Douluo Continent: Taking Tang San as a disciple, with a ten-thousand-fold return for teaching him.

"This time, Boss Francis has gotten ahead of us."

Liu Erlong said softly, his tone tinged with a hint of envy, but more so with a resolute determination: "Xiaogang, don't worry, I will definitely break through this time."

Chen Luo reached out and took her hand, the warmth of his palm passing over her: "Of course I have confidence in you. Level 95 is an important threshold. Once you cross it, your strength will experience a qualitative leap."

"Once Boss Fu emerges from seclusion, he will have reached the Title Douluo level. At that time, our Golden Iron Triangle will be invincible."

Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong's eyes lit up, and she leaned forward slightly: "Then... then can I go to Seagod Island with you? As for the breakthrough, we can go into seclusion when we get back."

She looked at Chen Luo longingly, gently scratching his palm with her fingers: "I really want to go with you..."

Chen Luo couldn't help but laugh when he saw her like this, and reached out to ruffle her hair: "You're so reluctant to part with me?"

"Of course I can't bear to part with it!"

Liu Erlong said matter-of-factly, then looked away somewhat embarrassedly: "I just... just wanted to spend more time with you."

Chen Luo remained silent for a moment, looking at the undisguised longing in Liu Erlong's eyes, and finally softened: "If you really want to go, then let's go together. We can talk about the seclusion later."

Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong's face immediately broke into a bright smile, but the smile only lasted a few seconds before she shook her head and said, "Forget it, I'll just stay in the academy and cultivate in seclusion. You're taking Xiao San and the others to Seagod Island for important business. If I go with you, it wouldn't be good if my breakthrough caused delays in our journey."

She took a deep breath, as if she had made a great decision: "I will stay here and cultivate in seclusion, striving to break through as soon as possible. If all goes well, I might be able to emerge from seclusion ahead of schedule, and then I will go to Seagod Island to find you."

Chen Luo looked at her conflicted expression, wanting to go with him but also afraid of delaying things, and his heart softened.

He stood up, walked to Liu Erlong, and gently pulled her into his arms: "Okay, then I'll wait for you on Poseidon Island."

Liu Erlong buried her face in his chest, gave a muffled "hmm," and wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tightly.

After a while, she let go of his hand, took a step back, and a bright smile returned to her face: "Then I'll have to go into seclusion. Don't miss me too much then."

"I definitely will," Chen Luo replied earnestly.

Liu Erlong's face flushed slightly. She turned around and quickly walked into the house. She glanced back at Chen Luo at the door, waved, and then gently closed the door.

Soon, a steady yet powerful surge of soul energy emanated from the room, signaling the official start of the seclusion.

Chen Luo stood in the courtyard for a moment, and only after confirming that Liu Erlong's soul power was circulating smoothly did he turn around and leave.

Shrek Academy, Dean's Office.

Zhao Wuji was holding a stack of documents, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

After Flander went into seclusion, Zhao Wuji took full charge of the academy, and Qin Ming became Zhao Wuji's assistant dean.

Because of the butterfly effect, Qin Ming remained at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and even led the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team to participate in the Soul Master Elite Tournament. However, after the Soul Master Elite Tournament ended, Flander poached Qin Ming from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy and brought him back to Shrek Academy to work.

As the academy developed better and better, there were more and more things to deal with. Zhao Wuji was so busy that he was overwhelmed. If it weren't for Qin Ming's assistance, Zhao Wuji would have collapsed long ago.

Qin Ming was quickly organizing another pile of documents, occasionally pulling one out and handing it over: "Teacher Zhao, this is the schedule for the simulated cultivation area next month, it needs your signature. And this is a letter of intent for sponsorship from several sects..."

"Oh dear, why is there so much trouble!"

Zhao Wuji threw down his pen and rubbed his temples: "That old man Fu, he went into seclusion and left me with all this mess!"

Qin Ming smiled helplessly: "Teacher Zhao, the academy is growing larger and larger, so it's normal to have a lot going on. These letters of intent for sponsorship can actually be put on hold for now; our academy isn't short of money..."

"We don't lack money, but these are all social obligations!"

Zhao Wuji sighed, "You have no idea how many forces are trying to send people to our academy. The threshold is practically worn down."

Just then, the office door was pushed open.

Zhao Wuji didn't even look up: "What is it now? Didn't we say we'd talk about it later..."

"Teacher Zhao."

Chen Luo's voice rang out.

Zhao Wuji and Qin Ming looked up at the same time and saw that it was Chen Luo. The two immediately stood up.

"master!"

Zhao Wuji's face immediately broke into a smile. "What brings you here? Please have a seat."

Qin Ming also bowed respectfully: "Master."

Chen Luo waved his hand and sat down on the sofa next to him: "No need to be polite. I came to ask how the matter I asked you to handle is going?"

"It's done! It's done!"

Zhao Wuji quickly replied, "The message has already been sent out through the academy's channels. At the latest, the other little monsters will all receive the assembly message within three days. Our academy now has contact points in both Tiandou City and Xingluo City, making it very convenient to transmit messages."

Chen Luo nodded: "Thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work, it's all what I should do."

Zhao Wuji rubbed his hands together. "So, Master, where are you taking the little monsters for training this time? I heard it's some kind of island?"

Poseidon Island.

Chen Luo simply said, "It's a place that's very suitable for their current stage of development."

Although Zhao Wuji had never heard of this place, since it was chosen by the master, it must be the right one.

He chuckled: "Those kids are lucky; following a master always brings good opportunities. By the way, has the mistress returned?"

"It should be soon."

Chen Luo stood up. "I'm leaving the academy's affairs in your hands. When Flander comes out of seclusion, let him know."

"Don't worry, Master, I've got it covered!"

Zhao Wuji patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Tang San was indeed the first to return to Shrek Academy.

When he appeared in the college square, Ma Hongjun, who was sparring with Yu Xiuyuan, almost didn't recognize him.

"You...you're Third Brother?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes widened as he looked the young man in blue up and down.

The Tang San before me was tall and handsome, with a more composed and resolute air about him than his former youthful naiveté.

What is most striking about him are his eyes, clear and deep, as if they can see right through people's hearts.

Although dressed in a simple blue outfit, he exuded an extraordinary air about him.

Yu Xiuyuan was stunned for a while before tentatively asking, "Senior Brother Tang San?"

Tang San, seeing the surprised expressions on his two companions' faces, couldn't help but laugh: "What, don't you recognize me?"

"Oh my God!"

Ma Hongjun circled around Tang San twice, "Third Brother, you've changed so much! I finally managed to lose weight and thought I was quite handsome, but compared to you... sigh, comparisons are odious!"

Yu Xiuyuan also shook his head with a smile: "It has indeed changed a lot, I almost didn't recognize it."

Tang San waved his hand helplessly: "It's just appearance, it's not important. But you guys, your soul power has improved very quickly."

"Of course!"

Ma Hongjun proudly raised his chin: "I'm at the peak of level 58 now, and I could break through to level 59 at any time! Xiu Yuan is also level 58!"

As the three were talking, Yu Xiuyuan suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Senior Brother Tang San, our teacher told you to go to the back mountain to find him after you come back."

Tang San nodded: "Okay, I'll go now. We'll talk later."

After saying goodbye to the two, Tang San strode towards the back mountain of the academy.

After walking along the familiar forest path, we soon arrived near the small courtyard where Liu Erlong lived.

A simple tea table was set up in the open space in front of the courtyard, where Chen Luo was sitting and drinking tea.

Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell upon him, giving this usually stern teacher a more relaxed air.

"teacher."

Tang San stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Chen Luo raised his head, his gaze sweeping over Tang San, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes: "Hmm, your soul power level has reached level sixty?"

"Yes, teacher."

Tang San nodded: "I absorbed the soul bone left behind by my mother."

Chen Luo had already guessed all of this, so he didn't ask any more questions about the topic. He simply put down his teacup and said, "With your father here, why don't you go to the Soul Beast Forest to get your sixth soul ring?"

"My father said that I would be grateful if the teacher would take care of this matter for me."

Tang San answered truthfully, "He said that the teacher would definitely be able to choose a more suitable spirit ring for me."

"Has he already returned to the sect?"

"Yes, he has already gone back. He said he wants to go into seclusion to try and reach a higher level."

Chen Luo stood up: "Alright, I'll take you to find a suitable sixth spirit ring."

"Okay, thank you for your help, teacher," Tang San replied.

Chen Luo didn't leave immediately, but continued, "Before that, there's something else to do. Come with me."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Luo appeared on an open space several hundred meters away.

Tang San dared not delay and immediately used his Ghost Shadow Perplexing Steps to follow.

"Release your Blue Silver Emperor."

Chen Luo looked at Tang San and said calmly, "Then use your first soul skill."

Although Tang San had doubts, he never questioned his teacher's instructions.

He took a deep breath, and blue light surged around him.

A crystal-clear Blue Silver Emperor, as if carved from a sapphire, grew from the palm of his hand, and five spirit rings rose up with it—yellow, yellow, purple, black, and black.

Although he did not have a sixth spirit ring, Tang San's spirit power fluctuations far exceeded those of an ordinary level 60 spirit emperor. The thick and pure aura indicated that once he obtained a spirit ring, his spirit power would reach at least level 62.

The first spirit ring flickered.

Without any warning, a large tree dozens of meters away, requiring two people to hug, was instantly entangled by dozens of thick blue-gold vines.

Those vines were not simply binding, but rather intertwined like they were alive, completely enveloping the entire tree.

The fine thorns on the vines were deeply embedded in the tree trunk. If Tang San had the slightest thought, the tree would be crushed into pieces in an instant.