Elite Competition Dilemma: Qin Ming's Proposal, the Academy's Choice

In the Shrek Academy cafeteria early that morning, a parchment lay spread across the long table. Yu Xiaogang had repeatedly circled the rules for the "Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament," and the words "official academy qualifications" stood out like a stone weighing on everyone's hearts.

"Spirit Hall's rules are far too strict." Yu Xiaogang's fingertip traced the clause stating, "Must be certified and registered with Spirit Hall," and his voice grew heavy. "We have no permanent campus, no officially registered faculty roster, and we have never even undergone the annual qualification review. In their eyes, Shrek is just some 'unofficial operation,' not even qualified to enter the tournament."

Flender slammed his fist onto the table, making the porcelain bowls clatter. "Why? Our students are ten times stronger than those so-called official academies! Tang San's control, Zhi Xia's armor-piercing—aren't they both at the highest level? Just because we lack an 'official' title, they don't even get a chance to prove themselves?"

Zhao Wuji scratched his head, his rugged face full of indignation. "How about we force our way in? At worst, we can argue it out with Spirit Hall!"

"Argue?" Yu Xiaogang shook his head and pushed over the list of past participants. "Look at these academies. They either have major clans backing them or royal endorsement. We have neither people nor influence. If we force our way in, Spirit Hall will only drive us out for 'disrupting tournament order,' and we might even drag the children into it."

Lin Zhixia flipped through the list, her fingertip stopping at the name "Heaven Dou Royal Academy." "Heaven Dou Royal Academy is a top academy officially recognized by the Heaven Dou Empire. If we could..." Before she could finish, she shook her head. How could such an elite academy possibly think highly of Shrek?

Just then, familiar footsteps sounded outside the academy gates. Qin Ming entered carrying a cloth bundle. Seeing everyone's grave expressions and catching sight of the parchment on the table, he immediately understood. "Teacher, juniors, are you troubled over the qualifications for the Elite Competition?"

Flender looked up, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. "Why are you here? You just finished competing. Shouldn't you be resting with the Imperial Dou Team? What are you doing here?"

"I heard Master was looking into tournament qualifications, so I hurried over." Qin Ming placed the bundle on the table and opened it, revealing the documents inside. "When I was with the Imperial Dou Team, I had dealings with the vice principal of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He once told me that every year, Heaven Dou Royal Academy takes in one or two 'promising unofficial teams' as affiliated tournament teams. As long as they pass the academy's assessment, they can enter the Elite Competition under Heaven Dou Royal Academy's name."

His words were like a ray of light piercing the deadlock. Xiao Wu immediately leaned forward. "Really? Can we take the assessment?"

Qin Ming nodded, his gaze settling on Flender. "I know the vice principal fairly well, so I can make an introduction. As long as Shrek passes their 'team combat assessment,' you can obtain affiliated team status. But..." He paused, his tone turning solemn. "After becoming an affiliated tournament team, Shrek's name will temporarily be attached to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. During the competition, you must compete as the 'Heaven Dou Royal Academy Affiliated Team,' and most of the honors after the tournament will go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy."

"What?" Flender shot to his feet, his expression darkening at once. "Make Shrek use someone else's name? And give away the honors? No! Absolutely not!"

Shrek was something he had built with his own hands. From a dilapidated thatched hut to the farmstead it was now, every brick and tile was steeped in his blood and sweat. Asking him to attach his academy to someone else was harder for him than admitting defeat himself.

"Flender!" Yu Xiaogang pressed a hand onto his shoulder, his tone stern. "This is not the time to be stubborn! Do you think I want Shrek to use someone else's name? But if we do not, the children will not even have a chance to compete!"

"A chance to compete?" Flender shook off his hand, his voice slightly hoarse. "I founded Shrek so these children could rely on their own strength to make the name 'Shrek' known! Not so they could wear someone else's name and serve as someone else's supporting act!"

"But without the qualifications to compete, no matter how strong they are, they have nowhere to show it!" Yu Xiaogang's voice rose as well. "The Elite Competition is the greatest stage on the continent. Only there can the children encounter true experts and grow quickly! You cannot bear to part with Shrek's name, but can you bear to let the children miss this opportunity?"

Their argument instantly silenced the cafeteria. Dai Mubai wanted to intervene, but Tang San held him back. He knew this was not simply a question of whether to become affiliated. It was a choice between Flender's obsession with Shrek and the children's future.

Qin Ming looked at the two of them and spoke softly. "Teacher, Master is right. When I was at Shrek, you often said, 'Strength is what matters; a name is only an appearance.' As long as my juniors can stand on the Elite Competition stage, even if they temporarily bear Heaven Dou Royal Academy's name, once they achieve results, everyone will remember the three words 'Shrek,' not 'Affiliated Team.'"

He turned to Flender, his tone pleading. "Teacher, please consider it again. Heaven Dou Royal Academy's assessment is not difficult. With Shrek's strength, you will definitely pass. And I have already spoken to the vice principal. As long as you pass, they will not interfere with our training or tactics. It will only be an affiliation in name."

Flender fell silent. He looked at the parchment on the table, then at the hopeful eyes of the children—Tang San's determination, the longing in Lin Zhixia's eyes, the anticipation on Xiao Wu's face. Those gazes pierced his heart like needles. Had he not founded Shrek precisely so these children could have a better future?

Seeing the change in his expression, Yu Xiaogang softened his tone. "Flender, I know you cannot bear it. But this is only temporary. Once the tournament ends, we can apply for official qualifications again and make Shrek even stronger than Heaven Dou Royal Academy. For the children, endure this for now, all right?"

Flender took a deep breath, his fingers gripping the tablecloth so tightly that his knuckles turned white. After a long while, he slowly released it. His voice carried a trace of exhaustion, yet it was exceptionally firm. "Fine, I agree. But I have one condition—during the competition, the team uniforms must bear Shrek's emblem. Even if we compete under Heaven Dou Royal Academy's name, everyone must know that this team is called Shrek!"

"No problem!" Qin Ming nodded at once. "I'll go speak to the vice principal now and set the assessment date!"

Watching Qin Ming's hurriedly departing figure, Flender walked to the window and gazed at the wooden stakes on the training field. He murmured softly, "Shrek... my Shrek..."

Yu Xiaogang walked to his side and patted his shoulder. "Do not worry. Once the children achieve results, Shrek's name will spread across the entire continent."

Cheers rose in the cafeteria. Xiao Wu grabbed Lin Zhixia's hand and said excitedly, "Zhi Xia! We can compete in the Elite Competition! When the time comes, we have to perform well and let everyone know how formidable Shrek is!"

Lin Zhixia smiled and nodded, touching the Star Guidance Bell at her waist. She seemed to feel her parents' eyes upon her, cheering her on. Tang San looked at the Mystic Star Wheel in his hand, a faint glow spreading from his fingertips. I must achieve something at the Elite Competition. Not only must I prove Shrek's strength, I must uncover the truth behind my parents' murder and live up to everyone's expectations.

The setting sun spilled across the rooftops of Shrek Academy. Golden light enveloped this "unofficial" academy, yet it also illuminated the children's path toward the Elite Competition. Though they would temporarily be affiliated with Heaven Dou Royal Academy, everyone knew that Shrek's legend had only just begun.