After bidding farewell to Dugu Bo, Oscar and Dugu Yan spent a month journeying back to Shrek Academy, stopping intermittently along the way.
They enjoyed their time together. For Dugu Yan who had rarely ventured far from home it was an entirely new experience.
Now that Oscar and Dugu Yan were officially a couple, their shared time naturally took on a deeper significance.
This month was essentially a honeymoon for the young lovers. Their soul power hadn't progressed much, but their spirits were high.
When they finally returned to Shrek Academy, the first person they encountered was Teacher Li Yusong, who often wandered the campus to relax and observe.
Although Li Yusong had already heard about Oscar and Dugu Yan's relationship from Gai Yue and Shao Xin Gai Yue had even hinted months earlier that the two were involved everyone at the academy was curious to meet Dugu Yan. After all, they wanted to see the girl who had won the heart of their little monster.
Ma Hongjun in particular was dying to know what kind of charm his future sister in law had to captivate even the obsessive cultivator, Oscar bro.
"Sister, this is Teacher Li Yusong. Before I met you, I studied staff techniques under him," Oscar said as he introduced Dugu Yan.
Dugu Yan nodded politely. "Hello, Teacher Li. I'm Dugu Yan, Oscar's girlfriend."
Although Oscar had been with her for a year, they rarely went out together. However, through his guidance and their time spent this month, Dugu Yan had grown far more confident around others.
Li Yusong offered her warm praise, and after exchanging pleasantries, he accompanied them to Gai Yue's courtyard.
On the way, they didn't run into Ma Hongjun or Dai Mubai. Xiao Yi had already informed Oscar that the two were currently training with Zhao Wuji.
So Oscar decided not to rush to meet them. Instead, he planned to visit his teacher first, then check in with Dean Flender, and finally ask Lu Qibin to assist with Dugu Yan's enrollment.
Although Shrek Academy had few students and lacked official recognition in Soto City, it still possessed valid enrollment credentials as befitted a proper academy.
When they reached Gai Yue's courtyard, the door was open. Oscar led Dugu Yan inside.
She was struck by the beauty of the peach blossom garden, drawn in by its fresh and elegant atmosphere.
Knowing this was Oscar's teacher, Dugu Yan took the initiative to seek him out.
Although she wasn't his direct disciple, she addressed Gai Yue as "Teacher" out of respect for Oscar's relationship with him and Gai Yue was quite fond of her.
Within the courtyard, Gai Yue was practicing swordsmanship amid the blooming peach trees. His strikes were sharp and decisive, yet carried an elegant grace. Ice blue light formed trails around him moonlight and peach blossoms dancing in harmony.
Oscar gently squeezed Dugu Yan's hand, then stepped forward. A cerulean glow appeared in his left hand, from which a jade sword materialized.
"Teacher, allow me to join you in practice," Oscar said softly, raising his sword and joining Gai Yue in the dance.
Gai Yue glanced at him and smiled. "Perfect. Let's see if you've been slacking lately."
Master and student moved through the peach blossom garden, their sword shadows iceblue and cerulean intertwining and scattering petals into the air in a breathtaking display.
Dugu Yan watched with shining eyes. She had always known how exceptional Oscar was, but this sight deepened her admiration.
In the past year, they had never argued not even once. Even during disagreements, he always found a natural resolution.
A girl who had spent her childhood reading popular novels and living with little social contact, Dugu Yan understood how rare it was to meet a boy as gentle and refined as Oscar.
More importantly, he reserved that gentleness solely for her treating others with distance. This partiality gave her a strong sense of security.
However, Dugu Bo had strictly forbidden them from being sexually intimate. So, despite moments of deep emotion and passion, they had always stopped short of consummation.
This restraint was not just difficult for Oscar but even more so for the sixteen year old Dugu Yan. After all, a girl's desire can often exceed a boy's severalfold at that age.
After some time, Gai Yue halted and looked at Oscar with satisfaction.
"Little Ao, I didn't expect that in just over three years, you've already cultivated sword energy. Not bad at all your sword talent might even surpass your teacher's."
"Though you lack a martial soul, your external soul bone is essentially part of your body. Besides not being able to host soul rings, it's not much different. In fact, it's even more flexible. That brings its own advantages and disadvantages."
Oscar smiled faintly. "Thank you, Teacher. I've only recently grasped sword energy. It's greatly enhanced my killing potential. When I draw the sword, even my aura transforms."
He turned the jade sword in his hand. "Also, I have a surprise for you."
Gai Yue nodded, intrigued.
Oscar's spirit energy surged. Under its influence, the jade sword began to change its pure azure hue was gradually replaced by iceblue and crimson.
The two hues merged into a dual toned blade, creating an eerie, noble brilliance rather than disharmony. Against the skyblue background, red and blue fused into a balanced duality fire and ice united.
"Oh?" Gai Yue raised his eyebrows.
Oscar swung his sword. A burst of sword energy slashed outthis time not neutral, but imbued with Gai Yue's signature icy attribute.
The strike instantly froze a humanoid iron frame nearby. A deep gash was etched into its chest before the frost set in completely.
"This?!" Gai Yue was visibly surprised.
Oscar's jade sword had previously been a pure cutting weapon its only strength lay in its sharpness. But now, it carried elemental attributes as well.
This meant Oscar's combat style would become significantly more versatile.
But that wasn't all.
Oscar swung again. This time, the slash was imbued with crimson flames. It struck the same location.
The collision of fire and ice melted the frost, releasing a thick cloud of mist. The iron frame glowed red hot, then when the steam cleared split cleanly across the chest.
"Xiao Ao, is this from the YinYang Ice and Fire Eyes?" Gai Yue asked.
Oscar nodded. "Yes. When I absorbed the Eight Angled Mysterious Ice Grass and Fiery Apricot, my external soul bone began to change. As I refined the remaining medicinal power, the transformation accelerated. When I fully absorbed the two immortal herbs, my soul bone completed its evolution."
"I see," Gai Yue mused. "Since the external soul bone is part of your body, it makes sense it would evolve alongside your body's cultivation. Congratulations. This evolution will greatly enhance your combat power. Even though it can't host soul rings, with your abilities, you'll be no less capable than any other Spirit Master."
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