Not Swallowing This Insult

The Three Education Committee Members escorted Shrek all the way to the mountain gate.

Meng Shenji was still trying to persuade him.

"Dean Flender, the academy failed to handle today's events properly. If you wish to stay, the Education Committee can arrange a separate training area for Shrek Academy, and student quotas, teacher salaries, and competition qualifications will all be provided to the highest standards."

Bai Baoshan also said, "There's no need to worry about resources. The simulated training grounds can be opened first, and the academy will cover all food and lodging."

When Ma Hongjun heard that "food and lodging will be fully covered," he slowed his pace.

Oscar gave him a push from behind.

"Don't embarrass yourself."

Ma Hongjun whispered, "I'm just considering the costs for the academy."

Flender heard it, but didn't curse.

He felt sorry for him too.

Such a wonderful place, and he was more heartbroken than anyone else to leave so suddenly. But he knew all too well that today was only Prince Xue Xing's first public appearance. Anything—the competition slots, training arrangements, student status, Royal Family orders—could potentially hold Shrek Academy back.

Shrek can be poor, can be broken, but they can't be led around by the neck.

Flender stopped in front of the mountain gate and bowed to the Three Education Committee Members.

"Flender appreciates your kindness, three seniors. Qin Ming is my student, and I am grateful for the care you three have given him at the Royal Academy. However, Shrek is not suitable to be merged into the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. We are willing to participate in future exchanges; as for affiliation, let's forget about it."

Qin Ming stood to the side, his face pale.

"Teacher, it was my oversight."

Flender patted him on the shoulder.

"It's not your fault. I know you wanted to find us a good place."

Qin Ming lowered his head.

He was still feeling upset.

Yuan Yu walked over and waved the Wine Gourd in front of him.

"Teacher Qin, don't make that face. We're just moving to a different place, it's not like we're severing our teacher-student relationship. If you really feel guilty, treat us to an expensive meal later."

Qin Ming was taken aback.

Ma Hongjun immediately perked up.

"Expensive? Is it much more expensive in Heaven Dou City?"

Oscar said, "Your recovery speed is something even healing-type Soul Master should learn."

After their commotion, Qin Ming felt a little better.

Meng Shenji sighed.

"Since that's the case, I won't insist you stay. The Continental Elite Tournament of Advanced Soul Master Academy is just around the corner. If you find a suitable academy, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy will not interfere."

The Three Education Committee Members made their stance clear.

Flender bowed again.

Thank you.

After leaving the Royal Academy, Shrek re-entered Heaven Dou City.

Everything was going well on the mountain, but reality hit us as soon as we came down.

Where to stay?

Flender stood at the street corner, looking at the price tags of the three hotels, his face growing increasingly dark.

The first one was too expensive.

The second one was more expensive.

The third shop had a sign that read "Discounted Standard Rooms." Just as he was about to go over and ask, the clerk looked at the number of people in their group and smiled as he quoted a price.

Flender turned and left.

"A rip-off."

The waiter called out from behind, "Sir, this is the normal price in Heaven Dou City!"

Yuan Yu turned around and said, "Don't shout, he'll feel even worse if he hears the normal price."

Zhao Wuji touched his stomach.

"First find a place to stay, then find a place to eat."

Ma Hongjun looked up alertly.

What do you want to eat?

"Shut up first."

The group walked along the street. Heaven Dou City was bustling, and the streets were winding. Flender was reluctant to take a car and insisted on walking with them. Ning Rongrong couldn't stand it and suggested that they stay temporarily at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's properties in the city, but Flender refused without even thinking about it.

"No way. I just left the Royal Academy and now I'm going to stay at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. What kind of talk would that make?"

Ning Rongrong pouted.

"Dean, you're poor, but you have quite the backbone."

"That's called principle."

Yuan Yu nodded.

"The principle is that some money cannot be saved, while some money must be saved."

Flender looked at him.

"You understand now?"

"I learned it from you."

As dusk settled, lanterns lit up one by one along the street. Ma Hongjun started counting from the first restaurant he passed, but by the seventh, he couldn't count anymore. Xiao Wu bought a bag of roasted chestnuts and shared them with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong. When Tang San paid, Flender's eyes twitched again when he saw the price.

Yuan Yu popped a chestnut into his mouth.

"Dean, the scenery in Heaven Dou City is quite nice."

Flender sneered.

You mean there are many restaurants?

"It's scenery too."

When Tang San reached a wider street, he stopped.

There was a sign standing by the roadside.

Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy is recruiting teachers and accepting outstanding transfer students.

Below is another line: Regardless of background, only ability matters.

The eight characters were written in thick strokes, with some rough edges, unlike the gold-rimmed plaques at the entrance of the Royal Academy, yet the Shrek students found them pleasing to the eye.

The students coming in and out of the gate were dressed plainly, mostly covered in the smell of sweat and dust from training; no one glanced at their old school uniforms.

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up after he finished reading.

"Regardless of background, this is good."

Oscar looked at Flender.

"Dean, you can earn a salary by hiring teachers."

Flender had only read the first half of the sentence, but when he heard the word "salary," his expression clearly changed.

Zhao Wuji smiled too.

"Boss, shall we go in and take a look?"

Qin Ming thought for a moment and said, "I've heard of the Blue Tyrant Academy. The Dean, Liu Erlong, has a fiery temper and a powerful background, but the academy's atmosphere is different from that of the Royal Academy. They value practical combat more."

Flender paused upon hearing the name "Liu Erlong".

Zhao Wuji glanced at him.

"Know?"

Flender coughed.

"An old acquaintance."

Yuan Yu immediately became interested.

"Dean, how old is it?"

Flender raised his hand and knocked him.

Yuan Yu dodged to the side and walked forward with a smile.

Blue Tyrant Academy wasn't located in the noble district, and its entrance lacked the haughty grandeur of the Royal Academy, but it was very clean. When the gatekeeper heard that they wanted to apply for teaching positions and transfer to a class, he was taken aback at first, then called over a teacher in charge of the testing.

The teacher's surname was Sun, he was in his forties, his Martial Soul spirit was the Iron- Iron-Armed Ape, and his Soul Power was level 47.

He looked at the group of teenagers in front of him and frowned, saying, "Are you sure you're not here to cause trouble?"

Dai Mubai said lazily, "Why don't we try and see?"

Teacher Sun was also straightforward.

"Alright. For teacher applications, we'll assess Soul Power first; for student transfers, we'll assess combat skills. Who wants to go first?"

Yuan Yu took a step back.

"I didn't come first, in case you think we're here to demolish the academy."

Teacher Sun was stunned for a moment, and before she could react, Dai Mubai had already summoned the White Tiger Martial Soul, and three Spirit Ring rose up.

Following that, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Oscar released their Martial Soul in turn.

When the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda lit up, Teacher Sun's expression changed.

When Yuan Yu's five Spirit Ring rose from his feet, he froze on the spot.

"You... you guys wait a minute."

He turned and ran towards the academy.

Ma Hongjun touched his face.

Did we scare him?

Yuan Yu said, "Perhaps the Dean's demeanor is too much like that of a debt collector."

Flender could no longer tolerate it.

"Yuan Yu!"

Inside the gates of the Blue Tyrant Academy, people were already hurrying out.