Good Birds Choose Their Perch; the Phoenix Lands Only on the Wutong Tree

His shoulders were broad, his back straight, and there wasn't an ounce of excess fat on him. He stood there like a sheathed sword.

More importantly, he'd caught only a trace of the aura from those nine Soul Rings just now, but it had been enough to make his judgment.

A Titled Douluo.

Flender's expression changed.

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

He'd been the dean of Shrek Academy for many years and had seen plenty of grand occasions. He wasn't about to be scared speechless by a Titled Douluo.

But his steps did quicken as he walked up to Luo Shang.

"Your Excellency." Flender bowed slightly, adopting a deferential posture without groveling, striking just the right balance. "I am Flender, dean of Shrek Academy. These two children are my students."

He paused and glanced at Ma Hongjun, who was still trembling beside them. He'd more or less guessed what had happened.

"Whatever happened, I failed to discipline my students properly and caused trouble for you and your son." Flender's tone was sincere, not ingratiating.

"I apologize to you on their behalf."

Luo Shang glanced at him without saying a word.

He didn't like trouble, and he liked pointless chatter even less.

Especially after that trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, all he wanted now was to find a room and get some decent sleep.

"Keep your students in line." Luo Shang's voice was flat, giving nothing away. "You won't be so lucky next time."

Flender nodded hurriedly. "Of course. Of course."

Luo Shang turned away and headed for the stairs.

Luo Yun followed behind him. As he passed Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, his steps slowed for a moment.

He turned his head and looked at Ma Hongjun.

The red-haired, chubby youth was still trembling, his lips quivering.

Luo Yun fell silent for a moment.

Then he spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but the lobby was so quiet that every word rang clear.

"Good birds choose their perch. The Phoenix lands only on the Wutong tree."

Ma Hongjun froze.

Luo Yun said nothing more. He looked away and hurried after Luo Shang, disappearing around the stairwell.

The lobby fell silent for a few seconds.

Dai Mubai's tense shoulders finally relaxed. He felt as if he'd narrowly escaped death.

He drew a deep breath and slowly let it out.

Then he turned toward Flender and opened his mouth, but before he could make a sound, Flender glared him into silence.

"Don't say a word here." Flender lowered his voice, his face livid. "I'll settle this with you two when we get back."

Before either of them could break free, he grabbed them by their collars, one in each hand, and hauled Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun out of the hotel.

Outside the hotel.

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

"Go on." His voice was heavy, as if he were holding back his anger. "Who started it?"

Dai Mubai opened his mouth, then shut it again.

His expression was awful, but not because he was afraid. He was embarrassed.

He'd never been made to look this pathetic before.

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

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

"A few?" The streetlights glinted off Flender's lenses, hiding the expression behind them.

Dai Mubai fell silent for a moment.

"...A lot."

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

"Then what?"

"Then Fatty attacked first." Dai Mubai's voice grew quieter and quieter. "His first Soul Skill, Phoenix Fire Line, was blocked by the kid with a single swing of his sword. The kid struck back, and almost... almost cut Fatty in half. Thank goodness that Titled Douluo stepped in. Otherwise, Fatty would've been done for."

Flender fell silent.

So he really was a Titled Douluo.

The words circled through his mind. Then he sighed, took off his glasses and wiped the lenses, and put them back on.

"You two." He looked at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, his tone stern but not unkind. "Do you know how many hidden powerhouses there are on the continent? Do you know there's always someone stronger, and heaven beyond heaven?"

Dai Mubai lowered his head and muttered a defense.

"Dean, didn't you say that a Soul Master who didn't dare cause trouble wasn't a good Soul Master?"

"You still dare say that! Don't you know how much you're worth? You're a mere Soul Master, picking a fight with a Titled Douluo? How many lives do you think you have to spare for causing trouble?" Flender was so angry he almost couldn't stop himself from giving Dai Mubai a beating.

"The fact that Your Excellency didn't pursue this today means you were lucky."

"Did you hear what his son said before he left?"

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun froze, recalling Luo Yun's words as he left.

"Good birds choose their perch. The Phoenix lands only on the Wutong tree."

"Dean, what does that mean?"

Flender adjusted his glasses and explained with a solemn expression.

"He's telling you that good birds should choose the right place, and that a Phoenix doesn't belong here."

Ma Hongjun abruptly raised his head. His mouth opened, then closed.

"Dean! I think... I've understood!!!"

"Uh..."

Flender smiled awkwardly, but sighed inwardly.

Mubai really was gifted, but he was far too proud. This setback might not be a bad thing for him.

Hongjun wasn't a bad kid either, but the Evil Fire was a headache. He'd nearly lost his life today, so it was time he learned his lesson.

"Let's go. Back to the academy." Flender turned and headed out of Suotuo City.

"You're not allowed to leave campus again for a month."

"Ah!!!"

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun cried out in dismay, then silently followed.

Hotel room.

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

He leaned against the door, arms crossed, and looked at Luo Yun.

"Tell me." Luo Shang's voice was quiet. "What happened back there?"

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

"I..." He spoke, his voice a little hoarse. "I couldn't control myself."

"I know you couldn't control yourself."

Luo Shang's tone held no blame, but neither did it soften. "I'm asking why."

Luo Yun fell silent for a moment, then raised his head.

"Dad, that sword..."

"It has a will of its own. When I hold it, a voice appears in my mind, telling me to destroy everything in front of me. It isn't forcing me. It's... that feeling makes me feel good."

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

"After what happened in the Star Dou Great Forest, I've been enjoying that feeling more and more. The feeling of holding that power to destroy everything... it's strong."

Luo Shang said nothing, listening in silence.

"But I can't control it." Luo Yun's voice grew quieter. "I only meant to scare that chubby guy with that strike, but I didn't expect the sword energy to be so powerful. If you hadn't stepped in, Dad, he really would've died."