Three days later, Shrek Academy and the Royal Guard set out on their return journey.
Inside the carriage, the Shrek Academy "little monsters" were gathered together as Oscar finalized the distribution of the soul bones.
The three soul bones were: a 55,000-year Spirit-Condensing Wisdom Skull Bone, a 35,000-year Flame-Burning Explosive Right Arm Bone, and a 28,000-year Swift Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone.
Just like in the original story, the Flame-Burning Explosive Right Arm Bone was given to Ma Hongjun, and the Swift Wind-Chasing Left Leg Bone was given to Zhu Zhuqing, as these two bones were the most suitable for them.
Ma Hongjun had always looked up to Oscar, and Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had already pledged loyalty to him, so giving them these two soul bones was, in a way, keeping the benefits "within the family."
However, the Spirit-Condensing Wisdom Skull Bone was not given to Tang San. For one, he already had a torso bone, and secondly, he had not pledged loyalty to Oscar, so Oscar would not "invest" in him.
Still, Tang San was not dissatisfied. After all, he had already gained plenty of benefits up to this point.
Oscar had truly supported him, so Tang San did not act greedy and demand this skull bone. Though he was tempted, he was not foolish.
Oscar planned to keep this skull bone for himself. Although it was "only" over 50,000 years old, aside from his two external soul bones, Oscar had not absorbed any other soul bones, so this one was quite rare and valuable for him at the moment.
Even though his goal was to collect a full set of 100,000-year soul bones, that was not very realistic, so Oscar decided to absorb this one himself.
At the same time, Oscar took out another soul bone and gave it to Ning Rongrong. This was the head bone obtained from killing Shi Nian.
It was a gem-type soul bone, perfectly compatible with Ning Rongrong. Oscar had two reasons for giving it to her.
First, it was to strengthen the relationship between the Sword Sect and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Oscar had already taken many benefits from the clan when he used the Qiluo Tulip, including three soul bones, so giving one to Ning Rongrong now was not really a loss.
Second, it was because of Ma Hongjun. Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong already had feelings for each other, and as Ma Hongjun's big brother, Oscar wanted to give Ning Rongrong this soul bone as a gesture to help their relationship progress.
Ning Rongrong was both surprised and flattered.
"Big Brother, I can't accept this soul bone. It isn't part of our championship reward. How could I just take it for nothing?" Ning Rongrong quickly waved her hands, though she was clearly tempted.
Oscar explained the soul bone's effects, and Ning Rongrong felt it was as though it had been tailor-made for her. Still, she felt uncomfortable taking something she had not earned.
The soul bones given to Tang San and Ma Hongjun before were rewards they had worked for and deserved. But this one,she had not done anything special to earn it.
Oscar smiled. "It's not really getting something for nothing. You played a key role in the tournament. And I'm also giving you this because of Hongjun."
"He and I were both orphans. As his big brother, I guess you could say this soul bone is a token of love from him, through me."
Ma Hongjun was instantly moved to tears, clutching Oscar's arm and crying loudly, "Big Brother…"
Oscar indulgently patted Ma Hongjun's head. "Get lost."
Everyone laughed, while Ma Hongjun shamelessly clung to Oscar.
Ning Rongrong blushed, not knowing what to say. Seeing her hesitation, Ma Hongjun directly snatched the soul bone from Oscar's hands and placed it in her arms.
Ma Hongjun said softly, "Rongrong, just accept it. Big Brother's intention… is also my intention."
Ma Hongjun no longer stood on ceremony with Oscar, fully considering himself one of Oscar's people. If Big Brother had this intention, why would he reject it?
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong blushed even more deeply, looking first at Ma Hongjun, then at the soul bone in her hands.
Dugu Yan laughed. "Rongrong, just accept it. Look at Hongjun's eager expression,no one could bear to refuse him. And besides, you two already have feelings for each other."
The others half-jokingly encouraged Ning Rongrong as well. Seeing Ma Hongjun's expectant face, she solemnly said to Oscar, "Big Brother, thank you."
Then she turned to Ma Hongjun. "You said it yourself. This is our token of love now. If you ever treat me badly, I'll get Sister-in-law and Big Brother to teach you a lesson!"
Dai Mubai put an arm around Ma Hongjun's shoulder. "Rongrong, no need for Big Brother. If he dares bully you, Zhuqing and I will help you sort him out."
The carriage was filled with laughter. The usually confident, slightly aloof Ma Hongjun had become everyone's target of teasing.
No one was dissatisfied with the soul bone distribution. This was clearly the best arrangement. Oscar keeping the skull bone for himself was also well-deserved.
Oscar looked at everyone and smiled. "I've watched all of you grow up. The tournament is over now. Though you have faced challenges, your lives are just beginning."
"So, I know you don't feel like cultivating right now. Why don't we talk about your plans for the future?"
Hearing this, everyone began to think seriously.
Tai Long, Huang Yuan, Jing Ling, and Jiang Zhu were the first to speak. They all had similar ideas.
They were at most eighteen years old, still eligible for the next Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. Their strength was not yet enough to meet Flender's graduation standards, so they decided to stay in the academy and continue studying.
They wanted to achieve what Oscar and the others had this time and bring more glory to the academy.
Given their current strength, there was still much for them to learn, so staying to study was the right choice.
This time, they had been substitutes, but next time, they wanted to become the main force.
Ning Rongrong planned to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with Ning Fengzhi. The clan had already mentioned this during their previous gathering.
At Ning Rongrong's current level, there was little left for the academy to teach her. The clan had its own specialized training program for Seven Treasure Glazed Tile pagoda users, so returning home was the best choice.
Ma Hongjun did not choose to go with her. He wanted to follow Oscar and see the world, though he planned to visit her at the clan whenever he had time.
But Oscar refused to let Ma Hongjun follow him, telling him instead to travel the continent on his own. He encouraged him to stop by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan from time to time to deepen his relationship with Ning Rongrong.
Though Ma Hongjun wanted to follow Oscar, since Oscar refused, he could only accept his suggestion.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing would of course return to the Star Luo Empire. They had already surpassed Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, giving them an advantage in the struggle for the throne.
Though they still had few ministers supporting them, the high-ranking officials who had attended the tournament had witnessed their power and talent. Most would likely support them after returning.
They needed to use this advantage to quickly consolidate power in the court and secure the throne.
Thinking of this, Oscar decided Ma Hongjun should not wander the continent alone after all. What could be more tempering than a throne struggle?
So, he let Ma Hongjun accompany Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing to the Star Luo Empire, visiting Ning Rongrong if time allowed.
Tang San had not yet decided exactly what to do. He still had no news of his father, but he already had a rough plan: to restore the glory of the Tang Sect in this world.
So, he planned to travel around the continent, searching for his father while gathering talents to form the new Tang Sect.
Xiao Wu, of course, would follow Tang San wherever he went.
As for Oscar and Dugu Yan, they would naturally stay together. Oscar did not reveal what they planned to do.
After everyone had decided their futures, Oscar set a five-year appointment: five years later, they would all reunite at Shrek Academy to see what everyone had achieved.
One by one, everyone shared their plans and discussed their dreams.
Ma Hongjun even boasted that if he helped Dai Mubai become Crown Prince, then once Dai Mubai became Emperor, he would make him Prime Minister, second only to the Emperor himself.
Everyone burst into laughter at this. Though Ma Hongjun was indeed strong and talented, he had no aptitude for politics. If he really became Prime Minister, the court would likely collapse.
In another carriage, Flender and Liu Erlong were riding together.
The atmosphere slowly became strange between the two of them.
At last, Flender could no longer hold back the feelings he had buried for years. He said affectionately to Liu Erlong, "Erlong, you have seen Xiao Gang's true nature. I want you to give me a chance. I don't want us to stay in this ambiguous state forever. I like you. I've liked you for half my life. Please give me the chance to take care of you…"
Flender spoke passionately for a long time. At first, Liu Erlong blushed and could not meet his gaze.
But as Flender spoke of events from more than ten years ago, recounting details she had never known, Liu Erlong's eyes turned red as she looked at him.
Choking back tears, she said, "Why didn't you say anything earlier? I thought all those things were done by Xiao Gang, so I…"
Flender smiled bitterly. "Back then, I only wanted to fulfill another's wish. Later, I realized I had already fallen in love with you. But Xiao Gang was so pitiful that I kept letting him have his way."
"Looking back now, I only did it because of misplaced sympathy. If I had known this would be the result, why would I have foolishly let you go?"
As Flender opened his heart, they revisited their past, re-examining many old events. The more they analyzed, the more they saw Yu Xiaogang for what he truly was,selfish, stubborn, and arrogant.
If Flender had not tolerated him for so long, they might have parted ways long ago.
Because of Flender's patience and support, the three had remained close friends. Only now did they fully see Yu Xiaogang's true nature.
No one knew how much time passed, but Liu Erlong finally leaned against Flender's shoulder, completely letting go of her feelings for Yu Xiaogang. She opened her heart, agreeing to be with Flender and to see if they were truly suited for each other. If they were, they would marry. If not, they would stay like siblings for life.
Flender was not discouraged. He vowed to prove with his actions that he was the man most suited for her.
The return trip was smooth and uneventful. Half a month later, they arrived back in Heaven Dou City.
After returning to the academy, Ma Hongjun and the others immediately went to absorb their soul bones.
Before returning to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Ning Fengzhi met with Oscar again. The soul bone Oscar had given Ning Rongrong was truly rare, and Ning Fengzhi greatly admired Oscar's generosity.
They spoke for a long time. Ning Fengzhi mainly wanted to know what Oscar planned to do in the future. Given his strength, it was impossible for him to remain at Shrek Academy.
Oscar did not reveal his exact plans, only saying that he would return to the Sword Sect, train in seclusion, and gradually begin managing sect affairs.
After Ning Fengzhi left, Xue Qinghe also came to Shrek Academy. Emperor Xue Ye had promised that if the Heaven Dou division won the championship, he would fund the academy under the royal name and grant it imperial protection.
Xue Qinghe came bearing these rewards: one million gold soul coins and a formal renaming of Shrek Academy to Shrek Royal Academy. Emperor Xue Ye even personally endorsed it.
In an instant, Shrek Royal Academy became famous across the continent. Even before the enrollment season began, countless students were eager to apply.
After all, who would not want to study at the champion academy? Becoming champion proved that this was the number-one academy on the continent.
Moreover, Shrek Royal Academy would have two Titled Douluos giving lectures every year,something no other academy could offer.
Once Xue Qinghe had handled official matters, she invited Oscar to a tavern. She wanted to know his future plans as well.
Oscar was the only true genius she had met besides herself and the only one with the potential to catch up to her, so she was very curious about what kind of future such a person would plan for himself.
Oscar did not know her exact intentions, but he could guess. His answer was the same as what he had told Ning Fengzhi: he would return to the sect, train, and start handling sect business.
For Xue Qinghe, this answer carried another implication,Oscar was the future heir of the Sword Sect. Ao Yue probably had no chance anymore.
After leaving, Xue Qinghe sent this information back to Spirit Hall, so that Hu Liena could reconsider her options.
After all, she and Ao Yue were not officially engaged yet, so there was still room to reconsider.
Whatever the case, she was still a member of Spirit Hall. Even if she disliked Bibi Dong, she had to think of Spirit Hall's interests.
That was why she came to test Oscar so soon. Fortunately, she gained useful information, making the trip worthwhile.
Follow me on my patreon for 60 Advanced chapters and 3 chapter daily updates pat*eon.com/GodofTranslation889