Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy.
The dean's office.
Two middle-aged men in their forties or fifties sat inside. One was sturdy, with a slightly jutting chin, broad cheekbones, and a somewhat hooked nose. He looked rather wily and calculating, and wore black-framed crystal glasses.
The other middle-aged man had a stiff face, a crew cut, and a slightly lean build. His looks were unremarkable, his face covered in thick stubble, and he seemed rather dispirited.
They were Flender and Yu Xiaogang of the Golden Iron Triangle.
"Xiao Gang, I imagine that if Tang San weren't here, a theory grandmaster like you would never have set foot in my place in your entire life." Sitting in a nearby chair, Flender sighed.
Grandmaster shot Flender an irritated glare. "Fortunately, nothing too serious happened to Little San on this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest. Otherwise, neither of us could answer to that person. Flender, from now on, you must accompany Little San personally whenever he goes to hunt soul beasts."
"I know, I know. This was just an accident. Who could have expected a soul beast like the Titan Giant Ape to appear on the outskirts of the forest?" Flender nodded.
Just as in the original story, Zhao Wuji had taken Tang San and the others to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt soul beasts for soul rings. Along the way, they first encountered the Peerless Dragon Snake couple. Later, the hundred-thousand-year soul beast, the Titan Giant Ape, suddenly appeared and carried Xiao Wu away. Through a fortunate series of coincidences, Tang San absorbed the Man Faced Demon Spider's soul ring and also obtained the external soul bone, the Eight Spider Lances.
"If it weren't for Little San, I wouldn't stay." Grandmaster's stiff face twitched slightly. In his heart, he was