Time passed swiftly during the intense battle. With the crucial assistance of Oscar and Ning Rongrong, everyone's combat capabilities increased dramatically, and there were no concerns about stamina or soul power consumption. However, the Royal Fight Team had lost their only support member, and their original advantages completely vanished.
After a series of fierce and coordinated battles, the members of the Royal Fight Team gradually began to be systematically eliminated. The first to fall were the slower-moving Shi brothers, both of whom possessed Xuanwu Turtle martial souls. With Yang Xiong's relentless attacks and Dai Mubai's strategic assistance, they quickly knocked both brothers unconscious and removed them from the competition.
As the battle continued to develop, the Royal Fight Team's formation gradually began to collapse under sustained pressure. Finally, after everyone coordinated to overwhelm Yu Tianheng in a decisive group assault, the entire Royal Fight Team was completely eliminated, and Shrek Academy achieved a stunning total victory.
Yu Xiaogang's expression remained rather serious as he observed the situation unfolding on the stage. He hadn't expected that they could achieve victory against such formidable opponents, and they had managed to do so with relative ease compared to his initial concerns.
During this Soul Fighting competition, Yang Xiong had taken the lead in eliminating numerous opponents, and his performance had been superior to everyone else, essentially overshadowing all other participants present.
Dean Flender, on the other hand, appeared relatively excited about the outcome. This Soul Fighting competition had generated substantial profits for him, especially since the Soul Fighting Arena had adjusted Shrek Academy's winning odds to be extremely unfavorable, resulting in the highest possible payout ratio. Additionally, there was the expensive appearance fee for participating in this high-profile Soul Fighting competition.
At this moment, a young man approached their group. He appeared to be Qin Ming, the team leader of the Royal Fight Academy.
Qin Ming bowed respectfully to Flender with obvious deference. "Dean Flender, I've returned to pay my respects."
Flender expressed pleasant surprise. "You're Little Ming? I didn't expect you to become the leader of the Royal Fight Team so quickly. Observing the performance of your junior brothers and sisters, you truly deserve recognition as someone I personally taught—a genuine student of Shrek Academy."
After a round of mutual compliments and catching up on old times, Qin Ming also stated the true purpose of his visit.
"Dean, I believe these junior brothers and sisters possess exceptional talent, but considering Shrek Academy's current resources, I'm concerned it won't be possible to truly cultivate their full potential. I have a proposal—could they become exchange students between Heaven Dou Royal Academy and Shrek Academy? You could lead them to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where they might obtain significantly better resources and training opportunities."
Flender's expression darkened considerably upon hearing this suggestion. "Little Ming, you should understand that Shrek Academy represents my life's work and dedication. I could never possibly sell out my students for personal gain, much less transfer to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for the sake of my own future advancement."
Qin Ming felt compelled to explain the exchange student arrangement in greater detail, emphasizing that they could utilize Heaven Dou Royal Academy's superior resources, which would provide much better cultivation opportunities for the junior brothers and sisters.
Just as Flender was hesitating over this difficult decision, Yu Xiaogang spoke up from beside him. "Flender, I think this proposal has significant merit. Perhaps we should seriously consider this opportunity for the children's benefit."
Flender appeared somewhat surprised by this support. "Xiaogang, even you think I should take the students to Heaven Dou Royal Academy? I'm concerned that once the students experience that environment, they won't want to return. My hope is that all students remain pragmatic and work diligently in their cultivation, so they can become true advanced Spirit Masters without wasting their natural talents."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head thoughtfully. "Flender, you should understand that these children's ultimate destination is not in that small Shrek Academy located in a remote village, nor will their futures be limited to Soto City. Only by truly venturing into the wider world will they have access to broader opportunities and horizons."
"Moreover," Yu Xiaogang continued persuasively, "Shrek Academy has extremely limited resources. There are no simulated training environments available, and our gold soul coins are nearly exhausted. How do you envision the children should continue their advanced training under such constraints?"
Flender fell into contemplative silence upon hearing these valid concerns. The fundamental purpose of establishing his academy had been to cultivate exceptional students, but the academy's current facilities were clearly hindering rather than supporting the students' continued growth and development.
Eventually, Flender sighed with resignation. "Xiaogang, I understand your underlying motivations as well. Have you considered what kind of situation these children will face when they arrive at Heaven Dou Royal Academy?"
"Qin Ming," Flender continued, "you came from Heaven Dou Royal Academy yourself, so you should be aware that Heaven Dou Royal Academy only accepts noble disciples from aristocratic families. You should understand better than I do the typical character and behavior of those privileged nobles."
Qin Ming nodded with obvious understanding. "Dean, you remain as considerate of your students as ever. The Heaven Dou Royal Family has indeed invested tremendous resources in Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and it's widely recognized as the premier academy in the Heaven Dou Empire. However, in recent years, the student qualifications haven't been particularly impressive, and they haven't successfully cultivated any true geniuses or powerhouses, so the leadership is desperately seeking talented individuals."
"However, the academy's social atmosphere is indeed difficult to describe favorably," Qin Ming admitted. "I'm concerned that our junior brothers and sisters will face various forms of manipulation and pressure after entering the school, and I cannot guarantee they won't be recruited away by competing interests."
Flender smiled bitterly at this honest assessment. "It's refreshing that you, Little Ming, still think about our academy's welfare. Xiaogang, please share your true purpose as well."
Yu Xiaogang nodded with determination. "Teacher Qin Ming, I recall that according to the established rules of the Spirit Master world, Heaven Dou Royal Academy should have two guaranteed places in the Spirit Master Competition that will occur a year and a half from now. If you can secure participation slots for the junior brothers and sisters from Shrek Academy, I believe the transfer to Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be worthwhile."
"Of course, I also have one important condition," Yu Xiaogang added firmly. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy must accept all the teachers as well as all the students. After all, these students have been cultivated through the dedicated efforts of their teachers for an extended period."
Flender appeared puzzled by this focus. "Xiaogang, are you planning all this just to participate in that Spirit Master competition? Is such an opportunity truly worth potentially sacrificing our Shrek Academy's independent existence?"
Yu Xiaogang responded with conviction. "Flender, you've overlooked a crucial consideration. After we cultivate exceptional students, they also require an appropriate platform to demonstrate their strength and talents. It's impossible for them to remain at the academy as teachers indefinitely, and they certainly can't become unknown casual cultivators. The Spirit Master Competition may represent their most significant stepping stone to future success."
"Besides," Yu Xiaogang continued persuasively, "why do you assume that they will no longer be considered Shrek Academy students after transferring to Heaven Dou Royal Academy? These children are not ungrateful individuals, and they will never forget the cultivation and guidance they received at Shrek Academy."
Over the following conversation, the three educators discussed various aspects and basically determined Shrek Academy's future direction.
During the next few days, Yang Xiong took Ning Rongrong's hand and wandered throughout Soto City together. This represented a rare opportunity for Yang Xiong to truly release all thoughts of cultivation and simply enjoy leisure time.
He had always approached cultivation with excessive seriousness and intensity. Basically, he was either exercising his physical body or engaged in meditation practice. He had never seriously considered emotional relationships, and he had even become somewhat distant from his own family connections.
After this romantic confession, Yang Xiong felt that he had gained some genuine essence of life's pleasures. At minimum, he wouldn't remain single-mindedly focused on cultivation to the exclusion of everything else.
After returning to the academy, when Flender announced that Shrek Academy would be merged into Heaven Dou Royal Academy, everyone displayed different expressions and reactions.
Yang Xiong felt genuinely surprised by this development. If this arrangement proceeded, wouldn't Heaven Dou Royal Academy simultaneously gather direct disciples from all the Upper Three Sects? This situation would certainly prove very interesting.
Regarding the Blue Tyrant Academy and Prince Xue Beng, Yang Xiong didn't concern himself extensively with those complications. Rather than transferring to Blue Tyrant Academy, it would be preferable to remain at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Moreover, Yang Xiong understood the true nature of this Royal Academy better than most people. Once they arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, it would almost certainly mark the beginning of the Shrek team's gradual dissolution. At minimum, Ma Hongjun would be unable to resist the various temptations available.
Additionally, returning to Heaven Dou City would mean being closer to his family home. He should begin making serious plans regarding his family's welfare. He couldn't remain merely a cultivation-obsessed individual who ignored all other responsibilities.
Of course, Yang Xiong also understood what represented the greatest hidden danger in Heaven Dou City, and even what constituted the most serious threat to the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Yang Xiong had always hesitated to reveal this knowledge, fearing that his secret identity as a reborn person might be discovered, which could attract unnecessary trouble and suspicion.
However, if he transferred to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, perhaps he could gradually guide others toward awareness. Maybe he could help prevent a future disaster, ensuring at minimum that his family's safety wouldn't be threatened.
As for the other Shrek members, their specific locations didn't particularly matter. They were simply pursuing advanced education, and the geographical location wasn't especially significant.
Ning Rongrong complained for a considerable period, saying that she had only managed to sneak away from home to play for half a year, but unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, she would be returning to Heaven Dou City. What was the practical difference between that and simply going home directly?
The Shrek team moved with remarkable efficiency, and within just a few days, they had prepared everything necessary for the transfer. Even the broken academy signboard was carefully collected by Flender, who obviously held deep sentimental feelings for Shrek Academy.
Soon, the entire group departed Soto City and began their journey toward Heaven Dou City.
Regarding future enrollment arrangements in Heaven Dou City, Qin Ming should have already returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy in advance to handle the necessary preparations.
After fifteen full days of travel, the group finally arrived at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was located on a mountain several dozen kilometers outside Heaven Dou City. The entire mountain served as the academy's territory, covering a vast area. The scale and architectural grandeur were truly extraordinary and impressive.
Originally, Ning Rongrong had wanted to visit her family home first, but Yang Xiong directly prevented this, explaining that their current situation wasn't appropriate for returning to the sect immediately. It would be better to accompany everyone to Heaven Dou Royal Academy first.
As Yang Xiong had anticipated, whether because Qin Ming had leaked information when he returned to the school, they unexpectedly "encountered" Prince Xue Beng in the main square.
Prince Xue Beng had brought more than a dozen companions and appeared to have been waiting and preparing for an extended period. He proceeded to mock the Shrek team extensively, especially claiming that they resembled country peasants and were unworthy of remaining at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
After traveling continuously for more than ten days, everyone was indeed somewhat dusty and travel-worn, but they were definitely not as deplorable as Prince Xue Beng suggested. Dai Mubai himself was a prince from another nation. Although his clothing was relatively modest, he could never be associated with country peasants.
Dai Mubai had always possessed an unruly temperament, so he couldn't tolerate Prince Xue Beng's insulting words. He directly beat up Prince Xue Beng and his entire party, leaving Xue Beng himself with a bruised and swollen face.
Based on Prince Xue Beng's behavior, he had obviously intended to deliberately create trouble by provoking Shrek Academy students into taking aggressive action, allowing him to pressure the academy administration to expel these new students.
However, to Xue Beng's surprise, Heaven Dou Royal Academy had already arranged for Teacher Sun to greet the incoming students. Obviously, Teacher Sun understood Prince Xue Beng's typical behavior very well and reprimanded him harshly instead of supporting his complaints.
Yang Xiong carefully observed Prince Xue Beng and consistently felt that this individual was fundamentally untrustworthy. Originally, this person had been a notorious playboy. Simply because his brothers had all died, he eventually became the sole heir to the Heaven Dou Empire. Especially after submitting to Tang San later, he directly became the most successful person in the Douluo World who achieved power without effort.
This type of playboy and mediocre individual was originally the archetypal villain character. Could such a person genuinely become wise and competent? Especially when he later claimed that his previous despicable behavior had been deliberately disguised to preserve his life, what about all those people who had been harmed by his actions?
Observing that Prince Xue Beng appeared to be contemplating something, Yang Xiong estimated he was probably planning revenge or similar schemes.
Yang Xiong walked directly toward Prince Xue Beng and pressed his right hand firmly on the prince's shoulder. Prince Xue Beng immediately felt tremendous force emanating from that contact, and even when he attempted to resist, it proved completely useless.
"What do you think you're doing? Teacher Sun, this person is provoking me without justification."
Yang Xiong smiled calmly. "Teacher Sun, I have something important I want to communicate with this classmate. I definitely won't cause him any harm."
Immediately afterward, Yang Xiong maintained his grip on Xue Beng and looked toward Ning Rongrong. "Just now, this classmate seemed to declare that we are all country peasants. You may have created a significant problem for yourself. That young lady represents the little princess of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Now you've slandered her without justification. I'm afraid this matter won't be resolved so easily."
Prince Xue Beng's face suddenly displayed extreme horror. He naturally understood which people should never be provoked. "I didn't know she was from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School! Besides, I only spoke casually, and you've already beaten me severely. Don't tell me you want to assault me again."
Yang Xiong smiled with dangerous calm. "That's not necessarily the case, but our Miss Rongrong is deeply beloved by two seniors—Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo. If they discover that you've been provoking her without cause, do you think they might decide to remove your tongue entirely?"
Prince Xue Beng trembled with obvious fear. "What else do you want from me? I've already been beaten this badly."
Yang Xiong leaned directly into his ear, speaking in a very quiet voice. "I understand you have powerful backing, but your supporters cannot afford to offend our group either. If even half a word about today's events becomes public knowledge, if you still consider seeking revenge against us, I'm afraid you'll discover you no longer want to keep your tongue. Also, in the future, when you encounter us anywhere in the academy, take a detour and avoid us completely."
After Yang Xiong finished speaking, he deliberately patted Prince Xue Beng's shoulder with meaningful pressure. Prince Xue Beng appeared extremely frightened at this moment and hurriedly fled from the area as quickly as possible.
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