By the time Wang Nan finished talking with Mu En, the other people on Sea God Pavilion's mountain peak were no longer visible. Wang Nan left alone, following the mountain path down to the base, where he unexpectedly met someone he hadn't anticipated.
"Uncle, why are you here?"
Although Wang Yan was a teacher, even Outer Courtyard teachers at Shrek Academy were not allowed to enter Sea God Island casually, especially since the Sea God Pavilion, the most important part of Sea God Island, was on this mountain.
Wang Yan was later able to enter Sea God Island because he led the incomplete Shrek Academy to win the Soul Duel Tournament, and thus the Academy made an exception, granting him the qualification to enter and exit Sea God Island.
"Nan'er, why are you here?"
Wang Yan's face was also filled with surprise.
Although they didn't meet often, Wang Yan was still very concerned about his nephew. Therefore, he knew that Wang Nan had participated in this Inner Courtyard assessment. Based on his understanding of Wang Nan's strength, he wasn't surprised that Wang Nan could stay in the Inner Courtyard, but he didn't expect him to come to the Sea God Pavilion.
The uncle and nephew smiled at each other. Only then did Wang Nan explain, "A teacher wanted to see me. I came here to chat for a while."
Wang Yan's eyes widened slightly.
Although Wang Nan didn't explicitly say which teacher it was, anyone living here must be one of the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, and judging by Wang Nan's tone, it wasn't just a casual relationship.
"By the way, Uncle, you still haven't said why you came to the Inner Courtyard?"
Wang Yan rearranged his expression. "I came here for some matters regarding a supervisory mission."
"Is Uncle going to perform a supervisory mission?" Wang Nan's smile faded. All teachers of Shrek Academy are members of the Shrek Supervisory Group, and Wang Yan was no exception. Supervisory missions were never absolutely safe.
"Don't worry, I just returned from a mission." Wang Yan looked at Wang Nan's expression and explained, "Some time ago, the Academy received news about traces of Evil Soul Masters in the Douling Empire, involving a Sect that had already been annihilated, the Heavenly Scale Sect."
Wang Nan's expression became a little subtle upon hearing this. Why did this Sect sound somewhat familiar?
"I've heard about the Heavenly Scale Sect before. Rumor has it they have a secret technique that can evolve Spirits. You know I've always been dedicated to Spirit research, so I also participated in the investigation of this news."
"So, is there a result?" Wang Nan asked curiously.
Wang Yan shook his head upon hearing this. "Although we've confirmed traces of Evil Soul Masters, we couldn't find anyone when we went there."
"The other investigation members are still investigating based on the surrounding clues. I came back first this time mainly for the Heavenly Scale Sect. I've applied for the qualification to read some of the Inner Courtyard's collection of books to see if I can find any information related to the Heavenly Scale Sect, which might provide some clues."
Wang Nan knew that Wang Yan's cultivation talent was average, so he had always been engrossed in Spirit research. In his eyes, the Shrek Academy Inner Courtyard's collection of books and materials were the most precious treasures. Now, being able to look through the collection of books with this opportunity, even if it was only a small part, was enough to excite him for a long time.
Of course, what Wang Nan didn't know was that even the elders needed to go through complicated procedures to read the Shrek Academy Inner Courtyard's collection of books. Wang Yan being able to obtain an opportunity to enter the Inner Courtyard's library as an Outer Courtyard teacher was partly due to Wang Nan's contribution.
"Then Uncle, you go ahead. I won't delay you."
"Okay, then you…" Wang Yan looked at Wang Nan, wanting to say something, but then thought that Wang Nan was already an Inner Courtyard Disciple. The words he wanted to admonish him with changed into another sentence. "Train well after entering the Inner Courtyard, and remember to protect yourself."
"I will." Wang Nan nodded. "Uncle, you also need to be careful."
"Mm."
Wang Nan watched Wang Yan ascend the mountain peak, then turned and walked towards the dormitory. He had just entered the Inner Courtyard and didn't yet know what his assigned dormitory was like. Also, he needed to move his luggage from the Outer Courtyard as soon as possible, or else he wouldn't have a place to rest at night.
Perhaps influenced by the Golden Ancient Tree, the vegetation on Sea God Island was very lush, with tall trees growing on both sides of the road.
Relying on the impression Cai Meier had left when she brought him over, Wang Nan followed the winding path for a while before he saw the red dormitory building again. Someone was already waiting for him downstairs.
Ma Xiaotao wore a red school uniform, her hands clasped behind her back. After seeing Wang Nan approach, she turned her body slightly, her pretty face lifted, and she raised a hand to greet him.
"Congratulations on passing the Inner Courtyard assessment."
"Such quick news." Wang Nan walked forward two steps, and Ma Xiaotao naturally followed beside him.
"It's not particularly quick, is it? The annual Inner Courtyard assessment is usually around this time. By the way, which teacher has the Academy assigned you to train with?"
"Hmm, it should be Vice Dean Cai, I guess." Wang Nan thought for a moment and said, "Dean Cai said before that if I don't understand anything, I can ask her."
"Is that so? I heard that Dean Cai's Spirit is the Evil-Breaking Dragon Soul Spear. You are both Tool Spirits, so you should have many similarities."
Wang Nan nodded upon hearing this. Not only were they both Tool Spirits, but spears and staffs also had some similarities in their usage. It seemed he would have to frequently consult Dean Cai in the future.
The two walked into the dormitory building and happened to see an Inner Courtyard Disciple coming down the stairs. Upon seeing Ma Xiaotao, he stopped in surprise and then very politely called out, "Senior Sister Xiaotao."
"Xiaotao… Senior Sister?" Wang Nan glanced at Ma Xiaotao. This Inner Courtyard Disciple looked much older than Ma Xiaotao.
"You should know, right? Inner Courtyard Disciples have rankings."
Wang Nan nodded. Cai Meier had mentioned to him that the Academy encouraged Inner Courtyard Disciples to spar and even created a ranking based on their strength.
"That Disciple just now is ranked behind me." Ma Xiaotao explained. "The Inner Courtyard doesn't have grade divisions. The Chief Disciple is called Senior Brother or Senior Sister. I don't know when it started, but some Inner Courtyard Disciples also started calling those ranked higher Senior Brother or Senior Sister according to that list."
"Where are you ranked now?"
"Around the tenth position."
There are about sixty Shrek Academy Inner Courtyard Disciples, and the strongest Chief Disciple even has an eight-ring Spirit Douluo cultivation. Ma Xiaotao being able to rank in the tenth position with a five-ring Spirit King cultivation was enough to prove her talent.
"Impressive." Wang Nan gave Ma Xiaotao a thumbs up.
"Why don't you give it a try? With your strength, someone should call you Senior Brother too."
"Let's talk about it next year. After I complete the Inner Courtyard admission procedures, I want to ask for leave to go home first."
Unlike the Outer Courtyard's promotion assessments, the Inner Courtyard assessment, to accommodate the sixth-year Outer Courtyard students who were about to graduate, was held at the end of the semester. Therefore, it was already close to the end of the year after the Inner Courtyard assessment concluded.