They Must Not Be Held Back

Yu Zhen opened his mouth several times, but finally sat back down heavily in his chair and remained silent for a long time.

The office fell silent immediately.

Wu Changkong didn't urge him; he held his teacup and waited quietly.

After a long while, Yu Zhen finally let out a long sigh, as if he had aged several years in an instant.

"Teacher Wu, as you know, although our Eastsea Academy has a good economy, we don't really have much experience in the path of Soul Master. In all the years since the school was founded, we haven't produced any truly outstanding talents."

Yu Zhen's voice was a little hoarse, "It's not easy. This year, we've produced Bai Yushan, Gu Yue, and those good kids from Class Zero. I was hoping that, thanks to them, our Eastsea Academy could improve its ranking and secure more resources from the alliance."

"But you said you were going to take them to Shrek..."

Yu Zhen gave a wry smile. "I know Shrek is a good place. Every Soul Master wants to go. But deep down, I just can't bear to leave."

Wu Changkong nodded. "Dean, I understand. I also graduated from the Eastsea Academy, and my feelings for this place are no less than yours."

He paused, then continued, "But that's precisely why I can't afford to hold them back."

"Leaving aside others, just considering Bai Yushan and Gu Yue, even across the entire Sun Moon Federation, no one of their age can match them."

"Staying at the Eastsea Academy means limited resources and your competitors are only at this level."

"But it's different at Shrek. There you'll find the best teachers, the best resources, and the most formidable opponents. Only there can their talents be fully realized, and only there can they go further."

Wu Changkong spoke very sincerely.

He had been holding these words in for a long time.

He stayed at the Eastsea Academy in the first place because he wanted to find some promising talents.

Now that they've been found, it's natural to send them to a higher platform.

However, it was also Yu Zhen recruited him when he was down and out, and it was Yu Zhen gave him the opportunity to teach these Little Monster.

He felt both gratitude and guilt.

Yu Zhen lowered his head, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

He knew exactly what was going on.

Wu Changkong is right.

Eastsea Academy is too small to accommodate these true masters.

These children are all destined to Impact Titled Douluo in the future.

Titled Douluo!

How could an old man who wasn't even Soul Saint become the Dean of Titled Douluo?

Staying at the Eastsea Academy would truly be a waste of his talents.

"Are you confident?" Yu Zhen looked up at Wu Changkong. "Shrek's admissions process isn't easy."

"I'm 70% confident," Wu Changkong said earnestly. "Three years. In three years, I will bring the entire Class Zero to the Shrek Academy. There, I will make these little guys from the East Sea famous!"

Yu Zhen stared at Wu Changkong for a long while.

Wu Changkong's eyes were firm.

Yu Zhen suddenly smiled.

"Good!"

He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup jump.

"Since it's for the child's future, how could I Yu Zhen, be so petty?"

Yu Zhen stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the office. "They're just a few students! As long as they amount to something and get into Shrek, that will be an honor for our Eastsea Academy!"

That's what she said, but her tone still carried a hint of unconcealed disappointment.

"But Teacher Wu, remember this," Yu Zhen turned to look at Wu Changkong, "No matter where they go in the future, they will always be students of the Eastsea Academy. Eastsea Academy will always be their support."

"That's natural." Wu Changkong nodded.

"And also," Yu Zhen added, "Before they left, the academy prepared resources for each of them: one million Federation Coins, a set of fourth-tier Soul Tool, and three bottles of Soul Gathering Liquid. It's a small token of the academy's appreciation."

Wu Changkong was taken aback. These things were no small amount for the Eastsea Academy.

"Dean, this is too much..."

"Not much," Yu Zhen waved his hand. "Compared to their future, this little bit is nothing. Consider it an investment the academy is making in advance. Just don't forget Eastsea Academy when they become successful."

At this point, Yu Zhen laughed again, "Besides, once they graduate from Shrek, they'll be big shots. When they mention it, it'll be a source of pride for me to know they came from our Eastsea Academy!"

Wu Changkong smiled as well, "Don't worry, Dean, they won't forget."

"Alright, it's settled then."

Yu Zhen waved his hand, "Go back and talk to the children, see what they think. If they're all willing, we'll get the paperwork done as soon as possible. The academy will provide all its resources; just let me know if you need anything."

"Okay." Wu Changkong stood up. "Thank you, Dean."

"No need to thank me."

Yu Zhen waved his hand, seeing Wu Changkong to the door. "I should be thanking you. If it weren't for you, this wouldn't have happened."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Wu Changkong took his leave.

Yu Zhen stood at the door, watching Wu Changkong's figure gradually walk away, remaining motionless for Jiujiu.

He turned around, walked back to his office, and stood by the window.

The setting sun cast golden rays across the playground. Students were running and playing, their laughter echoing from afar.

Yu Zhen looked down, and the smile on his face slowly faded, replaced by a mixture of relief and pride.

Eastsea Academy may be small, but it can still produce outstanding talents.

Bai Yushan, Gu Yue...

These names might one day resound throughout the entire continent.

Yu Zhen stood there with his arms behind his back for a very long time.

He muttered to himself softly.

"Go, all of you go. The world outside is vast."

"Do your best and don't embarrass Eastsea Academy."

A breeze blew in through the window, ruffling the hem of his clothes.

In the distance, the sunset glowed like fire.

The story of these young people has only just begun.

Shrek City, one of only two super-cities in the Sun Moon Federation, could easily be considered a kingdom on land.

Transportation networks span east to west and connect north to south, with several main artery Soul Guidance Train lines handling millions of passengers daily, running non-stop from morning till night. The economy is also incredibly developed, with freight railways and air airports handling tens of thousands of tons of goods every day.

Of the top ten merchant guilds in the Sun Moon Federation, eight are headquartered in Shrek City. Not to mention legendary forces like the Spirit Pagoda and the Tang Sect, which are written into history textbooks, also have their headquarters here.

This demonstrates that Shrek City's importance within the Sun Moon Federation is far beyond that of ordinary cities.

"Of course, the Shrek City you see in the books is only the surface."

Leng Yaozhu stood at the exit of the Soul Guidance Train station, looking at Gu Yue and Bai Yushan who had just gotten off the train and were constantly looking around, and began to explain.

She wore a black trench coat, her long hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she wore sunglasses that covered most of her face, exuding a powerful aura.

Passersby instinctively moved to either side, not daring to get close.

"Shrek City's most distinctive feature is... that the Federation cannot collect taxes!"

"Hiss!"

Gu Yue gasped.

It's important to understand that, as a megacity, even without considering commercial taxes, the daily taxes from food, supplies, and transactions alone can amount to tens of millions of taels of silver.

The Sun Moon Federation can't even collect taxes?

The Federation high command must be heartbroken!

"A country within a country."

Bai Yushan casually added a comment.

His tone was flat, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.