Elder Xuan, Look at Them!

The more he thought about it, the more agitated Du Busi became. He suddenly shouted sternly, speaking with absolute conviction. "Such Dereliction of Duty, placing students in danger."

"This is simply outrageous!"

The students' emotions were immediately stirred. From the bottom of their hearts, they agreed with what Senior Du Busi had said. Their dissatisfaction and resentment toward Xuan Zi were written all over their faces; their brows furrowed, and their fingers unconsciously clenched into fists. The seriously injured students in particular gritted their teeth.

Seeing that the atmosphere was off, one senior student hurriedly tried to smooth things over, though his tone was weak. Clearly, he was somewhat dissatisfied as well.

"At the time, we were still on the outskirts of the ten-thousand-year Soul Beast habitat and had not ventured deep into the core. Logically, we should not have encountered a Soul Beast with cultivation exceeding fifty thousand years. Elder Xuan probably felt that Senior Sister Lexuan leading the team was enough to handle things for the time being, which was why he was somewhat negligent."

"Dereliction of Duty is Dereliction of Duty. You brat don't need to make excuses for him. That will only make that Old Fellow remember the lesson even less." As the Sect Leader, Du Busi held a different view. "Neglecting something a little yesterday may not matter; neglecting something a little today may be understandable."

"But what about next time?"

"The next time that Old Fellow takes you out on a mission bound to involve combat, if he is negligent again and you encounter another unexpected crisis, will you still be lucky enough to run into Old Man like today? Don't think it doesn't matter. A person only gets one life."

The senior student's expression turned solemn as he said seriously, "Senior, you are right."

The other students felt the same way and silently made up their minds. If Xuan Zi led another mission in the future—

This old man, this old lady, would never follow him again!

Seeing the changes in their expressions, Du Busi immediately wore the look of someone pleased that they could be taught. He nodded slightly and continued, "Remember, you are students of the academy, while that Old Fellow is an academy instructor. So long as you have not graduated, as your teacher, he has both the responsibility and obligation to protect your safety. After all, you paid to attend the academy, and you carried out the missions assigned by it."

"And he receives a salary."

"From a certain perspective, you students paid that Old Fellow to teach and protect you during your studies."

"This is also the operating model of every Soul Master Academy on the continent today, aside from academies directly run by the Empire."

"If someone lacks the strength to protect you, that is a matter of ability. There is nothing to blame there; you can only consider yourselves unlucky. But if they do not put their heart into it, that is a matter of attitude."

"And an improper attitude means there is something wrong with that person's character." He had begun to berate Xuan Zi by implication.

"If it is not corrected in time, then they are misleading their students and harming others as well as themselves."

"Such a person is unworthy of being a teacher!"

"Teacher is right!" Minghui put on a humble, receptive expression and promptly twisted the knife. "This time, when I went out with Senior Brother and Senior Sister to obtain Soul Rings, there were only three of us, yet Teacher brought two Titled Elders along to protect us at all times, just to avoid any accidents. Better safe than sorry. The Star Dou Great Forest has a complicated environment and countless Soul Beasts. No one can guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen."

"Wasn't this exactly such a case? If the other two elders had not been there, how would my teacher have dared to divide his attention to rescue you?"

The two elders, having been singled out for praise, unconsciously straightened their backs and wore expressions of great satisfaction.

They had contributed to this rescue by guarding the rear as well!

Long Aotian, straightforward by nature, had been carried along by the momentum. He also felt it made sense and nodded in wholehearted agreement.

"Junior Disciple is right!"

"Where there is cause, there is effect. Nothing could be more fitting," Princess Vina commented simply.

The Shrek students' faces grew somewhat hot. They felt both ashamed that Shrek Academy had such an irresponsible teacher as Xuan Zi and convinced by the words of Du Busi and his disciples. The stark contrast in treatment made them even more dissatisfied with Xuan Zi.

Elder Xuan, look at them!

Three Titled Douluo, one of whom was even the Sect Leader, all for the personal protection of three disciples.

There were twelve of us, and the academy only sent one Titled Douluo to protect us—that would have been fine. But despite knowing the mission was serious, this teacher leading the team still did not take it seriously.

You merely drank yourself into trouble and lost track of us. We nearly died!

Just thinking about it made them angry!

Minghui was very satisfied with the changes in their expressions. He remained silent and continued playing the role of an insignificant little nobody.

Once we get to Shrek Academy, I definitely need to build good relationships with these senior brothers and sisters. The academy is the academy, and people are people. I can't lump them all together.

"Alright, it is all in the past now. It is good enough that everyone is safe, so do not overthink it." Du Busi changed his tone to offer comfort. "As for that Old Fellow Xuan Zi, rest assured. If Old Man runs into him again, I will certainly give him a proper talking-to and vent your anger for you!"

Senior Du Busi was really kind. That was what the Shrek students thought, but Xuan Zi was still an academy instructor, so they had to give him some face.

They nodded slightly in response and did not comment further on Elder Xuan.

It was getting late, so no one continued chatting. Those who needed rest went to rest, while those who needed to keep watch kept watch.

Du Busi analyzed the situation. He had already fired a signal flare earlier. If that fellow Xuan Zi was still awake and not too far away, it was impossible for him not to have seen it.

Since he had not come, there were only two possibilities: either he was too far away to see it, or he was truly drunk and had not woken up.

There was no point in continuing to fire signal flares.

They might even attract other ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts in the middle of the night. It was truly not a wise move, so he suggested firing another one the next day.

The Shrek students found that reasonable, and deep down, they felt the possibility that Xuan Zi had gotten drunk and fallen asleep was even greater.

They felt even more uncomfortable.

Time passed in a blur, and soon it was dawn the next day.

Before the sky had fully brightened, a dazzling firework blossomed high in the air. It had been launched by the Shrek students.

Not long after the signal flare exploded, Zhang Lexuan finally finished absorbing her Soul Ring and woke up. To repay Du Busi for saving her life, she personally cooked breakfast for everyone.

During their conversations, Minghui and the other two little ones did not reveal their identities, addressing one another only by their given names.

The Inner Court students of Shrek Academy were not fools. For Du Busi, the Sect Leader of the Body Sect, to personally lead two Titled Elders in closely accompanying and protecting the three little ones, their identities were certainly far from ordinary. As for their strength, Zhang Lexuan could roughly sense it: one Soul Ancestor and two Soul Elders.

At such young ages, they already possessed such cultivation. Their talent spoke for itself. Zhang Lexuan wisely took the lead in not asking further questions.

Seeing this, the other students did not ask either.

Minghui introduced himself as Xiao Ming. His cute appearance and pleasant way of speaking won everyone's favor.

Everyone chatted merrily.

Then, while everyone was eating breakfast, Xuan Zi, still carrying the smell of alcohol, stared in the direction where the signal flare had exploded and hurriedly flew over, following the scent.

"Xuan Zi, you bastard!" Du Busi seized the initiative, shooting to his feet and shouting loudly.

"As the teacher leading the team, you abandoned your students, indulged in drink and food, and neglected your duty. If I had not happened to pass by and run into them, these children you brought would likely have already been chased down and wiped out by the hundred-thousand-year Eclipse Demon Wolf, becoming food for Soul Beasts. And you, Xuan Zi, cannot escape blame!"

After saying that, he straightened himself and said calmly,

"Now tell me, how are you going to thank me?"