Signing in for Martial Soul Evolution Liquid!

From what Cao Kun had revealed, the hidden organization [Mount Buzhou] was unquestionably powerful and mysterious.

Joining it meant gaining unimaginable resources, legacies, and protection, with limitless prospects ahead.

But it also meant completely abandoning his current identity to become part of an entirely unknown ancient sect with strict rules.

He might even lose some of his freedom and shoulder unknown responsibilities and risks.

He was the dean of Shrek Academy. Half a lifetime of his hard work had gone into this place, where he had familiar companions and newly recruited students in whom he placed high hopes.

He truly needed time to consider before abandoning all of that and joining an unfamiliar sect.

Cao Kun took in both men's reactions without pressing them. He understood Flender's concerns.

"You don't need to answer immediately, Dean."

Cao Kun's tone was calm. "This concerns your future path of cultivation. It's only right to consider it carefully. I'll give you three days. Whatever you decide after those three days, I'll respect it. However..."

He paused, his voice deepening slightly. "Once those three days have passed, consider today's offer never made. Mount Buzhou's gates will not open again."

This was the final opportunity. Cao Kun could offer them a chance for old times' sake, but he would not wait indefinitely.

Flender's heart tightened, and he nodded firmly. "I understand. I'll give you an answer within three days!"

Cao Kun inclined his head slightly and said no more.

However,

just as Zhao Wuji agreed to join and Flender said he would consider it,

a glimmer of chaos-colored light flashed through the depths of Cao Kun's eyes, too fast for anyone to notice.

At the same time, as he sat in the seat of honor, the Chaos Bell Martial Soul within him, which suppressed the heavens and evolved chaos, trembled gently.

An invisible, intangible ripple of profound power, seemingly beyond the constraints of space and time, silently divided into two streams. Each merged into an extremely well-hidden law imprint before seemingly crossing the void and instantly sinking into the deepest recesses of Zhao Wuji's and Flender's soul origins!

[Indestructible Heart Bell Sub-Imprint]!

This was a special imprint Cao Kun had condensed using the origin power of his Chaos Bell Martial Soul, combined with a sliver of his understanding of the laws of "karma" and "oaths."

Normally, it remained completely hidden, existing in symbiosis with its host's soul.

Not only did it have no adverse effects on its host,

it even subtly nourished their divine soul and slightly increased their affinity for the laws of chaos and order—a hidden benefit of sorts.

But,

if its host disclosed Mount Buzhou's core secrets, whether willingly or unwillingly—especially Cao Kun's true strength, the sect's specific circumstances, or the secret technique of Martial Soul Evolution—

or committed an act that seriously harmed Mount Buzhou's interests, which were really Cao Kun's interests, Cao Kun would immediately sense and activate the sub-imprint!

It would directly refine the host into Cao Kun's puppet!

Immediately afterward, Cao Kun helped the two men assimilate the Spirit Liquid!

Ten minutes later,

Zhao Wuji and Flender emerged from the Mount Buzhou Retreat. Though their faces still showed fatigue and some pallor, their eyes were much brighter than they had been the previous night.

After they drank the [Restorative Spirit Liquid] Cao Kun had given them, its cool, gentle medicinal power, brimming with immense vitality, spread through their bodies. Like fresh spring water nourishing a dried-up riverbed, it rapidly repaired their damaged meridians and internal organs, even dispelling most of their mental exhaustion.

The Spirit Liquid's effects far surpassed those of any supreme healing remedy they had encountered before.

"This Mount Buzhou... truly is unfathomable."

Flender sighed softly and adjusted his now-clean glasses. Alongside the shock in his eyes, there was a growing seriousness and contemplation.

If a little healing Spirit Liquid casually given away could work such miracles, how terrifying must the sect's true reserves be?

And how enticing must the "secret technique of Martial Soul Evolution" and "sect legacies" Cao Kun had mentioned be?

The scales in his heart had already begun tipping heavily to one side.

Zhao Wuji did not think nearly as much about it. He patted his chest, feeling his injuries rapidly healing and his strength returning, and grinned. "Who cares how unfathomable it is? I'm sticking with Kun'er, no matter what! This Mount Buzhou sounds exciting enough to me!"

The two reached the edge of the academy's ruins, and their brows furrowed again at the devastation before them.

"Old Zhao, about the academy..." Flender trailed off. Rebuilding required money and resources, and those were precisely what Shrek Academy lacked most.

"Leave it to Yan'er and me." A calm voice sounded behind them. Cao Kun had come outside at some point, his white robes spotless, as though the previous night's battle had nothing to do with him. Beside him stood Dugu Yan, dressed in pale green and carrying herself respectfully.

"Kun'er, how could we impose on you like that..." Zhao Wuji scratched his head.

"Master, there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Cao Kun waved a hand. "Now that we're family, the academy's affairs are naturally my responsibility too. Yan'er is skilled at preparing medicinal liquids with restorative and purifying effects. She'll soon begin dealing with the lingering soul power turbulence and negative aura here, and help with the initial rebuilding. All the ordinary supplies required will also be delivered as soon as possible."

He paused and looked at Flender. "As for you, Dean, although your injuries and Teacher Zhao's have improved, your origins remain unsettled. You shouldn't overexert yourselves mentally. Why not take this opportunity to enter seclusion for a few days, stabilize your cultivation, and carefully consider what I said earlier?"

Flender's heart tightened at those words. He knew Cao Kun was reminding him of the three-day deadline. He nodded and said solemnly, "I understand. For now, sorry for the trouble of leaving the academy... to you and Miss Yan'er." He glanced at Dugu Yan. This stunning young woman, whose steady aura carried a faintly uncanny quality, was clearly no ordinary person either.

"Also," Flender added, seemingly remembering something, "the new students only enrolled yesterday, and then this happened. They're bound to feel unsettled. Old Zhao and I need to enter seclusion, but the academy's regular lessons can't stop. Cao Kun, you're now the academy's... well, strongest member, and you're also Old Zhao's disciple, so you count as their senior brother. Why don't you teach tomorrow's first lesson? It would also... help them settle down and get familiar with the academy."

He had intended to say "strongest member," but the words felt strange as they reached his lips.

Having a Titled Douluo teach a group of new students only in their teens or twenties in level?

That was simply... using a dragon-slaying blade to kill a chicken.

But there seemed to be no better candidate at the moment.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun were still far from accomplished themselves, while Sister-in-Law Li knew nothing about cultivation.

Although Cao Kun's "level" was absurdly high, he was at least their peer in appearance and Zhao Wuji's disciple, so his position made sense.

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up too. "Yes, exactly! Kun'er, show them a thing or two and keep them in line! Let those little brats see just how much depth our Shrek Academy has!"

Cao Kun was briefly taken aback, then a meaningful smile curved his lips.

Teach Tang San and the others? Their very first lesson, at that?

Now that would be interesting.