Shrek Academy's East Gate was unusually lively that day. The roadsides outside the main gate were packed with stalls, almost overflowing with people. Besides students from Shrek Academy, many young Spirit Masters had gathered here.
These were the new students arriving at Shrek Academy to register. As the Douluo Continent's premier Advanced Spirit Master Academy, Shrek's entrance was always bustling with registrants at the start of each academic year, just like this.
Many second- and third-year students wearing yellow school uniforms were stationed at the entrance, helping to maintain order.
"Hello, the registration area is over there," a Disciple noticed Wang Nan and stepped forward to speak.
Wang Nan smiled, flipped his wrist, and pulled out a blood-red school emblem.
"I'm not bringing people to register; I just returned from outside the Academy."
The Disciple's expression changed upon seeing the school emblem, and he immediately became reserved. "I'm sorry, Senior Brother, I thought…"
"It's fine." Wang Nan smiled and put away the school emblem, continuing into the Academy.
In Shrek Plaza, long queues had formed at several registration points. Some Advanced students had gathered in small groups, watching the new students register while reminiscing with those beside them about their own initial enrollment.
Wang Nan swept his gaze across the scene, taking in the entire atmosphere of Shrek Plaza. At the entrance of the new student dormitory, new students who had just passed the entrance examination were walking into the building with their newly received items.
The sun filtered through the tree canopy, and dappled sunlight fell on the empty ground in front of the dormitory building.
After withdrawing his gaze, Wang Nan made his way to Sea God Lake. With a single step, his body stood steadily on the water. He took another step, and no ripples appeared beneath his feet as he made his way toward Sea God Island.
The scenery on Sea God Island remained unchanged. There weren't many Inner Courtyard Disciples to begin with, and they often went out on monitoring missions. At this time, apart from some faint sounds coming from the arena, the rest of the island seemed rather quiet.
However, the moment Wang Nan set foot on Sea God Island, he still felt some differences.
Vague gazes emanated from the shadows, falling upon him before retreating after a moment's pause.
Not rushing back to his dormitory, Wang Nan followed a small path and soon arrived in front of Sea God Pavilion.
The giant Golden Tree swayed gently in the wind, and a familiar aura of life and light fell upon him.
Wang Nan closed his eyes, feeling its power merge with his body. The power of the dragon core within him stirred, and streaks of golden light shimmered across his body.
A dragon core is the essence of a giant Dragon condensed. Although he had absorbed it into his body, its immense power had not been fully digested. However, Wang Nan did not want to borrow Mu En's power from the Golden Tree.
He knew that Mu En had not completely died, but had integrated his power into the Golden Tree to protect Shrek Academy. Let him rest well within the Golden Tree.
The Spirit Core at his glabella vibrated slightly, and all his power was drawn back into his body. The Golden Tree's power simply fell upon him, but it could no longer stir any other power within his body.
After a moment, Wang Nan opened his eyes, turned around, and saw Yan Shaozhe, standing beneath the Golden Tree with his eyes closed, just like him.
Noticing Wang Nan's gaze, Yan Shaozhe opened his eyes and looked over.
"Dean Yan, I'm back."
Yan Shaozhe chuckled softly. Over the past two years, he had re-taken charge of Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, but the aura around him was much calmer than before. Standing beneath the Golden Tree, he finally radiated the Concept of a bright Phoenix.
"You said you were going on a monitoring mission, and you've been gone for over two years. You've missed the Inner Courtyard graduation time."
Wang Nan hadn't expected Yan Shaozhe to mention this first. Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard, like the Outer Courtyard, was theoretically a six-year program. He had entered the Inner Courtyard early, and by his calculations, he did indeed miss the graduation period.
"It's not too late, is it?" Wang Nan smiled.
"Not too late." Yan Shaozhe paused, then added, "Do you have anywhere you want to go after graduation? If you want to stay, you can."
Wang Nan shook his head. "Although this continent doesn't seem very big, there are still many places I haven't been to."
It would be a shame not to explore, having come all this way.
"It's good to venture out." Yan Shaozhe nodded. "You can come back anytime if you wish."
"My monitoring mission doesn't seem to be finished yet, does it?"
"It's not important anymore." Yan Shaozhe shook his head. "Thirty monitoring missions were just to ensure that students graduating from Shrek Academy would follow the right path and do the right things. As long as the student himself is a righteous person, the number has never been important."
"By the way, you should have already broken through to Rank 80, right?"
Yan Shaozhe said, then took another look at Wang Nan. His current aura was even a bit elusive to him.
"Yes." Wang Nan nodded.
"Good. I have to say, you are the most outstanding disciple I have ever seen. A twenty-one-year-old Spirit Douluo, even Ma Xiaotao is slightly inferior to you."
"I won't disturb you anymore. Prepare well before you leave."
Yan Shaozhe left somewhat hastily, as another figure had already arrived nearby.
"You're leaving as soon as you get back?" Ma Xiaotao's long hair reached her waist, and her light red dress accentuated her graceful figure.
She was no longer an Inner Courtyard Disciple of Shrek; she had stayed here as a teacher.
"I haven't left yet, have I? I always have to see others before I go."
"Like Gongyang Mo?"
"Like you." Wang Nan's lips curved upwards. "Let's go, take me for a walk. I haven't been back in two years; I almost don't know the way anymore."
The layout of Sea God Island remained unchanged year-round, so there was no chance of getting lost after being away for two years. However, Ma Xiaotao smiled faintly and came before Wang Nan.
"Alright, then I'll show you around."
The two walked side by side down the mountain. As they were about to descend, Wang Nan looked back at Sea God Pavilion.
"By the way, are Beibei and Huo Yuhao in Sea God Pavilion?"
"No, they should be at the Tang Sect at this time."
"Tang Sect…"
"Yes, they established the Tang Sect in Shrek City. Beibei almost always stays there."
Sea God Island was perpetually enveloped in mist; even at noon, the mist did not dissipate. Looking out from Sea God Island, the Outer Courtyard's scenery could only be vaguely glimpsed.
Ma Xiaotao grew up on Sea God Island. When she was troubled by the evil Phoenix fire as a child, she often ran out to look. But now, this hazy mist also had a certain other Concept to it.
"Let's go, we'll go to Shrek City and visit the Tang Sect."
Hearing Ma Xiaotao's words, Wang Nan slightly tilted his head to look at her.
She said nothing more, just smiled faintly.