After finding nothing in Suotuo City, Flender dejectedly returned to Shrek Academy with the other teachers.
When they reached the city gate, he noticed a commotion and took a closer look.
The person surrounded by soldiers seemed somewhat familiar.
Suddenly, his brows lifted. "Isn't that Xiaogang? Why is he in conflict with the city guards?"
Without thinking further, he quickly stepped forward to mediate.
Flender knew very well how much his old friend valued his pride.
If the guards refused to back down today, the two sides might remain in a standoff indefinitely.
"Gentlemen, could you give me some face and let this matter end here?" Flender said with a smile.
When the soldiers saw him, their attitude softened considerably.
Flender was a Spirit Sage and had recently cracked down on criminal groups in Suotuo City, sparing them a great deal of trouble.
Out of both respect and reason, they were willing to give him face.
"Flender, what brings you here?" Yu Xiaogang asked flatly.
The captain of the guards seized the opportunity to step back. "So he's a friend of Senior Flender. A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Disperse."
However, Yu Xiaogang refused to let it go. "Just like that? Hmph. Charging a Spirit Master an entry fee to enter the city, if Spirit Hall learns of this, you'll be thrown into prison!"
Spirit Hall represented the collective interests of Spirit Masters.
The Spirit Master stipend and many privileges exclusive to Spirit Masters had been secured by Spirit Hall.
This included exemption from city entry fees.
In the past, even if Spirit Hall learned of such matters, the soldiers would at most receive a verbal warning.
But times had changed. Spirit Hall had grown increasingly forceful, and these soldiers served the Kingdom of Balak, not the Heaven Dou Empire.
If this were pursued seriously, the Kingdom of Balak might very well sacrifice them to quell the anger of both Spirit Hall and the Heaven Dou Empire.
Not wanting the matter to escalate, Flender quickly pulled Yu Xiaogang away. "Come on, come on. Tonight we drink until we're satisfied."
Shrek Academy was already under pressure from the Kingdom of Balak. If this incident escalated, they would offend the Balak royal family.
The academy's situation would only become more difficult in the future.
Faced with Flender's enthusiasm, Yu Xiaogang could not refuse. After leaving a few harsh words behind, he strode away.
At the hotel.
Chang kong relaxed completely, lying spread-eagle on the soft bed.
"The human world is much more comfortable. These past few days have been exhausting."
After obtaining his Spirit Ring, his most immediate goal had been accomplished, and he instinctively wanted to relax.
But Wu Qi would not give him that chance.
"Starting today, you can only compete in the Spirit Elder division. With your current Spirit Power Level, you're at the bottom in that bracket."
"Your winning streak may come to an end, but I hope you steady your mindset, learn the combat style of Spirit Elders, and then turn defeat into victory."
Chang kong made a long face. "Not already? We just got back and I have to compete again?"
Wu Qi knew he was probably reluctant to lose points.
"If you lose tonight, we'll enter a two-versus-two match together and win back the points."
Hearing this, Chang kong sprang up from the bed with a grin. "That's a deal."
"But I'm not guaranteeing a win," Wu Qi added.
There is always someone stronger. He could not promise that they would not encounter a powerful team.
"Look at you," Ning Rongrong said irritably.
She had no particular training objective. Whether her Spirit Battle Badge Level increased or not did not matter much to her.
"Rongrong, you're at Level 26 now. You should devote more time to cultivation. Once you break through, we'll help you obtain a Spirit Ring," Wu Qi added.
"Really?" Ning Rongrong blinked.
Whether she obtained a Spirit Ring was not the most important thing. What mattered was that they could stay together.
Chang kong added, "You helped me hunt my Spirit Ring. Of course we'll help you. From now on, we're a team. We'll also compete in the Spirit Master Tournament."
Ning Rongrong was not unfamiliar with the Spirit Master Tournament. However, there were only three of them now, not enough to form a team and they had not even enrolled in an academy yet.
It should be known that advanced Spirit Master academies usually begin preparing their tournament teams two years in advance.
By now, the preliminary candidates for each academy's team had already been decided. After enrolling, they would still have to compete with those on the list.
Moreover, their Spirit Power Levels were not particularly outstanding. They could easily secure positions on the teams of second-tier academies, but achieving strong results in the tournament would be difficult.
As for joining the team of a first-tier academy, their strength was not yet sufficient.
Ning Rongrong nodded slightly and said nothing more.
With the influence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they would have more options and did not need to rush.
At Shrek Academy.
Flender had originally planned to host a welcoming banquet for Yu Xiaogang after nightfall. Coincidentally, Zhao Wuji returned with the group at that time.
Yu Xiaogang only cared about Tang San's cultivation and had no interest in the banquet.
Seeing this, Flender did not insist.
Zhao Wuji reported what had happened during the Spirit Beast hunt, placing particular emphasis on Wu Qi and his companions.
When he mentioned the "bull's roar" described by Xiao Wu, the ever-confident Yu Xiaogang finally appeared.
He had been listening to the conversation from the shadows.
In order to demonstrate his theoretical knowledge, he deliberately chose this moment to step forward.
"Old Zhao, let me introduce you. This is the brother I once traveled the continent with, Master Yu Xiaogang."
"So you're the Master. I've heard much about you," Zhao Wuji said politely.
Flender had indeed mentioned him before, but Zhao Wuji had long since forgotten. His words were merely courtesy.
Yet in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, they sounded like high praise.
With his hands behind his back and his chin slightly raised, he replied calmly, "You are too polite, Immovable King. How is Little San?"
Flender quickly added, "Old Zhao, Xiaogang is Tang San's teacher. Tell him about the situation."
Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.
Who does Yu Xiaogang think he is, acting so impolitely?
Anyone unaware might think he was some powerful Spirit Douluo from a major force.
How could a mere Spirit Grandmaster act so arrogantly before a Spirit Sage?
Zhao Wuji was not a kind man—his title, Immovable King, had not been given lightly.
If not for Flender's presence, Yu Xiaogang might already have been struck down.
Seeing Zhao Wuji's shifting expression, Flender scolded, "Old Zhao, he's asking you a question!"
Out of respect for the headmaster, Zhao Wuji recounted everything that had happened to Tang San.
After listening, Yu Xiaogang flew into a rage. "Who allowed you to let Little San hunt a plant-type Spirit Ring? Before he left, I had already selected several Spirit Beasts for him. Didn't he tell you?"
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened.
Is he pushing his luck?
Besides, Tang San's Spirit Ring was not obtained with his help. Why was he directing his anger at him?
Flender quickly grabbed Yu Xiaogang. "Xiaogang, Old Zhao already told me. Tang San chose and hunted the Spirit Beast himself. It had nothing to do with him. You can't—"
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