At night, Oscar tidied up a room next to his own for Dugu Yan. Although the two of them couldn't live together, as a couple and with Oscar's special privileges at Shrek Academy being close by wasn't a problem.
Ma Hongjun's room was to the right of Oscar's, Dugu Yan's was to the left, and Oscar's room was right in the middle.
Dai Mubai's room was in another cabin, not directly adjacent to theirs, though still within the same courtyard.
After arranging Dugu Yan's room, Oscar invited her to wash up together. Once everything was done, he gave her a goodnight kiss before returning to his own room.
Throughout the entire process, Ma Hongjun's face remained expressionless. Though he was envious, he pretended not to notice. When Dugu Yan closed her door, Ma Hongjun followed Oscar back to his room.
It wasn't that Ma Hongjun wanted to sleep in the same room as Oscar he knew even if he wanted to, Oscar would never allow it.
He just hadn't spent time with Oscar for a long while and wanted to catch up with his "boss," share some funny stories from the past year, and maybe get some juicy gossip.
Earlier, with "sister in law" Dugu Yan around, he couldn't ask much. Now was the perfect chance.
Oscar, though helpless about it, didn't drive him away. After all, it had been a long time since they'd chatted freely like this.
And with Dugu Yan not around, certain topics were easier to bring up so they talked about whatever came to mind.
Dai Mubai, after being treated by Shao Xin, had been sleeping all along not because he couldn't wake up, but because Shao Xin had deliberately made him sleep so that he would be fully recovered by morning.
It had to be said, now that Shao Xin had reached the Soul Sage level, he had quite a few tricks in healing.
His soul skills were versatile support, recovery, healing similar to Oscar's first soul skill, though each of Shao Xin's soul skills specialized in a single effect, making them far more effective.
Ma Hongjun asked Oscar many questions, including ones about problems he had encountered in cultivation.
Oscar patiently answered them, especially after learning that Ma Hongjun was continually improving his self created "Flame Phoenix" soul skill series. Oscar felt quite gratified.
Originally, Ma Hongjun could only fight by using his Phoenix flame. Now, he was barely managing to merge soul power and attacks together, creating a true self developed soul skill.
Flender had contributed a lot to this. Although Flender himself had no self created soul skills, some of his techniques had given Ma Hongjun important inspiration.
In that sense, Flender was a fairly competent teacher, having helped Ma Hongjun considerably.
It wasn't until deep into the night that Ma Hongjun reluctantly left Oscar's room. If Oscar hadn't been firm, the kid might not have left at all.
After he was gone, Oscar smiled helplessly, then sat cross legged on his bed to cultivate soul power.
He was now at level 37, not far from level 40. Oscar had already decided what his fourth soul ring would be and he just needed the breakthrough.
The next morning, Oscar woke up early as usual. When he opened his door, he happened to run into Ma Hongjun and Dugu Yan stepping out at the same time.
Oscar gave them a strange look, then gently asked Dugu Yan, "How was your first night here? Comfortable?"
After a night of cultivation, Dugu Yan was in high spirits, her delicate face showing a charming smile. "Ever since I started following you, I haven't really slept at night. I spend every night cultivating, so it's all the same no matter where I am."
Hearing this, Oscar gave a helpless smile. "It's for your own good. But still, you've been working hard lately."
Dugu Yan smiled back. "I understand. If I fall too far behind you, I'd be embarrassed to stay by your side."
Ma Hongjun rubbed his eyes. "Boss, sis in law, it's too early in the morning for all this lovey dovey stuff. How about some training?"
Oscar nodded. "Sure. You can also get familiar with your sister in law's soul skills."
The three of them headed to the training grounds. On the way, Oscar noticed Dai Mubai still hadn't gotten up. He went to check and found the guy still sleeping, so he didn't disturb him.
Oscar was a bit helpless about it his physical strength was ridiculous. At level 37, he was already comparable to a Soul Emperor. That almost full power punch yesterday had made it perfectly normal for Dai Mubai to be bedridden for a day.
This reminded Oscar of the original story when a level 37 Dai Mubai fought a level 29 Tang San. Tang San wasn't Dai Mubai's match, but when both used only two soul rings, Dai Mubai still lost.
Now, Oscar had felled Dai Mubai in one punch. If Tang San tried to take one now… would it kill him outright?
It was almost funny to think that when he first transmigrated, Oscar had planned to stick close to Tang San and hitch a ride to godhood.
But now? The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was already his. He had deep ties with Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan.
Without the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well Tang San's first major cheat in the original story who knew how Tang San's future would change?
Oscar wasn't worried about much else. He just feared that his butterfly effect meddling might alter the plot so much that his foreknowledge advantage would disappear.
If that happened, he'd have to be even more cautious.
Still, even in that case, he had little reason to panic. The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was in his hands, and he'd given Dugu Bo ancient texts on immortal herbs no one else would have a chance to take it.
With Dugu Bo on guard, its existence would remain secret.
As long as he had the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, whether he built his own faction or joined another, it would be his ultimate trump card the foundation of his future achievements.
Thinking along these lines led Oscar to consider Xiao Wu not out of lust, but because she was essentially a walking 100,000 year soul ring and soul bone.
He didn't particularly like or dislike her, but if the opportunity arose, he wouldn't mind claiming her.
The biggest obstacle, of course, was Tang San's father the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent, the Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao.
In the original story, Tang Hao had always known Xiao Wu's identity and had initially planned for her to become Tang San's soul ring.
But later, after Tang San and Xiao Wu fell in love and since Tang Hao's own wife had been a transformed soul beast he neither harmed her nor objected to their relationship.
At this stage, Tang San and Xiao Wu were still in Notting City's academy, with Tang Hao likely watching over them from the shadows.
Although Tang Hao didn't follow them all the time, it was unclear exactly when he was absent except for the Titan Giant Ape incident and early in the Soul Master Tournament, when the original clearly stated he wasn't there.
Oscar had no solid reason to go to Notting City to snatch Xiao Wu, so he kept the idea buried.
Based on the original timeline, Oscar was now twelve and a half years old meaning Tang San and Xiao Wu would come to Shrek Academy in about a year and a half.
It seemed Tang Hao had escorted them there in the original, beaten Zhao Wuji, and given him instructions before leaving.
If that happened again, and Oscar's teacher who would likely be at least level 89 by then discovered Xiao Wu's identity, he might try to capture her. But Tang Hao would undoubtedly step in.
In that case, they'd have no chance at the walking 100,000year treasure.
Originally, Oscar had no strong designs on Xiao Wu, but his teacher would soon need a suitable soul ring for breaking through to level 90.
Even though Xiao Wu's attribute didn't match his martial soul, the quality of a 100,000year soul ring could more than make up for it.
If his teacher could obtain it, not only could he surpass Chen Xin, but he might even challenge the rank 99 realm.
Still, going after Xiao Wu meant turning Tang San into an enemy, and with Tang Hao in the mix, it was far too risky for now.
Shaking off these thoughts, Oscar told himself that imagining scenarios was meaningless unless the day actually came.
Dugu Yan noticed him shaking his head and asked, "What's wrong? Something on your mind?"
Oscar shook his head. "Just thinking about a few things, nothing major."
She smiled. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me. Maybe I can help."
Oscar returned a small smile. "Mm."
Soon, the three arrived at the square. Oscar helped Ma Hongjun familiarize himself with Dugu Yan's soul skills and coached them on team work since Ma Hongjun's phoenix flame could partially counter her poison, poor coordination could easily backfire.
After two hours of light training, the time reached past eight o'clock. With the sun now high, they went to the cafeteria for breakfast.
Dai Mubai was up by then and arrived just as they did. Seeing him mostly recovered, Ma Hongjun grinned. "See, didn't I tell you? You can't guess at the boss's strength."
Dai Mubai's face reddened slightly. He had wanted to test Oscar's strength but had been floored by a single punch without Oscar even using a soul skill.
And Oscar was a support type soul master! That alone made Dai Mubai feel a little embarrassed.
But because of that, he now fully acknowledged Oscar's strength and had learned to set aside his royal pride.
With monsters like Oscar and Ma Hongjun, refusing to submit might just earn him another knockout.
"Don't mention it," Dai Mubai said with a bitter smile. "I was too naive. From now on, I won't go against anything Oscar says. East means east."
Oscar waved it off. "No need to be so serious. We're classmates. Let's eat."
He led Dugu Yan in first, with Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai following.
As they walked, Oscar suddenly looked back. "Since your body's fine, join us for training this afternoon."
Dai Mubai nodded. "No problem. I'll follow your lead."
Though they had only spent less than a day together, Dai Mubai had already heard so many stories about Oscar from Ma Hongjun that his ears had calluses.
After yesterday's one punch defeat, he was completely convinced.
Oscar nodded, sat down with Dugu Yan, and had Shao Xin bring over four breakfasts.
After eating, Oscar took Dugu Yan to theory class.
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai also attended, though both were hopeless at theory despite working hard in cultivation. Unlike Oscar who had basically mastered all the theory in two years and even bought extra books they still needed the lessons.
Dugu Yan, having had almost no systematic theoretical education in the past, was eager to learn now that her body's poison had been cured and she no longer had to avoid close contact with others.
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