Qin Ming

The laughter gradually subsided, Niu Gao cleared his throat and said:

"Now that everyone has decided to join, shouldn't we talk about the enrollment of the clan's children?"

Bai He nodded and said:

"Among the candidates from the Speed Clan, I recommend my granddaughter, Bai Chenxiang. She is eight years old this year, Innate Soul Power of level eight, and her Martial Soul is the Sharp-Tailed Swift. Her talent is arguably the highest among our families."

He paused, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes, and said:

"If she could join our Beichen Academy, her future achievements would definitely surpass mine."

Tai Tan nodded and said:

"As for the Strength Clan, Tai Long has already enrolled. He's a bit slow, but he's hardworking."

Tai Long stood to the side, his face turning bright red upon hearing this, yet he dared not refute it.

Niu Gao also spoke up:

"On the Defense Clan's side, my grandson Niu Ben is thirteen years old this year, a level twenty-five Soul Grandmaster. His Martial Soul is the Plate Armor Giant Rhinoceros, and his defensive power is among the best of his peers."

After he finished speaking, he looked at Yang Wudi.

Yang Wudi was silent for a moment, then slowly said:

"On the side of the Breaking Clan, my grandson Yang Yukang is thirteen years old this year and a level twenty-six Soul Grandmaster. His Martial Soul is the Soul Breaking Spear."

His voice was calm, but a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

Tai Tan patted him on the shoulder:

"Old Goat, your grandson has great talent. Nurture him well, and he will surely amount to something great in the future."

Yang Wudi nodded without saying anything.

Fu Shiyan listened to the introductions and nodded slightly:

"In that case, after the gathering, everyone can send their clan members to the Beichen Academy. The Academy will arrange their enrollment."

The four responded in unison:

"Yes!"

After chatting for a while longer, Bai He was the first to get up and say goodbye.

"Your Majesty, I shall first return to prepare for the relocation of my entire clan. I will also bring that girl Chenxiang with me so that she can enroll in school as soon as possible."

Fu Shiyan nodded:

"Please proceed, Chief Bai He Crane."

Bai He bowed deeply to him, then cupped his hands in greeting to Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Yang Wudi before turning and leaving.

His steps were much lighter than when he arrived, and he couldn't stop smiling.

Yang Wudi watched his retreating figure, then glanced at Fu Shiyan, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

He stood up and bowed to Fu Shiyan:

"Young Master, I should also return to prepare. There are many clan affairs to attend to, and I need time to arrange them. Once everything is settled, I will head to the Beichen Academy."

Fu Shiyan nodded slightly:

"Chief Yang, there's no need to rush, take your time."

Yang Wudi responded, nodded to Tai Tan and the others, and turned to leave.

Inside the hall, only Fu Shiyan, Tai Tan, Niu Gao, and Tai Long remained.

Tai Tan rubbed his hands together and laughed:

"Your Majesty, this gathering of the Four Clans has been truly a success. The Old White Bird and the Old Goat both agreed, and our Four Clans are able to come together again."

Niu Gao nodded and sighed:

"Yes. Over the years, we've all gone our separate ways, and no one has been able to help anyone else. Being able to reunite now is a way of honoring the friendship we forged together when we left the Clear Sky Sect."

Fu Shiyan looked at the two of them and smiled slightly:

"Two clan leaders, it's getting late, we should head back."

Tai Tan nodded quickly:

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please!"

Fu Shiyan stood up and walked towards the door.

Sunlight streamed through the door, casting a long shadow over him.

His steps were neither hurried nor slow, and the hem of his dark robe fluttered gently in the breeze.

Behind them, Tai Tan and Niu Gao walked side by side, while Tai Long obediently followed at the very back.

The four figures gradually disappeared outside the gate of the Breaking Clan's residence.

Shrek Academy.

Since Flender and his group left, Shrek Academy has been completely quiet.

Zhao Wuji and his companions lost interest in running the academy. They stopped recruiting students, the weeds on the training ground grew taller, and the dilapidated school buildings creaked in the wind, like an old man in his twilight years, waiting for his final moments.

They treated Shrek as a place to retire.

Drinking tea, chatting, and occasionally exchanging a few pointers every day, life is simple yet pleasant.

The sun was shining brightly that day.

Zhao Wuji moved a chair to the courtyard, sat down in the sun, and dozed off with his eyes half-closed.

Li Yusong leaned against a pillar, holding a yellowed encyclopedia of Soul Beast in his hands. After flipping through a few pages, he yawned.

Shao Xin and Lu Qibin somehow got hold of a chessboard and were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.

Everything was quiet.

Then an unfamiliar presence appeared at the academy gate.

Zhao Wuji suddenly opened his eyes.

He lowered his legs from the armrest, stood up, and walked towards the door.

The other teachers noticed as well, and they all put down what they were doing and followed.

The aura was unfamiliar, yet somehow familiar.

Zhao Wuji walked quickly to the door and looked up.

A young man stood there, looking up at the worn-out plaque on the door frame.

His face was resolute, with a touch of heroism between his brows, but his eyes revealed a look of reminiscence and complexity.

He looked at it very carefully, as if he were looking at an old friend he hadn't seen for many years.

Zhao Wuji abruptly stopped in his tracks.

He stood there, stunned, staring at that familiar yet unfamiliar face, his mouth slightly open, unable to utter a word for a long time.

"Qin... Qin Ming?"

Hearing the voice, the young man turned around, saw Zhao Wuji, and a nostalgic smile appeared on his lips. He said gently:

"Long time no see, Teacher Zhao."

Zhao Wuji's lips instantly curled into a wide smile.

He turned around abruptly and shouted behind him:

"Hey! Old folks! Come out and see who's here!"

The teachers, who were already on their way, quickened their pace upon hearing Zhao Wuji's voice.

Li Yusong rushed forward in two steps at a time, Shao Xin almost tripped over the threshold, and Lu Qibin didn't even bother to put away the chessboard.

Soon, several people gathered around.

When they saw the young man standing in the doorway, their expressions changed from confusion to surprise.

"Qin Ming!"

"Good lad! It really is you!"

"How long has it been? It must have been five or six years, right?"

Several teachers gathered around, calling out to him all at once. Some patted his shoulder, some pinched his arm, and some looked him up and down, their eyes full of joy.

Li Yusong grabbed his hand, squeezed it tightly, and said with a laugh:

"Hey kid, it's been so long! What have you been doing since you left the academy? What's your Soul Power level now?"

Qin Ming scratched his head and chuckled sheepishly:

"Haha, I applied for a teaching position at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy before. My Soul Power is now... level fifty-six."

"Level 56?!"

Shao Xin's voice even changed tone.

He stared wide-eyed at Qin Ming, looking him up and down, and asked incredulously:

"You're only thirty-one years old this year, right?!"

Qin Ming nodded.

The teachers exchanged glances, all seeing shock and relief in each other's eyes.

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily and slapped Qin Ming on the shoulder with such force that Qin Ming staggered.

"Hahaha! Good lad! Not bad at all! You truly deserve to be Shrek Academy's proudest student!"