Biodata
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Flender (弗兰德) |
| Alias(es) | Flying Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle 19 |
| Gender | Male 17 |
| Affiliation | Shrek Academy; formerly the Golden Iron Triangle 19 |
| Occupation/Role | Dean of Shrek Academy; owner of the Treasure Room shop in Soto City 17 19 |
| Soul Rank | Soul Saint 17 |
| Status | Alive; still running Shrek Academy 54 |
| First Appearance | Mentioned in Chapter 16; appears in Chapter 17 16 17 |
Background / History
Golden Iron Triangle and Shrek Academy
Flender is identified as the Flying Horn of the once-famous Golden Iron Triangle, which has since disbanded. He runs Shrek Academy on the outskirts of Soto City, purchasing its grounds cheaply despite their history of numerous deaths. The campus consists largely of single-story houses, thatched huts, and muddy paths, while his office, home, and private dining room are comparatively luxurious 19 20.
The academy advertises that it accepts only “monsters” and charges a non-refundable registration fee of ten gold soul coins. Chen Qi condemns this arrangement as exploiting families who hope to improve their children’s futures. During Qian Renxue’s first visit, Flender introduces nineteen-year-old Qin Ming as his most promising student, then approaching the Soul Ancestor rank 19 20.
Treasure Room Confrontation
Flender’s shop sells cheaply acquired junk at inflated prices. One customer pays 100,000 gold soul coins for a supposedly new soul tool that breaks immediately after he takes it home. The shop’s former part-time salesperson becomes the target of the customer’s anger, prompting Qian Renxue and Chen Qi to investigate 17.
Flender refuses a refund and intimidates the visitors with his Soul Saint pressure. When Qian Renxue summons Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Spear Douluo, he recognizes her likely connection to Qian Daoliu and immediately kneels. He returns the full payment and permits the group to take shop goods; roughly seventy to eighty percent of his stock is removed 17 18.
Loss of His Treasury
After the shop incident, Flender reluctantly guides Qian Renxue and Chen Qi through Shrek Academy. He fears they intend to seize his remaining assets and conceals the academy’s poor attendance by claiming its students and teachers are away on a field trip. In fact, he has given the teachers foot-washing vouchers, and they are out using them 19.
While Flender prepares a meal, Chen Qi and Qian Renxue find his hidden treasury beneath the office desk and take it. Qian Renxue intends to have Spirit Hall return the money to the families he exploited, sending the bag and a letter to Qian Daoliu through Snake Spear Douluo. Flender discovers the theft only after his guests leave 20 21.
Return of Qian Renxue and Chen Qi
Nearly ten years later, Shrek’s recruitment practices remain unchanged and attract a long queue of applicants. Qian Renxue and Chen Qi return with Ning Rongrong, intending to challenge the non-refundable fees again 51 52.
Flender subsequently finds Ma Hongjun with his eyes gouged out and rushes him to a city clinic. While investigating Ma Hongjun’s and Dai Mubai’s injuries, he realizes Qian Renxue and Chen Qi are involved and abandons any resentment because of their Spirit Hall backing. Their arrival terrifies him, and he is forced to refund unsuccessful applicants’ registration fees 53 54.
Appearance
Flender is a middle-aged man first encountered resting on a recliner inside his shop 17.
Personality
Flender is greedy, calculating, and willing to deceive customers and prospective students. He takes pride in minimizing the academy’s expenses while charging high tuition, yet spends generously on his own quarters. His dishonest sales continue even after the loss of his shop stock and treasury 19 20 53.
His confidence depends heavily on the balance of power. He dismisses weaker customers but becomes submissive when confronted by Titled Douluos, using flattery, kneeling, and desperate appeals to protect himself and his money. Nevertheless, his concern for Ma Hongjun is immediate: he carries his injured disciple to medical treatment without hesitation 17 18 20 53 54.
Abilities & Skills
Soul Saint Cultivation
- Soul power pressure: Frightens the wronged customer and former salesperson during the shop confrontation 17.
- Limits: Recognizes Pufferfish Douluo and Snake Spear Douluo as far stronger than himself and submits rather than fighting them 18.
Commercial Scheming
- Reselling: Buys low-value goods cheaply and sells them at exorbitant prices 17.
- Recruitment fees: Uses Shrek’s selective admissions reputation to attract paying applicants whose fees are not refunded upon rejection 20 52.
- Appraisal failure: Treats Crystal Hair Gold as a worthless stone, unaware that Chen Qi recognizes it as material for Dragon Whisker Needles 18.
Relationships
- Qian Renxue — Feared visitor who exposes his dishonest practices. Flender correctly deduces her identity from her golden hair and two Titled Douluo bodyguards 18.
- Chen Qi — Adversary who takes Crystal Hair Gold from his shop and removes his hidden treasury. Flender finds himself unable to outmaneuver him verbally 18 20.
- Qin Ming — His most promising student during the first academy visit; Flender expects him to graduate successfully the following year 19.
- Ma Hongjun — Beloved disciple whose severe eye injuries cause Flender considerable distress 53 54.
- Ning Rongrong — New student whom Flender promises to protect after learning that Qian Renxue and Chen Qi will remain nearby to watch over her 54.
Notable Quotes
“I said, my goods have no issues, so I am not refunding!” 17
“Miss, I was blind and offended you. Can I just return the 100,000 gold soul coins?” 18