đź’– If you enjoy my work, consider supporting me on Patreon! I'm offering advanced chapters there as a thank-you to readers.
--------------------
Check out advanced chapters on : patreon.com/Veni_V
---------------
At this moment, inside a restaurant in Soto City, the Royal Fight Team and the Shrek Academy members were gathered around a large table, sharing a meal.
Just a while ago, at the request of their former student Qin Ming, Ye Lingling had used her Nine Heart Begonia Spirit to briefly treat the Shrek Academy members. Only then did their injuries fully recover.
It truly had to be said that the healing ability of the Nine Heart Begonia Spirit was astonishing. Xiao Wu, apart from her still pale face, was otherwise fine; her wounds hadn't even left a scar. Seeing this, Tang San's tense expression had finally improved somewhat.
Ma Hongjun was currently burying his face in food, with a chicken leg in each hand, wolfing it down as if he hadn't eaten meat in ages. He looked as if he wished he could chew and swallow even the bones.
"Junior, slow down, there's more food coming," Qin Ming said, unable to resist gently reminding the young Spirit Master.
Just as Qin Ming finished speaking, Flender had already slapped Ma Hongjun sharply on the back.
"Ow! What are you doing? Teacher, I'm eating!" Ma Hongjun protested indistinctly, his mouth still full.
Flender glared at him, saying exasperatedly, "Hongjun, look at you! You look like you haven't eaten in ages, and so many people are watching."
Ma Hongjun rolled his eyes and retorted, aggrieved, "Isn't that because of you, Teacher? The Academy's finances are tight now, and we haven't had a proper, full meal in a long time."
Flender sighed, picked up his wine glass, and took a sip. He slowly said, "Alas, it's all because the Academy's admission standards are too strict. We'd rather be short of people than lower our requirements. As a result, the number of students who can be admitted is pitifully small, let alone earning money from tuition fees.
" He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Shrek Seven Devils who were now burying their heads in their food at the table, and continued with a heavy tone: "To be honest, this batch of children will probably be Shrek Academy's last batch of students."
"Dean, what's going on? Is the Academy's situation really that bad?" Qin Ming frowned upon hearing this, turning to look at Flender, his expression a mix of guilt and concern.
"Dean, why didn't you say so earlier? As someone who graduated from the Academy, I definitely want to contribute to the Academy." Saying this, Qin Ming reached for the spirit tool at his waist, clearly preparing to donate some money to Shrek Academy.
"Xiaogang, what's wrong?" Flender frowned slightly, gently stepped on Yu Xiaogang's foot under the table, and sternly said, "Xiaogang, what nonsense are you talking about again? I think you've had too much to drink."
Just as Flender didn't know how to explain the situation to Qin Ming, Yu Xiaogang slammed the table, his voice filled with uncontrollable pride. "I'm not talking nonsense! You're the one talking nonsense! Don't you still have me, the Spirit Theory Yu Xiaogang? My direct Disciple, Tang San's Spirit, is the useless Blue Silver Grass, yet under my guidance, he has Cultivated to over level thirty, hasn't he? Throughout the world, besides me, Yu Xiaogang, who else can guide the Blue Silver Grass to its current Realm?"
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang seemed even more excited, saying triumphantly, "Shrek Academy's strength is also very formidable! Besides having strong Spirit theory, our teaching standards are high! In all these years, has your Heaven Dou Royal Academy had any students graduate and become a Titled Douluo? As far as I know, no, but Shrek Academy has!"
"What did you say? Shrek Academy has a Titled Douluo level student?!" Qin Ming's eyes widened in surprise, letting out an exclamation.
Hearing this, Qin Ming immediately turned to Flender, his eyes filled with anticipation and curiosity, and eagerly asked, "Dean, yes, when I came to Shrek Academy to register, it was because I saw this announcement from the Academy. So many years have passed, that senior must have become an influential figure in Spirit Hall by now, right? May I ask, what is his name?"
Flender's face instantly darkened, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze unconsciously falling on Yu Xiaogang. In his heart, he had already cursed the latter's ancestors eighteen generations a hundred times over. Flender wanted to curse, but he dared not act out for now, so he could only hold it in, his face flushed, not knowing if it was from shame or anger.
Yu Xiaogang's face wore a triumphant smile as he leaned slightly forward, his hands clenched into fists and slammed onto the table, his voice filled with obvious boasting: "The most outstanding one among them is now the youngest Elder of Spirit Hall, with strength at the Titled Douluo Realm! Has your Heaven Dou Royal Academy ever produced a Spirit Hall Elder? Before I came to Shrek Academy, Flender told me that the Academy had admitted a total of sixty-two students over the years, but only fourteen ultimately graduated, and all of them became figures of global renown after leaving the Academy."
Immediately, everyone on Shrek Academy's side stared at Flender in unison.
"What?! Yu Xiaogang, what do you mean by this?" Dugu Yan and the others were instantly shocked, exclaiming in disbelief.
Just then, Dugu Yan snorted coldly, slowly stood up, and questioned: "Are your Shrek Academy just a bunch of swindlers? I remember your Shrek Academy was only established for just over twenty years, and according to the Academy's admission standards, students are around twelve years old when they enroll.
Even if this person was one of the Academy's first students, he would only be in his thirties now. My grandfather is Poison Douluo, and he considers himself knowledgeable about the Titled Douluo on the continent, but he has never heard of a Titled Douluo in their thirties on the continent!"
Just as Dugu Yan opened her mouth to retort, a feminine voice suddenly came from outside the door: "Heh heh, a Titled Douluo in his thirties? And an Elder of my Spirit Hall... I've been in Spirit Hall for so many years, but I've never heard of such a thing."
This question immediately made Flender's brows furrow tightly. "Xiaogang, what on earth are you talking nonsense about? What Spirit Hall Elder ever came out of the Academy? That was completely just a gimmick I made up for recruitment because the Academy had no money."
"Yu Xiaogang, your Shrek Academy is so poor now that you can barely afford to eat, and you still dare to try and poach from our Heaven Dou Royal Academy? You really should take a good look at yourselves! Is Tian Heng going to Shrek Academy to eat dirt with you all?" Dugu Yan interjected with an angry tone, her face slightly flushed. "What's wrong with the Academy being poor?"
Yu Xiaogang did not answer, merely raising a hand to signal Flender to calm down. However, no sooner had Flender finished speaking than Yu Xiaogang suddenly interjected, "Tian Heng, what do you think about the matter I discussed with you outside just now? With such teaching standards, Tian Heng coming to Shrek Academy is entirely riding on my connections. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to come!"
At this moment, Yu Tianheng, sitting directly opposite Yu Xiaogang, looked noticeably uncomfortable. After a moment of silence, he stammered, "Uncle, this matter... I'm afraid it won't work.
Before I came out, Grandpa specifically instructed me to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy until the Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Elite Competition ends. If I... if I withdraw from Heaven Dou Royal Academy now and join Shrek Academy, Grandpa will definitely be furious if he finds out!"
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang immediately glared back and loudly retorted: "I'm not talking nonsense! You're the one talking nonsense! Tian Heng is my nephew, how I arrange his life is my family matter! You don't need to interfere."
As Yu Xiaogang's words fell, Dugu Yan just opened her mouth to retort, but Yu Tianheng raised a hand to stop her, his brows slightly furrowed, looking somewhat helpless.
Looking at the eager eyes before him, Flender's hanging heart finally died, and his face became even uglier. He stared intently at Yu Xiaogang, wishing he could stand up and slap him right then and there.
Yu Xiaogang, I'll curse you!