Chapter 88: Liu Erlong Has Arrived
On the training ground, in addition to the original Shrek teachers and students, there was another female teacher. She appeared to be nearly thirty years old, with delicate features and an attractive figure. This was likely the legendary Liu Erlong.
In comparison, Flender seemed somewhat pleased, while Yu Xiaogang's face darkened, as if he were suppressing some kind of impulse. His expression was far from the usual serious demeanor.
Flender spoke first, introducing, "Everyone, today I'd like to introduce a new teacher. This is Teacher Liu Erlong, and she will be responsible for your combat training alongside Teacher Zhao."
Liu Erlong looked sharp and competent. As soon as she spoke, she was straightforward: "I've heard from Old Flender that you're all a bunch of little monsters. I hope you won't disappoint me."
The other students seemed indifferent, but Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel a little shocked. Liu Erlong, known as the "Killer's Horn," appeared calm, but she could very well be the most ruthless and brutal teacher among them.
Yang Xiong also found it strange. Liu Erlong was certainly an extremely beautiful woman, so why was she so infatuated with Yu Xiaogang? No wonder Yu Xiaogang was so disliked—such a large disparity in strength between the couple was baffling, especially with Yu Xiaogang acting as though he was being pursued.
Flender seemed to sense something. "Yang Xiong, have you reached Soul Sovereign?"
Yang Xiong nodded. "Teacher Flender, I took leave yesterday to hunt for a soul ring, and now I've reached level 32 Soul Sovereign."
Everyone was surprised. Originally, Yang Xiong had the lowest soul power, but since entering the academy, he had made the most progress. Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun had only increased by two levels, and even Tang San had only advanced by five levels. Yang Xiong had improved by a full six levels—this speed was almost outrageous.
It was hard to believe that less than ten months had passed since joining Shrek.
Next, Liu Erlong truly showed everyone what the "Killer's Horn" was all about. She immediately took on all nine of the Shrek students. Within just a few minutes, all of them were knocked down to the ground. Her strikes were relentless and extremely brutal.
Surprisingly, after Liu Erlong had only been teaching at Tianshou Royal Academy for two days, Flender arranged for a week-long break. He said that everyone needed to balance work and rest, so they would have time to recuperate. He also mentioned that the next phase of training would be even more grueling and dangerous. But Yang Xiong noticed that Yu Xiaogang looked as though he had lost all hope—perhaps the teachers had matters to attend to.
Yang Xiong, along with Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Qin Shuang, returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Once back home, Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel sentimental. This was the longest he had ever been away from the sect, and only when he returned did he feel the warmth of home.
Oscar was still desperately pursuing Qin Shuang. It seemed like Qin Shuang had started to acknowledge him, at least she wasn't as cold as before. Ning Rongrong had even helped Oscar by speaking highly of him in front of Qin Shuang, but unfortunately, Qin Shuang also started calling Oscar "Big Sausage Uncle," which made Oscar feel quite embarrassed.
When they returned to the sect, Yang Xiong's parents, Yang Lin and Sun Yu, were very happy to see him, and even his older brother, Yang Wei, was home. It seemed like Purple Star Academy had given a long break as well.
The family ate together, chatted, and drank, enjoying each other's company. They might not have the best cultivation talents, but they were his real family.
Yang Wei, his older brother, had been working very hard on his training and had reached level 34. He was already a reserve member of the Purple Star Academy's battle team.
Yang Xiong also took the time to organize his medicinal herbs. His eyes glimmered as he looked at the herbs. After the Ice and Fire Tempering, the two spirit herbs had not been fully digested. They were not suitable for consumption at the moment, and since he didn't know much about the properties of the herbs, he hadn't considered using them for his family. He planned to wait until his brother, Yang Wei, graduated before using them.
Especially considering that in about six years, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would face a true catastrophe. There would be an attack from Spirit Hall with 10,000 soul masters and four Title Douluo. His peaceful life would be completely disrupted, and his parents and brother would experience calamities. Yang Xiong only wanted them to survive through this disaster. Nothing else mattered.
Yang Xiong knew very well that even after six years, he would probably only be a Soul Emperor. He wouldn't be able to affect the situation on a larger scale. What the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly lacked was high-end combat power.
Even if Yang Xiong wanted to think ahead, the foundation of everything was to make himself more familiar with the spirit herbs.
Throughout the entire Douluo Continent, only Tang San, Juhu Douluo, and Yang Wudi really understood spirit herbs. These three had their own legacies and kept their knowledge of spirit herbs a closely guarded secret. The real breakthrough point lay with Yang Wudi.
However, it was still too early. Yang Xiong wasn't ready to approach Yang Wudi. After all, he was an extremely fiery top-tier Soul Douluo, and his family was located far in the Star Luo Empire.
After returning to the academy, Yang Xiong mostly spent his time in the gravity control simulated environment for cultivation, aside from shared training sessions.
Looking at the original story, the Shrek students really had only two major opportunities: one was the spirit herbs, and the second was the Sea God Island's trials.
Compared to the Sea God's Light trial, the gravity control simulated environment was significantly weaker. Yang Xiong had considered inviting a Soul Saint skilled in gravity control to simulate the Sea God's Light pressure, but the results hadn't been ideal. Each person had their own soul power fluctuations and attributes, and even a Soul Saint couldn't create long-lasting gravity fields. The gravity simulated environment was more suitable.
The gravity simulated environment had many people, including separate rooms. Aside from normal body training under heavy pressure, Yang Xiong mainly used this environment for meditation.
Although it was initially difficult, as his cultivation improved, his mindset gradually became calmer. Meditating in this environment showed some effects.
However, this form of cultivation tested one's aptitude and mindset. Many people struggled to even focus under the heavy pressure. Only those with extremely strong willpower could continue.
Though the gravity environment was challenging at first, it gradually became effective with time.
Especially from another angle, all three of the soul rings Yang Xiong absorbed were power-type soul rings, making them particularly well-suited for training in the gravity simulated environment.
Time passed quickly, and a year soon went by. During this year, Yang Xiong focused on his cultivation. Once he fully adapted to the gravity environment, he invited Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Qin Shuang to join him. The three of them struggled at first, but as time passed, their results improved, and their training speed increased.
Among the four, Qin Shuang adapted the fastest. Her martial soul was the Great Strength Vajra Bear, which also followed the pure power path. Her physical strength was even stronger than Ning Rongrong and Oscar's, despite being at a much lower rank.
Compared to the steady cultivation of Yang Xiong and his friends, the others were more distracted by various matters.
Liu Erlong was still pursuing Yu Xiaogang, even suggesting that he and Flender take the Shrek group to Blue Tyrant Academy. She even offered to rename Blue Tyrant Academy to Shrek Academy.
But now, Flender was caught in a dilemma. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the three main educators were placing great importance on the Shrek group. They provided all kinds of resources for free, and Xue Qinghe had personally visited multiple times. If they left, they would likely face the opposition of the royal family, especially since the three main educators were all Title Douluo-level experts. It wouldn't be so easy for Flender and the others to leave.
Living in such a favorable environment at Tianshou Royal Academy, it would be hard for the students and teachers to return to a normal environment.
Teachers like Zhao Wuji, who had become used to a lavish lifestyle, were quite satisfied. He had even leveled up to 77, a big improvement. He was simple-minded and carefree, only focusing on training the students and his own training. Life was good for him.
However, there was a small amusing detail. Since Qin Shuang joined, possibly due to having the same martial soul, she and Zhao Wuji had become very close. Zhao Wuji often took the time to train her alone. Qin Shuang, who was extremely competitive, seemed to have developed a better relationship with him than with anyone else. It seemed like Zhao Wuji was treating her like a half-apprentice.
In contrast, Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu had handled most of the temptations for Tang San, blocking invitations from nobility and the advances of various beautiful girls.
But Tang San's life was busy. Besides cultivating, he had to deal with Xiao Wu and also spent his spare time building and assembling hidden weapons. His life had become quite hectic.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was living a life of paradise at Tianshou Royal Academy. He quickly found a beautiful noblewoman as his girlfriend, and even Flender, as his teacher, couldn't stop him.
Dai Mubai had returned to his usual playboy persona. He and Zhu Zhuqing seemed to have a complicated relationship—close yet distant. They seemed to be together but with many barriers. At least he didn't have the same mindset as Tang San, who could resist all temptations. However, Dai Mubai still worked hard in cultivation, and among the group, his soul power was always the highest, considering he was three years older than Yang Xiong and the others.
Zhu Zhuqing continued to train diligently, even more so than when she first arrived at Tianshou Royal Academy. Her training speed wasn't the fastest, but her talent was limited.
Compared to the youthful innocence of the students, the teachers were completely different.
Flender was constantly torn between confusion and excitement. On one hand, he was concerned about Ma Hongjun's situation, and on the other, he was thrilled about the growth of all the students.
Liu Erlong continued to chase after Yu Xiaogang, leaving him feeling quite awkward, and his usual authoritative presence seemed to be fading. It was clear that Yu Xiaogang was internally suffering.
However, it was also true that Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang were once lovers and also cousins, which made this tangled relationship quite troublesome.
(END CHAPTER)
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