Before long, the Great Master had led Tang San to find everyone except Dai Mubai. Six of the Shrek Seven Devils were reunited once more. Seeing Tang San again, everyone was naturally overjoyed. Tang San repeated to them what he had already told the Great Master.
"Little San, what did you say? That Dugu Bo came back to the Academy with you?" Xiao Wu looked at Tang San with some shock, her face slightly pale.
Tang San assumed Xiao Wu was afraid of Dugu Bo's strength and his deadly poisons, and quickly comforted her. "Don't worry, Senior Dugu is actually a decent person. He's already promised me that he won't harm anyone at Shrek Academy. Everything will be fine. Besides, he's now a consultant for our Academy."
Oscar chuckled. "That's fantastic! With a Titled Douluo as our consultant, won't Shrek Academy be able to run roughshod over the whole academic world?"
The Great Master furrowed his brow slightly. "The strength of an Academy doesn't depend on its teachers — it depends on you, the students."
Oscar stuck out his tongue. He was terrified of the Great Master and wouldn't dare talk back.
Xiao Wu's expression didn't improve after Tang San's explanation — in fact, she looked even paler. But since her head was lowered, the others didn't notice anything.
"Master, where is Mubai meditating? I'd like to go see him," Tang San said to the Great Master.
The Great Master replied, "He's at a critical juncture in his secluded cultivation. Better not disturb him for now."
Tang San considered for a moment. "Master, I think I can help Mubai break through the bottleneck at rank forty. I've brought back some gifts that will be useful for every one of us. Ideally, we could cultivate together as all seven — it would give everyone a significant boost."
"Oh?" The Great Master looked at Tang San with surprise. Breaking through Soul Power bottlenecks had always required a Soul Master's own strength and tireless effort. Even the Great Master, who knew Martial Souls so intimately, had never found a shortcut. How could Tang San's words not spark his interest?
The Great Master was a clever man and quickly grasped what Tang San was implying. "What you want to give them — is it medicine you brought back from Dugu Bo?"
Tang San nodded.
The Great Master thought briefly before saying, "Using medicine to boost one's power — could there be side effects? Some Soul Masters have cultivated this way before, but the outcomes were never good. You're all extraordinarily talented already. There's no need to take shortcuts. If you try to force growth, it could end badly."
Tang San said with full confidence, "Master, please don't worry. What I plan to give everyone has been tailored to each person's specific characteristics. There won't be any side effects whatsoever."
Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong — even Zhu Zhuqing — all had looks of curiosity in their eyes. They were dying to know what Tang San had brought back for them.
The Great Master deliberated for a moment before reluctantly nodding. "Very well then. But you must be careful. There can't be any mistakes. Ma Hongjun, go to the beast pens and fetch Dai Mubai. Be careful — don't let the animals hurt you." The fat boy's Martial Soul was the Evil Fire Phoenix, which exerted a strong suppressive pressure on any ordinary beast. Moreover, his strength already exceeded the Great Master's own, so he was the best choice for the errand.
The Great Master knew Tang San was not a reckless person — otherwise he would never have agreed so readily.
Tang San thought for a moment. "Master, we need to find a place where we won't be disturbed. Outside interference would affect everyone's absorption of the medicine's power."
The Great Master considered, then said, "Then use Er Long's former residence. It's completely secluded, and no one would go there lightly."
Since Flandre had taken over the Academy, Liu Er Long had moved into the Academy's teaching building. It wasn't that she found the teaching building more to her liking — it was simply that the Great Master lived there now. The wooden cabins she had previously occupied were naturally left empty.
Before long, Ma Hongjun had returned with Dai Mubai. Mubai hadn't even arrived before his voice came ringing from a distance.
"Little San, you're finally back! If you hadn't come back soon, Xiao Wu would have worried herself to death."
Dai Mubai hadn't changed much compared to before — he simply appeared a bit more composed. Having passed his sixteenth birthday, he carried an added air of dominance, yet his overall presence had grown more restrained. Those evil eyes of his sparkled with vigor, and every gesture he made carried the bearing of a king among beasts.
Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Xiao Wu blushed and couldn't help but let out a soft hmph, offering no defense.
Dai Mubai had been the earliest among the Shrek Seven Devils — aside from Xiao Wu — to befriend Tang San. Their reunion was especially warm. He reached over and threw an arm around Tang San's shoulder. "Fatty says you brought us gifts and that you can help me break through my bottleneck. Come on, show us!"