Give Me a Proper Kowtow

Su Yue lowered her eyelids, concealing the fleeting emotion that crossed her eyes.

Although she had known beforehand that human emotions are richer than those of other creatures, and that humans often act impulsively.

However, judging from the conversations among these people from the Shrek Academy, they haven't actually spent that much time together, and their relationship is probably far from that level yet.

Logically speaking, sacrificing oneself to fight for those students' almost non-existent chance of survival is by no means a wise choice.

That human Soul Saint, although he looks reckless and crude, is clearly not a stupid person. How could he not understand this?

Are you surprised?

"A little." Su Yue nodded, not denying it. "This Soul Saint didn't really need to risk his life. Only a genius who has grown up can be considered a genius. In comparison, a Soul Saint whose potential has not been exhausted is more useful to humanity. Moreover, I think that even if these young Soul Master grow up smoothly, half of them will not become Titled Douluo. Besides, even if he really self-destructed, he couldn't save these children."

"You're mistaken. His choice has nothing to do with the children's talent. When he first selected students, he may have had high requirements for their potential and aptitude as future successors, but once the teacher-student relationship was established, these things became less important. He did this today simply because he is a teacher, and protecting his students is his responsibility."

Su Yue looked enlightened upon hearing this.

If that's the interpretation, then it makes sense. It has nothing to do with gains or losses, but rather with his certain belief.

But what followed was a deeper sense of incomprehension and a faint disdain.

She scoffed, "This can be considered responsibility?"

Shouldn't it be the survival of the race and the greater good of the race that makes it worth sacrificing one's life?

If one day she were asked to die to protect Di Tian and the others, she would absolutely refuse.

It wasn't out of fear of death, but because she had a much deeper mission.

"Of course it counts." Su Cheng sensed her disdain but didn't care. Instead, he turned to her and asked, "Have you ever thought about what you're pursuing?"

"My pursuit?"

Su Yue frowned slightly and thought for a moment before slowly shaking her head. "If you mean the revival of the Dragon Clan, then for me, that's not a pursuit. Because it's my instinct; I was born for it."

"So that's how it is. I was judging others by my own standards." Su Cheng sighed and turned to look at Zhao Wuji was exuding a powerful aura in the arena.

"From the moment you Dragon Clan are born, you are born strong, with unique inheritances and talents, and long lifespans. Naturally, you will not be confused about your own definition, nor do you need to choose the end of your path."

"We humans are not like Dragon Clan or Soul Beast. We live like morning dew, born short-lived, so we spend our whole lives searching. Seeking Longevity, seeking reunion, seeking peace and happiness... constantly gaining, and then constantly losing."

"Perhaps it was just a moment of slumber for you, but the human world has undergone tremendous changes, experiencing the life and death of several generations. It is through the inheritance of generations that we have achieved our current prosperity."

"It is precisely because of inherent deficiencies that we need to make up for them later. Countless outstanding individuals will always emerge among mankind to drive the development of the race, rather than relying on any one person."

"Their nature may be despicable, and their methods may be dirty, but they are ultimately driving progress step by step. Even if they go astray along the way, there will be people to correct the path. This is the power of inheritance, and also the power of the human heart."

Su Cheng looked at Su Yue again, "If you can't understand this point, then you won't understand why humans are the most intelligent of all beings."

"Humans are the most intelligent of all beings?" Su Yue repeated softly, a hint of undisguised mockery in her eyes.

If humans are the most intelligent of all beings, then what are Dragon Clan?

When the Dragon Clan once stood at the pinnacle of all realms, they were far more powerful than humans are today.

But she did not refute it.

Because now she has to admit that humans and Dragon Clan are indeed very different.

Their growth rate is astonishing.

"Let's continue reading..."

At this moment, a strange look flashed in Ye Zhiqiu's eyes as he faced Zhao Wuji. He then said, "Since you're prepared to fight to the death, I'll give you another option. As long as you complete three tasks, I'll let you go today."

"You--"

"Enough with the nonsense, do you even want to live?"

Zhao Wuji Zhongji displeased.

Even when he was being hunted down by the Strength Clan and the Spirit Hall, he never ended up in this state.

Although they were at a disadvantage, the old bastard on the other side was clearly a cowardly coward who was intimidated by the scene of his own self-destruction.

If that's the case, why are you still making demands?

Ye Zhiqiu seemed to see through his thoughts and said bluntly, "I'm not trying to reason with you. I'm just using my strength to teach you troublemakers a lesson. If you don't agree, then go ahead and self-destruct. I want to see how powerful Soul Saint's self-destruction is, and whether it can take my life."

"..."

Zhao Wuji paused upon hearing this, and could only slowly calm his breathing.

He asked, panting heavily, "Tell me, what conditions do you need for us to be let go?"

"As a college teacher, you fail to set a good example, and your words and actions are disrespectful. You are the one who has made a mistake. Kneel down and kowtow three times to show your repentance."

"What?!" Zhao Wuji looked up in astonishment, then his eyes blazed with fury. "You're dreaming!"

At this moment, Su Cheng suddenly asked Su Yue, "Do you think he will agree?"

Su Yue glanced at Zhao Wuji, whose expression was constantly shifting, and recalling his previous stance of preferring self-destruction to compromise, hesitated and said, "He definitely won't agree, right? But if he refuses, are you really planning to kill them?"

"If it were you, what would you choose?"

"Of course I'd rather die," Su Yue said proudly without hesitation.

"They don't even care about the future and survival of the Dragon Clan?"

"..."

Seeing her silence, Su Cheng didn't press her further, but instead said, "I think he would agree."

"Because of what you just said about 'responsibility'?"

"Yes, because of responsibility."

"Even dignity is no longer important?"

Su Cheng just smiled and said, "Let's see how it goes."

"Don't rush me, I haven't finished yet. I won't let you off so easily." Ye Zhiqiu didn't care about Zhao Wuji's anger and continued, "That fatso and the kid who spoke rudely at the beginning will also have to kowtow three times to each of my students."

After saying this, he paused for a moment and did not immediately make a third request.

Dai Mubai: "..."

Ma Hongjun: "..."

The others. "..."

The room fell silent for a moment, with only Zhao Wuji's heavy breathing echoing on the first floor of the hotel.

After a long pause, Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, lowered her head, and whispered, "It was... it was our fault to begin with, admitting... admitting our mistake shouldn't be a big deal..."

Although her voice was very soft, everyone present was Soul Master, and since it was quiet at the moment, they all heard her stuttering whispers.

Dai Mubai raised his head and gave Ning Rongrong a venomous look.

He already disliked this young lady from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and now seeing her kicking him when he was down, he became even more resentful.

Even now, the resentment towards her is greater than that towards Ye Zhiqiu, who is on the opposite side.

Ma Hongjun was pale and silent, while Oscar pursed his lips and his eyes flickered.

Zhu Zhuqing frowned, feeling somewhat uncomfortable as well.

She could understand Ning Rongrong's thoughts at that moment.

The other party was a princess-like figure, and since it wasn't her who needed to kowtow and kneel, she naturally didn't care too much. As long as she could save her life, that was enough; she wouldn't care about anything else.

Not to mention that she already disliked Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, and had never thought much of the academy teachers such as Zhao Wuji.

Tang San breathed a sigh of relief when he saw someone take the initiative to speak.

He had been waiting for others to speak.

Actually, Xiao Wu had wanted to speak up just now, but he stopped her in time.

Tang San knew perfectly well that he couldn't be the first to stick his neck out at this time. The situation had begun to ease, and there was no need to rush.

Speaking out carelessly at such times can easily become a window for others to vent their emotions afterward.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji sighed, gave Ning Rongrong a deep look, and prepared to say something.

"The third thing." But at this moment, Ye Zhiqiu spoke again.

"The others, though most of them didn't say anything rude, should still kowtow and admit their mistakes as companions. In the end, your so-called 'not daring to cause trouble is incompetence' is just bullying the weak and fearing the strong. However, I won't force you to do this. The seven of you can do it for each other. As long as you gather five extra kowtows, this matter will be over."

Having said that, he found a chair and sat down, saying calmly, "I'll give you five minutes to consider. Whether you live or die is up to your own choice."

"He actually intends to agree..." Su Yue, on the other side, also noticed Zhao Wuji's attitude and was somewhat surprised.

Then he looked at Su Cheng and asked, "What do you mean by your last request? To have them apologize to each other on their behalf?"

"People are different. Although these young Soul Master are all quite outstanding, haven't you noticed that their styles of doing things are actually quite different? Justice or selfishness, kindness or hypocrisy, these qualities are just outward appearances and cannot determine their ultimate achievements."

Su Cheng offered this explanation, but there was another reason he didn't say.

This was one of his attempts.

He wanted to see if he could break up the Shrek Seven Devils team right here.

This Simulation includes a mission to "change the fate of key figures".

Logically speaking, this is almost effortless and shouldn't be considered a task; it's just something to do casually.

After all, the fates of many people in reality have already been changed because of him.

However, something made him feel that something was a little unusual.

Despite awakening a different Martial Soul and possessing the powerful Hell White Tiger, Zhu Zhuqing still joined Shrek Academy.

While it makes sense logically, it's too much of a coincidence.

After all, both the time she left the Star Luo Empire and her background and circumstances should have changed a lot.

However, given so many variables, Zhu Zhuqing's choice of this college cannot be explained by simple coincidence.

On the other side, Zhao Wuji stood silently like a boulder, his aura heavy and composed.

If it weren't for the occasional glint of light in his half-closed eyes, one would almost think he had fallen asleep.

"Teacher Zhao..."

"Teacher Zhao, we're sorry to have troubled you."

Upon seeing this Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged a secret glance, then lowered their heads and spoke one after the other, their words tinged with fear.

"... Alright, you can't be entirely blamed for what happened today."

After a long while, Zhao Wuji finally spoke, his voice filled with deep weariness.

"Then, Teacher Zhao, we..."

Dai Mubai seemed to want to say something but hesitated.

He really didn't want to kneel down and kowtow to admit his mistake as Ye Zhiqiu had suggested.

As a prince of the Star Luo Empire and a highly talented young Soul Master, how could he do something so undignified?

Then Dai Mubai looked at Tang San with hopeful eyes, "Little San, your Hidden Weapon..."

Tang San shook his head, his eyes flickering slightly. "Boss Dai, there's nothing we can do. The difference in strength is just too great. That's Soul Douluo, the strongest below the Titled Douluo."

Zhao Wuji sighed helplessly, "As your teacher, it's my incompetence that I couldn't protect you. Consider today's events a lesson. But you don't need to be discouraged. The other party was just bullying the younger ones because of their age; it's nothing. As for Ye Zhiqiu's last request..."

At this point, he looked at the students who had come out with him, his expression slightly hesitant.

Oscar is relatively easy to deal with; he just kneeled, but the others are not so easy to handle.

With Tang Hao standing behind Tang San, if that powerful figure finds out about this in the future, it won't be as simple as just getting another beating.

Ning Rongrong comes from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If she were to complain to Ning Fengzhi, the consequences would probably not be any better.

As for Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, the former is obviously from an extraordinary family and has an exceptionally good Martial Soul aptitude. She doesn't seem like the type to swallow her anger. Besides, today's events really have nothing to do with her; she was just dragged into it.

As for Xiao Wu, this child is extremely close to Tang San, their relationship is like that of two people, so she would probably be difficult to control.

Thinking of this, Zhao Wuji turned his gaze back to Dai Mubai and Hongjun, "Mu Bai, Hongjun, why don't you two just swallow your pride and apologize on behalf of these junior students?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Mubai's expression changed instantly. He looked up sharply, his face filled with disbelief, "Teacher Zhao— "

"Don't be so quick to refuse," Zhao Wuji waved his hand. "It's just an apology, it's not as serious as you think. I don't care anymore, so what do you have to hold a grudge about? I believe your juniors will remember your efforts."

"Can--"

"Boss Dai, I'm sorry to have put you through this."

Before Dai Mubai could speak, Tang San patted him on the shoulder first.

"Teacher Zhao is right. Everyone knows who is right and who is wrong today. He was just bullying the weak and can't be considered a hero. Right now, it's just a matter of enduring the moment, which is nothing to be ashamed of. You sacrificed yourself for your comrades, and we will all remember that."

After saying that, he gave Xiao Wu a wink.

Xiao Wu immediately understood and said sweetly, "Boss Dai, I used to think you were both lecherous and boastful, but now I realize you're actually very responsible. Didn't the dean say that Shrek Academy only recruits monster-level Soul Master? Since that's the case, we naturally have to be different from ordinary people. Not only should our talent surpass theirs, but we should also have more magnanimity!"

"..."

Dai Mubai was taken aback when he heard this, but seeing Tang San and Xiao Wu's sincere expressions, he couldn't help but feel a little moved, and his emotions gradually calmed down.

He glanced at Oscar beside him, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Oscar, don't worry, I'll take care of your problems."

His words sometimes carried a heroic spirit, as if he were bravely going to his death.

However, after saying that, he stopped talking and deliberately avoided looking at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Ning Rongrong frowned and said bluntly, "It was you who started this trouble, so what are you pretending for!"

Zhu Zhuqing did not speak.

She had no intention of asking for favors or owing people a debt for something so idiotic.

"Alright, when things come to this, let's not talk about irrelevant things anymore!" Zhao Wuji waved his hand impatiently.

He looked directly at Ma Hongjun and ordered, "Hongjun, you will replace Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong."

"Huh?" Ma Hongjun was still in a daze when he was suddenly assigned this task, and he was quite surprised.

"She's just a young girl. As a grown man, you should take more responsibility and learn to endure hardship."

As Zhao Wuji spoke, he secretly transmitted his voice to him, "Silly boy, think about it carefully. Ning Rongrong has the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind her. You took the blame for her today, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School will have to repay your kindness. Besides..."

He paused for a moment before continuing telepathically, "This matter won't be over so easily. That old bastard is just a Soul Douluo. For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, crushing him is no harder than crushing an ant. When that time comes, won't we get our revenge?"

After hearing what he said, Ma Hongjun could no longer hesitate.

Anyway, today has been embarrassing enough. If we can regain some goodwill from this, it might not be a bad thing.

"Good--"

"Wait, I don't want to owe you a favor. Just tell me how much money you need, and I'll pay you to apologize on my behalf."

Ning Rongrong suddenly spoke up at this moment, unexpectedly rejecting Zhao Wuji's suggestion.

After thinking for a moment, she quickly changed her mind and said, "No, I'll exchange them for you twice. You can tell me about mine and Zhu Zhuqing's together. If the money is still not enough, just tell me what resources you need, and I can make arrangements for you."

"..."

Startled by this barrage of words, Ma Hongjun was stunned again.

He glanced at Ning Rongrong, then at Zhao Wuji, looking somewhat bewildered.

Zhao Wuji gave Ning Rongrong a deep look.

The child ultimately failed to integrate into the team.

After what happened today, things will probably be even more difficult in the future.

Moreover, the reason she has changed her attitude and said such things is probably because she has seen through Ye Zhiqiu's true purpose.

It must be said that children raised in major sects do have some cleverness.

Although I was terrified at first, once I came to my senses, I immediately made an accurate assessment of my situation.

Whatever the reason Ye Zhiqiu changed his attitude in the end—whether it was because of his own self-destruction threat or because he was wary of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect —ultimately, his murderous intent had subsided, and now all he needed was a way out.

The key to this step is the three troublemakers: Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun.

The other students were just extras.

That last condition was just a way to annoy myself; otherwise, there would have been no need to use terms like "substitute."

I updated a lot today. I will try to maintain a daily update of more than 5,000 words in the future. I will update and correct any typos first.