So now, Li Chang'an—the ace of all aces, the fighter among fighters—was telling Flender that he intended to leave?
"Yes, Principal. Although I've never spoken much about my background, I'm sure you've guessed—I come from a certain family. Before the tournament begins, I must represent my clan," Li Chang'an said apologetically, cupping his hands.
"But Principal, don't be angry. Even though I'll be competing elsewhere, I am still your student. When the time comes, I can at least announce that I am also a teacher of Shrek Academy." Li Chang'an thought for a moment and added.
At worst, he would reveal his multiple identities. Ah no, not just dual—since he would also represent Spirit Hall Academy, it would actually be three identities:
Spirit Hall Academy
Shrek Academy
And his true self.
This reassurance made Flender feel somewhat better. After all, even if Shrek didn't win the championship, it would still have the prestige of producing a champion-level teacher. That was a kind of double insurance.
"Changsheng, couldn't you persuade your family not to call you back? If you'll just represent Shrek Academy, I'll gladly hand this principal's seat over to you," Flender tried to coax him.
A talent like this couldn't simply be allowed to walk away.
But Li Chang'an only smiled and shook his head, making his stance clear. Still, he followed up with a sentence that touched Flender deeply:
"Principal Flender, no matter when or under what circumstances, you will always be my principal. That will never change."
After speaking, he lifted his teacup, using tea as a substitute for wine, and toasted both Flender and Zhao Wuji.
"Heh, I never thought that in my middle years, I'd gain a friend like you, a companion beyond age differences. Worth it," Flender said with a sigh as he savored his tea.
But the thought of Yu Xiaogang crossed his mind. By comparison, his mood soured. Some people always changed with time. Perhaps he had been wrong from the very start. If he had fought for Liu Erlong back then instead of stepping aside for Yu Xiaogang…
Sigh…
Flender sighed inwardly and said no more.
"By the way, Principal, before I leave, I'll also be taking my girlfriend with me," Li Chang'an added.
Well—technically, three girlfriends. Maybe even four.
"Enough, enough. I get it," Flender waved his hand impatiently. In his heart, though, he assumed Li Chang'an meant Xiao Wu.
Zhao Wuji, standing nearby, knew better—he was aware of Li Chang'an's closeness with Zhu Zhuqing—but he chose not to say anything. Their relationship wasn't bad, so why stir up trouble? And besides, even if Flender disapproved, could he actually stop Li Chang'an from taking someone away?
"Oi, brat. Don't you have some fine wine stashed away in that storage soul tool of yours? Take it out and let me drink a few cups. I'm not in the best mood!" Flender demanded, knowing full well that Li Chang'an's private stock had plenty of treasures.
Li Chang'an sighed helplessly. He pulled out a treasured bottle of good liquor from his storage soul tool, and after a moment's thought, also brought out a plate of peanuts.
He wasn't about to let Flender drink on an empty stomach. With even just a few peanuts, one wouldn't get completely carried away.
Of course, he also produced proper wine glasses and dishes. Fine liquor like this deserved the right vessels.
But just as they were about to drink, the office door suddenly swung open. A tall woman in a fiery-red dress strode in.
"Well, well, Flender—and Teacher Li. Drinking in here without calling me? Luckily I came in time, or I really would've missed out," she said.
The woman had a mature face, her hair tied in a high ponytail, and her imposing figure could not be concealed. Her steps and mannerisms carried a dashing, unrestrained air.
It was, of course, Liu Erlong. And now, she seemed even more free-spirited than before. The look of being weighed down by constant troubles had faded.
Indeed, this was no illusion. Once, Liu Erlong had pinned great hopes on Yu Xiaogang. But the Yu Xiaogang of today had changed—selfish, jealous, and a disgrace to the academy.
The breaking point came when Liu Erlong confronted him about his sudden surge in soul power. Yu Xiaogang had coldly replied, "You're not worthy to know."
That single sentence crushed her heart.
She couldn't understand why someone who had once been so close to her and Flender now treated them with such coldness and distance. She wasn't trying to pry into his secrets—she was genuinely worried about him.
But nothing hurts more than a heart gone cold. From that moment on, Liu Erlong became disillusioned. Though she still looked after Yu Xiaogang on the surface, in her heart she had already begun to drift away.
And so she became freer, throwing herself wholeheartedly into the academy's teaching. She focused especially on training the Shrek Seven Devils.
Of course, she didn't use her own training methods, but rather the ones Li Chang'an had suggested. And the more she used them, the more curious she became about this boy.
For someone to dominate one field was called talent.
For someone to dominate every field, crushing even the top figures—that went far beyond talent.
Thus, over the past few months, Liu Erlong had still, from time to time, sent Li Chang'an her "system points."
"Well now—'Drunken Beauty,' aged ten years. Not bad at all, Teacher Li. You really are impressive," Liu Erlong said after picking up the bottle, inspecting it, and taking in its fragrance. She was no stranger to fine liquor—after all, she was a "Tyrannical Dragon."
Li Chang'an quipped inwardly, his gaze flicking toward Liu Erlong's ample chest before he said aloud:
"Teacher Erlong flatters me. This isn't worth much. Would you like a glass?"
Without hesitation, Liu Erlong pulled up a chair, grabbed a glass, and poured herself a cup. Then she filled the glasses of Li Chang'an, Flender, and Zhao Wuji in turn. Her intent was crystal clear.
"Of course I'm drinking! What else would I sit here for? Teacher Li, bring out all the good stuff. Tonight, we few academy leaders are going to enjoy ourselves properly," Liu Erlong declared.
Indeed, in her eyes, this small gathering represented the true leadership of Shrek Academy.
Li Chang'an rubbed his forehead and glanced at the exasperated Flender. With no choice, he slowly produced another bottle of liquor, along with two prepared cold dishes and a plate of braised meat.
The storage soul tool preserved everything in stasis, so nothing ever spoiled.
"'Gentle Caress,' aged twenty years… Teacher Li, you're really bleeding this time," Zhao Wuji finally spoke up, his tone filled with surprise as his eyes lit up.
"Gentle Caress" was a special-edition wine, aged twenty years, with only ten bottles released annually!
"To hell with it—come on, cheers!" Liu Erlong popped a peanut into her mouth, raised her glass, and grinned.
"Cheers!" Flender joined in with a laugh, lifting his cup.
"Tonight, seal your soul power. No one leaves sober!" Liu Erlong commanded before downing her drink, sealing her soul power as she did.
What fun was there in drinking with soul power? The joy was in actually getting drunk.
The other three followed suit, each sealing their soul power.
But even without soul power, Li Chang'an wasn't worried. With his current physique, drunkenness was the least of his concerns.
And so laughter and merriment rang out in the principal's office—a place usually filled with solemn authority.