"Mm."
Xiao Wu answered softly, rubbed her eyes, and the three of them headed to the training field together.
Once everyone had gathered, they realized one person was missing, while a middle-aged man had appeared beside Flender.
Tang San's eyes lit up at once. "Teacher?"
The middle-aged man was none other than Tang San's teacher, Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang. He smiled and nodded at Tang San, signaling that they would talk later.
"So this is Xiao San's teacher?"
Everyone looked at the middle-aged man curiously. During their few days in the Star Dou Great Forest, they had heard Tang San mention his teacher, but they hadn't expected to meet him as soon as they got back.
Oscar looked around and teased, "Where's Yuhao? Why isn't he here? Don't tell me he saw that I've become a Soul Elder and got scared I'd catch up to him, so he doesn't dare face me!"
Flender glared at Oscar with a chilling look and cleared his throat.
"I've called you all here to announce two things. First, the man beside me is the renowned master of soul master theory, Yu Xiaogang. He'll be joining our school as your teacher. From now on, all the teachers at Shrek Academy will take their lead from him in instructing you."
Everyone looked somewhat surprised, their scrutinizing gazes settling on Grandmaster.
Tang San, standing nearby, was delighted. He clenched his fists excitedly. Of everyone there, only he had studied under Grandmaster for a time, and he had complete faith in his teaching.
Grandmaster stepped forward and spoke in a somewhat cool tone.
"Now I'll announce the second matter. Huo Yuhao has voluntarily withdrawn from Shrek Academy for certain reasons. From this day on, he is no longer your classmate."
Tang San's expression stiffened slightly.
"What!? What happened? Yuhao dropped out?"
Everyone exchanged glances, then Dai Mubai and the others looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. She was the only one there who had stayed at the academy with Huo Yuhao. If something had happened, she would know best.
Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, about to speak, when a roar rang out.
"I don't believe it! That child would never withdraw of his own accord! You, the one called Grandmaster! I don't care who you are—make a joke like that again, and I'll beat you to a pulp!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. Zhao Wuji strode over, veins bulging across his forehead and his face flushed red. Flender's expression darkened when he saw him.
"Old Zhao! Don't be rash!"
"Don't be rash!? You drove my precious student away, and you're telling me not to be rash!? Flender, you've gone mad! What on earth happened to make you do something like this!? Flender!!! Are you even fit to be the dean anymore!?"
His deafening questions rang through the sky. Seeing Zhao Wuji's bloodshot eyes, Flender opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. He could only close his eyes, his whole body trembling faintly.
Grandmaster remained calm and looked up at the burly man before him. "You're Zhao Wuji?"
"That's me. Tell me, where did my student go!?"
Seeing Grandmaster's placid expression, Zhao Wuji's anger flared. He immediately unleashed his aura, bearing down on him. Under the tremendous pressure, Grandmaster stumbled back several steps, cold sweat beading on his back.
Seeing that Zhao Wuji was on the verge of losing control, Grandmaster realized he'd been too presumptuous.
He turned and saw that Flender still had his eyes closed and showed no intention of helping him. Left with no choice, Grandmaster put on a brave front and said, "Yuhao withdrew of his own accord. If you're afraid you've lost a genius of a student, there's no need. I believe that under my guidance, every student will become more outstanding than Huo Yuhao."
For a moment, Zhao Wuji was stunned by Grandmaster's words.
What kind of thing was that to say?
You think you can just give up on a student like that!?
How are you fit to be a teacher!?
"Fine, fine, just wonderful!!!"
Zhao Wuji laughed in fury, his icy gaze fixed on Flender.
"Flender, is this your decision too?"
"..." Flender said nothing. His eyes remained closed, and his chest heaved violently, showing he was far from calm, but he still did nothing.
"Fine! You don't need Huo Yuhao, but I do!"
"Starting today, I resign from my teaching position at Shrek Academy. We have nothing more to do with each other."
By then, Zhao Wuji's voice had lost its booming force. It was flat, like a pool of dead water.
Only then did Flender snap his eyes open, his eyes reddening. "Old Zhao! Don't do this..."
Zhao Wuji glanced at Yu Xiaogang, then at Flender, and gave a derisive laugh. "You'll regret this."
Then he strode toward the academy gates.
The students stared at everything unfolding before them, dumbfounded. The situation had developed far beyond anything they could have imagined.
Seeing this, Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and was about to leave with Zhao Wuji when Zhu Zhuqing suddenly took her hand. Xiao Wu turned to look. Zhu Zhuqing was facing forward, her head making the faintest motion from side to side. Her lips silently formed the words "Huo Yuhao."
A light flickered in Xiao Wu's eyes. She gave a slight nod and stayed where she was.
The others opened their mouths, unsure what to say. So much had happened all at once that they didn't even know where to begin asking questions.
They hadn't expected that one of their classmates would leave while they were away on a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.
Grandmaster watched Zhao Wuji leave and sneered inwardly.
I'll regret this? You have no idea how powerful Tang San's background is. So what if he's a powerful Soul Elder? Can he compare to a Titled Douluo?
With Shrek's resources and my wholehearted guidance, I'll definitely help Tang San surpass Huo Yuhao!
Then Grandmaster nodded to the seven students in front of him.
"I've already introduced myself. You may be far behind Huo Yuhao right now, but believe me: under my guidance, your strength will quickly catch up to his and even surpass it! Tang San is my disciple, and I'm sure you witnessed his abilities in the Star Dou Great Forest."
The others exchanged glances. They weren't ecstatic, as Grandmaster had expected. They nodded without much enthusiasm, then turned to look at Tang San standing among them.
Their eyes said it all: So this is your teacher?
Tang San was indeed quite strong, but compared with Huo Yuhao, he didn't measure up at all. They had no idea what made Grandmaster say such a thing.
Even Tang San felt his face burning. His teacher probably didn't know that Huo Yuhao could fight Teacher Zhao one-on-one. From the moment they'd met, Grandmaster had made himself look arrogant and conceited in front of everyone.
Seeing their lukewarm reaction, Grandmaster was taken aback. His expression darkened.
"It seems you still don't believe me. That's all right. You'll see the results soon enough."
Ning Rongrong furrowed her brow. Something felt wrong. Was that really all there was to Huo Yuhao's departure?
She raised a hand to touch the metal piece in her pocket. She felt as though words were caught in her throat, yet she didn't know what to say. An indescribable feeling filled her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu stared coldly at Flender, who had done nothing, and at the middle-aged man who called himself Grandmaster and had kept urging them to exclude Huo Yuhao.
"How ugly..."
Late that night.
Someone knocked on Zhu Zhuqing's door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Zhu Zhuqing looked up. It was Xiao Wu.
As soon as she closed the door, Xiao Wu eagerly asked, "Zhuqing, do you know something?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly.
"Huo Yuhao told me to give you the letter when you came to see me the first time and stop you from dropping out. If you came to see me a second time, I was to tell you what happened. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep it from you."
Xiao Wu's eyes brightened instantly. "So you were acting this whole time? You really fooled me! You scared me to death."
Xiao Wu patted her chest and let out a long sigh.
Zhu Zhuqing took out another envelope and handed it to Xiao Wu. "This is what he really wanted to say to you. Don't worry, I didn't peek."
Xiao Wu took it with a grin. "It's fine, it's fine. I trust you."
Then she lowered her head and turned her attention to the letter.
"Xiao Wu, forgive me for leaving without saying goodbye. A powerful Titled Douluo has set his sights on you. To keep your relationship with me from becoming too close and putting you in danger, he threatened the dean. I had no choice but to leave Shrek Academy. Don't blame the dean. There are a few things I need to remind you of: don't leave the academy; you're being watched. Don't let anyone know you've learned what happened. If you need to tell me anything, you can pass it on through Zhu Zhuqing."
"I'm going to gain even greater power. When we meet again, no one will be able to hurt you. Remember to train hard. If you don't meet my expectations, there'll be a punishment! Oh, and burn the letter after you've read it."