Flender's Faith Collapsed

Just as Yang Ming turned to leave, Flender finally remembered Shrek Academy's greatest advantage. He flashed in front of Yang Ming, blocking his path, and shouted himself hoarse.

"Also, Shrek Academy has other strengths! We have the finest teaching staff—three Soul Saints and two Soul Emperors! Aside from Spirit Hall Academy and the royal academies of the Two Great Empires, what other academy has a stronger faculty than Shrek Academy?!"

Yang Ming had not intended to say any more, but upon hearing Flender mention this, the anger in his heart surged upward. His expression darkened sharply. He said coldly,

"Three Soul Saints and two Soul Emperors?"

"So what?"

"Your teaching ability is atrocious. Fourteen out of sixty-two students graduated. When hunting Spirit Rings below five thousand years for your students, you still got seven of them killed. What use are teachers like you?!!"

Yang Ming nearly roared that final sentence.

The deeper the love, the harsher the rebuke. In his previous life, Yang Ming had devoted his life to Shrek Academy. Seeing it reduced to this state now, one could imagine his fury.

When Flender heard Yang Ming speak of the deepest pain in his heart—the seven students who had died while hunting Spirit Rings—he finally could not hold on any longer. He staggered back two steps involuntarily, his blood rushing upward as his face instantly flushed red. Then he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

"Teacher!"

"Flender!" x4

"Headmaster!" x4

Seeing Flender angered to the point of vomiting blood, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and the four teachers who had rushed over after hearing Flender's earlier shout, including Zhao Wuji, hurried forward to check on him.

The teachers looked at Yang Ming, whose clothes were stained with blood and whose eyes were full of disappointment, and felt both bewildered, angry, and guilty.

They had heard Yang Ming's final words as well. They were bewildered because they did not understand why Yang Ming seemed to care so deeply about Shrek Academy when he had never even joined it. They were angry because of their many years of friendship with Flender and Shrek Academy. And they felt guilty for those seven students. Those students were not only Flender's greatest pain, but theirs as well.

After venting the anger in his heart, Yang Ming tried to regain his usual calmness. Yet his heart remained turbulent and uneasy. He had not meant to speak so mercilessly at first, but his anger had taken over. Since the words had already been spoken, it was better to lay everything bare.

Yang Ming let out a long breath and gave the dazed Flender one final piece of advice.

"Headmaster Flender, those who teach others should educate with responsibility and wisdom. Otherwise, your so-called Ambition of the Swan will only harm others and yourself."

After saying that, Yang Ming turned and left Shrek Academy, heading toward Suotuo City.

Hearing Yang Ming's final warning, Flender stared blankly at the sky. He thought back on everything that had happened over the years. Of the sixty-two students Shrek Academy had accepted, aside from those seven, only two had ever returned to visit their teachers.

A total of fourteen students had graduated. Although the claim about Spirit Hall elders had been false, some had indeed risen to positions of great power in kingdoms and empires. Yet those people had not only failed to support the academy—they had never even returned for a visit.

Had those students been led astray by them, taught into becoming people of poor character? Or had they, after seeing the outside world, come to think the same way as Yang Ming? But no matter which it was, did that not mean they teachers had gravely failed in their duty?!!

At that moment, Flender suddenly shoved away Ma Hongjun and Zhao Wuji, who were supporting him. He rose to his feet and walked forward, laughing madly as tears streamed down his face. The shrewdness and mercenary nature vanished from his shoehorn-shaped face, leaving only sorrow and self-mockery.

"Hahahaha."

"Those who teach others should educate with responsibility and wisdom?"

"Educate with responsibility and wisdom!!!"

"Studying hard, studying hard—studying hard for nothing. Working hard, working hard—working hard for nothing!"

"Ambition of the Swan, harming others and oneself!"

"Ambition of the Swan, harming others and oneself indeed!!!"

"Flender, oh Flender!"

"You pride yourself on being aloof, as cunning as a fox, yet in the end, you cannot see as clearly as a twelve-year-old child!"

"Hahahaha."

As he laughed, Flender activated Martial Soul Possession and shot into the sky, flying toward the distance. Zhao Wuji and the other teachers immediately circulated their Soul Power and chased after him.

Seeing this, Ma Hongjun hurriedly shouted,

"Teacher Zhao, take me with you too!"

Remembering that Ma Hongjun was Flender's direct disciple, Zhao Wuji turned back, grabbed Ma Hongjun like a chick, and flew after Flender.

Oscar also called out,

"Me too—"

Before Oscar could finish, he heard his teacher Shao Xin's voice.

"Oscar, stay behind and guard the place!"

Although worried, Oscar could only obey his teacher's orders.

But when he saw the doubtful expressions on Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu's faces, Oscar sighed inwardly. He knew that Shrek Academy would likely never return to what it had been before.

Before, if the problems within Shrek Academy had not been exposed or seen through, they could still be treated as Shrek Academy being unconventional and distinctive. But now that Yang Ming had so directly exposed the utter emptiness beneath Shrek Academy's mysterious facade, even Oscar himself could no longer turn a blind eye. Much less Tang San and the other two, who had only just joined the academy. Thinking this, Oscar said to the silent trio,

"You have all seen what happened today. You should each have your own judgment about some of the problems in our academy."

"If you are still willing to believe in the academy, stay. If not, you may leave on your own!"

After saying this, Oscar left the training field to go running. His mind was a complete mess as well. He wanted to sweat and think things through.

After Oscar left, Ning Rongrong glanced at Tang San and Xiao Wu standing beside her, then left the training field as well. Only Tang San and Xiao Wu remained on the Great Training Field.

Xiao Wu turned to Tang San, whose face was full of doubt, and asked softly,

"Third Brother, what should we do? Should we leave, or keep staying here?"

Hearing Xiao Wu's question, Tang San snapped out of his doubts about Grandmaster's theories. Looking at Xiao Wu, who was asking for his opinion, he fell into a dilemma. In the end, Tang San stroked Xiao Wu's head and said,

"Teacher said he would come find us later, so let's stay at Shrek Academy and wait for now!"

After a series of internal struggles, Tang San ultimately chose to believe Yu Xiaogang.

Twin Martial Souls, the First Soul Ring, and Yu Xiaogang's attentive care over the years all made Tang San continue to believe that Yu Xiaogang had merely been limited by the poor conditions at Notting Academy and Tang San's low Soul Power during the first few years. That was why he had not arranged more Martial Soul training for him. Once Yu Xiaogang arrived, all of that would be arranged.

Since Tang San had made his decision, Xiao Wu naturally had no objections. Then she pestered Tang San to accompany her to Suotuo City for fun. Unable to refuse her, Tang San could only go with her.

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, who had been wandering around Shrek Academy, arrived at a secluded place and called out,

"Uncle Ying."

The next moment, a man in black suddenly appeared before Ning Rongrong. He bowed and said,

"This subordinate greets the Young Miss!"

Looking at the guard who had suddenly appeared, Ning Rongrong said,

"No need for formalities!"

This man Ning Rongrong called Uncle Ying was the guardian Ning Fengzhi had arranged for his beloved daughter, a Soul Saint expert.

Uncle Ying rose and asked Ning Rongrong respectfully,

"What instructions does Miss have?"

Thinking of that mysterious young man, Ning Rongrong ordered,

"Go investigate exactly who Yang Ming works for. There is something unusual about him!"

Upon hearing Ning Rongrong mention Yang Ming, Uncle Ying responded respectfully,

"Yes!"

After giving her order, Ning Rongrong dismissed him. Uncle Ying turned into an afterimage and vanished.

The place became quiet once more.

Recalling everything that had just happened, a smile reappeared on Ning Rongrong's face. Her little witch nature revived as she murmured playfully,

"What will become of Shrek Academy after this?"

"I'm rather curious!!!"

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