The atmosphere within the Education Committee was warm and harmonious.
Yu Xiaogang was filled with emotion; the pent-up feelings of many years seemed to be released at this moment. His value was recognized by others, which meant far more to him than the treatment itself.
He secretly resolved to carry forward his Martial Soul Theory here and cultivate more outstanding Soul Master like Tang San.
Tang San put away the Eight Spider Lances and silently stood back behind Yu Xiaogang, happy that his teacher had been recognized.
Just as everyone was in high spirits and preparing to further discuss the specific teaching arrangements and compensation details, a series of slightly chaotic footsteps sounded outside the Education Committee building.
The person had not yet arrived, but their voice had already been heard.
"Is Chief Analyst Meng Shenji here?"
Everyone in the Education Committee was taken aback, and their eyes all turned to the door.
Three figures stepped in from the doorway.
The first figure, dressed in a magnificent princely robe, bore a resemblance to the current Emperor Xue Ye of the Heaven Dou Empire. His brows held an air of authority born of long reign, coupled with a subtle, almost imperceptible, gloomy expression. This was none other than Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire. To his left stood a smug young man with eyes filled with provocation and venom—none other than the Fourth Prince Xue Beng, who had clashed with the Shrek Seven Devils at the academy gate yesterday and been soundly punished by Dai Mubai. To Prince Xue Xing's right stood a tall, slender old man with gleaming eyes and an aura that subtly instilled a chilling presence—none other than Lin Yan's teacher, the Title Douluo known as "Poison," Dugu Bo!
Upon seeing these three enter, the Shrek members immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Meng Shenji stepped forward and bowed slightly, saying, "Your Highness, what brings you here?"
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin followed closely behind, paying their respects to Prince Xue Xing.
As for Dugu Bo, they naturally knew him, but Dugu Bo always appeared aloof and eccentric in front of outsiders, and the three education committee members only nodded to him.
Prince Xue Xing waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the Shrek Academy students before finally settling on Meng Shenji. He said calmly, "Chief Meng Shenji, there's no need for such formalities. I heard that the academy has several new teachers today, so I came to see them."
At this moment, Prince Xue Beng leaned close to Prince Xue Xing's ear and whispered a few words quickly, his eyes occasionally glancing at Dai Mubai and Tang San.
After listening, Prince Xue Xing's face remained expressionless, but his gaze sharpened. He turned to Meng Shenji and asked casually, "Commissioner Meng Shenji, aren't you going to introduce these people to me?" His finger pointed at Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and the others.
Meng Shenji had a bad feeling, but Prince Xue Xing was ostensibly the head of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. As the chief of the Education Committee, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and give an explanation when questioned by his superiors.
He took a deep breath, a smile returning to his face, and stepped forward to introduce them, "Your Highness, these are teachers and students from the Shrek Academy in Suotuo City. This is Dean Flender, a level 78 Soul Power -Agility Attack System Battle Soul Saint; this is Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, a level 76 Power Attack System Battle Soul Saint; and these are teachers Lu Qibin, Shao Xin, and Li Yusong, all Soul Emperor level experts."
As Meng Shenji introduced the situation, Prince Xue Xing's gaze lingered on Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the others one by one. When he heard their Soul Power Level, his eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't say anything more.
Flender and the others also bowed to Prince Xue Xing according to etiquette, and although they were uneasy, they still performed the formalities perfectly.
Finally, Meng Shenji's gaze fell on Yu Xiaogang, and his tone unconsciously became somewhat solemn. "This is Teacher Yu Xiaogang, known as Grandmaster. He has extremely high attainments in the research of Martial Soul Theory and is Heaven Dou Grade teacher that we have specially hired."
" Heaven Dou Grade teacher?" Prince Xue Xing raised an eyebrow, as if he had heard something interesting. His gaze fell on Yu Xiaogang with undisguised scrutiny and doubt.
"Chief Meng Shenji, if I remember correctly, the hiring of teachers at our Heaven Dou Royal Academy, especially Heaven Dou Grade teachers, has strict regulations, right? They need to pass corresponding examinations, and their Soul Power must reach level sixty or above. I wonder if this... Grandmaster, has he passed the examinations? And what is his Soul Power Level?"
This question was extremely impolite, almost a direct slap in the face. Yu Xiaogang's face instantly turned pale, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. What he hated most in his life was others talking about his Soul Power Level.
Meng Shenji quickly explained, "Your Highness, rules are rules, but people are flexible. Dean Flender, Vice Dean Zhao Wuji, and other teachers, with their Soul Power Level and qualifications, are more than qualified to be Heaven Dou Grade teachers. As for Grandmaster ... although his Soul Power Level isn't yet sixty, his teaching ability and theoretical level are top-notch. His disciple, this Tang San," he pointed to Tang San, "Is only thirteen years old, yet his Soul Power has already reached thirty-three, and he possesses an extremely rare External Soul Bone! Isn't such teaching achievement enough to prove Grandmaster's ability? Based on this, our Education Committee unanimously believes that Grandmaster is fully qualified to be promoted to Heaven Dou Grade teacher!"
"Thirteen years old, level thirty-three? External Soul Bone?" A hint of surprise flashed in Prince Xue Xing's eyes, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances at Tang San. Even Dugu Bo, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slightly opened his eyes, a hint of interest flashing in his dark green pupils, but then he returned to his calm and composed state.
However, Prince Xue Xing's surprise was fleeting; he quickly regained his superior demeanor. Xue Beng anxiously tugged at his sleeve, clearly displeased that his uncle's attention had been diverted.
Prince Xue Xing cleared his throat, his gaze hardening once more. He completely ignored Meng Shenji's explanation, pointing the finger directly at Yu Xiaogang, his tone resolute and brooking no argument:
"I understand the three education commissioners' appreciation for talent. However, the rules of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy are jointly established by the Empire and the Academy, aiming to maintain the Academy's reputation and teaching standards! Those whose Soul Power is below level 30," he emphasized the words "level 30," with a strong sense of sarcasm, "Cannot even meet the standards for graduating students. What qualifications do they have to be teachers, especially the highest- Heaven Dou Grade teachers? If word gets out, won't the whole world laugh at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for having no one of talent, allowing any Tom, Dick, or Harry to become a teacher?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Flender and the others, his tone softening slightly, but still carrying a condescending tone. "As for the other teachers, their Soul Power Level meet the requirements. If they undergo detailed assessments and are confirmed to be correct, I have no objection to them remaining at the academy as Heaven Dou Grade teachers. However, this Yu Xiaogang..."
Prince Xue Xing pointed his finger at Yu Xiaogang, his voice icy. "Our academy will not accept him! Rules are rules. If you don't have the ability, you cannot serve as an academy teacher! He is to leave immediately!"
These words were like ice water poured over someone's head, instantly lowering the atmosphere in the room to freezing point.
The faces of the three education committee members, Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhi Lin, turned extremely ugly. They had not expected that Prince Xue Xing would be so ruthless, directly using his power to suppress them and overturn their joint decision.
"Your Highness!" Meng Shenji still wanted to argue, " The Grandmaster's situation is special; his value lies not in his Soul Power, but in his knowledge and teaching..."
"Enough!" Prince Xue Xing interrupted Meng Shenji without any politeness, flicking his sleeves and revealing his impatience. "Chief Meng Shenji, haven't I made myself clear enough? Although the Education Committee has the power to appoint teachers, it is ultimately responsible to the Empire and the Royal Family! As the direct administrator of the academy, I have the right to uphold the academy's rules! This matter is beyond discussion!"
Although Dugu Bo behind him had not spoken, his immense spiritual power as Titled Douluo subtly enveloped the entire area, creating a suffocating sense of oppression. It seemed to be silently supporting Prince Xue Xing, causing the three education committee members to hesitate and not dare to confront a prince and a Titled Douluo head-on.
Just then, Flender, who had been silent all along, suddenly took a step forward.
His face held an unprecedented seriousness and determination. He pushed up his crystal glasses, looked directly at Prince Xue Xing, and said calmly:
"Your Highness, we appreciate your kindness. However, Shrek Academy is a unified whole." He glanced around at Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji, and the other teachers beside him, as well as the Shrek Seven Devils behind him. " Xiaogang is one of us, and an indispensable member of Shrek's spirit. Since the Heaven Dou Royal Academy cannot accommodate him, then we will certainly not let him stay either."
He paused, then said clearly, word by word, "We came together. If we're leaving, then naturally we'll leave together!"
"We'll go together." The Shrek Seven Devils spoke in unison, standing firmly behind Flender and Yu Xiaogang. Dai Mubai snorted coldly, Ma Hongjun clenched his fists, Oscar and Ning Rongrong looked indignant, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were icy, Xiao Wu Tang San clung tightly to Tang San, whose gaze was calm, but a closer look would reveal a cold glint in the depths of his eyes. Teachers Zhao Wuji, Lu Qibin, and others also stepped forward without hesitation, stating their position.
Yu Xiaogang trembled slightly as he looked at the partners around him who were willing to stand with him through thick and thin. A warm current surged in his heart, washing away some of the humiliation, and he felt more gratified and resolute.
Prince Xue Xing was clearly taken aback by Flender's resolute decision to give up the generous offer from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a "useless" Grandmaster. He was stunned for a moment, then a mocking smile appeared on his face. In his opinion, this was simply ungrateful.
"Hmph! Ungrateful!" Prince Xue Xing snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves again, turned around, and left with only a chilling statement, "Since that's how it is, then take your leave!"
Meng Shenji, the education commissioner, opened his mouth, wanting to make one last effort. "Your Highness, please reconsider! The teachers at Shrek are all highly skilled, and Grandmaster is even more..."
"Chief Meng Shenji!" Prince Xue Xing whirled around, glaring sharply at him. "Are you going to defy my decision?"
Under Prince Xue Xing's piercing gaze, Meng Shenji's words came to an abrupt halt. He helplessly closed his eyes, let out a long sigh, and knew that it was too late to change anything. Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin were also filled with helplessness and resentment.
Qin Ming stood to the side, his face pale, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.
He never expected that his efforts to recommend them would end like this. His eyes were filled with anger as he looked at Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, yet he also felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Let's go." Flender didn't look at Prince Xue Xing again, turned to the Shrek group and said in a calm tone, but with an unquestionable determination.
Yu Xiaogang took a deep breath, straightened his back, and despite his inner humiliation, he could not fall down at this moment.
He bowed deeply to the three education commissioners, especially Meng Shenji: "Thank you for your kindness, Yu Xiaogang... I am unworthy of such praise, farewell."
Meng Shenji and the other two quickly returned the greeting, their faces full of guilt and regret. " Grandmaster, Dean Flender, everyone... we're so sorry!"
The Shrek students said nothing more. Led by Flender, they silently and resolutely turned and left the Education Committee hall.
Behind them came Prince Xue Beng's undisguised smug chuckle, and Prince Xue Xing's indifferent command, "Chief Meng Shenji, from now on, when hiring teachers, you must strictly follow the rules. Do not allow any more mediocre people to infiltrate our Heaven Dou Royal Academy and tarnish the academy's reputation."