The Virtuous Bird Chooses a Tree to Perch On. A Phoenix Will Not Land on Anything But a Wutong Tree.

His shoulders were broad and thick, his back straight, and there wasn't an ounce of excess fat on his body; standing there, he resembled a sword yet to be unsheathed.

More importantly, although he had only caught a fleeting trace of the aura emitted by those nine spirit rings moments ago, it was enough for him to make a judgment.

A Title Douluo.

Flender's expression shifted.

Even his breathing hitched for a half-beat before quickly returning to normal.

Having served as the dean of Shrek Academy for so many years, he had seen his fair share of major events; he wasn't about to be rendered speechless by a mere Title Douluo.

However, his pace did quicken slightly as he walked up to Luo Shang.

"Your Excellency." Flender bowed slightly, his posture humble but not servile, striking the perfect balance. "I am Flender, Dean of Shrek Academy. These two children are my students."

He paused, glancing at Ma Hongjun, who was still trembling nearby, and guessed seven or eight parts of the truth.

"Whatever happened, it was my failure to discipline them properly, causing trouble for you and your son." Flender's tone was sincere, devoid of sycophancy.

"I apologize to you on their behalf."

Luo Shang glanced at him without speaking.

He disliked trouble, and he disliked idle chatter even more.

Especially after his recent trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, all he wanted now was to find a room and get a good night's sleep.

"Keep your students in check." Luo Shang's voice was flat, devoid of emotion. "They won't be this lucky next time."

Flender nodded hurriedly. "Certainly, certainly."

Luo Shang withdrew his gaze and headed toward the stairs.

Luo Yun followed behind him, pausing slightly as he passed by Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

He turned his head to look at Ma Hongjun.

The red-haired fatty was still shivering, his lips quivering.

Luo Yun remained silent for a moment.

Then he spoke; his voice was not loud, but the lobby was so quiet that every word rang out clearly.

"A wise bird chooses its tree to perch upon. A phoenix will not land unless it is on a parasol tree."

Ma Hongjun was stunned.

Luo Yun said nothing more, withdrew his gaze, and quickly caught up to Luo Shang, disappearing around the corner of the stairs.

The lobby remained silent for several seconds.

Dai Mubai's tense shoulders finally slumped, a sense of having survived a catastrophe washing over him.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

He turned to look at Flender, his mouth opening to speak, but before a sound could emerge, Flender silenced him with a single glare.

"Not here." Flender lowered his voice, his face ashen. "I'll settle accounts with you two when we get back."

Without giving them a chance to break away, he grabbed Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun by their collars, one in each hand, and hauled them out of the hotel.

Outside the hotel.

Flender released their collars, placed his hands on his hips, and took a deep breath.

"Speak." His voice was heavy, as if suppressing his temper. "Who started it?"

Dai Mubai opened his mouth, then closed it again.

His expression was grim—not from fear, but from humiliation.

Never in his life had he been made to look this pathetic.

"It was me." Dai Mubai's voice was dry. "The fatty's Evil Fire was acting up, so I brought him here... looking to find him someone to vent it on. Then we ran into that father and son."

"I... I thought the kid was a beggar, so I said a few unpleasant things."

"A few?" Flender's glasses reflected the streetlights, obscuring the expression behind his lenses.

Dai Mubai was silent for a moment.

"...A lot of things."

Flender closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again.

"And then?"

"Then the fatty made the first move." Dai Mubai's voice grew quieter. "His first spirit skill, Phoenix Fire Line, was blocked by that kid with a sword. The kid struck back, and almost... almost sliced the fatty in two. If that Title Douluo hadn't intervened, the fatty would be dead."

Flender fell silent.

A Title Douluo, indeed.

The four words circled in his mind before he sighed, removed his glasses to wipe the lenses, and put them back on.

"You two." He looked at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, his tone stern yet not without warmth. "Do you have any idea how many hidden experts there are on this continent? Do you not know that there is always someone better, and a sky beyond the sky?"

Dai Mubai lowered his head and offered a weak defense.

"Dean, didn't you say that a soul master who doesn't dare to stir up trouble isn't a good soul master?"

"You still dare to talk back! Do you have any idea how much you weigh? A mere soul master going to provoke a Titled Douluo? I wonder how many lives you have to throw away!" Flender was so angry he nearly couldn't resist beating Dai Mubai up.

"Today, that Excellency didn't pursue the matter. You lot were just lucky."

"Did you hear the last thing his son said?"

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were stunned for a moment, recalling the words Luo Yun had spoken before leaving.

"A wise bird chooses its tree to perch upon; a phoenix does not land unless it is on a parasol tree."

"Dean, what does that mean?"

Flender adjusted his glasses and explained with a straight face.

"He was telling you that good birds need to choose the right place, and a phoenix shouldn't have come here."

Ma Hongjun suddenly looked up, his mouth opening and closing.

"Dean! I think... I've realized something!!!"

"Uh..."

Flender gave an awkward smile, though he sighed inwardly.

Mubai was a child with high talent, but his personality was too arrogant; suffering this setback might not be a bad thing.

Hongjun didn't have a bad heart, but the issue with his Evil Fire was a headache. He had nearly lost his life today, so it was time he learned a lesson.

"Let's go, back to the academy." Flender turned and walked toward the outskirts of Soto City.

"No one is allowed to leave the school gates for a month."

"Ah!!!"

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun let out a miserable wail and followed him in silence.

In the hotel room.

The moment the door closed, Luo Shang's expression darkened.

He leaned against the door, arms crossed, watching Luo Yun.

"Explain yourself." Luo Shang's voice was low. "What was that about just now?"

Luo Yun stood in the center of the room, head bowed.

"I..." He began, his voice slightly raspy, "I couldn't control it."

"I know you couldn't control it."

Luo Shang's tone wasn't one of reproach, but he didn't relax either. "I'm asking you why."

Luo Yun was silent for a moment before looking up.

"Father, that sword..."

"It has a mind of its own. When I hold it, there's a voice in my head telling me to destroy everything in front of me. It's not that it's forcing me, it's... that feeling makes me feel very comfortable."

He looked down at his right hand, his fingers opening and closing slightly.

"Ever since that time in the Star Dou Great Forest, I've liked that feeling more and more. That power to destroy everything, the feeling of holding it in my hand... it's strong."

Luo Shang didn't speak, listening in silence.

"But I can't control it." Luo Yun's voice dropped. "That sword strike just now, I only intended to scare that fatty. I didn't expect the sword energy to be so powerful. If you hadn't intervened, Father, he really would have died."