Oscar smiled and nodded. The jade sword of sky-blue, crimson, and ice-blue dissolved into a stream of soul power, vanishing back into his body.
"Teacher, I'll be staying at the academy for a while. That means I can train with you properly again. We'll have plenty of chances to spar," Oscar said with a grin.
Gai Yue retracted his martial spirit and nodded approvingly. "Good. I'll be able to see how much you've grown."
At that moment, Dugu Yan stepped forward with a smile. "Teacher, I came to visit you, too."
Seeing her, Gai Yue's expression softened even more. "How has your grandfather been recently?"
"He's doing very well. Not only has his poison been cured, but his soul power has also increased," Dugu Yan replied.
Hearing this, Gai Yue congratulated warmly. "That's excellent news. He's been stuck at level ninety-one for so long—if he's managed to break through, his strength must have risen considerably."
Dugu Yan smiled mischievously. "Teacher, let's not talk about Grandpa. How have you been lately?"
"I can't complain. And now that you two are here, my mood is even better. Who knows, I may soon break through to level eighty-eight."
Dugu Yan's eyes lit up. Hugging Oscar's arm, she said happily, "Then congratulations in advance, Teacher! When you reach rank ninety, I'll have Grandpa find you a hundred-thousand-year soul ring!"
Gai Yue chuckled, knowing she was teasing him. Hundred-thousand-year soul beasts were not as common as cabbages, and each one possessed strength comparable to a Titled Douluo. Even if he and Dugu Bo joined forces, they might not be able to bring one down.
Still, like any elder, he enjoyed hearing such words. "Then I'll gladly accept our little Yan-yan's blessing," he said with a smile.
"Ehehe…"
After sitting down for a brief chat over fruit juice, Oscar finally took Dugu Yan with him to the dean's office. He knocked on the door, and a voice from inside called out:
"Come in!"
Oscar held Dugu Yan's hand, pushed the door open, and entered. Inside, Flender was reclining on a chair by the window, reading a newspaper, humming a little tune, looking quite at ease.
"Dean! You really know how to live it up," Oscar teased with a grin.
Hearing that familiar voice, Flender put down the paper and looked up. When he saw Oscar, he shot upright from the recliner.
"I knew I recognized that voice! So it's you, Xiao Ao! You finally came back—I thought you'd forgotten about Shrek Academy! So? Did you settle everything with the Poison Douluo?"
Oscar smiled. "All settled. And of course, the first thing I did after returning was come to see you."
Satisfied, Flender nodded, then shifted his gaze to the girl beside Oscar. "And this must be Poison Douluo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan?"
Dugu Yan smiled politely. "Hello, Dean. I am Dugu Yan."
"No need to be so formal," Flender replied warmly. "Since you've joined Shrek, this is now your home. Don't hold back here. As for your enrollment, Gai Yue already brought the news back, and Teacher Lu Qibin has finished the paperwork long ago. Nothing to worry about."
Hearing this, Dugu Yan cast Oscar a sweet glance, then smiled back at Flender. "Thank you, Dean."
Flender chuckled, then gave a meaningful look at the two holding hands. "Since Yan-yan has just arrived, Xiao Ao, take her around the academy and get her settled into a dormitory."
Then his expression turned more serious. "I also know about the two of you. And while you may be a couple, within the academy, you still need to live separately. After all, there are other students here. If you two lived together, it would send the wrong message. You don't object to that, do you?"
At this, Dugu Yan's cheeks flushed slightly. She had wanted to live with Oscar—after all, they had secretly shared a bed before, and they had always restrained themselves from doing anything inappropriate.
Now, without her grandfather around, she had been looking forward to letting herself be a little less restrained.
But Flender's words left her curious about Oscar's reaction.
Oscar, however, thought differently. True, Dugu Bo wasn't here—but Gai Yue was. And besides, he was only twelve years old. His focus should be on cultivation, not indulging in romance.
Of course, when the time was right and the atmosphere called for it, he wouldn't resist either.
But since Flender had made it clear, there was no reason to argue.
Oscar nodded seriously. "Understood, Dean. I'll help my sister settle into a dormitory."
Pleased with his response, Flender nodded. "Good. That's all I have to say. You two may go and take a walk around the academy."
Oscar bowed slightly. "Then we'll take our leave."
As soon as they stepped out and closed the office door, Dugu Yan tugged at Oscar's hand, pouting. "What's this? Are you afraid of living with me? Even I, a girl, didn't say anything!"
Oscar looked at her pitiful expression and pinched her cheek. "My good sister, what are you thinking? It's not just your grandfather—even Teacher is here! You want the two of them to team up and beat me black and blue?"
Dugu Yan burst out laughing. "Hmph! So what? I'm not afraid!"
Oscar's face darkened. "Of course you're not. Everyone dotes on you. If we ever quarreled, no matter whose fault it was, the one getting beaten would definitely be me."
Dugu Yan laughed even harder at that, while Oscar could only roll his eyes helplessly. He took her hand and led her out toward the central plaza.
Since Flender said her enrollment was already complete, there was no need to visit Teacher Lu Qibin.
In the central plaza, on the Soul Battle Platform, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai were fighting together against Zhao Wuji.
To have a Soul Sage personally train students in real combat—this was a privilege even the top three academies on the continent (Heaven Dou, Star Luo, and Spirit Hall's academies) couldn't guarantee.
But Shrek was unique—likely the only academy where there were more teachers than students.
And only in such an academy could a Soul Sage instructor personally spar with students.
The moment Oscar and Dugu Yan appeared, Zhao Wuji immediately noticed them. With a single palm, he sent Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai flying, then roared happily:
"Xiao Ao, you're finally back! Old Zhao missed you to death!"
Oscar's face split into a grin. "Teacher Zhao, I missed you too! Without your gravity training, I felt restless every single day."
Hearing that, Zhao Wuji burst into booming laughter. "Haha! That's my Xiao Ao! Hongjun and Mubai aren't as tough as you. Training them is nowhere near as fun as training you!"
Ma Hongjun's face instantly collapsed into misery. Not fun?! I'm practically falling apart here!