The next day.
By noon, after traveling at a leisurely pace, Salas arrived at Soto City.
Confirming that Tang Hao was not present, Salas boldly made his way toward Shrek Academy.
It was time for him to make his appearance in front of everyone.
Walking along the uneven road, Salas soon reached the so-called entrance of the academy.
It was nothing more than a wooden board with the words "Shrek Academy" hanging loosely on the side, almost unnoticeable.
Salas crossed the threshold peacefully. There was no one guarding the place… the possible face-slapping scene didn't occur.
After walking a few hundred meters, he saw his beloved disciple cultivating her soul power with her teammates.
Just a few days ago, they had battled the Heaven Dou Academy team. Afterward, the Grandmaster and others had instructed them to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation for the next two months, after which they would head to Heaven Dou Academy.
Xiao Wu had been dying to meet her master and tell him everything. After all, he had warned her beforehand, and she also understood the importance of the matter.
Sensing her master's presence, she quickly opened her eyes.
"Master~" Xiao Wu joyfully called out.
Hearing her voice, Tang San and the others also opened their eyes.
They thought it was Yu Xiaogang who had arrived, but only upon opening their eyes did they realize it was someone else—someone wearing a mask.
Unlike the others, who didn't know how to react, Tang San greeted Salas respectfully:
"Senior... long time no see."
"Mm. It seems you've been cultivating well…" Salas's voice came from behind the mask.
By now, Xiao Wu had already stood up and trotted to Salas's side.
She carefully observed her master's changes… His hair was different… The exposed skin on his neck also looked… smoother?
She took Salas's hand and touched it. Indeed, his skin felt like that of a baby.
"Master~ What happened to your hair?" she asked curiously.
She also wondered why her master had shown himself openly today. Didn't he always meet her in secret?
But she didn't question it. Her master must have had a reason. From observing how her brother treated his own teacher, she had learned a lot. Trusting the teacher's judgment was most important.
"I just had a breakthrough in my cultivation… which resulted in my hair adopting the characteristics of my Martial Soul," Salas spoke gently.
"Congratulations, Master, on breaking through in your cultivation!" Xiao Wu said, smiling brightly.
Tang San also heard Salas's words and took a few steps forward to respectfully congratulate him.
Salas nodded silently in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and the others glanced at Tang San and Xiao Wu in silent inquiry. But overall, their attitudes were respectful. Even though they couldn't sense any cultivation from Salas, they weren't stupid. If Xiao Wu called him her master and Tang San—the 'monster'—called him senior, then it was only right for them to show respect.
Seeing their questioning looks, Tang San glanced at Salas. He wasn't sure if he could reveal the truth to his teammates yet...
Salas gave Tang San a subtle nod—a sign of approval.
Tang San quickly introduced Salas to the others as Xiao Wu's master and his savior. As for his name… he didn't mention it, since he didn't know it himself.
Salas let the children talk among themselves as he walked with Xiao Wu to the hillside.
"By the time I return, Flender and the others will likely have been informed already," Salas thought silently, listening to Xiao Wu's chatter.
"Teacher... Dean and the others said we'll be leaving for Heaven Dou City in two months. What should I do now?" After discussing a few things, Xiao Wu brought up the important matter, her face worried.
"Alas... Are you willing to go with them?" Salas sighed, his meaning clear.
Xiao Wu remained silent for a while… She knew that if she said she wasn't willing, her master would take her away. But her brother…
"San-ge will go... so..." she trailed off, lowering her head.
Although her emotional decision frustrated Salas a little, he had wanted her to go with them anyway. Only then would his plan proceed smoothly, so he didn't mind and replied in a voice laced with concern.
"Alright. You can go with them—but under one condition."
"What condition, Teacher…" Xiao Wu asked expectantly.
She had thought he wouldn't allow her to go and had been torn with worry over what to do…
Any sane person would avoid going somewhere dangerous. After all, it wouldn't just endanger them—it would also put their loved ones at risk.
If her identity were exposed, Tang San would be implicated. Xiao Wu knew this well, which was why she hoped her master had another way.
"I'll tell you later… There's still time—two months, anyway," Salas replied calmly.
"Mm. I'll listen to Teacher," Xiao Wu said, feeling a little relieved. Then she began talking about other things.
As he responded to her, Salas was thinking about how to take Tang San and Xiao Wu away for a while.
He also needed to let Tang San know about Xiao Wu's true identity… After all, since Salas had already consumed the Full Moon-Wearing Autumn Dew immortal herb, there was no chance for Tang San to have breakthrough in his Eye Technique so early.
'Sigh… It seems I'll have to meet Tang Hao and give him a greeting,' Salas thought silently.
But who knew when Tang Hao would come? Just two days ago, Salas had stolen his wife… Right now, Tang Hao must be seething with rage, destroying everything in sight.
'Eventually, he'll have to come to terms with reality. When that time comes, he'll show up. Haha.' Salas smirked silently.
At his side, Xiao Wu had already begun telling him about her experiences that month—mostly about what she did with Tang San and how they fought in the Soul Arena, defeating every team.
She also proudly told Salas how her brother had earned a Gold Badge in the Soul Arena.
Of course, Salas praised Tang San to the skies… but inwardly, he was thinking about when he could knock Xiao Wu unconscious again… and do some wicked things to his disciple.
Thinking of this, he licked his lips, craving another taste of her lips—wanting to feel her again.
...
Before long, after their long conversation, Salas returned to the square with Xiao Wu, where Tang San and the others still stood.
Now, in addition to the six children, three more people had joined them.
Seeing them, a smile spread across Salas's face behind the mask.
Xiao Wu took the lead in introducing them.
"Master, this is Dean Flender, this is Teacher Zhao Wuji, and this is Grandmaster—San-ge's master," she said brightly.
She then pointed back at Salas. "This is my master."
After her quick introduction, Xiao Wu stood beside Salas.
Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji looked him over. Though they noticed she hadn't introduced his name, they greeted him warmly.
"So you're Xiao Wu's master! Haha, this girl hid it well," Flender laughed.
Zhao Wuji and Grandmaster gave a polite nod.
"It was on my request that she kept it quiet. She did nothing wrong," Salas replied calmly.
Flender tried to peer into Salas's cultivation, but failed. He exchanged glances with Zhao Wuji and Grandmaster.
"Come, let's continue this inside," Flender said kindly. "It's not proper to keep an honored guest standing out here."