Watching Drama

"I can guess from the environment the academy is located in," Wu Lan replied thoughtfully while glancing at their surroundings.

Flender narrowed his eyes slightly. "And what does that tell you?"

"A lot. The academy has no money. No money means no resources. So the only thing it can rely on is existing resources, like the Spirit Arena in the city."

Flender was stunned by Wu Lan's words. He was exactly right. Just as Flender was about to respond, Wu Lan continued.

"Dean, Xiao Wu and I have traveled a lot over the years. We've visited many places, met many people, some good, some bad. We've experienced many things and understand what should and shouldn't be exposed." Wu Lan paused, then added, "The Soul Arena is a public place. Many people watch every move made there. The risk of exposure is extremely high."

"Now tell me honestly, Dean, how many people have tried to poach your students?" Wu Lan asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Many tried to recruit me, and some even threatened me when I went to the arena. Dean saved me," Oscar said bitterly.

"Dean, you can protect your students while they're inside the academy. But what happens after that?"

"So, Xiao Wu and I have cultivated on our own until now. We'll continue to do so in the future. We'll be students in name only, but we have our own training methods. If the academy doesn't agree, we'll leave."

"Then why did you even come here?" Flender asked, confused.

"Little San and I grew up in the same village. He asked me to come, so I did."

When they heard that, everyone looked at Tang San strangely, especially remembering how he didn't defend Wu Lan when Rongrong insulted him. Everyone's favorability toward Tang San decreased.

Flender looked at Wu Lan's determined face and realized that if he didn't agree, Wu Lan would really leave, and Xiao Wu would follow him. He sighed deeply and said,

"Okay. The academy will not interfere with your and Xiao Wu's training plans."

Xiao Wu smiled proudly, heart warmed by Wu Lan's words. She gave him a quick nod, feeling secure.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes, hesitating. She wanted to ask Wu Lan if she could join him too, but they had only met the day before. Would he allow it?

Rongrong didn't understand the conversation. Oscar was thinking about something. Ma Hongjun didn't care, he was Flender's disciple. Mubai was a prince, so he didn't care either.

Flender brought everyone's attention back and began his scheme targeting Rongrong.

Just like in the anime, he claimed that support-types should learn how to escape in battle.

But Wu Lan knew the truth, Can a support-type really escape? Maybe they could delay a bit, but escaping from enemies was almost impossible without powerful movement skills like Ghost Shadow Steps.

This is a trap for Rongrong, Wu Lan thought. Not my problem.

She's immature. Her father, in his obsession to make the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan number one, tries to invest in anyone who accepts him. But if they refuse, he treats them as threats.

He's smart, but he makes stupid choices. In the finale, he lost everything.

There's even a rumor he hunts powerful support-type soul masters in secret.

Oscar and Rongrong were running laps around the training grounds.

Everyone else had gone to rest before their night trip to the Soul Arena.

Wu Lan told Xiao Wu to rest, then quietly left for a nearby mountain.

He scanned the surroundings using Blue Silver Sense.

Sensing no one, he found a cave and sat cross-legged inside.

He closed his eyes and suppressed his aura using the Xuan Tian Record.

Then, he pressed on the [Phoenix Essence] and began absorbing it.

A warm current flowed into his body.

The Golden Dragon Blood stirred, as if recognizing its prey.

It surged toward the Phoenix Essence and began devouring it.

Wu Lan's body ignited with heat.

Golden scales flickered on and off across his arms and back.

His bloodline power began to evolve.

The transformation continued for hours.

When it finally ended, Wu Lan opened his eyes.

His physical strength had increased. His understanding of the Law of Destruction had deepened. He could now control the intensity of the destructive energy coating his fists.

But most importantly, he realized something new:

The Golden Dragon Blood needed powerful beast essences to continue evolving.

He sensed the changes in his body.

His presence had shifted.

Sharper. Heavier. More refined.

He had become stronger.

Wu Lan felt excited.

Looking up, he saw it was already night.

He returned to Xiao Wu, who was waiting for him.

"Brother, you're back!" Xiao Wu shouted joyfully, rushing toward him for a hug.

But Orchid suddenly appeared between them, blocking Xiao Wu's way.

"Master is mine," Orchid declared while rubbing affectionately against Wu Lan, clearly enjoying his attention.

Xiao Wu's eyes twitched in irritation.

"You! Just wait and see how I deal with you!" she shouted, then started chasing Orchid, who darted away to escape.

Wu Lan chuckled and calmed both of them down.

"Okay, okay. There's an interesting show to watch tonight. Let's go."

Hearing that, Xiao Wu stopped chasing and said fiercely, "I'll deal with you later!"

Orchid, not backing down, replied with equal spirit, "Come then! Let's see who's afraid of who!" Then she quickly disappeared into Wu Lan's body.

Wu Lan laughed at their exchange.

Soon, they arrived at the training ground, where everyone had gathered.

Zhuqing noticed them and walked over to stand beside them. They greeted each other with a nod.

They saw Flender arguing with Rongrong.

Listening in, Xiao Wu was stunned to hear Rongrong's true personality, threatening Flender.

"Brother, how can she be so unreasonable? She's only at her level and dares to threaten a Soul Saint?" Xiao Wu asked in disbelief.

"She lived like a princess all her life," Wu Lan replied, watching the scene calmly. "Two Title Douluos gave her everything she wanted. She doesn't understand how the world works.."

Watching the drama unfold live felt different. It was surreal, nothing like watching the anime.

Eventually, the drama reached its final stage.

"What?! I'm level 25! I'm the most outstanding genius the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has produced in the last hundred years! And you say I'm the weakest?!"

Flender pointed one by one.

"Wu Lan is a healer, and he reached level 45 on his own.Xiao Wu is level 39.Dai Mubai is level 37.Zhu Zhuqing is level 27.Ma Hongjun's Martial Spirit is defective, but he's still level 29."

Then he paused.

Slowly, he turned to Tang San.

Each second of that pause felt like a slap across Tang San's face.