In another room at the hotel.
Zhao Wuji and Flender were talking by candlelight late into the night.
Leaning by the window, Zhao Wuji gazed out into the darkness. "Flender, do you think we're getting old? We couldn't even protect our students today. We nearly brought disaster down on them. If that hundred-thousand-year soul beast hadn't been a little dim, we would've all met our end there."
"It was my fault. Ah..." Flender sighed and closed his eyes. "I think Tang San and the others were right to leave Shrek. Honestly, Shrek has nothing to offer geniuses like them."
Zhao Wuji drew the curtains and walked over to Flender, saying with a sigh:
"First, knowledge of soul beasts. They know even more than we do. Just think back to how Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu performed in the Star Dou Great Forest today."
"Second, soul power cultivation. There's almost nothing we can teach them. Haven't you noticed that Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong don't need any instruction at all?"
"Third, physical training. They seem to have mastered that long ago. Zhu Zhuqing is clearly very disciplined."
"Fourth, combat and killing techniques. I've realized that Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San are truly heaven's darlings. Do you remember the look in their eyes when they killed those soul beasts?"
"As for Ning Rongrong, she's the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. At most, she's just here to tag along. Her sect has already taught her everything!"
Flender cradled his head in both hands. Shrek was his life's work. Having already lost the goddess he loved, he could only pour his heart and soul into this academy. Yet now, all those heaven-blessed talents were about to leave. His heart ached. He couldn't accept it.