In Suotuo City, My Word Is Law!

"This is Shrek Academy!"

Flender turned to introduce the place to Qin Jiuxiao and the others.

Everyone looked over to see a few wooden poles stuck in the ground at the entrance, hanging a wooden board with a greenish emblem that looked like some sort of school crest, with the five large characters "Shrek Academy" written behind it.

This was the school gate.

Everyone stared at this dilapidated, tiny entrance, their temples throbbing.

Was it really okay to join this school?

Even a primary academy would be better than this.

Even Tang San could barely keep his composure.

With his aptitude, he could have entered any high-level academy, yet his teacher had actually recommended he come to such a backwater place.

Was he really looking out for him?

For the first time, Tang San felt a sense of doubt toward Yu Xiaogang.

Flender acted as if he didn't see their expressions, leading them directly through the crowd to the front of the line.

There, an elderly man with a lazy demeanor was handling the admissions, looking quite leisurely.

"Registration fee is ten Gold Soul Coins!"

"Everyone wanting to sign up, move forward!"

A child and his parent slowly stepped forward, gritting their teeth as they placed ten Gold Soul Coins into the box.

They were villagers from a nearby town who had heard that this academy could guarantee a title of Viscount in the Heaven Dou Empire upon graduation.

So, they wanted to see for themselves and, incidentally, have the child join the academy.

"Teacher, could you see if our child can join the academy?"

The parent pushed his child forward with a humble expression.

"Hold out your hand."

The old man reached out and felt the child's wrist, then shook his head.

"You're over the age limit. Leave."

"Our academy only accepts students under 12 years old with a Soul Power of level 21 or higher."

The smile on the parent's face froze; his child had just turned 13 yesterday.

He was unwilling to give up and wanted to plead for his child.

"Teacher, my child's Martial Soul is actually quite good. Could you please make an exception?"

But the old man ignored him.

The parent gritted his teeth, looked at the old man, and asked with some hesitation:

"Since the registration didn't go through, what about our registration fee?"

"Once registered, no refunds!"

"What! You're robbing us! I'm going to report you!"

The parent's eyes turned red. Although Suotuo City was well-fed under the governance of the Qin Family, ten Gold Soul Coins were not something an average family could easily scrape together.

Qin Jiuxiao narrowed his eyes at Flender and whispered beside him:

"I remember the Qin Family established rules: founding an academy requires proper procedures and clear, visible admission criteria."

"Furthermore, the Qin Family waived the administrative fees for founding academies and even provided subsidies."

"Shrek Academy is among them."

"Flender, you've really crossed the line with this money-grabbing."

Qin Jiuxiao's voice was cold; this was tarnishing his family's reputation.

Flender sensed the chill in Qin Jiuxiao's words and felt a bit guilty.

"I did set the rules. It must be those guys messing around while I wasn't looking."

"How could I possibly break the Qin Family's rules?"

Just as he was about to step forward to stop the old man, he saw the old man wave his hand.

"Mubai, someone is trying to cause trouble. You handle it; don't delay the admissions."

Dai Mubai walked out with his arms crossed, his height of nearly two meters exuding great pressure.

Two yellow and one purple soul rings appeared on his body; to commoners, such a Soul Master was someone they couldn't afford to provoke.

Zhu Zhuqing, standing to the side, watched him with even more obvious contempt in her eyes.

To actually use the power of a Soul Master to bully commoners—truly disgusting.

It was fortunate she had met Qin Jiuxiao.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Qin Jiuxiao, her eyes filled with affection.

Qin Jiuxiao also sneered and held back Flender, who was about to step forward.

When the Qin Family took over the governance of Suotuo City, they explicitly stated that Soul Masters were not allowed to bully commoners.

Did this guy really think he could act recklessly just because he was a prince of the Star Luo Empire?

"Flender, your academy doesn't seem to focus on character education."

Flender gave a dry laugh. He wasn't a formal teacher to begin with, and he had always taken a hands-off approach with Dai Mubai and the others.

As long as they didn't die, that was enough.

There was no such thing as character education.

In the world of Soul Masters, strength had always been the priority, and he had never paid attention to such things.

Now it seemed he wasn't suited for managing an academy.

"Since I'm here, I'll take over their character development from now on."

"I will make sure they learn the fine virtues of a Soul Master very quickly."

Qin Jiuxiao stepped forward. Flender wanted to say something, but he didn't open his mouth.

He knew his students well; they were involved in everything from drinking and gambling to womanizing.

Their character was definitely not good.

They might be protected now, but that wouldn't last forever.

If they provoked an unbeatable enemy one day, they might all suffer the consequences.

His original intention in founding the academy was to cultivate geniuses and then spend his later years with his old brothers, having a place to settle down.

Now, the academy really needed to change.

Character could no longer be ignored.

With Qin Jiuxiao stepping in, he could also take the opportunity to gauge his strength.

"You are going too far!"

The parent shielded his terrified child behind him, gritting his teeth as he glared at Dai Mubai.

Seeing that the man wouldn't back down, Dai Mubai wanted to use force to intimidate him.

After all, he would eventually get a share of the registration fees in the box.

After paying for the Rose Hotel, he didn't have much money left.

It had been a while since he had gone to see the twin sisters to foster their relationship.

"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"

Dai Mubai shouted in a low voice.

The parent closed his eyes, and the surrounding crowd scattered, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire.

The white ball of light in Dai Mubai's mouth was about to be unleashed.

Suddenly, a large hand slapped over from the side.

"Wave your grandfather!"

Qin Jiuxiao cursed and slapped the White Tiger Intense Light Wave right back into Dai Mubai's mouth.

With a loud boom, the blast detonated.

Dai Mubai was sent flying, his once-handsome face turned pitch black, and the blonde hair on his head stood up in a frizz.

"Who, who ambushed me!"

He stood up in a rage, his eyes scanning the surroundings viciously.

Qin Jiuxiao stood with his arms crossed, blocking the path in front of the father and son.

"It's you, Qin Jiuxiao!"

"What are you doing here, and what was the meaning of attacking me!"

Dai Mubai demanded.

When the surrounding crowd heard the name Qin Jiuxiao, they all widened their eyes and looked over.

The Qin Family had ensured that every household could live without hunger or cold.

In Suotuo City, their trust in the Qin Family surpassed all else.

It was said that this young master of the Qin Family had peerless talent, but they had never seen him before.

They hadn't expected to meet him here today.

Qin Jiuxiao looked at Dai Mubai with an unkind expression.

"The Qin Family has explicitly stated that Soul Masters are not allowed to bully commoners."

"Otherwise, they will be dealt with according to city law."

"Suotuo City is now under the full governance of the Qin Family, a privilege granted by the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire. And yet, you dare to lay a hand on a commoner in front of me."

"Perhaps I should just hand over my position as the young master of the Qin Family to you."

He looked at the old man, his voice brooks no argument.

"Refund the registration fees for the students who didn't pass, and write the admission criteria clearly on the side so everyone can see them."

"The Qin Family may not have the power to change the world, but as long as Suotuo City is in my hands, I will not allow such things to happen!"

"In Suotuo City, my word is law!"

The old man wanted to say something, but he suddenly caught sight of Flender in the crowd, who was winking at him frantically.

As an old friend and a seasoned veteran, he immediately understood Flender's meaning.

He promptly returned the Gold Soul Coins and stood behind Flender, acting as if nothing had happened.

The father and son looked at the Gold Soul Coins in their hands, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Then, they pressed their child's head down and bowed to Qin Jiuxiao.

"Thank you, Young Master Qin, for upholding justice for us!"