Chapter 154: A Disappointing Parting
The three education officers stood up and bowed when they saw the newcomer.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
Qian Renxue nodded, signaling for them not to stand on ceremony, then her gaze swept over Flender and the others, her heart mildly startled.
She hadn't expected these people. Her gaze turned cold as she looked at Tang San in the group. Hatred began to rise within her, but with Ning Bei's reminder, she had no intention of acting rashly.
Tang San, sensing something, looked closely at the golden-haired man in front of him. For some reason, he felt that the other's gaze was filled with killing intent.
Whether or not he was mistaken, he decided it was safest to categorize the person as someone with a death wish.
"Three education officers, I've already spoken to my father regarding the second team's slot. It's under my control."
Meng Shenji and the others were momentarily stunned. They had never heard of this.
"Your Highness, this doesn't seem to be in accordance with the rules, does it?"
"Whether it's according to the rules or not is not for us to discuss. But is it in accordance with the rules for you to admit students without noble status?"
"This—"
The three education officers exchanged uncertain looks, clearly at a loss.
"However, Your Highness, two of these students are truly talented, and we should consider them carefully."
Bai Baoshan, still reluctant to give up on Oscar, looked eagerly at the prince.
Qian Renxue nodded slightly. As long as the second team's competition slot wasn't touched, she had no intention of rejecting these people from entering the academy.
"You are the education officers. You may arrange things as you see fit, but the second team's slot has already been decided. No one is to interfere."
The three looked at Flender, their faces full of concern.
"Flender, what do you think?"
Before Flender could respond, Yu Xiaogang spoke up first, unwilling to let his disciple be left out of the competition. How could he prove his knowledge to the world if his student couldn't participate?
"Hmph, Your Highness, with all due respect, I don't believe anyone is more qualified than my disciple to earn a spot in the competition."
"Oh? And who might this be?"
Bai Baoshan quickly introduced Yu Xiaogang's identity to Qian Renxue, and the little angel's face showed a slight sneer upon hearing it.
"Master, is it? Well, would you mind showing me your disciple's qualifications?"
Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. Indeed, Tang San's third and fourth soul rings were somewhat underwhelming, making it hard to show them off. Releasing his martial soul would be no different from slapping himself in the face.
"My disciple may have weak soul rings, but he is only twelve years old and already has the cultivation of a Soul Sect. Doesn't that show his excellence?"
Qian Renxue, having heard about this from Ning Bei, coldly looked at Tang San.
"Then let me see how 'bad' your disciple's soul rings really are."
Tang Shenwang and Yu Xiaogang's faces instantly turned as black as ink. What was going on here? How could she be so persistent, like a rag that never dries?
Bai Baoshan, unable to watch any longer, stepped up beside Qian Renxue and quietly explained Tang San's soul ring configuration to her.
"Oh? Your disciple does indeed have potential, but he hasn't had the good fortune of having a great teacher. Even if you randomly picked a Soul Elder off the street, they wouldn't have their disciple absorb four hundred-year-old soul rings."
As Qian Renxue mocked Yu Xiaogang, she sneered at Tang San.
In her heart, she praised her man for doing a great job.
Yu Xiaogang, unable to bear the humiliation, pointed at Qian Renxue, trembling as he stepped back several paces. After a long moment, he turned and walked out of the academy, with Tang San coldly glaring at the golden-haired man before following him.
Since he could no longer get a competition spot, whether he joined or not didn't matter.
Flender stood silent for a moment before bowing slightly to the three education officers.
"Three education officers, Flender bids you farewell. Unfortunately, we will not be joining your esteemed academy."
"This—"
The three watched the Shrek group leave, their faces full of regret. They truly coveted Oscar.
"Your Highness, are you satisfied now?"
Qian Renxue smiled faintly at Meng Shenji, who had an expression of reproach.
"These students indeed have potential, but can the three of you guarantee that they'll make it to the finals, or even win the championship?"
"This—"
Meng Shenji was suddenly speechless. You really dare to dream; even our first team has trouble making it to the finals.
"Can Your Highness guarantee that the students you've chosen will make it to the finals?"
"Isn't it curious why my father gave me the authority to arrange the second team's competition slot?"
The three looked at each other in surprise. This indeed didn't seem to follow the usual protocols.
"Why?"
"Because I promised my father that my team would win the championship."
"Hmph, that's a pipe dream. Don't you fear the wind blowing your tongue out, Your Highness?"
"That's not something for you to worry about. Since I dared to make a pledge to my father, I have the confidence to back it up. This is for the face of our Tiandou Empire, and I don't intend to make things difficult for the three of you. Please don't take it to heart."
Seeing that Qian Renxue had given them enough face, the three officers had no further words to say. They also couldn't help but secretly wonder where her confidence came from.
"Your Highness, you speak too highly of us. As subjects of the Tiandou Empire, our goals are aligned with yours. Since Your Highness already has arrangements, we will not interfere."
Qian Renxue politely cupped her hands and then walked out of the office.
"You bad guy, you better not make me lose face. I've already bragged about it!"
Inside the office, Qin Ming looked at Meng Shenji with an expression of difficulty. Over the years, the other had treated him well, but bringing his mentor to Tiandou Royal Academy was his own idea. Now that things had turned out this way, he no longer had the face to stay in the academy.
"Qin Ming, you must think this through. With your talent, you'll surely take our places in the future. Why leave over such a small matter?"
"Director, I truly appreciate the care you've given me over the years, but my mentor's dream is to help Shrek become great, and I must assist him."
Meng Shenji looked at Qin Ming with a complex expression.
"Since you've made up your mind, we won't stop you. The doors of Tiandou Royal Academy will always be open for you."
Qin Ming thanked the three officers, turned around, and left.
The three officers watched his departing figure and sighed deeply.
Flender's group caught up to Yu Xiaogang and his disciples, offering some comforting words.
"Xiaogang, don't take it to heart. We'll find another academy. I don't believe that with our strength, no academy would want us!"
Flender's words warmed Yu Xiaogang's heart a little, and he sighed.
"Well, it can only be this way."
At the same time, he secretly vowed to one day prove his knowledge to those who humiliated him.
The group walked while asking about other Soul Master academies in Tiandou City. Before long, they arrived at the entrance of a prestigious academy.
"Blue Tyrant Academy?"
"Principal, this name sounds so strange."
Yu Xiaogang looked at the academy's sign and, for some reason, had an uneasy feeling. He wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
But Flender didn't give him that chance and dragged everyone into the academy.
(END CHAPTER)
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