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"You are all geniuses, monsters—but that means you must train even harder!"
Zhao Wuji was overseeing the cultivation of the eight students: Xu Yunhan, Oscar, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong.
"Ma Hongjun, Tang San, Xiao Wu—you're all at Rank 29. Break through to Rank 30 as soon as possible so we can take you to hunt spirit beasts for your next spirit rings."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong—your spirit power is lower, so you can't afford to slack off."
"Alright, begin your training."
After his speech, Zhao Wuji finally stepped back.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong sat to Xu Yunhan's right, while Tang San and Xiao Wu sat to his left, with Xiao Wu closest to him.
Xiao Wu had a favorable impression of Xu Yunhan. During their battle with Zhao Wuji days ago, he had caught her mid-fall, sparing her a painful landing.
Thanks to Xu Yunhan's "Charm" spirit skill, Xiao Wu's fondness and trust in him had grown steadily over the past few days.
Even Tang San now viewed Xu Yunhan more favorably than Dai Mubai—partly due to Xiao Wu's influence. She hadn't missed a chance to criticize Dai Mubai in front of Tang San, and Zhu Zhuqing's disdain had only reinforced that perception.
Dai Mubai was still trying to win Tang San over, but his efforts were proving ineffective. Though Tang San remained polite, his distance was palpable.
This infuriated Dai Mubai, who inwardly cursed Zhu Zhuqing, Xu Yunhan, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongnon—a bunch of shameless dogs!
Before they knew it, noon arrived, and the group headed to the cafeteria together.
On the way, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xu Yunhan chatted and laughed.
Xiao Wu and Xu Yunhan, in particular, seemed to be getting along famously—enough to make Tang San feel a twinge of jealousy.
Still, since Zhu Zhuqing was openly close to Xu Yunhan, Tang San assumed Xiao Wu's friendliness was nothing more than that.
For now, he only saw Xiao Wu as a little sister, a cherished family member. He hadn't yet realized his own growing feelings for her.
Not surprising, given he's never been in love in either of his lifetimes.
Oscar, meanwhile, doggedly pursued Ning Rongrong despite her indifference. Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai exchanged half-hearted conversation, while Dai Mubai seized every chance to engage Tang San.
Days passed.
Finally, Yu Xiaogang arrived at Shrek Academy.
"Flender, you've met Tang San's father, Tang Hao?"
"Indeed. Tang San truly has twin spirits—just as you guessed."
"I'll remain at Shrek Academy until Tang San reaches his full potential. I can assist in training the others as well."
"Two innate full spirit powers, Evil Eye White Tiger, Netherworld Spirit Cat… Flender, your academy's luck is astounding. These are all treasures. Rest assured, I'll do my best to guide them."
"With you here, Xiaogang, I have no worries. They're in your hands."
...
Flender and Yu Xiaogang spoke at length. As two-thirds of the Golden Iron Triangle, they hadn't seen each other in nearly two decades.
Reunited, they lamented how swiftly time had passed.
Afterward, Flender introduced Yu Xiaogang to Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and the other instructors.
Finally, the eight students were gathered for a formal meeting.
"My spirit power may be stuck at Rank 29, but my knowledge surpasses most. I am more than qualified to teach you."
Yu Xiaogang's tone was firm. "If anyone disagrees or refuses to comply, leave Shrek Academy now.
"Those who stay must follow my training regimen without question."
Flender stepped forward. "The Master's word is Shrek Academy's will. You will obey."
Xu Yunhan was curious—what kind of training would Yu Xiaogang devise?
The answer left him deeply unimpressed.
The cultivation theories Yu Xiaogang lectured on were shallower than what Xu Yunhan already knew.
As for the self-guided cultivation sessions? Utterly routine.
But what truly baffled Xu Yunhan was the long-distance weighted running.
"To temper the body and foster teamwork," Yu Xiaogang claimed.
If spirit masters could strengthen themselves just by running, everyone would do it. Combat relied on spirit skills, not brute stamina.
The teamwork angle, however, caught Xu Yunhan's attention.
He threw himself into the exercises—to sabotage them.
"Evil Eye White Tiger and Netherworld Spirit Cat should be compatible for Spirit Fusion. You two must attempt it," Yu Xiaogang instructed Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up.
But Xu Yunhan cut in. "Master, my spirit is more compatible with Zhuqing's. We've already made progress toward fusion."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "I'll only attempt fusion with Yunhan."
Ning Rongrong smirked. "I support Yunhan and Zhuqing."
Oscar chimed in. "Yeah, Boss and Zhuqing seem like a better match."
Xiao Wu was blunt. "Zhuqing and Dai Mubai's personalities clash."
Ma Hongjun and Tang San stayed silent, but inwardly, they felt sidelined.
Damn them all! Dai Mubai forced a smile. "Perhaps it's not the best pairing. Let's drop it."
With so many opposing him, he had no choice but to retreat.
Faced with overwhelming support for Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing, Yu Xiaogang reluctantly agreed—for now.
But if their fusion attempts failed, he'd revisit Dai Mubai's case.
He also intended to mend the rift between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Very well. Yunhan and Zhuqing, focus on your fusion training. Consult me if you encounter difficulties."
Yu Xiaogang also saw this as an opportunity to test his theories.
"Today's exercise: team combat. You'll divide into two groups."
"Tang San, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and Oscar—Group One."
"Xu Yunhan, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun—Group Two."
Starting with four versus four would allow Yu Xiaogang to assess their spirit skills, combat awareness, and teamwork. If Xu Yunhan proved too dominant, adjustments could be made later.
"Plan your strategies. You have one incense stick's worth of time."
Yu Xiaogang lit the incense.
The two groups separated to discuss tactics.
Ma Hongjun grinned. "Haha, lucky to be on Boss's team. With him here, we've already won.
"He's a Spirit Ancestor—he could take all four of them alone!"
Ning Rongrong glanced at Xu Yunhan. "Really?"
Xu Yunhan shook his head. "This is training. I won't carry the fight alone—you all need experience too.
"Never underestimate your opponents, or you'll end up like Teacher Zhao."
Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing fell silent. Zhao Wuji was a cautionary tale.
"I'll protect Rongrong. As the support, she's vulnerable. Zhuqing and Hongjun will attack first, targeting their support..." Xu Yunhan outlined his plan.
Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Oscar's no threat. Two of his three spirit skills are useless in battle."
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