Meeting Tang Ya and Xu Sanshi was just a small interlude; Wang Nan's academy life quickly returned to normal.
As his grade got higher, his curriculum also changed. Theoretical courses were mostly finished, with more focus on Training and practical combat.
Sun He's teaching method had always been the same: he would personally spar with each student in every practical combat class to help them improve their shortcomings.
However, as the students' strength grew, he had to use some of his true abilities in practical combat classes.
"Crash—"
With a familiar sound, Sun He's abacus beads scattered across the floor again.
"Alright, that's all for today," Sun He put away his Spirit and looked at the students in front of him. "Wang Nan and Ling Luochen, stay for a moment. The other students can go back. Remember to review what I taught you and don't fall in the same place twice."
Watching the students leave the Fighting Soul Zone, Sun He called Wang Nan and Ling Luochen to his side.
"I called you over because it's related to the Soul Duel Tournament." Seeing Wang Nan and Ling Luochen's confused expressions, Sun He explained, "I know the Soul Duel Tournament was already a year ago, but there's actually something you haven't completed yet."
"In fact, every time preliminary candidates for the Soul Duel Tournament are selected, the Academy arranges a supervisory mission. Firstly, it's to make the preliminary candidates understand the duties of a Shrek Academy Inner Courtyard Disciple and the role of the Shrek Supervisory Group. Secondly, it's to initially train your teamwork."
"However, last year, due to special reasons, your team was incomplete." Sun He said, glancing at Wang Nan. "And not every year there's a suitable supervisory mission for your strength, so the Academy postponed your mission until now."
"Let's go. I'll take you to meet two official members of the Shrek Supervisory Group. They will tell you the specific details of the mission."
Seeing Ling Luochen nod, Sun He spoke again, "I know you don't like to talk much, but as I've said before, a control system Spirit Master must not only control enemies but also control teammates."
"You are the brain of a team and are responsible for coordinating your teammates. Since you chose to become a control system Spirit Master, you must at least learn to communicate with your teammates."
"I, I understand."
"Good, let's go. Coincidentally, one of the two official members leading this mission is a control system Spirit Master. You can also learn from her and see what a true control system Spirit Master can achieve."
The three talked as they traveled, and soon arrived at Sea God Lake. Three Inner Courtyard Disciples were standing there, one of whom was Ma Xiaotao. The other two were also girls. One of them looked somewhat familiar, but Wang Nan had forgotten where he had seen her. Ling Luochen, on the other hand, subtly shifted her gaze, indicating she knew her.
"Alright, I'll see you off here." Sun He stopped and looked at Wang Nan and Ling Luochen. "No Spirit Master's growth is smooth sailing. The path of a Spirit Master is destined to be accompanied by battles and dangers, but as your teacher, I hope you can protect yourselves in this mission and all future missions."
With that, Sun He nodded slightly to the two Inner Courtyard Disciples and then left.
"Senior Sister." Ling Luochen rarely spoke up on her own initiative.
"Luochen, come here." The Inner Courtyard Disciple, called Senior Sister by Ling Luochen, nodded slightly, then looked at Wang Nan. "You must be Wang Nan, right? Actually, we should have met earlier, but you missed the Soul Duel Tournament."
"I'm Zhang Lexuan, and this is Han Ruoruo."
Wang Nan looked at the two Senior Sisters, his gaze lingering on Han Ruoruo for half a second. To him, these two were no longer "strangers"; in fact, one of them might even become his family.
As for Zhang Lexuan, he also remembered where he had seen her. Two years ago, when he had just passed his second-year assessment, Mu En taught him some methods for using mental force. At that time, it was Zhang Lexuan who helped Mu En back to Sea God Island, and they had met once.
However, Wang Nan's changes over the past two years were too great for Zhang Lexuan to recognize him.
"Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister Han." Wang Nan greeted them and gave a brief self-introduction. Soon, the other preliminary candidates also arrived.
"Senior Sister Zhang."
Last year, Zhang Lexuan led Shrek Academy to win the Soul Duel Tournament championship, and she displayed her astonishing strength in the competition, which earned her the admiration of the preliminary team members present.
"Everyone knows each other, so I won't say much. We've gathered today for a Shrek Supervisory Group mission."
At this point, the faces of the preliminary team members became serious.
"This supervisory mission comes from the Douling Empire. In the southeast of the Douling Empire, there is a Linhai City. In recent years, cases of missing children have appeared in the city and have been increasing annually. Although it is within the Douling Empire, it is more often governed by surrounding Sects, so the Douling Empire royal family found it inconvenient to intervene and sent a request for help to the Academy."
"Although it has not been fully confirmed to be the work of Evil Soul Masters, no matter who or what Spirit Beast it is, as long as it harms ordinary people, it falls within our scope of supervision. This is your first mission."
"Does anyone have any objections to me leading this mission?"
The seven preliminary team members all shook their heads.
"Alright, everyone might not know the person next to me. This is Han Ruoruo, also one of the previous Shrek Seven Devils. If a battle occurs during this mission, Senior Sister Han will be in charge of control. Alright, we'll dismiss for today. Go back and prepare, and we'll depart together tomorrow."
After explaining everything, Zhang Lexuan and Han Ruoruo flew towards Sea God Island. Ma Xiaotao glanced at Wang Nan, then spread her wings and followed them.
...
That evening, Wang Nan did not meditate but lay in bed, preparing to get some sleep. After all, he was going on a supervisory mission tomorrow, and he didn't know what he would encounter along the way, so he probably wouldn't have much time to sleep.
"Xiao Nan, are you asleep?" Gongyang Mo's voice was unusually serious.
"Not yet, why aren't you asleep either?"
"I can't sleep." Gongyang Mo simply turned over. "Before, I only thought about entering the Shrek Academy Inner Courtyard, but I never thought that the Inner Courtyard would also have to complete such an important supervisory mission. I'm a bit excited, and of course a little nervous, thinking about departing tomorrow."
Wang Nan was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "You are a support system Spirit Master, so don't rush too far ahead then. Also, some Evil Soul Masters have very strange abilities, and their attack methods are unpredictable. There's a possibility of follow-up attacks even after they turn into corpses, so you must not be careless."
No matter what, after three years of living and eating together, the Gongyang Mo in front of Wang Nan was no longer the cold, textual memory from his previous life, but a living person with a sense of justice. He didn't want the events from his memory to happen again.
"Thank you for your concern, Xiao Nan. I will protect myself." Gongyang Mo blinked. "You also have to protect yourself."