Flender

Biodata

Background / History

Flender once traveled the Douluo Continent with Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong as the Golden Iron Triangle. Their adventures earned the trio a measure of renown in the Soul Master world, and Yu Xiaogang remembers that period nostalgically 19.

He founded Shrek Academy, whose admissions policy favors exceptional “monsters” over ordinary applicants, even if that means leaving places empty. Yu Xiaogang recommends the academy to Tang San because of his friendship with Flender and its powerful teaching staff 19.

Personality

Flender is cautious when dealing with opponents whose strength he cannot assess. Although he challenges Chen Yang over Li Yusong’s beating, he avoids intervening physically for fear of bringing disaster upon Shrek. His concern with money is equally pronounced: he pays to end the confrontation, then threatens to charge Zhao Wuji for buildings destroyed during another fight 26 29.

His attachment to the Golden Iron Triangle can override his judgment and responsibilities as an educator. He recognizes that Ma Hongjun is being unfairly blamed, but forces him to apologize rather than risk Yu Xiaogang leaving and breaking up the reunited trio 47.

Flender also has unrequited feelings for Liu Erlong. Believing Yu Xiaogang is finally ready to accept her, he sets aside his own sadness for her happiness. Later, his mistaken interpretation of her encounter with Chen Yang leaves him devastated 36 50.

Abilities & Skills

Cat Owl Martial Soul

Flender’s martial soul grants him wings through Martial Soul Possession 37.

• Flight: He flies to the academy entrance after hearing Li Yusong’s beating 26.
• Passenger transport: He carries the severely weakened Yu Xiaogang through the air to seek Liu Erlong’s help 36 37.

Relationships

• Yu Xiaogang — Longtime friend and fellow Golden Iron Triangle member. Flender rushes to help him when he suddenly ages, but also accommodates his favoritism toward Tang San 19 36 37 47.
• Liu Erlong — Former adventuring companion and the woman he loves. He warns Yu Xiaogang about Chen Yang’s intentions toward her, then misreads her later apparent willingness as betrayal 19 36 44 50.
• Ma Hongjun — His student, whom he financially supports. Flender privately acknowledges Hongjun’s unfair treatment and advises him to keep away from Tang San 45 47 48.
• Zhao Wuji — Fellow Shrek administrator and instructor. Flender makes him conduct the newcomers’ combat assessment and later berates him over repair costs 27 29.
• Chen Yang — An intimidating visitor whose cultivation Flender cannot gauge. Flender pays him compensation and reluctantly allows his group into Shrek 26 27.
• Ning Rongrong — A newly admitted student whose Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect connections Flender hopes will discourage the powerful visitors from causing trouble 27.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Confrontation at Shrek Academy

• Flender arrives while Xiao Wu is battering Li Yusong. After learning that Li threatened the visitors to force them to enroll, he offers 40,000 gold coins, claiming it is everything he has. Chen Yang accepts and recalls Xiao Wu, though Li remains gravely injured 26.
• Chen Yang insists on inspecting Shrek rather than negotiating permission. Flender admits Ning Rongrong soon afterward and warns Zhao Wuji not to injure the sect’s princess 27.
• Flender is astonished that Zhu Zhuqing, a Soul Grandmaster, can break through Zhao Wuji’s defenses even while he is holding back 28.
• After Zhao Wuji’s defeat, Flender calls Oscar to help him, then angrily focuses on the demolished buildings. He subsequently wishes Chen Yang’s group would leave, blaming their arrival for bankrupting him 29 30.

Reuniting the Golden Iron Triangle

• Yu Xiaogang’s sudden aging shocks Flender. When Yu asks for Liu Erlong, Flender reveals that she is the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy and agrees to take him there, misunderstanding the request as romantic reconciliation 36.
• Flender immediately carries Yu into the sky. His haste exposes Yu to fierce winds that strip away tufts of his hair 37.
• On returning with Liu Erlong, Flender notices Chen Yang’s interest in her and urges Yu to keep her away from him. Yu dismisses the warning because that interest serves his own scheme 44.

Conflict over Tang San

• Flender joins Yu Xiaogang in investigating Tang San’s sexually transmitted disease. Ma Hongjun’s examination finds him healthy, and Tang San admits lying about his outing 45 47.
• Despite recognizing that Tang San is responsible for his own conduct, Flender orders Hongjun to apologize to preserve his friendship with Yu Xiaogang. Afterward, he offers Hongjun sympathy privately rather than challenging Yu openly 47 48.

Misunderstanding Liu Erlong’s Bargain

• Hearing a fight, Flender arrives just as Chen Yang kisses Liu Erlong. He initially suspects coercion but concludes from her embrace that she is participating willingly, unaware that Chen Yang is withholding the restoration of Yu Xiaogang’s martial soul 50.
• Heartbroken, he withdraws without confronting either of them and drinks alone 50.