Qi Ling had already met Tang Hao several times over the past few years.
After all, as Tang San's sworn elder brother, how could Tang Hao not show up to test whether Qi Ling was qualified for the role?
The result was that Tang Hao admired Qi Ling immensely. The two had even formed a friendship that bridged their years, occasionally sharing a drink like this.
After pouring Tang Hao a cup of wine, Qi Ling asked, "Uncle Hao, are you still not planning to see Xiao San?"
Tang Hao drained his cup, praised it with a "Good wine," then said, "No. I haven't finished what I need to do. Until then, I can't see him."
In truth, Qi Ling knew these were merely excuses. Tang Hao simply felt he had let Tang San down, which was why he refused to meet him.
"Sigh, forget it. Suit yourself," Qi Ling said. "You father and son really never let anyone stop worrying!"
Tang Hao gave a rare smile. "They say an eldest brother is like a father. Thank you for looking after Xiao San while I'm away."
"Don't worry. Xiao San is my little brother. Who will look after him if I don't?" Qi Ling said. "I have neither father nor mother. Xiao San and Xiao Wu are my only family. I care about them more than anyone."
"Haha, put that way, I'm the irresponsible biological father," Tang Hao said with a laugh. "Xiao San is fortunate to have you as his elder brother."
"Well, I only came today to see what sort of school Xiao San had enrolled in. From what I've seen, it's quite an interesting school," Tang Hao said.
"Of course. Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang recommended this school, so naturally it's good," Qi Ling said. "The teachers and students here are all very suitable for Xiao San."
"Speaking of teachers, Xiao San seems to have been injured at Zhao Wuji's hands today, hasn't he?"
When Tang Hao said this, Qi Ling felt as though the air around them had frozen. The insects and birds that had begun calling fell silent again.
Qi Ling smiled helplessly. Right, he had forgotten. After Zhao Wuji taught Tang San a lesson, his father, Tang Hao, promptly taught Zhao Wuji a lesson that night-a savage beating without even using his Martial Soul.
And from then on, Tang Hao had also discovered just how satisfying it was to beat people up without using his Martial Soul!
"Uncle Hao, go a little easy on Teacher Zhao. After all, I already made him suffer once today!" Qi Ling said.
"Oh? You actually managed to get the better of Zhao Wuji?" Tang Hao asked in surprise. "He has the strength of a Soul Saint. How did you do it?"
"It was nothing. I just used a little trick. You could say Teacher Zhao fell into my scheme," Qi Ling said.
"After all, my little brother and sister were beaten up. As their elder brother, I had to get justice for them."
Tang Hao burst out laughing at that. "Hahaha! A win is a win. The fact that you could outwit Zhao Wuji only proves how sharp you are, kid!"
"I never imagined you had such ability! If you can outwit a Soul Saint now, wouldn't you be able to outwit a Titled Douluo with another two Soul Rings?"
Qi Ling laughed too. "Not at all. Teacher Zhao merely went easy on me. So, since I've already given Teacher Zhao a beating, Uncle Hao, perhaps you could..."
"Hmm, since he's already suffered, then I'll..." Tang Hao mused. "Then I'll punch him one less time!"
"I was going to give him a full hundred punches. Now I'll just give him ninety-nine! Sigh, he's really getting off lightly!"
"..." Qi Ling was speechless. Was there much difference between a hundred punches and ninety-nine?
Not long after Tang Hao left, faint screams drifted over from the direction of Zhao Wuji's residence.
Teacher Zhao, you can't blame me for this. I did everything I could to get you lenient treatment. If you must blame something, blame the fact that you provoked a terrifying father! Qi Ling thought.
By the next morning, when Qi Ling and the others heard the headmaster's summons and headed to the main field, Qi Ling had already met every member of the Shrek Seven Devils.
The sleazy Oscar, the frivolous Ma Hongjun-the Shrek Seven Devils were much as Qi Ling had imagined, each with their own distinctive traits.
After they reached the main field, the first thing that caught everyone's eye was not Headmaster Flender standing in the center, but Zhao Wuji, sporting two panda eyes, a bruised nose, and a swollen face.
"Xiao Wu, did your brother beat Teacher Zhao this badly yesterday?" Ning Rongrong quietly asked Xiao Wu beside her. When they had dispersed yesterday, Zhao Wuji had not had so many injuries on his face.
"Hmm, I don't know either. Maybe he suffered internal injuries!" Xiao Wu said confidently.
Feeling their gazes and watching them whisper among themselves, Zhao Wuji's mouth twitched. He desperately wanted to explain, yet could not say anything, because that man had specifically instructed him to keep it secret before leaving.
Fortunately, Headmaster Flender spoke up just then, saving him from his predicament. "Hmm, very good. It seems we've recruited another batch of Little Monsters. Very good!"
"Little Monsters, I, Flender, headmaster of Shrek Academy, welcome you on behalf of the academy, and thank you for choosing Shrek Academy! However, before you formally enroll, I have one more question for you!"
Flender's expression grew solemn, and he asked seriously, "Have you truly decided to join Shrek Academy?"
Before this, Dai Mubai had already explained Shrek Academy's circumstances to everyone. Although the academy had several powerful teachers, most of them were dissatisfied with the empire's autocratic rule.
This meant that joining Shrek Academy would inevitably put them out of favor with the empire, and even Spirit Hall, which would have a tremendous impact on their future prospects.
Although joining the academy did not necessarily mean breaking with these powers, they would inevitably bear Shrek Academy's mark. It was not a decision they could make without careful consideration.
[Ding-dong! The host has been detected facing an invitation to enroll in Shrek Academy. This is an important choice. Host, please choose carefully from the following options!] Option 1: Refuse to join Shrek Academy and subsequently join Spirit Hall. Rewards: Tang San and Xiao Wu's favorability -20%, position of Spirit Hall bishop, Soul Power Level +3. Option 2: Accept the invitation to join Shrek Academy and subsequently join the empire's forces. Rewards: position of city lord, Shrek Academy's favorability -10%, Gold Soul Coins +10,000. Option 3: Refuse to join any faction. Reward: one Soul Bone or Soul Ring. Option 4: Join Shrek Academy and become its student. Rewards: Shrek Academy's favorability +10%, god-tier cultivation art: Nine Revolutions True Dragon Art.
This time, the system's choice mission informed Qi Ling that this was an important choice, which meant his decision would substantially affect the subsequent course of the plot.
After all, joining a faction was indeed a choice that required careful consideration. The choice itself was even more important than the rewards.