Douluo: I’m Lan Minghua, and I Get Stronger by Accepting Disciples

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"Alright, you two, find a scenic spot and establish the Tianlong Gang there. I'm flat broke, so you'll have to figure out the funding yourselves."

Lan Minghua was so poor he felt it was generous enough not to ask Dragon-Subduer and Tiger-Conqueror for money.

"Understood, Sect Leader. We will establish the Tianlong Gang in the shortest time possible and await your return," Dragon-Subduer replied respectfully.

"Go on, but keep a low profile. Try to build the Tianlong Gang in the image of a hidden sect."

Dragon-Subduer and Tiger-Conqueror were puzzled. Why a hidden sect? The original Tianlong Gang had been the most powerful faction in the Xuanwu Kingdom. Nevertheless, their obedience to Lan Minghua was absolute, and they left Shrek Academy immediately to find a suitable location.

Lan Minghua had his reasons for secrecy. Currently, the gang consisted of only three members. Announcing their presence now would be a joke, devoid of any prestige. Until they possessed the strength to challenge the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire, or Spirit Hall, Lan Minghua had no intention of letting the Tianlong Gang make its debut.

That night, sipping wine, he watched Oscar run laps around Shrek Academy. Through sheer willpower, Oscar completed all twenty laps before finally collapsing from exhaustion.

Just before he hit the ground, Lan Minghua appeared and caught him by his sweat-drenched collar. "Pushing yourself this hard, huh? It seems you truly want to prove yourself. Don't worry; as my disciple, you will only become stronger than you were in the original timeline."

He carried Oscar back to the house Zhao Wuji had prepared and used his soul power (or inner power) to cleanse his meridians and restore his body. He then returned to his living room and drank until he was pleasantly drunk.

The next morning, everyone at Shrek Academy awoke early—it was Enrollment Day. The teachers gathered for a briefing.

"As we agreed, Old Li will be in charge of this year's admissions. Any objections?" As Vice-Dean, Zhao Wuji was in charge in Flender's absence.

Li Yusong nodded his assent. It was his turn this year.

Just as Zhao Wuji was about to dismiss them, the usually quiet Shao Xin spoke up. "Old Zhao, is it true? Did Oscar really take the new teacher as his master?"

Shao Xin was a Level 71 Soul Saint whose Martial Soul was the Candy Bean. He had always wanted to mentor Oscar but felt he lacked the power to properly protect him, so he had never made the offer.

"Old Shao…" Li Yusong, his old friend, began, knowing what was on his mind.

Shao Xin shook his head. "Don't worry about me. I just want to know if this 'Huazai' can truly keep Oscar safe."

Zhao Wuji turned back. "Rest assured. Flender personally tested his strength. He's likely even stronger than I am."

"Is that so? Then I can rest easy." Shao Xin smiled, genuinely happy that Oscar had found a good master. He had always seen Oscar as a son, but as a support-type himself, he could never offer the boy true protection. He was content with this outcome.

Li Yusong lightened the mood. "Even if Oscar has another master, he's still the kid we watched grow up. It's not like he'll forget us old-timers just because he has a new teacher." The other teachers agreed; they had always favored Oscar over the arrogant troublemakers, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

"Alright, the sun is high. Let's open the gates," Zhao Wuji joked. "Hopefully, we'll recruit a few little monsters this year. Otherwise, we'll have more teachers than students." With that, they dispersed.

In the boys' dormitory, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun finally awoke. Seeing Oscar's bed empty, Ma Hongjun scoffed, "Hah, he's stubborn, I'll give him that. But he'll come crawling back soon enough, right, Boss Dai?"

"Don't say that, Fatty. Xiao Ao is just temporarily blinded. He'll come to his senses soon." Though Dai Mubai wasn't as dismissive, he too believed Oscar couldn't survive without them. They exchanged a look of silent understanding, neither noticing the new dark circles under their own eyes.

Meanwhile, the person they looked down on had been up training since dawn. Though shabby, Shrek Academy's grounds were vast. Lan Minghua had taken Oscar to a secluded spot to build his physique.

"998… 999… 1,000!" Oscar, bearing a 250-jin weight, completed his thousandth pull-up between two high stones.

Before he could rest, Lan Minghua's voice cut in. "Get up. Keep running. The only way to break through is to constantly push your limits. With me here, you won't train yourself to death."

Unlike Yu Xiaogang, Lan Minghua took full responsibility for his student. Exhausted but determined, Oscar gritted his teeth and ran. After last night, his trust in his master was absolute. He pushed himself mercilessly, and his physical strength and vitality grew at a visible rate. But soon enough, he collapsed again.

Lan Minghua again cleared his meridians and dispelled his fatigue, fulfilling his duty as a master. But he realized the progress was too slow. At this rate, it would take Oscar months, perhaps even years, to master the Indestructible Diamond Body.

"There has to be a faster way to improve his physique without side effects… Of course! Immortal herbs! How could I have forgotten?" he chided himself. Without the aid of immortal herbs, how many of the original Shrek Seven could have ascended to godhood?

Among them was the Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, an herb that invigorates the limbs and opens the eight extraordinary meridians—a perfect match for cultivating an indestructible body. The other herbs would be perfect for future disciples.

As a transmigrator, Lan Minghua knew exactly where the herbs were and who guarded them: Dugu Bo, the Titled Douluo of Sunset Forest. Though Dugu Bo was powerful, Lan Minghua was confident he could take the herbs.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside the academy. Lan Minghua sensed Li Yusong releasing his Soul Emperor-level pressure to quell a group of rowdy parents at the gate. Shrek's unconventional rules had stood for years, a loophole Flender expertly exploited. Complaining to Emperor Xue Ye himself would yield no legal recourse.

Lan Minghua's curiosity was piqued. Without the Dragon Whisker Needles, can Tang San really break through Zhao Wuji's defense? After all, I was the one who took that rutilated quartz from Flender before he could.

Moreover, the future Shrek Seven Devils were nearly all gathered. He could finally scan their talent ratings all at once. And among them was another person who was his target.

(End of Chapter)