Outside Heaven Dou City, at the foot of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's mountain.
"Rongrong, are you sure it's here?" Flander squinted at the towering mountain ahead, slightly dumbfounded.
"Yes." Ning Rongrong nodded. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy wouldn't move locations, would it?"
"But this is clearly a mountain." Flander clicked his tongue.
"This whole mountain belongs to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Oh, and also the forest behind it, plus the lake at the foot of the mountain on the left. As far as I know, all of it is part of the academy's grounds." Ning Rongrong looked forward. "Walk a little further, and we'll be inside the academy's domain."
Flander was instantly wide-eyed.
"Mountains, lakes, and forests… truly a fine place." Yu Xiaogang gave him a glance, speaking in a calm, leisurely tone.
Flander came back to his senses, curled his lips, and muttered unhappily, "What's so impressive about nice scenery and vast land? Can it produce strong experts? Far inferior to our Shrek Academy. Our place might be small, but the monsters we raise are many."
He proudly scanned the six Shrek students around him.
The temporary tagalongs Tie Long and Tie Hu hadn't followed. Their talent was too poor; they weren't worthy of being part of Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang nodded in agreement. "Flander, to be honest, you've recruited quite a few students with great potential for Shrek these years. That's commendable."
"But what I'm more curious about is—how exactly did you trick them in?"
"Of course it was—" Flander blurted out smugly, then instantly changed face, straightening his expression.
"Xiaogang, you can question my taste, but don't question my character or judgment."
"Trick? I call it charisma!"
Of course, he also had failures. Like Yang Yunhai and Zhu Zhuqing—his biggest miscalculation in years.
But he'd never admit that!
Suppressing his thoughts, he didn't look at Yu Xiaogang, just raised his hand proudly. "Come, let's head up the mountain! By the looks of it, it's about dinnertime. We can test the food here. If the treatment's no good, I don't plan to stay."
But after just a few steps—
"Stop! Who are you?" Ten young men and women around 18–19 rushed out from a nearby pavilion, blocking their path.
Flander puffed his chest, speaking with some swagger. "We are from Shrek Academy, here by invitation of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, to exchange and learn. Lead the way."
"You bunch of bumpkins, here to exchange with our academy?" The leading youth sneered, scanning their plain and dusty clothing with obvious disdain. "What beggars are you? Get lost! Or we'll use force."
Dai Mubai instantly lost his temper, releasing his martial soul and charging to beat them up.
Flander didn't intervene, only stood watching, criticizing the poor quality of Heaven Dou Royal Academy's students.
Until, from the distance, a stern voice barked out:
"What's going on? Why so noisy?"
…
Soon after, Shrek's group was escorted into the academy by instructor Sun Buyu.
Watching them leave up the stairs, the leading youth's eyes burned with venom. "Hmph, Shrek Academy, is it? Think you can eat at our academy's table? Not while I, Xue Beng, am here. As long as I'm around, none of you will stay."
One night passed uneventfully. The next day, in the Education Committee office, three deans welcomed the Shrek group and seated them.
Because Yang Yunhai's achievements had set the standard before them, and because the Heaven Dou Royal Team had been victorious, the three deans didn't release soul pressure to test Tang San. Even so, they acknowledged Shrek's students' strength.
The discussions were smooth and pleasant.
When the deans explained that the first team was full and that Shrek's students would temporarily join the second team, Yu Xiaogang didn't object.
'No rush. There will be chances later.'
"Dean Flander, although our second team is a bit weaker overall, its configuration is quite balanced. And because of certain circumstances, the previous first team captain, Yu Tianheng, has already joined the second team." Dean Meng Shenji smiled. "Tianheng has now broken through rank 40 Soul Ancestor, his strength greatly increased. With your students joining, the team's power will reach a new level."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flickered.
Flander's eyes lit up. He had seen Yu Tianheng's strength before—at least on par with Dai Mubai, if not stronger. Now that Tianheng had broken through rank 40, he'd be a huge asset. Flander quickly smiled. "Then I must trouble you three seniors to look after us."
"We're all one academy now; it's only right." Meng Shenji smiled warmly.
"Then it's settled. Teacher Qin, I'll leave arrangements to you."
"Yes." Qin Ming nodded quickly.
Just then, footsteps echoed from outside.
The three deans frowned slightly and turned to look.
"Is Chief Meng Shenji here?" A booming voice came, as an old man and a youth strode in.
"Your Highness the Prince, why are you here?" The three deans immediately rose, bowed, and stepped forward.
… After some exchanges, Prince Xue Xing revealed his intent.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the empire's pillar, the cradle of our nation's elites. Teachers here shape their students profoundly. I will not allow arrogant troublemakers to be hired. I heard from Xue Beng that yesterday, these so-called guests of yours attacked him as soon as they arrived. Xue Beng is one of the empire's four princes, representing the royal family's dignity. How can he be humiliated so easily?"
"And how would Your Highness propose we settle this?" Flander asked flatly.
"Also, before coming here, did you ask Prince Xue Beng why he was struck?"
"Of course." Prince Xue Xing's voice was cold. "You all arrived at Heaven Dou City yesterday in dusty, ragged clothes, with mud still on your boots. Without washing or dressing properly, you came straight to the royal academy for your first visit. Such conduct—is that not disrespectful? Presenting yourselves so, how could you not be misunderstood?"
Flander's face stiffened.
Prince Xue Xing's gaze was sharp. "Given your ages, surely you've traveled widely and know proper etiquette. Can you honestly say you lacked the funds for clean clothes? To present yourselves like this at our doors—is that not an insult to Heaven Dou Royal Academy? An insult to the royal family?"
Flander's face darkened. That hat was too big to wear.
The truth was, he hadn't stopped in the city first because he wanted to save money on food and lodging. He hadn't thought it through.
"Prince, your words are a bit harsh," Meng Shenji spoke, frowning.
"Our academy's mission is to attract talent for the empire. How can we judge by appearances?"
"Hmph! Chief Meng Shenji, knowing proper conduct and judging by appearance are two different things." Prince Xue Xing snapped back. "Yes, Xue Beng spoke rashly at first, but this one—" He nodded toward Dai Mubai.
"Didn't explain a thing, just charged forward with vicious strikes. How do you explain that?"
He swept his gaze across Flander, Yu Xiaogang, and the other instructors. "And as teachers, instead of stopping him, you stood by and watched as your student attacked. What does that say about your teacher's ethics? Is that the example you set at the gates of our academy?"
Shrek's teachers and students fell silent, fury burning in their eyes but held back.
After all, Xue Beng's insults had been vile. Who wouldn't throw a punch?
"And as I hear," Prince Xue Xing's gaze landed on Flander, "you yourself didn't stop it, and even mocked our academy's students."
"Saying Heaven Dou Royal Academy's students are garbage, and that you regret coming here."
"Tell me, were those words fabricated by Xue Beng?"
"So if you think we're a garbage academy, why are you standing here now?"
(End of Chapter)
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