Seeing Yu Xiaogang's face filled with excitement, Flender had the urge to say, What does Tang San's victory even have to do with you?
But afraid to hurt his friend's pride, he forced a smile and said, "Tang San truly lives up to being your disciple, Xiaogang. Remarkable performance."
Yu Xiaogang beamed even brighter at the compliment.
"Haha, well, it's mainly because San is determined and talented."
"After all, a master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. No matter how well I teach, it's useless if the student won't learn."
Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others who didn't know the truth started to believe all those mysterious Tang Sect techniques Tang San used had been taught by Yu Xiaogang—and their eyes lit up with eagerness.
If they could learn those techniques, wouldn't they be able to fight far beyond their rank too?
Even Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong began to change their opinion of Yu Xiaogang, thinking perhaps he wasn't so useless after all.
Only Qi Lin and Xiao Wu, who knew the truth, couldn't help twitching the corners of their mouths.
Others might not know, but how could they not?
All those strange skills Tang San used had absolutely nothing to do with Yu Xiaogang.
Xiao Wu's eyes even flashed with a trace of disdain at his shameless credit-taking.
Still, she gave him some face and didn't expose him publicly.
After Tang San's victory, the Shrek group didn't bother continuing with the 2v2 spirit battle. They returned straight to the academy.
---
The Next Day
Training resumed as usual.
But just as Qi Lin began leading the group, Flender flew over from a distance with a cheerful smile on his face.
"Dean Flender, what's got you in such a good mood?" Qi Lin asked as Flender landed.
He had already guessed—most likely, Oscar had broken through rank 30.
As expected, Flender excitedly announced that Oscar had indeed reached rank 30.
Hearing the news, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who were training nearby, immediately stopped and looked over.
It was well known that support-type Spirit Masters cultivated slowly, and food-type Spirit Masters were the slowest among them.
For Oscar to break through to rank 30 at just fourteen years old was already quite impressive.
Of course, even so, Qi Lin still felt that this pace didn't match someone with innate full spirit power.
Looking at the original timeline, both Oscar and Feng Xiaotian had innate full spirit power, but their growth rates didn't reflect it.
Feng Xiaotian had spent time developing his own spirit skill techniques. But Oscar didn't need to develop anything new, and yet still didn't reach rank 30 until age fourteen—which was clearly unreasonable.
Not that Qi Lin doubted Oscar's talent. It was more likely due to Shrek's "free-range" teaching approach and Oscar hanging out with Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun too much, slacking off in training.
Otherwise, even with the slower growth of a support-type Spirit Master, he should've advanced sooner.
After all, he awakened his spirit at age six. It took eight full years just to reach rank 30.
Without Tang San's "cheat" from the immortal herbs in the original storyline, he probably wouldn't reach rank 40 until he was eighteen or nineteen—and might not hit rank 50 until his mid-twenties.
That kind of progression didn't match someone born with full spirit power.
Still, Qi Lin just felt a bit sorry for him. Nothing more.
---
Meanwhile, Flender continued explaining his purpose for coming.
Besides announcing Oscar's breakthrough, he also wanted Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu to accompany Oscar on a trip to the Star Dou Forest to help him get his third spirit ring—just like in the original story.
But Qi Lin instantly rejected the idea.
"Dean, I don't think that's a good idea."
"Sure, letting them gain some experience sounds fine. But they're barely over rank 20. What if something goes wrong? How will you explain that to the powers behind them?"
"Besides, there are too many students and two are support-types. If something really happens, you won't be able to save them all."
"In my opinion, Zhuqing and Rongrong shouldn't go to the Star Dou Forest."
Of course, if Qi Lin went along, nothing bad would happen.
But why should he go?
He wasn't at a point where he needed a spirit ring himself.
He'd much rather stay at Shrek Academy and teach the three girls some proper training. That sounded much more interesting.
Flender frowned at first but quickly realized Qi Lin had a point.
This year's group of students was far more complicated.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were both from Star Luo Empire's royal families.
Yu Xiaogang had already revealed that Tang San had ties to the legendary Clear Sky Douluo.
Ning Rongrong was the treasured daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's patriarch, who had just sent a letter entrusting her to Flender's care.
Ma Hongjun was Flender's personal disciple—he didn't want him hurt either.
In short, this year's class couldn't just be dragged around on risky adventures like in the past.
If anything happened, they'd have no way to explain it.
So in the end, Flender sighed and accepted Qi Lin's suggestion, deciding to have Zhao Wuji take Oscar alone to get his spirit ring.
---
While everything was proceeding as usual at the academy...
Deep beneath the Lake of Life in the Star Dou Forest, within the crystalline palace, a massive silver dragon form suddenly transformed into a tall, graceful woman.
She wore a flowing white and violet dress, her figure elegant and refined. Her long silver hair gleamed like crystal, and her stunning face seemed sculpted by the heavens—too beautiful for words.
Her violet eyes sparkled like amethysts, but carried a chilling aura that made it clear she was not someone to be approached lightly.
The next moment, she took a step and appeared outside the palace's barrier.
Sensing her presence, the mighty soul beasts led by Di Tian knelt on one knee, heads lowered in reverence.
"Greetings, my Lady!"
The Silver Dragon King gave a gentle wave of her hand.
"Enough. You may rise."
An invisible force lifted all the soul beasts to their feet.
Di Tian asked with concern, "My Lady, why have you emerged? Your wounds—"
"It's fine," she replied, her voice cold and divine, filled with unshakable authority.
Then she looked at Di Tian.
"Di Tian, I will be away for a while. During that time—"
"You will be in charge of guarding this place."
Though confused, Di Tian bowed solemnly. "Please rest assured, my Lady. I swear to protect the Star Dou Forest with my life."
"Good."
As soon as she finished, her body vanished on the spot.
---
Outside Shrek Academy
The Silver Dragon King surveyed her surroundings, frowning slightly.
"This... is Shrek Academy?"
"Such a rundown place... Could he really be staying here?"
Just then, Qi Lin approached from a distance and paused in shock at the sight of the woman before him—so beautiful it defied language.
Until now, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen was Bibi Dong.
But when this woman appeared, he knew—Bibi Dong had lost her crown.
After a brief moment of distraction, Qi Lin stepped forward and asked politely, "Hello. Are you looking for someone?"
The Silver Dragon King looked at him. Her previously cold and divine expression suddenly bloomed into a radiant smile.
"Yes, I am looking for someone."
"And now…"
"I've found him!"