After bidding farewell to Dugu Bo, Oscar and Dugu Yan spent an entire month on the road before arriving back at Shrek Academy.
Along the way, Oscar made sure to take Dugu Yan sightseeing and enjoy themselves. After all, she had never truly gone out to travel and play before.
Now that the two had confirmed their relationship, this journey naturally took on a different meaning—almost like a honeymoon for the young couple.
Their cultivation progress during this month was modest, but their hearts were full of happiness.
When they finally stepped into Shrek Academy, the first to spot them was Li Yusong, one of the academy's teachers. He often wandered around the academy grounds, partly to relax and partly to keep an eye on things.
Although Li Yusong had already heard from Gai Yue and Shao Xin about Oscar and Dugu Yan's relationship—and especially in recent months when Gai Yue openly confirmed that the two were indeed together—seeing them with his own eyes was another matter.
Everyone at Shrek was curious to meet the girl who had won over their little monster.
In particular, Ma Hongjun was dying to know what kind of charm "sister-in-law" possessed, to have made even the cultivation-maniac Oscar fall under her spell.
"Yan-jie, this is Teacher Li Yusong," Oscar introduced warmly. "Before I met my teacher, I learned staff techniques from him."
Dugu Yan nodded politely. "Hello, Teacher Li. I am Dugu Yan, Oscar's girlfriend."
After a year of encouragement and guidance from Oscar, as well as a month-long journey together, she had grown significantly more open and confident when speaking with others.
Li Yusong's face lit up, repeating "Good, good!" several times in delight. After some brief small talk, Oscar brought Dugu Yan with him to Gai Yue's courtyard.
On the way, they didn't run into Ma Hongjun or Dai Mubai. Another teacher explained that the two were currently undergoing combat training with Zhao Wuji.
Oscar didn't rush to find them. He planned first to greet his teacher, then visit Dean Flender, and afterward ask Lu Qibin to help Dugu Yan complete her enrollment paperwork.
Though Shrek Academy wasn't officially recognized by Soto City, it still issued student documentation—barely enough to count as a proper academy.
Arriving at Gai Yue's courtyard, Oscar found the gate unlocked and led Dugu Yan inside.
The sight of the blooming peach blossoms instantly captured Dugu Yan's heart. She loved the fresh, elegant atmosphere of the place.
Learning this was Oscar's teacher's residence, she eagerly followed him in. Though not Gai Yue's direct disciple, she had long regarded him as "Teacher" out of respect, and he too had taken a liking to her.
In the courtyard, among the peach blossoms, Gai Yue was practicing swordsmanship. His every strike was sharp and decisive yet graceful, each motion carrying an icy aura. Blue frost trailed his blade, weaving sword-light that resembled moonlight and falling petals.
Oscar squeezed Dugu Yan's soft hand, then stepped forward. Azure light flared in his left hand, summoning the jade-like sword born of his external spirit bone.
"Teacher, allow me to practice with you," Oscar said quietly, raising his blade.
Gai Yue glanced at him, then thrust his Frostmoon Sword forward. "Good. Let's see if you've grown lazy."
The two figures crossed in the flower-strewn courtyard. Ice-blue and azure sword shadows intertwined, sending peach petals swirling in a dazzling storm of sword auras.
Dugu Yan watched her boyfriend with shining eyes. She already knew Oscar was outstanding, but she also understood that his excellence went far beyond what others saw.
In the year they had spent together, they had never once quarreled. Even when disagreements arose, Oscar always resolved them gently and naturally.
Though Dugu Yan had little real-world experience, she had read countless romance tales. She understood how rare it was to meet a boy as warm and refined as Oscar.
Even more, he was endlessly gentle toward her, yet carried an entirely different sharpness when facing outsiders. His special tenderness for her filled her heart with a deep sense of security.
Of course, her grandfather Dugu Bo had forbidden them from… crossing certain lines. So even when their emotions and atmosphere carried them to the brink, they could only stop reluctantly.
This restraint was not only a torment for Oscar—it was even harder for the sixteen-year-old Dugu Yan, whose desires as a young woman could burn far more strongly than a boy's.
At last, their spar ended. Gai Yue looked at Oscar with satisfaction and couldn't help but praise:
"Xiao Ao, in just three short years, you've already grasped Sword Intent. Impressive. Your talent with the sword is even greater than mine."
"Though you lack a martial spirit, your external spirit bone is, in essence, a part of your body. Aside from not being able to attach spirit rings, it differs little from a martial spirit—and in some ways, it can even be more responsive. It's both a blessing and a limitation."
Oscar smiled lightly. "Thank you for your praise, Teacher. I only recently comprehended Sword Intent, but it really has sharpened my killing power. When I wield the sword now, my entire aura transforms."
Then, he twirled the jade sword in his hand. "But Teacher, I also have a surprise to show you."
Intrigued, Gai Yue nodded.
Soul power surged within Oscar. His jade sword, originally a pure sky-blue, suddenly gleamed with two new hues—ice-blue and crimson-red.
The colors intertwined, not clashing but instead enhancing each other, making the blade appear both noble and perilous. The twin edges shone separately—one blue, one red—distinct yet subtly harmonizing.
"Oh?" Gai Yue's eyes lit up with anticipation.
Oscar slashed. A brilliant arc of sword energy shot forth—not the usual neutral edge, but one infused with chilling ice, just like Gai Yue's own cold sword aura.
The strike froze the iron training dummy solid. Just before the frost locked it, a deep cut was carved across its chest.
"This?!" Gai Yue was stunned.
Oscar's jade sword had always been non-elemental, its only trait being its cutting power. Yet now it carried elemental force—the icy cold of Gai Yue's sword aura.
This meant Oscar's attacks would not only grow stronger, but his techniques would multiply in variety.
And he wasn't done. With another slash, a crimson flame-laced sword aura burst forth.
It struck the same frozen target, fire clashing with ice. Steam erupted as frost melted, red heat turned the iron glowing hot, and with a loud crack, the iron dummy split clean in two.
"Xiao Ao, is this the result of your cultivation at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?" Gai Yue asked in amazement.
Oscar nodded. "Yes. When I first absorbed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot, my external spirit bone began to change. As I refined the remaining medicinal essence over the months, the evolution became complete. Now, my external spirit bone has fully advanced."
"I see… An external spirit bone is part of your body, after all. That it would evolve makes perfect sense. Still, congratulations. This evolution has greatly boosted your combat power. Even without soul rings, I dare say your swordsmanship is no weaker than any Battle Spirit Master."
Gai Yue nodded approvingly, his eyes full of pride.