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Outside Soto City, near a patch of wild grass.
The Shrek group finally stopped, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion. They were all violently heaving, desperately trying to catch their breath. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong were drenched in sweat. Even Oscar, usually the least physically taxed, was panting heavily.
Dai Mubai wiped the sweat from his face, looked at Flender, and asked in a deep voice, "Dean, where are we running to? Are we going back to the Academy?"
Flender's expression was grim, veins slightly bulging on his forehead. After a moment's thought, he shook his head. "Since they've already found their way to Soto City, then the Academy definitely isn't safe either. Dai Mubai, we can't go back to the Academy."
"Who exactly are 'they'?" Dai Mubai was startled, his confusion deepening. "Dean, doesn't our Academy have an Advanced Spirit Master who became an Elder in Spirit Hall? Why are we still afraid of enemies showing up at our door?"
When he said this, everyone's eyes turned to Flender. Flender's body visibly stiffened. His old face flushed crimson, his eyes darting around, and the sweat on his forehead seemed even heavier than when he was running.
"Yu Xiaogang, damn you!"
"You idiot, I really don't know how Erlong-mei ever fell for you."
He cursed inwardly again. What Spirit Hall Elder was in the Academy? What Titled Douluo-level Advanced Spirit Master? This was entirely a fake story he had created when he first founded Shrek Academy to attract more students. Now, with Yu Xiaogang flaunting it everywhere and others exploiting the lie, it was truly as embarrassing as it could get!
Just then, Yu Xiaogang (referred to by Flender and others as Yu Xiaogang) slowly stepped forward, his expression somewhat solemn. He extended his hand and gently waved at Dai Mubai, saying earnestly, "Dai Mubai, Flender and I have some things we need to discuss privately. You can ask your questions later."
Dai Mubai paused, nodded, and stepped aside.
"Xiao Gang, what do we do next? The Spirit Hall people have already found their way to Soto City, and I don't think we can go back to Shrek Academy," Flender said in a deep voice.
A hint of irritation flickered in Yu Xiaogang's eyes. He said, "Indeed, I really didn't expect the Spirit Hall people to find us so quickly." As he spoke, his tone suddenly deepened, and he said coldly, "I think Little San's identity was exposed by a spy within the Academy."
Hearing this, Flender's face changed slightly. He looked at Ning Rongrong not far away and couldn't help but whisper, "Xiao Gang, are you saying…"
"Besides her, who else could it be? We just don't have concrete evidence yet. If she weren't the Sect Master's daughter of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, I would expel her from the Academy immediately," Yu Xiaogang's expression turned cold. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth.
Flender sighed inwardly, his face also darkening. He said in a deep voice, "Xiao Gang, given the current situation, I'm afraid we only have one option: go to Heaven Dou City."
"Go to Heaven Dou City for what?" Yu Xiaogang was slightly startled, his brows tightly furrowed in confusion.
Flender took a deep breath and slowly began to speak. "Now that the Spirit Hall people have come knocking, we can't stay in Soto City any longer. Where else can we go? Of course, to Heaven Dou City. After all, Er—" The words caught in his throat, and he abruptly stopped, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes. He quickly changed the subject. "Xiao Gang, on the way here, I already discussed it with Qin Ming. I want the children to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. What do you think?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned ashen, his eyes suddenly sharp. He almost shouted a rebuttal. "Absolutely not!"
"These children are ones I have painstakingly cultivated! Their growth, their future, all depend on me alone. If you let them join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy now, wouldn't that be helping someone else? Absolutely not!"
Upon hearing this, Flender reached out and gently patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder, his tone softening with a hint of helplessness and persuasion. "Xiao Gang, don't be so agitated. Think about it carefully. We can't return to Shrek Academy now, and besides going to Heaven Dou City, where else can we go?"
"Moreover, even if we could go back, Shrek Academy's finances are very tight. You know better than anyone that the little monsters often don't even get enough to eat, let alone be provided with a good simulated cultivation environment.
" At this point, he sighed, his gaze turning briefly to the Shrek Seven Devils gathered not far away, a hint of pity flashing in his eyes. "Furthermore, if we stay at Shrek Academy, we won't even be eligible to participate in the Pan-continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Competition two years from now."
Yu Xiaogang's chest heaved violently. After a moment of silence, he again waved his hand in refusal. "Absolutely not! Absolutely not! Little San is my direct disciple, and I will not allow anyone to interfere with his teaching! He is my hope for proving my Spirit theory! If we must join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, you take the others! But Little San must stay!"
No sooner had Yu Xiaogang's words fallen than a crisp slapping sound abruptly rang out.
"Slap!"
Flender suddenly delivered a slap, forcefully knocking Yu Xiaogang's face to one side, a fiery red palm print slowly appearing. The next second, he abruptly grabbed Yu Xiaogang by the collar of his shirt, pulling him up entirely.
"Yu Xiaogang!" Flender roared, "Don't be so selfish, alright?! If the Shrek Seven Devils are missing one person, can they still be called the Seven Devils?!"
Yu Xiaogang's breath suddenly hitched. A hint of shock and anger was in his eyes, yet under Flender's harsh gaze, he seemed somewhat flustered.
"You always want to prove yourself, always want to get rid of the title of a good-for-nothing! But have you ever considered, if Little San can't even participate in the Pan-continental Advanced Spirit Master Elite Competition, what will you use to prove your Spirit theory?!" Flender's roar grew louder and louder, carrying long-suppressed resentment and disappointment. "Do you want to live your entire life with the title of a good-for-nothing?! I really don't know how Erlong-mei ever fell for you!"
That slap he just delivered carried a bit of a personal grudge. After all, just now, he had lost so much face because of Yu Xiaogang's reckless flaunting of a lie!
"I, I…" Yu Xiaogang was rendered speechless by Flender's barrage of questions. He glared at Flender, but the anger he had felt earlier had gradually dissipated, slowly turning into dejection, making him look like a deflated balloon.
Seeing this, Qin Ming, Zhao Wuji, and Tang San immediately rushed over. They forcibly separated Flender and Yu Xiaogang. The scene became somewhat chaotic, and the surrounding Shrek Seven Devils and members of the Royal Fight Team were also stunned by the sudden argument.
"Dean, what's going on? Why are you arguing with Yu Xiaogang?" Qin Ming frowned and quickly walked between the two, speaking anxiously.
Flender did not respond, only letting out a cold snort. He turned around and stood with his back to Yu Xiaogang, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness and anger.
Staring at Tang San in front of him, Yu Xiaogang remained silent for a moment, his gaze then gradually softening. He spoke in a low voice, "Alright, Flender, I agree. But there's one condition: even if Little San joins the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he can only be taught by me alone."