Chapter 91 – Electrolux Awakens!

"It's fine. You've already made great progress in your soul power lately. No need to rush into more training—focus on consolidating your gains first," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, not noticing the hidden thoughts behind Jiang Nannan's words.

The senior sister she referred to was Xian Lin'er, daughter of Elder Song. Since Jiang Nannan was Elder Song's disciple, it made perfect sense for her to call Xian Lin'er her senior.

"Hehe~" The girl giggled sweetly.

"By the way, did Elder Song ask you to transfer to the inner court?" Zhu Ziyang asked.

"She did, but I turned her down," Jiang Nannan replied coyly. "I want to wait until I reach the Soul Ancestor level before transferring."

"That's a good idea," Zhu Ziyang nodded. "I plan to wait until I hit the fourth ring myself before moving to the inner court. Looks like we're in sync again."

"Hehehe!" Jiang Nannan's laughter bubbled with delight.

"Where's the dorm your second senior sister assigned you to?" Zhu Ziyang asked.

"Right next to Sister Le Xuan's," Jiang Nannan replied. "But I don't plan on moving in. First, because you're still in the outer court, and second, I'm not ready to leave Xiaoya just yet."

"Fair enough." Zhu Ziyang chuckled. "Speaking of Tang Ya, did you tell her about what happened to you recently?"

"I did." The girl smiled softly. "As soon as I came back, Xiaoya kept pestering me with questions. You know how obvious my changes are."

As she spoke, she twirled a lock of her silver hair between her fingers.

"That's true. Knowing Tang Ya's personality, there's no way she wouldn't be curious," Zhu Ziyang laughed.

"Exactly! So I told her everything... except that I've taken on a master," Jiang Nannan added.

"Was that Elder Song's request?" Zhu Ziyang immediately understood.

"Mhm." She nodded.

Zhu Ziyang sighed to himself. As expected, in the eyes of inner court powerhouses, outer court students were never truly part of Shrek Academy. But it made sense. Only ten outer court students made it into the inner court each year. Most would return to their home countries or clans after graduation. Only a few would truly serve the academy.

The two arrived at the classroom.

"Hey! The class monitor's back!" a sharp-eyed student shouted, drawing everyone's attention.

"Class monitor!"

"Long time no see!"

"Class monitor, we missed you!"

The reactions varied, but the sentiment was the same: admiration and respect for Zhu Ziyang's strength and leadership.

Class 1, Year 1, was the assault and control specialization, with 87 students—more than any other class in the grade. Naturally, Zhu Ziyang remained the class monitor. No one questioned it.

After all, the title of "strongest first-year" wasn't given lightly.

Zhu Ziyang greeted everyone as he returned to his seat.

"Hey, Zhu Ziyang, where have you been for the past month?" Tang Ya leaned over Jiang Nannan, eyes full of curiosity.

"Secluded cultivation. What else?" he replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"You're amazing—shutting yourself away for over a month! Even your appearance has changed," Tang Ya remarked in awe.

"Not really," Zhu Ziyang laughed it off.

But Tang Ya wasn't wrong. His appearance had indeed changed after the retreat—especially his aura.

Since closing himself within the Golden Ancient Tree, his temperament had transformed drastically. Where he once radiated a bright, proud energy that kept others at a distance, now he exuded calm majesty, refined elegance, and a warmth that inspired trust and closeness from the very first glance.

"Whoa! Now that Xiaoya mentions it, you really do seem different!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed, as if discovering something new. She started curiously touching Zhu Ziyang's shoulders and arms.

"Enough, Nannan," he said, grabbing her hand to stop her.

"Hehe~" she giggled shyly.

Night fell.

In the outer court's first-year dormitory, Zhu Ziyang finally had some time to himself after seeing Jiang Nannan off. He sat cross-legged on his bed, immediately focusing his mind to enter his spiritual sea.

"Hahaha! My dear disciple, it's been a while!"

The moment Zhu Ziyang entered, a hearty laugh echoed through his mind. The voice was old yet powerful. His heart leapt in excitement—he knew exactly who it was.

Sure enough, floating above his spiritual sea was an elderly man with a vigorous spirit. He wore a grey robe, with long silver hair and a face both aged and radiant with vitality. His hands were clasped behind his back, eyes brimming with authority. Even in soul form, his aura was impossible to conceal.

"Teacher... is that you?" Zhu Ziyang asked, slightly unsure.

"Haha, indeed! It's me!" the old man laughed.

It was Electrolux!

"That's wonderful! You're finally awake!" Zhu Ziyang was thrilled. "Is this your true appearance?"

"More or less," Electrolux said with a sigh. "Thanks to you, Ziyang. When your spiritual power broke through, it fed back into my soul, helping me awaken."

It had been exactly six months since Electrolux fell into his deep slumber.

"So, your strength is restored?" Zhu Ziyang asked hopefully.

"Not quite," Electrolux replied with a bitter smile. "At most, my soul has stabilized, and I've recovered more of my memories. True power? That's still a long way off."

"Then back then, how did you...?" Zhu Ziyang began.

"Haha, I had to give my disciple a proper gift, didn't I?" Electrolux said with a chuckle. "I couldn't let that teacher of yours from the outer world outshine me."

"You know about my apprenticeship under Elder Mu?" Zhu Ziyang asked, surprised.

"Of course. Even in slumber, I retained a shred of awareness, watching over this world's rules and events. I've come to understand this Douluo Continent fairly well."

"I see," Zhu Ziyang nodded.

"Your teacher is quite strong. In terms of the system from my world, his strength would be around five hundred thousand spirit force," Electrolux assessed like a wise elder.

"Five hundred thousand spirit force? That's the unit from your world's cultivation system?" Zhu Ziyang asked, intrigued, ignoring the tone.

"Yes." Electrolux nodded. "Compared to your world's cultivation path—though you have actual gods, your system is riddled with restrictions. Those soul rings, for instance—they're quite the burden. In my world, while one cannot become a god through the flesh, the path is less bound. Both systems have their strengths."

"Then what was your true strength, Teacher?" Zhu Ziyang asked eagerly.

"Well, it's a bit embarrassing... Due to certain universal laws, my spirit force was stuck at 999,999," Electrolux said with a wry smile.

Zhu Ziyang was confused. "Does that mean reaching one million spirit force makes you a god?"

"Correct," Electrolux confirmed. "But the implications are very complex. I'll explain once you're stronger."

"Alright," Zhu Ziyang agreed reluctantly.