Dugu Bo nodded to Flender, something like returning the politeness.
“I promised the little freak to be your advisor here, I don’t know whether you’re willing?”
Dugu Bo had never been a person fond of indirectness, and with his position it was also completely unnecessary. He immediately got right to the point with his purpose in coming.
Promising Tang San to come here was admittedly because it was Tang San’s condition, but at the same time the peculiar friendship he had with Tang San was an important factor.
Flender said without the slightest hesitation:
“Of course we are. You coming to this Academy will simply bring light to our humble Shrek Academy. Let alone being an advisor, even if you wanted to be dean it would be no problem.”
Dugu Bo clearly wasn’t interested in Flender’s cordiality. Waving his hand, he said:
“Being dean doesn’t suit me, I haven’t the time to be teaching students. Moreover, my method of cultivation is unsuitable for the vast majority of Spirit Masters. Since you agreed, find me a quiet place to stay. I’ve returned with that little freak Tang San. I’m tired, I’ll rest first.”
Flender immediately agreed. Even if there was nothing prepared in advance, dealing with such ad hoc circumstances wasn’t difficult,
“Then follow me, senior.”
While speaking, he led the way ahead, bringing Dugu Bo into the Academy.
When Dugu Bo passed by Tang San, his lips moved, saying something to Tang San. He then followed Flender away.
Of course he wasn’t really tired, only he always most disliked inconvenience, and didn’t want to be chatting with everyone here.
Watching Flender lead Dugu Bo away, Liu Erlong couldn’t help but ask Tang San:
“Little San, how did you do it? This old freak agreeing to come to our Academy. It’s really too inconceivable.”
Tang San smiled slightly, saying:
“Perhaps it’s because we’re something of kindred spirits. I accidentally helped him with a matter. He said it was because of our friendship that he agreed to come.”
Grandmaster said:
“No matter how, this is excellent.”
“Teacher, is everyone well?”
He naturally meant the other six of the Shrek Seven Devils. Being gone for half a year, Tang San had greatly missed his teachers and companions. Especially Xiao Wu.
Grandmaster nodded with a smile, saying:”
“They’re all very well. I haven’t told them what you’ve been doing before, only saying you’ve been cultivating in seclusion. If you had returned a few days later, maybe we wouldn’t have been here.”
“Why?”
Grandmaster said:
“In this past half year they have all made not inconsiderable progress. Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing have all broken through the thirtieth rank, and already possess their third spirit rings. Oscar’s spirit power has also advanced two ranks, and Xiao Wu has even advanced three ranks. Dai Mubai is in seclusion, attacking the fortieth rank bottleneck. Attacking the bottleneck is a bit difficult, but he should succeed soon. Once he has broken through to the fortieth rank, we will go hunt spirit beasts together to obtain his fourth spirit ring.”
Part 2 (TL by Bagelson)
Listening to Grandmaster, Tang San couldn’t help secretly sigh in admiration. Even though he himself had progressed a lot, his companions hadn’t stayed idle either. Each one’s strength had increased a lot, and now they had all finally reached the thirtieth rank. The Shrek Seven Devils’ fighting strength would no doubt increase significantly.
“Teacher, I’ll go see them.”
Tang San was already somewhat impatient to see his comrades.
Grandmaster smiled and rubbed Tang San’s head, saying:
“You’ve only just returned, won’t you rest a bit first?”
Tang San shook his head,
“I’m not tired. And I still have gifts for everyone.”
Grandmaster said:
“Then come on, I’ll go with you. Erlong, all of you are busy.”
Tang San glanced at Grandmaster, then again at Liu Erlong. The two’s expressions were like always, and no change could be seen on the surface. Even though they didn’t seem intimate, he could feel that Grandmaster seemed to be able to calmly accept Liu Erlong’s existence.
Liu Erlong nodded, her gaze not resting on Grandmaster for long, and brought the teachers in the direction of the Academy’s main building.
Watching them gradually disappear in the distance, Tang San couldn’t help asking:
“Teacher, you and aunt Erlong……”
Grandmaster indifferently said:
“Children shouldn’t ask about adult matters. Let’s go. Your comrades are all cultivating in mimicry environments.”
Grandmaster didn’t bring Tang San towards the teaching bloc, but rather directly towards the forest in the back.
While walking, Grandmaster asked:
“Little San, what did Dugu Bo teach you? What’s actually going on with you and him?”
This question had been in Grandmaster’s heart for a very long time, ever since Tang San showed up after the Golden Iron Triangle fought Dugu Bo, Grandmaster knew Dugu Bo wouldn’t so easily take a shine to Tang San’s character. In this past half year he had practically constantly been worrying about Tang San, after all, Tang San was his only disciple, and even more like a son to him.
Tang San said:
“Dugu Bo kidnapping me was originally because of Dugu Yan. Dugu Yan should have told her grandpa about the time I defeated her, making Dugu Bo interested in my Eight Spider Lances. So he kidnapped me to research the poison in my Eight Spider Lances.”
“Then what happened after? From what Dugu Bo said, it seems you helped him?”
Tang San nodded:
“Something like that. Dugu Bo’s poison skills had some defects. I happened to discover a way to make up for those defects. So out of gratitude he taught me a lot of things relating to using poison. If it wasn’t for that, perhaps I would’ve been unable to return to see you alive.”
Tang San didn’t explain it in too much detail, he could never tell Grandmaster about him coming from Tang Sect. This time together with Dugu Bo not only increased his level of poison use, at the same time it also gave him the best excuse for the Tang Sect poison techniques. Dugu Bo would never tell people that Tang San’s poison was his own. With the world’s number one Poison Douluo as cover, nobody would ever doubt the origin of Tang San’s poison techniques.
“So it’s like that.”
Grandmaster knew on an even deeper level that, originally, having told Dugu Bo about Tang San’s history, the reason why Dugu Bo didn’t dare kill Tang San and instead taught him poison, was greatly related to Tang San’s past. Recalling this, he also felt more at ease.
“Little San, in this time you’ve been constantly studying poison with Dugu Bo, but you mustn’t neglect your spirit power cultivation. Your companions all have sky high talent, if you have fallen too far behind, you will perhaps never be able to catch up. How high is your current spirit power rank?”
Tang San said:
“Thirty seven.”
“En.”
Grandmaster responded automatically, but he reacted very quickly, his footsteps immediately halting, his expression even stiffening a bit more,
“What did you say? Your spirit power is already at the thirty seventh rank?”
Tang San earnestly said:
“Yes! Last time at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, under that board members pressure my spirit power reached the thirty fourth rank. Later cultivating at senior Dugu’s place, I advanced three ranks. Senior Dugu’s place had a lot of precious plants, perhaps it’s because that kind of environment suits my cultivation. Therefore, my spirit power advanced very quickly, already reaching the thirty seventh rank.”
Grandmaster showed a smile,
“It seems that my worries were completely unfounded. Even while
learning poison under Dugu Bo, your spirit power growth was the fastest of everyone. I’m relieved. In less than half a year the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Grand Spirit Fighting Competition will begin. If it continues like this, perhaps, at that time you will also have had the chance to rush to the fortieth rank. If it’s truly like that, then, it might be impossible for you Shrek Seven Devils not to leave a mark.”
Just as he said this, Grandmaster stopped walking. Ahead was a shrubbery, almost as tall as a person, appearing extremely dense. Grandmaster smiled slightly, and yelled towards the shrubbery,
“Xiao Wu, take a break, come see who’s here.”
Hearing the words ‘Xiao Wu’, the smile on Tang San’s face immediately froze, his eyes revealing a deep and grateful mind. He knew that Grandmaster had first brought him to see Xiao Wu because he and Xiao Wu were the closest. Xiao Wu was precisely the person he was most urgent to see.
With a flicker, a white silhouette flashed out of the shrubbery. A pink tender face brimming with childishness, that pair of exceptionally slender taut beautiful legs, further that unbeatably slender yet extremely agile little waist, as well as the scorpion braid hanging to the ground, could it be anyone but Xiao Wu?
“Grandmaster, you’ve come……”
Xiao Wu didn’t finish speaking, because in her eyes had already appeared that person she had waited for the most.
Her pupils contracted practically instantly,
“Ge——”
Not caring about Grandmaster’s presence, Xiao Wu threw herself into Tang San’s embrace, her slender thighs as usual twisting around Tang San’s waist, pulling him close. She nestled her pink tender young face deep in Tang San’s shoulder, her own shoulders trembling fiercely.
Tang San could clearly feel Xiao Wu’s frantic heartbeats. Seeing Xiao Wu again, how couldn’t he be moved?
Wrapping his arms around Xiao Wu, the rims of his eyes were immediately somewhat red.
Right now Xiao Wu was still a bit taller than Tang San, and her completely hanging on Tang San gave a somewhat strange impression.
Grandmaster tactfully didn’t look at them, his gaze instead turning into the distance.
“Good Xiao Wu, don’t cry. Haven’t I come back?”
Tang San lightly stroked Xiao Wu’s back, somewhat choked consoling her.
“Wuuu—— Ge, don’t you want Xiao Wu? Why would you leave for so long……”
It was no wonder that Xiao Wu was so moved, for the six or seven years since meeting Tang San the two had never been apart for more than a month. This time Tang San had been gone for half a year, and moreover she hadn’t known where, Xiao Wu couldn’t describe how much she had missed him. She had repeatedly asked Grandmaster where Tang San had gone, but Grandmaster naturally couldn’t tell her Tang San was together with Dugu Bo, otherwise, what would be done if by any chance Xiao Wu rushed to the Sunset Forest?
“How would I, how would I be willing to part with you? It’s all my fault for letting you worry.”
The front of Tang San’s shoulder was already drenched through by Xiao Wu’s tears. Her long slender legs wrapped tightly about Tang San’s waist, seemingly afraid he would run away again.
Xiao Wu raised her head, and by now her eyes were already thoroughly red, pouting with her little mouth:
“Then in the future you can’t leave me again. Even if you have to cultivate, you still have to bring me along.”
“Fine, fine, I promise.”
While Tang San wiped Xiao Wu’s tears, he repeatedly consoled her.
Xiao Wu’s big eyes blinked and more tears flowed out, both hands grabbing Tang San’s neck, she sobbed:
“Ge, you know I missed you so much, promise, promise never to leave me.”
Tang San without the slightest hesitation said:
“I promise, unless I die, I will never leave Xiao Wu.”
Xiao Wu’s tears then turned to happiness, once again leaning against Tang San’s shoulder,
“Xiao Wu also promises, she will never leave little San Ge, even if she dies she won’t leave.”
To the side Grandmaster helplessly shook his head, in his heart thinking, ‘Today’s youth, huh, really unrestrained. These two little fellows aren’t even fourteen yet. Really precocious.’ But he still didn’t want to destroy their present mood, and only waited quietly.
Tang San was after all more cool headed than Xiao Wu. Lightly swatting Xiao Wu’s butt,
“Good girl, come down, Teacher is still here.”
At this Xiao Wu recalled Grandmaster’s existence, and her charming face immediately blushed, letting go of Tang San’s waist and dropping to the ground. But she still held on to Tang San’s arm, and no matter what was said wouldn’t agree to let go.
“Teacher, let’s go find the others.”
Grandmaster turned to look at the two. Even though they were still young, they could still be considered ready to be a couple. His eyes revealed a smiling expression, nodded, and continued walking into the depths of the forest.
Mimicry environment cultivation locations were chosen differently according to each Spirit Master’s spirit.
Like Xiao Wu’s rabbit spirit naturally was most suited to cultivating in a shrubbery, Dai Mubai was in an animal pen, while Oscar’s was the easiest; as a food system Spirit Master, the kitchen was the place that could best draw out his spirit power. For Ma Hongjun it was a room spread through with stoves.
Of course, these were all just comparatively common mimicry environments. Under even better conditions, the help in cultivation could still increase further.
For instance, if Ma Hongjun could have cultivated in a volcanic crater, then the benefits to him would be even greater. Of course, at the same time the danger would increase substantially.
Part 3 (TL by Bagelson)
In a little while, Grandmaster had already brought Tang San to find everyone except Dai Mubai, and the six Shrek Seven Devils gathered in a hall. Everyone were happy to see Tang San again, and Tang San again repeated what he had said to Grandmaster.
“Little San, what did you say? That Dugu Bo came with you to the Academy?”
Xiao Wu somewhat shocked looked at Tang San, her expression somewhat pale.
Tang San thought Xiao Wu was frightened of Dugu Bo’s strength and poison, and hastily comforted her:
“Don’t worry, senior Dugu isn’t a bad person. He also promised me that he wouldn’t hurt anyone at the Shrek Academy. Nothing will happen. Besides, now he’s also an advisor at our Academy.”
Oscar grinned, saying:
“This really is excellent, with a Title Douluo as advisor, how couldn’t our Shrek Academy’s name spread through the world?”
Grandmaster frowned,
“An Academy doesn’t rely on its teachers, but rather has to rely on you students.”
Oscar stuck out his tongue, but he was terrified of Grandmaster and naturally didn’t dare retort.
Xiao Wu’s expression hadn’t improved from Tang San’s expression, and instead became even paler. Only because she kept her head down, the others didn’t notice anything.
“Teacher, where is Mubai secluded? I’d like to see him.”
Tang San said to Grandmaster.
Grandmaster said:
“He’s at a critical juncture of his cultivation, he mustn’t be disturbed now.”
Tang San pondered, and said:
“Teacher, I think I have a way for Mubai to break through the fortieth rank bottleneck. I’ve brought back some gifts for each of us to use. Best would be for us seven to cultivate together, this would have a significant assistance to our cultivation.”
“Eh?”
Grandmaster somewhat astonished looked at Tang San. Breaking through spirit power bottlenecks had always required relying on the Spirit Masters’ own strength to accomplish via unceasing effort. Even someone as familiar with spirits as Grandmaster had never found a shortcut, how couldn’t Tang San’s words excite him?
Grandmaster wa
s an astute person. Very quickly he became aware of the meaning behind Tang San’s words,
“What you want to give them, is drugs brought back from Dugu Bo’s place?”
Tang San nodded.
After Grandmaster had considered it for a moment, he said:
“Using drugs to promote strength will inevitably have side effects. In the past there has been some Spirit Masters who cultivated like this, but they always met a bad end. You’re already heaven spanning talents on your own. There’s no need for this kind of shortcut. If by any chance you spoiled things with your enthusiasm, the result wouldn’t be pretty.”
Tang San prepared in advance said:
“Teacher, don’t worry. The things I want to give everyone have different properties and uses according to each person. There wouldn’t be any side effects.”
Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and even Zhu Zhuqing, all of them now had an inquisitive expression in their eyes. They all wanted to know what the things Tang San had brought back for them actually was.
After Grandmaster pondered it deeply, in the end he reluctantly nodded and said:
“Fine. However, you have to be careful. You can’t make any mistakes. Ma Hongjun. Go to the animal pen and call over Dai Mubai. Be careful, don’t get injured by the beasts.”
Ma Hongjun’s spirit was the Evil Fire Phoenix, which had a powerful suppressive effect on any common wild animals. Moreover his strength already surpassed Grandmaster’s, so having him go fetch Dai Mubai was naturally best.
Grandmaster knew Tang San wasn’t an impetuous person, otherwise he wouldn’t have easily agreed.
Tang San pondered, then said:
“Teacher, we need a place where we won’t be disturbed. Otherwise if the outside world interferes, it might affect everyone’s ingestion of the medicinal properties.”
Grandmaster thought about it and said:
“Then we’ll go to Erlong’s old place. It’s certainly peaceful there, and nobody would go there lightly.”
Since Flender took over the running of the Academy, Liu Erlong had already gone to live in the school buildings. Of course she didn’t feel the school buildings suited her better, but rather it was because Grandmaster lived there. The little wooden cottage she had lived in before was naturally empty.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 10 - Ice Fire Alchemical Body Page 10
