...
Meanwhile, in Soto, a thousand miles away.
Just as Xuan Hao was completely absorbed in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, Shrek Academy was facing a turning point and setback that would affect its future.
After learning more about Flander and the academy's current situation, Qin Ming took the initiative to visit them and sincerely expressed his desire to invite Flander and the teachers and students of Shrek Academy to teach and study at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Dean, with your strength and qualifications, you will surely be the most honored guest of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy once you go there."
Qin Ming sat in Flander's simple dean's office and earnestly advised, "Not to mention, with your current cultivation level and age, as long as you have the generous resources of the Royal Academy, breaking through to level 80 Soul Douluo in a few years is a natural thing."
"Moreover, the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy offers extremely generous benefits to its senior faculty and staff, and most importantly, there are very few restrictions.
Unlike ordinary powerful forces or sects outside, they will not require people to sign indenture contracts or swear allegiance at the drop of a hat.
You will still have a great deal of freedom there."
Looking at Flander's weathered face, Qin Ming's voice was tinged with heartache:
"Dean, you're not young anymore.
As your student, I really don't want to see you continue living such a poor and destitute life in this small village outside Soto, where you have to carefully budget even for a decent meal."
However, Flander's reaction to Qin Ming's heartfelt invitation was rather indifferent, even lacking in interest.
He pushed up his signature small crystal-framed glasses and waved his hand dismissively:
"Qin Ming, I appreciate your kindness.
But I'm not one for worldly desires of great wealth and status."
Flander's words weren't exactly boasting. As a level 78 Soul Saint and a top expert with a rare flying beast martial soul, if he were truly only pursuing wealth and glory, he wouldn't need to go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy at all.
He only needs to stand in the capital of any kingdom on the continent and spread the word that countless nobles and royalty will vie to treat him as an honored guest, providing him with the best food and drink.
The reason he stayed here in poverty was simply because he wasn't interested in those things; he just wanted to hold onto his dilapidated but absolutely free "Shrek" dream.
Seeing that Flander was unmoved by the high-ranking official position and the reputation of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, Qin Ming had no choice but to sigh and quickly change the direction of his persuasion.
"Dean, since you don't care about your own benefits, then... you should at least think about the younger students, right?"
Qin Ming incisively hit Flander's weak spot:
"Shrek Academy's current hardware and funding conditions simply cannot provide Oscar, Dai Mubai, and the others with better teaching resources.
In other words, the so-called 'mimicry training environment' is something we simply do not have here."
"Moreover, they are still so young.
With their monstrous top-tier talent, if they could receive more and better resources, they could stand on a higher stage on the continent, instead of being stuck in Soto City, developing their skills behind closed doors!"
Qin Ming stared intently at Flander, "For example... the Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academies!"
"This is a grand event that brings together the most outstanding geniuses from across the continent.
If our juniors can stand on that stage and prove themselves, it will be of immense help to their future lives and cultivation paths!"
"But Dean, not only are there too few students at Shrek Academy, we can't even muster a full team of seven.
What's worse, we don't even have the qualifications to participate in the competition officially registered with the two great empires!"
Qin Ming spoke earnestly, "Even if you don't think about your own future, you should at least think about the future of these students who have entrusted their youth and trust to you!"
Upon hearing this, Flanders fell silent.
He opened his mouth, but found himself speechless at Qin Ming's analysis.
However, he was unwilling and reluctant to give up his "Shrek" dream, which he had devoted half his life to, and to live under someone else's roof.
Seeing Flander caught in a painful internal struggle, Qin Ming sighed, not wanting to press him further, and left with the words, "Please think it over carefully," before taking his leave.
For the next few days, Flander seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Just when Qin Ming thought that the invitation was likely to fall through and there was no hope, Flander suddenly sent someone to summon him.
"I've changed my mind."
Flander looked at Qin Ming, his usually shrewd eyes now bloodshot, clearly having gone through a great internal struggle, but he ultimately chose to compromise, "I promise you, I will take the children to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy."
Upon hearing this, Qin Ming's face lit up with ecstatic joy:
"That's wonderful! Dean, I'll go arrange it right away..."
"Don't be so happy yet, I haven't finished speaking!"
Flander raised his hand to interrupt him, his expression becoming extremely serious, and stated his final bottom line:
"Going to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is fine.
However, I have one strict requirement."
"Once we get there, we must retain the name 'Shrek' and its independent organizational structure.
Furthermore, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy must absolutely not interfere with our Shrek teachers' teaching methods for the children for any reason!
If they can't do that, we'd rather stay in this village and continue to starve!"
Upon hearing this request, Qin Ming not only didn't feel troubled, but instead laughed easily.
"Dean, I thought it was something important.
Don't worry, I'll take care of this!"
Qin Ming patted his chest confidently and assured them, "My status and influence at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are still considerable.
Under the three members of the academy's teaching committee, I have the authority to make direct decisions on many matters concerning faculty arrangements and student training.
Your request is simply no problem at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
"Moreover, the teaching staff of Shrek Academy is extremely powerful, even among most high-level soul master academies on the entire continent! With you and Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, both Soul Saints at level 70 or above, the other teachers are all Soul Emperors at level 60 or above."
"With such a powerful core force willing to join us, even the three members of the teaching committee of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy would be overjoyed.
No one would be foolish enough to refuse!"
Upon hearing Qin Ming's frank revelation, Flander's tense expression finally relaxed completely.
"Alright, since you've put it that way, then I have nothing to worry about." Flanders nodded.
Qin Ming pressed his advantage and asked, "Then, Dean, when do you think we plan to set off for Tiandou City?"
Flander pushed up his glasses, his gaze sweeping around the simple office that held countless memories for him, a complex mix of reluctance and emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Give me a little more time."
Flander sighed. "My shop in Soto, and all the assets I've accumulated over the years, need to be sold to a suitable buyer in time.
The other teachers at the academy have been here for so long, and they all have their own personal matters to settle down."
"What's more…" Flander turned to look at the somewhat desolate playground outside the window and gave a bitter smile, "If we really go to Tiandou City this time, I'm afraid I'll never come back to this poor, remote place again."
It's hard to leave one's homeland.
No matter how dilapidated this place may be, it is still the place where these old brothers have devoted half their lives.
If we really want to leave completely, we need to give everyone time to adjust and say goodbye.
Flander withdrew his gaze and decisively provided a timeline:
"How about this, let's set it for three months from now.
After these three months, once everything at the academy and everyone in Soto City is settled, I will take the teachers and children and officially set off to find you at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy."
"Three months..."
Qin Ming considered the time in his mind and felt it was very appropriate, so he readily nodded:
"There's plenty of time. In that case, Dean, I won't linger any longer.
I'll head back to Tiandou City tomorrow to explain this matter to the three education committee members in advance and make sure all the procedures for your and everyone's move-in, your independent staffing, and your accommodation are all arranged in advance!"
Qin Ming stood up and respectfully bowed to Flander in a student's salute:
"Three months later, Qin Ming will respectfully welcome the Dean and all the teachers at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
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