Xue Xing's Recruitment

Flender was at a loss as well. He could not understand how Yu Xiaogang had no soul power. Though it was true that Yu Xiaogang's soul power had always been low, it should not have been completely nonexistent! Looking at Yu Xiaogang, he asked, "Xiaogang, did something happen to you?"

Yu Xiaogang was even more ashamed and enraged, wishing he could find a hole to crawl into. He had been the one clamoring to come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, yet now the academy had taken a liking to everyone except him, Yu Xiaogang, because he had no soul power. Wasn't this just lifting a stone only to smash his own foot? If he had known, he would have been better off not coming!

In his humiliation and fury, Yu Xiaogang turned and ran off wildly. Flender reached out after him. "Xiaogang..."

"Teacher." Seeing Yu Xiaogang run away, Tang San was extremely worried. After hesitating for a moment, he chased after him.

Flender knew that Yu Xiaogang cared greatly about his pride. Being humiliated before so many people had surely left him overwhelmed with shame and anger. Prince Xue Xing, meanwhile, curled his lips into a smile. After all, he had come here intending to vent his nephew Xue Beng's anger and drive Flender and the others away.

However, Flender and the others were all Soul Saints with considerable strength. If he could drive away one useless person as a pretext to back down, then find a way to recruit the remaining teachers and students, it would bring Heaven Dou Royal Academy nothing but benefits. He immediately said, "Dean Flender, it seems that when you recruited teachers, you were deceived by that useless fellow as well! But it is all right now. That useless man has already left, while the teachers of Shrek have proven that they are indeed talented. I guarantee preferential treatment for every teacher and student of Shrek Academy. You may all become Heaven Dou Rank teachers and students."

Flender was deeply displeased. He had not agreed with coming to Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the first place, but Yu Xiaogang had insisted. And now look what had happened—they had come to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, only for him to be humiliated, while the lofty image of Master in the hearts of these Little Monsters had also come crashing down.

Flender cupped his fists. "Your Highness, three Committee Members, Xiaogang is indeed a teacher at our academy. However, he is our academy's theory teacher. He possesses extensive theoretical knowledge and teaching experience. I can even tell Your Highness that Xiaogang has always been responsible for these children's training. Since Your Highness looks down on the teachers of our academy, Shrek Academy will not remain any longer. Farewell."

Meng Shenji immediately called out, "Dean Flender, please wait."

"Your Highness, Dean Flender has already made it clear. That teacher is a theory teacher. Though he has no soul power, it cannot be denied that he possesses considerable teaching experience."

Xue Xing gave a disdainful laugh and looked at the Shrek students. "Children, let me ask you: what level was your Innate Soul Power?"

The people from Shrek Academy exchanged glances. Ning Rongrong spoke first. "Mine was Innate Level Nine."

"Mine was also Innate Level Nine," Ma Hongjun immediately said.

Meng Yiran stepped forward and said, "Mine is the lowest, only Innate Level Seven. Everyone else's Innate Soul Power is higher than mine, and three of them even have Innate Full Soul Power!"

Xue Xing was startled upon hearing this. Even the lowest Innate Soul Power among them was Level Seven. Xue Beng, standing behind him, was also stunned, and he made up his mind that he had to find a way to win them over. As long as he could bring them into his camp, in twenty years' time, they would surely become a powerful force under his command.

"Did you hear that, Chief Meng Shenji? These children are all geniuses with Innate Soul Power of Level Seven or above. Their talent is already extraordinary. Even without that useless teacher, their future achievements would be limitless."

As he spoke, Xue Xing's gaze toward the Shrek students became even more fervent. He truly wanted to bring these students into Heaven Dou Royal Academy. "Xue Beng, what happened before was surely your fault. Hurry up and apologize to them."

"Yes, yes, yes." Xue Beng immediately put on a frightened expression, stepped forward, and said, "Fellow students, what happened earlier was my fault. Please forgive me. I'm sorry."

Hearing Xue Xing say this, the Shrek group all lifted their heads. Seeing Xue Beng apologize, their vanity was greatly satisfied, and the dissatisfaction they had felt over the Heaven Dou imperial family's rudeness faded considerably.

But Flender was no fool. He understood what Xue Xing was planning—it was nothing more than the carrot-and-stick routine. Cupping his fists, he said, "There is no need for an apology. It was only a quarrel among children to begin with. Three Committee Members, we shall take our leave."

"Dean Flender, please wait," Prince Xue Xing said at this moment.

Flender stopped and looked coldly at Prince Xue Xing. "Does Your Highness have anything else?"

Xue Xing smiled gently, completely unlike the sharp and imposing man he had been moments ago. Politicians truly changed faces quickly. He said with a smile, "Dean Flender, do not be angry. I offer you my apologies here. I was indeed discourteous."

Hearing Xue Xing apologize, Flender felt somewhat satisfied. Though he was secretly pleased, his expression still remained distant and unapproachable.

Xue Xing felt some displeasure at the sight. He had already lowered his head, yet Flender was still not letting it go. He said sternly, "My earlier test of you teachers was only because I had learned in advance that your academy harbored a petty scoundrel living off others. Moreover, just now, it seemed that none of you teachers knew that the scoundrel possessed not a shred of soul power. It is clear that his intentions were improper!"

Flender was somewhat embarrassed by this, while Zhao Wuji and the others all turned their gazes toward him. After all, they had not been particularly familiar with Yu Xiaogang to begin with. They had only called him "Master" because of Flender.

Still, no matter what, they would let Flender make the decision now. Whether they stayed or left, they were fine with either.

A smile rose in Xue Xing's heart. He wanted to stir up conflict between Shrek Academy and Yu Xiaogang. That way, he could both cover up his earlier rudeness and keep Shrek's teachers and students here. Why not?

Flender looked at Zhao Wuji and the others. These old brothers had followed him for so many years, yet because of a single word from Yu Xiaogang, Shrek Academy had now closed down and they had no way back. They could only keep moving forward. With a cold snort, he said, "Xiaogang is my brother. Even if he has no soul power, he is still my brother. If you want us to stay, then Your Highness must allow Xiaogang to stay as well."

What's going on? The plot has suddenly changed again? Zhao Zilong watched as Flender did not leave directly, instead negotiating terms with Xue Xing. This was different from the original story! Had the plot changed because of his arrival?

Xue Xing was somewhat dissatisfied. He had no regard for a useless person without even a trace of soul power, but he truly wanted Shrek Academy's people to remain. These people were indeed all talents. Recruiting them would bring only benefits and no drawbacks—especially the three Soul Saints, one of whom was a Food Type Soul Master. Food Type Soul Masters were already rare, and even fewer had reached the level of Soul Saint.

Xue Xing pretended to be troubled. "Dean Flender, do you truly insist on keeping that person?"

"If Xiaogang cannot stay, then Shrek Academy will have no choice but to leave." Flender directly stated his bottom line.

Xue Xing sighed upon hearing this and said, "Very well. Since Dean Flender has put it this way, he may stay. However, our academy has rules for hiring teachers: Heaven Micro Rank, Heaven Supreme Rank, and Heaven Dou Rank. That theory teacher from your academy does not even meet the minimum requirement for Heaven Micro Rank. As for his theoretical knowledge, forgive me for speaking frankly, but Heaven Dou Royal Academy has never lacked teachers of theoretical knowledge."

Flender had just been about to say "farewell" when Xue Xing continued, "However, since Dean Flender has personally asked, I shall grant you this favor. I can let him serve as a Heaven Micro Rank teacher, with a six-month probationary period. He will receive no salary during those six months. If he can truly prove his teaching ability, then I will allow him to remain. This is already my bottom line. After all, in the world of soul masters, strength is what speaks."