Chapter 88: Er Long Arrives

The training ground, besides the original Shrek teachers and students, now also has a female instructor—about thirty years old, with delicate features and a striking figure; she must be the legendary Er Long.

In contrast, Flanders seemed to have a hint of joy, while Yu Xiaogang's face turned ashen, as if suppressing an impulse, completely unlike his usual solemn expression.

Flanders was the first to speak: "Everyone, Little Monster, today I'll introduce a new teacher. This is Teacher Er Long; from now on she'll handle your combat training together with Teacher Zhao."

Er Long looked sharp and capable, and opened very directly: "I heard from Old Boss Fu that you are all a bunch of Little Monsters; I hope you won't disappoint me."

The other classmates seemed indifferent, but Yang Xiong couldn't help a shock inside; this Er Long, known as the Horn of Slaughter, though she appears calm, might be the most ferocious among all teachers.

Moreover, Yang Xiong found it odd: Er Long, being a great beauty, why so infatuated with Yu Xiaogang? No wonder Yu Xiaogang is so hated; the huge power gap between the two spouses is speechless, especially Yu Xiaogang even seems to be being pursued.

Flanders seemed to sense something: "Yang Xiong, have you risen to Soul Elder?"

Yang Xiong nodded: "Teacher Flanders, I took leave yesterday to hunt for a Soul Ring; I'm now a Thirty-two Level Soul Elder."

Everyone was surprised; originally Yang Xiong was at the bottom in soul power, but since enrollment he's had the greatest increase, while Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun have only risen two levels, Tang San at most five, yet Yang Xiong has risen six levels—this speed is almost exaggerated.

It should be noted that from joining Shrek to now is less than ten months.

Then Er Long indeed showed everyone what the Horn of Slaughter is: she personally fought the nine Shrek members; within minutes everyone was knocked to the ground, her attacks merciless and extremely brutal.

Unexpectedly, Er Long had only been teaching at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for two days, yet Flanders arranged a week‑long holiday, saying the students need a balance of work and rest, and the next stage will have tougher and more dangerous training; however Yang Xiong seemed to see Yu Xiaogang looking despondent, probably because some teachers have matters.

Yang Xiong dragged Ning Rongrong, Oscar and Qin Shuang directly back to Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.

Back home, Yang Xiong couldn't help feeling emotional; this is the longest he's been away from the sect in his life, only when returning to the sect does he feel at home.

Oscar has lately still persistently pursues Qin Shuang; Qin Shuang seems to have started to accept Oscar, at least not as cold as before, especially since Ning Rongrong praised Oscar a lot in front of Qin Shuang, but Qin Shuang also called Oscar "Big Sausage Uncle", making Oscar embarrassed.

After returning to the sect, father Yang Lin and mother Sun Yu were very happy, even older brother Yang Wei was at home, and it seemed Zixing Academy also gave a long holiday.

The family ate together, chatted, drank, harmonious; they may cultivate talents like everyone else, but these are their own relatives.

Older brother Yang Wei has been training very hard lately; his soul power has reached Level 34 and he's already a substitute for the Zixing Academy battle team.

Yang Xiong also rearranged his Immortal Herbs, eyes sparkling; since the Ice Fire Tempering Body, those two herbs haven't fully digested, temporarily unsuitable for consumption, and because he doesn't understand many Immortal Herbs' effects nor recognize them, he hasn't planned to give them to his parents or family, at least waiting until older brother Yang Wei graduates.

Especially about six years from now, Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will face a true cataclysm; then the Spirit Hall will attack with ten thousand Soul Masters plus four Title Douluos, shattering his peaceful life, even his parents and older brother will suffer disaster, and Yang Xiong only wants them to survive, nothing else matters.

Yang Xiong also knows clearly that even six years later he'll probably only be a Soul Emperor, having no impact on the big picture, and the sect truly lacks high‑end combat power.

No matter how much Yang Xiong wants, the foundation is that he must learn more Immortal Herbs.

Looking across the entire Douluo Continent, only Tang San, Ju Douluo and Yang Wudi truly know Immortal Herbs; these three each have Inheritance and keep the knowledge secret, so the real breakthrough lies only with Yang Wudi.

However it's still a bit early; at least now Yang Xiong still dares not approach Yang Wudi, who is an extremely hot top Soul Douluo, and his family is in the Star Luo Empire far away.

After returning to the academy, Yang Xiong basically spends most time, aside from joint training, in the Gravity Control Simulated Environment cultivating.

Looking at the original work, the Shrek group truly has only two opportunities: one is Immortal Herbs, the other is the Divine Examination on Sea God's Light on Sea God Island.

Compared to the Sea God's Light of the Divine Examination, the Gravity Control Simulated Environment is clearly far inferior; even Yang Xiong once considered inviting a Soul Saint capable of Gravity Control to create a pressure simulation of Sea God's Light, but the result wasn't ideal, since everyone has different soul power fluctuations and attributes, and even a Soul Saint can't maintain a Gravity Control scene long‑term; the simulated environment is a bit better.

In the Gravity Simulated Environment there are many people and many private rooms; besides ordinary body training under heavy pressure, Yang Xiong mainly meditates there.

At first it was difficult, but as cultivation improved, his mind gradually calmed, and meditation in this environment indeed has some effect.

But this cultivation heavily tests one's talent and mindset; under heavy pressure many find even gathering spirit difficult; only those with extremely firm will can continue.

Yet at the beginning in the Gravity Simulated Environment it was hard to adapt, but over time it indeed benefits cultivation.

Moreover, from another angle, the three Soul Rings Yang Xiong absorbed are all Power‑type Soul Rings, which suit this Gravity Simulated Environment cultivation.

Time flew, and a year passed; during that year Yang Xiong cultivated peacefully, and when he fully adapted to the gravity ecology environment, he brought Oscar, Ning Rongrong and Qin Shuang to train together; the three initially also struggled, but as time went on the effect became more evident and cultivation speed increased.

Among the three, Qin Shuang adapted the fastest; her martial soul is the Vajra Bear, also following a pure power path, and her physical quality even surpasses Ning Rongrong and Oscar, even though Qin Shuang is a level lower than them.

Compared with the four of Yang Xiong training peacefully, others are relatively chaotic, or have more miscellaneous affairs.

Er Long also entangles Yu Xiaogang, even suggesting Yu Xiaogang and Flanders take the Shrek group to Lan Ba Academy; she herself even offers to rename Lan Ba Academy to Shrek Academy.

But now Flanders is in a dilemma; Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and the Three Education Commissioners all highly value the Shrek party, providing free resources, and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe even personally inquired about them multiple times; at this point, trying to leave would likely face targeting from the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, especially since the Three Education Commissioners are all Soul Douluo‑level masters, not something Flanders can just come and go.

Especially being in the extremely favorable environment of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, wanting to return to an ordinary student setting may not be accepted by many students and teachers.

Led by Zhao Wuji, many teachers now seem reluctant to leave; each receives three thousand Gold Soul Coins per month, Heaven Dou Royal Academy even provides cultivation resources, plus various imperial perks, far beyond what Suotuo City could compare; everyone lives extremely comfortably.

In contrast, Lan Ba Academy lags far behind in all aspects; among many High‑level Soul Master Academies, Lan Ba Academy is a rare one that admits civilian High‑level Soul Masters, its finances are not affluent, and its conditions are far inferior to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Flanders and others hesitated repeatedly, finally deciding to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy; if they stubbornly went to Lan Ba Academy, the academy's staff and students would instantly disperse.

It should be known that at Lan Ba Academy, aside from director Er Long, there isn't a single Soul Saint; mainly because Soul Saints are too valuable to hire.

After Zhao Wuji arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he actually rose one level, now at Level 77; this guy is simple‑hearted, honest and reckless, never overthinks, and besides training students he trains himself, living a great life.

There's also a small anecdote: since Qin Shuang entered the academy, perhaps because they share the same martial soul, the two have gotten along very well; Zhao Wuji often trains Qin Shuang alone, and Qin Shuang is also extremely eager, so their relationship is better than with others; it seems Zhao Wuji treats Qin Shuang almost like a half‑disciple.

In contrast, Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu shield Tang San from most temptations; whether noble recruitment or various beautiful girls' allure, the two have blocked them.

Yet Tang San's affairs are also quite busy; besides cultivation he has to deal with Xiao Wu, and also spends spare time forging and assembling Hidden Weapons, so his days are a bit tight.

Ma Hongjun at Heaven Dou Royal Academy lives like heaven, quickly got a girlfriend—a very beautiful noble lady; even if Flanders is his teacher, he can't stop it.

Dai Mubai has reverted to his former flamboyant young master look; between him and Zhu Zhuqing there is a vague distance, they seem to want to be together but have many obstacles; at least he doesn't have Tang San's resistance to all temptations, but in cultivation he's still diligent, and among everyone his soul power leads far ahead, since he's three years older than Yang Xiong and others.

Zhu Zhuqing continues to train diligently, even more so than before joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy; her cultivation speed isn't slow among everyone, but her talent still has limits.

Compared with these students' pure innocence, the teachers are completely different.

Flanders has long been caught in various entanglements and excitement; on one hand tangled about Ma Hongjun's situation, on the other excited by all students' growth.

Er Long relentlessly pursues Yu Xiaogang, making him often extremely embarrassed, even losing some of his former dignity; it's clear Yu Xiaogang's heart is being tormented.

But to be fair, Yu Xiaogang and Er Long were once lovers and also blood‑related cousins; this tangled relationship indeed gives headaches.

(End of chapter)