The Evil Emperor is already close to a million years of cultivation."

Di Tian nodded.

His gaze returned to the sky.

If the Evil Emperor truly reached a million years of cultivation, the Soul Beast Clan would gain a genuine God Level fighter.

However, if the Evil Emperor became a god, there was no guarantee of continued obedience to the Soul Beast Clan.

Skywater Academy.

News of Long Yao's return had spread throughout the academy.

After the True Dragon Tower began glowing again, the Heaven and Earth Elements within the academy grew more active.

Above the lake, Water Element gathered continuously as pale blue motes of light.

In the wooded hills, wind elements flowed without pause.

The earth elements deep within the ley lines were also more concentrated than before.

Shui Yuerou sat cross-legged beside the lake.

She circulated her soul power, and the surrounding Water Element rapidly flowed into her body.

A moment later, she opened her eyes, astonishment filling them.

"My cultivation has sped up."

She could clearly feel that her soul power circulated far more smoothly than before.

Her speed of absorbing Heaven and Earth Elements had more than doubled as well.

Shui Yuerou looked toward the distant True Dragon Tower.

"Could it be because the headmaster has returned?"

Not far away.

Shui Bing'er was cultivating.

The Water Element around her condensed into a faint curtain of light, while soul power coursed swiftly through her meridians.

Shui Bing'er withdrew her soul power. As she felt the changes within her body, her gaze settled on the True Dragon Tower.

"Teacher, the academy's cultivation environment really has improved."

Shui Yuerou nodded.

"It should have something to do with the headmaster."

Other students soon overheard their conversation.

More and more students began trying to cultivate.

They quickly discovered that their cultivation speed had indeed increased.

As the news spread, excitement swept through Skywater Academy.

"Ever since the headmaster returned, the elements in the academy have become more active."

"The True Dragon Tower is much brighter than before, too."

"Is this the headmaster's power?"

"The headmaster has kept the academy's legacy alive for thousands of years. He really is no ordinary man."

The students gazed toward the True Dragon Tower with even greater reverence.

Long Yao stood within the tower.

He sat on the ninth-floor platform, a pale blue orb hovering before him.

He sensed every change within the academy.

He had built the True Dragon Tower himself.

Now that he had returned to Skywater Academy, the power within the tower naturally came into use again.

As that power merged into the academy's ley lines, it made the Heaven and Earth Elements more active.

Long Yao put away the orb.

During this time, he occasionally offered guidance to the academy's students.

Shui Bing'er had considerable talent, and Shui Yue'er's martial soul had its merits as well.

After receiving a little guidance from him, both of them could circulate their soul power more smoothly than before.

However, Long Yao did not personally teach them much.

Skywater Academy needed to develop its own legacy.

If it relied on him for everything, the academy would lose its purpose instead.

One day.

Shui Yuerou arrived before the True Dragon Tower.

She stood outside the tower and looked up.

"Headmaster."

A reply came from within.

"Come in."

Shui Yuerou entered the True Dragon Tower.

Long Yao sat at the edge of the ninth-floor platform, holding a teacup.

Shui Yuerou approached him and bowed. "Headmaster, Shrek Academy has arrived."

Long Yao set down his teacup.

A hint of amusement appeared in his eyes.

"They're finally here."

Shui Yuerou looked at him, puzzled.

"Is there something special about Shrek Academy?"

Long Yao shook his head.

"There's no need to give them special treatment."

"Just receive them according to the usual procedure."

Shui Yuerou nodded.

"Yes."

Meanwhile.

Outside Skywater Academy's main gate.

Yu Xiaogang and Ma Hongjun stood before the long flight of bluestone steps, looking up at the buildings before them.

The academy's gate was built from ancient bluestone, its pillars covered in marks left by the passage of time.

Stone walls extended into the distance on either side, with pale blue light flowing slowly within them.

An air of antiquity washed over them.

Ma Hongjun's mouth fell open.

"So this is Skywater Academy, the oldest academy?"

Yu Xiaogang was equally absorbed by the sight.

Within the academy, hills and waterways intertwined, while buildings stood half-hidden in the mist.

Above the lake, Water Element gathered continuously.

Even the stone steps beneath their feet held a peculiar power.

Wonder appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes.

"Skywater Academy has a much deeper foundation than I imagined."

"This cultivation environment alone is enough to make countless soul masters fight for a place here."

Ma Hongjun looked around, his gaze soon settling on some Skywater Academy students passing in the distance.

The girls wore matching pale blue dresses. They had lovely faces and graceful, refined bearing.

Ma Hongjun's eyes gradually lit up.

"Teacher, on the way here, I heard that Skywater Academy has a mysterious headmaster."

"Could the headmaster's sudden return be because Shrek Academy is visiting?"

Yu Xiaogang withdrew his gaze and raised a hand to straighten his clothes.

"Of course."

Ma Hongjun turned toward him.

Yu Xiaogang looked haughty.

"Skywater Academy has been quiet for years, while Shrek Academy is already famous across the continent."

"When this mysterious headmaster heard that the Grandmaster was coming, he naturally had to appear in person."

"Skywater Academy will benefit greatly from even a brief exchange with me."

"That means our chance to cultivate using Skywater Academy's resources is as good as secured."

Ma Hongjun nodded eagerly.

"You really are impressive, Teacher."

He looked back at the distant Skywater Academy students, a lecherous grin on his face.

"The girls at Skywater Academy really are top-notch."

"If we stay here to cultivate, wouldn't I be able to..."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at him.

"As long as you don't cause trouble, no one will interfere."

Ma Hongjun's eyes brightened further.

"Teacher, do you mean...?"

Yu Xiaogang did not answer.

His gaze settled on the depths of Skywater Academy, and his expression turned haughty once more.

"Once that headmaster meets a Grandmaster like me, he'll naturally understand Shrek Academy's value."

"When that happens, cultivation resources will be the least of it. Skywater Academy will even take the initiative to cooperate with us."

Yu Xiaogang led Ma Hongjun into the academy.

The two soon met Shui Yuerou.

Shui Yuerou stood beside the lake, looking at them calmly.

Yu Xiaogang raised his head.

"I am Yu Xiaogang, the Grandmaster of Shrek Academy."

"This is Ma Hongjun of Shrek Academy."

"I wish to meet Skywater Academy's headmaster."

Shui Yuerou looked at Yu Xiaogang.

"The headmaster has given no instructions."

Yu Xiaogang frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Shui Yuerou's tone remained calm.

"Without the headmaster's instructions, you are not entitled to see him."

Yu Xiaogang froze on the spot.

Ma Hongjun was stunned as well.

This was completely different from what they had imagined.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shui Yuerou, his expression gradually darkening.

"Do you know who I am?"

"Yes."

"I am Yu Xiaogang, a Grandmaster of theory and a core figure of Shrek Academy."

"I know."

Shui Yuerou nodded.

"So, is there anything else you need?"

Yu Xiaogang's expression grew even stiffer.

He had assumed that once he revealed his identity, Skywater Academy would immediately treat him with importance.

Yet Shui Yuerou had remained utterly calm from beginning to end.

She had not even invited them into the reception hall.

"The headmaster has returned, and Shrek Academy has come to pay him a visit."

With a dark expression, Yu Xiaogang said, "Is this how Skywater Academy treats its guests?"