On the other hand, Shrek Academy...
Since the exhibition match, Shrek Academy's name has become widely known. Countless forces have seen the potential and value hidden behind this monster team.
Over the next few days, the doorstep of the inn where the Shrek group was staying was practically worn down by the constant stream of visitors.
Representatives from various high-level Soul Master Academy in the Heaven Dou Empire came in droves, extending olive branches to Flender, hoping to recruit the Shrek Seven Devils and other talented students, and even inviting Flender, Yu Xiaogang and other teachers to come and teach.
The conditions offered were increasingly generous, with some promising large sums of money, others high positions, and still others promising the best cultivation resources.
Although Flender was somewhat tempted by the generous offers, what he valued most were the academy's qualifications and teaching philosophy, so he did not easily agree to any of them.
Just as Flender was hesitating and discussing with Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji and others, an unexpected invitation was delivered to them.
The invitation was extended by a high-level Soul Master Academy called " Blue Tyrant " within Heaven Dou City.
This academy is not well-known in Heaven Dou City and is not very large in scale, but it is said to have a beautiful environment and a rigorous teaching atmosphere. Most importantly, the representatives of the Blue Tyrant Academy have stated that they are willing to provide the academy's premises and resources to merge with the Shrek Academy, and are willing to retain the name " Shrek " with Flender continuing as the dean and having a great deal of autonomy.
This condition is undoubtedly very sincere and has almost solved all the current predicaments facing Shrek.
" Blue Tyrant Academy..." Yu Xiaogang held the exquisitely crafted invitation, his hand trembling slightly. His expression became extremely complicated, his eyes filled with pain, nostalgia, and a hint of barely perceptible panic.
Flender noticed Yu Xiaogang's unusual behavior and asked with concern, " Xiaogang, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with this Blue Tyrant Academy?"
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth, but didn't know how to begin. The feelings he had buried deep in his heart for twenty years, the name he had deliberately avoided for twenty years— Liu Erlong —surged into his mind like a tide. He never expected that Erlong was actually in Heaven Dou City and had even founded this Blue Tyrant Academy!
"N-nothing... it's nothing." Yu Xiaogang shook his head with difficulty and stuffed the invitation back into Flender's hand. "Let's decline this academy. There were a few other academies with good offers before..."
Flender frowned. He knew Yu Xiaogang; the latter's reaction was definitely not normal. " Xiaogang, how long are you planning to run away?"
"Did you already know that Blue Tyrant Academy was founded by Erlong?" Yu Xiaogang asked.
"Yes, I knew all along. We've been in contact all this time," Flender said. " Erlong... she's been waiting for you all these years? Xiaogang, it's been twenty years, haven't you figured it out yet?"
"I... I can't see her." Yu Xiaogang clutched his head in anguish. "I'm useless, I'm not good enough for her... How can I face her in this state..."
"Bullshit!" Zhao Wuji was listening from the side, was furious and said in a rough voice, " Grandmaster, are you even a man? If you're a man, face it! What kind of skill is it to hide and run away? Although I don't know what happened between you two, if a woman waits for me for twenty years, I will not let her down even if it means going through fire and water."
Zhao Wuji's words struck Yu Xiaogang's heart like a heavy hammer. Flender also said in a deep voice, " Xiaogang, Old Zhao's words may be rough, but they make sense. For your own sake, and for Shrek's sake, meet with Erlong. Some things need to be clarified."
After repeated persuasion from Flender and Zhao Wuji, coupled with his deep-seated longing and guilt towards Liu Erlong, Yu Xiaogang finally nodded with difficulty.
The next day, with mixed feelings, Flender, Yu Xiaogang, and Zhao Wuji arrived at the tranquil Blue Tyrant Academy, located on the Heaven Dou City.
At the entrance of the academy, a woman who looked to be in her thirties, with a graceful figure and a touch of both heroism and sorrow in her brows, was already waiting. She wore a simple blue cloth dress, but it could not conceal her captivating temperament and beautiful face. Time seemed to have left few marks on her face, only her bright eyes held a wealth of complex emotions.
When she saw the familiar figure walking behind Flender, head bowed, stiff, and avoiding her gaze, her body trembled slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she forcibly held them back.
" Boss Fu, it's been a long time." Liu Erlong's voice was tinged with a barely perceptible sob, but her gaze remained firmly fixed on Yu Xiaogang.
Looking at his former beloved stepsister, who was still as radiant as ever, Flender was filled with mixed emotions. " Erlong, it's been so long... How are you?"
"I'm fine." Liu Erlong forced a smile, finally turning her gaze to Yu Xiaogang, her voice trembling slightly, " Xiaogang... you've finally... come to see me?"
Yu Xiaogang shuddered, slowly raising his head to meet Liu Erlong's eyes, which held twenty years of longing, resentment, love, and questioning. All his defenses crumbled instantly. He opened his mouth, a thousand words stuck in his throat, finally culminating in a single, heart-wrenching murmur filled with endless guilt and pain, " Erlong... I'm sorry..."
That "I'm sorry" seemed to open the floodgates of emotion. Liu Erlong's tears finally streamed down her face, but she stubbornly refused to cry out loud, instead biting her lip hard.
Flender spoke up at the opportune moment, " Sister Erlong, we've come here for the Shrek Academy..."
Liu Erlong took a deep breath, forcibly calming her agitated emotions. She wiped away her tears and regained the composure befitting the head of the academy. "Let's go inside and talk. I know why you're here, and I know Shrek's current situation. My doors are always open to you."
In the reception room of the Blue Tyrant Academy, Liu Erlong displayed astonishing courage and unreserved support for Shrek. She not only reiterated all the conditions in the previous invitation, but also expressed her willingness to give up the position of Dean to Flender, and to serve only as Vice Dean, fully assisting them. All the resources of the Blue Tyrant Academy could be unconditionally tilted towards Shrek's teachers and students.
Flender looked at Yu Xiaogang, awaiting his final decision.
Looking into Liu Erlong's expectant and affectionate eyes, and then at the brothers who trusted him and the children who needed a future, Yu Xiaogang felt the wall in his heart that had Ice Seal for twenty years finally melt away completely.
He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and nodded heavily to Liu Erlong, and to everyone else. "Okay... we'll stay."
A radiant, relieved smile finally bloomed on Liu Erlong's face, like that of a young girl. Tears welled up again, but this time, they were tears of happiness.
Soon, Shrek Academy officially merged into the Blue Tyrant Academy and was renamed Shrek Academy. Flender became the dean, Yu Xiaogang was in charge of teaching guidance, Liu Erlong became the vice dean, and Zhao Wuji and other former Shrek teachers also took on their respective duties. The academy's logo was changed to the familiar green monster head.