Chapter 168: Flander—Is It Finally My Turn?
Flander turned his gaze toward Dai Mubai and the others: "What are you all still waiting for?"
Dai Mubai fell silent for a moment, then suddenly took a step forward: "Dean... why don’t we just move to a different location and keep the academy running?"
Flander was taken aback for a moment.
Dai Mubai pressed on, his tone carrying a hint of urgency: "Maybe it’s just that the feng shui of this place is bad, which is why we’ve ended up in such a sorry state!"
"If we move to a new location—change the feng shui—maybe our luck will turn around!"
He grew more animated as he spoke: "I can provide the financial backing! Dean, we still have you, as well as Teacher Shao Xin and Teacher Lu Qibin—we can absolutely keep the academy going!"
The words Dai Mubai spoke were merely an attempt to convince himself—to give himself a valid reason to stay.
Dai Mubai had no desire to return to the Star Luo Empire; to him, that place was a living hell.
Rather than returning to face the brutal struggle for the throne among the princes, he would much prefer to remain here, living out his days in a blissful stupor.
As for actually funding the academy? It was merely a way to deceive himself—to tell himself that he really was "striving," really was "cultivating," and really was "doing something worthwhile."
Tang San also stepped forward and spoke up: "That’s right, Headmaster! Let’s keep going!"
His gaze held a distinct look of earnestness: "We are the Monster Academy! Those ignorant villagers simply don’t understand our educational philosophy; that is the only reason they reported us!"
"But I have spent so many years at Shrek, and I truly have learned a great deal!"
As for where to go next, Tang San felt just as lost.
His teacher and Xiao Wu had both been taken away—abducted by that man named Jiang Bai.
If he wanted to exact his revenge, he needed power.
And right now, he had nowhere else to turn.
By sticking with Shrek, he would at least have a place to stay—a place where he could continue his cultivation.
Oscar, too, stepped forward, his voice trembling with emotion: "Headmaster, please—keep the academy running!"
He had been adopted by Flender as a child—raised and nurtured by him single-handedly. In his heart, Shrek was his home, and Flender was his father.
"Establishing an academy renowned throughout the land—that has always been your dream!"
"Are you really going to give up on it just like this?"
Flender’s eyes began to grow misty.
He gazed at the three young people standing before him; seeing the earnestness and hope shining in their eyes, a wave of warmth surged through his heart.
Shao Xin and Lu Qibin also stepped forward.
Lu Qibin spoke up: "Boss Flender, we don’t really have anywhere else to go right now either. Why don’t we just stick with the kids for a while longer?"
Shao Xin nodded in agreement: "That’s right. Let’s face the world together once more."
Flender looked at them, his eyes slowly turning red with emotion.
He took a deep breath and reached up to wipe away tears that weren’t actually there.
Then, he lifted his head; the scattered, unfocused light in his eyes gradually coalesced into a steady, resolute gleam.
He straightened his back once more, reclaiming the dignified bearing befitting the Headmaster of Shrek Academy. "Alright!"
His voice regained its vigor: "In that case, let’s head to the Imperial Capital—Heaven Dou City—and try our luck!"
"There are plenty of opportunities there; who knows, we might just find a place where we can put our skills to good use!"
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Oscar nodded in unison: "Yeah!"
Zhu Zhuqing stood to the side, remaining silent the entire time.
She simply watched it all unfold quietly, her gaze filled with complex emotions.
Yet, she did not leave.
And so, this battered and broken team—each member harboring their own private thoughts—miraculously managed to hold together in the end, and once again set out on their journey.
...
The Shrek group finally arrived outside Heaven Dou City.
During their travels, they had endured the elements and lived frugally; relying on the meager savings remaining to Lu Qibin and Shao Xin, along with the funds provided by Dai Mubai, they had barely managed to scrape their way to this point.
Now, standing before the towering gates of Heaven Dou City, all seven of them halted their steps in perfect unison.
Lofty walls, massive gates, and a ceaseless stream of people—this was what a true city looked like.
Compared to a backwater like Soto City, Heaven Dou City felt like an entirely different world.
Just as the group was preparing to enter, Tang San suddenly stopped and pointed toward the bulletin board beside the gate: "Headmaster, look!"
Everyone followed the direction of his finger.
Affixed to the bulletin board was a massive notice. Written on vibrant red paper and stamped with a vivid crimson seal, it stood out with striking prominence.
The notice read: "Hiring: Blue Tyrant Advanced Spirit Master Academy. Due to institutional expansion, we are currently seeking to recruit the following personnel: Ten Spirit Elders (Soul Sects) of Rank 40 or higher. Priority will be given to candidates with superior Spirit Power. Excellent benefits and remuneration provided upon acceptance."
Flander’s gaze locked onto the two characters: "Blue Tyrant."
His pupils constricted sharply!
Blue Tyrant Academy... Blue Tyrant... Blue Tyrant...
Could it be...? Could it possibly be...?
His heart began to pound furiously!
Little Sister Erlong... could you be here?! He thought of that woman—fiery and passionate like a flame; he thought of her hearty laughter; he thought of her...
Yu Xiaogang’s fate now hung in the balance—his life or death unknown...
If... if he could see his "Little Sister Erlong" once more...
Then perhaps he—Flander—might just...
His mind began to stir with possibility.
That heart, dormant for so many years, suddenly began to pound furiously.
"Dean?"
Tang San’s voice snapped him out of his reverie and pulled him back to reality.
Flander regained his composure, masking his inner excitement. He took a deep breath, striving to keep his voice sounding calm as he said, "Let’s go take a look at this Blue Tyrant Academy."
He turned to face the group and explained, "I’ve given this a lot of thought during our journey here. Our original Shrek Academy didn’t truly possess the official qualifications of a ’High-Level Soul Master Academy.’ Even with Mu Bai’s financial backing, reviving it would be no easy feat—far from it. There are simply too many issues that would need to be resolved."
"This Blue Tyrant Academy actually looks quite promising. If it still retains its eligibility to compete in the ’Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament,’ then—who knows—you might even be able to secure spots as their starting lineup."
"The Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament?"
Tang San and Oscar both wore looks of utter bewilderment.
They had never heard of such a tournament before.
Dai Mu Bai and Zhu Zhuqing, however, were well aware of it. Dai Mu Bai explained, "That is the highest-tier Soul Master Academy competition on the entire continent. It takes place once every five years, spearheaded by the Spirit Hall and co-hosted by the two great empires. The participants are the top-tier geniuses from all the major academies; to make an appearance in such a tournament is the dream of every young Soul Master."
Tang San nodded thoughtfully.
Flander waved his hand. "Come on, let’s go take a look first, and we can decide what to do from there."
Following the address listed on the notice, the group entered Heaven Dou City, winding their way through its streets and alleys.
Before long, they arrived at their destination.
Blue Tyrant High-Level Soul Master Academy.
At the entrance, a makeshift registration booth had been set up. Several staff members, clad in the academy’s uniforms, were busily attending to their duties.
Flander led the group forward.
"Are you here to apply for positions as academy teachers?"
The man in charge of reception was a middle-aged Soul Master who appeared to be in his forties. He scrutinized Flander and his companions from head to toe, his gaze carrying a distinct air of assessment. Flander nodded.
"The three of us are the ones applying. These four children are our disciples. If we succeed in securing positions here, I hope my disciples will also be able to enroll in the academy."
The receptionist teacher thought for a moment, then said, "Students are also required to undergo an assessment for admission. Tell you what: the three of you teachers should take our test first."
Flander, Shao Xin, and Lu Qibin exchanged glances and nodded.
The three of them simultaneously unleashed their Martial Souls.
Six Soul Rings rose from Lu Qibin’s body—two yellow, two purple, and two black.
"Level 66 Control-type Soul Emperor."
Seven Soul Rings rose from Shao Xin’s body—two yellow, two purple, and three black.
"Level 71 Food-type Soul Saint."
Seven Soul Rings rose from Flender’s body—two yellow, two purple, and three black.
"Level 78 Agility-Attack type Battle Soul Saint." His voice carried a hint of pride.
The receptionist teacher’s eyes instantly widened!
One Soul Emperor! Two Soul Saints!!
He stared blankly at the three figures before him, his mind going completely blank.
Snapping back to reality, he hurriedly adopted a respectful expression: "You... please follow me to see the Dean! Only she can make a decision regarding this!"
Flender watched his flustered retreating figure and smiled faintly.
Now this is the kind of treatment a Soul Saint deserves!
He was filled with emotion.
What suffering he had endured just days ago!
Being beaten by the Bone Douluo, having his academy sealed off by the Spirit Hall, being forced to flee his home and wander in exile...
Now, at long last, he could feel a shred of the dignity befitting a Soul Saint!
...
The receptionist teacher led them through the academy grounds and toward the back mountain.
It was a tranquil forest. A stone-slab path wound through the trees, leading deeper into the woods.
After walking for roughly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the scenery before them suddenly opened up.
It was a small lake.
The water was crystal clear—transparent to the very bottom—and shimmered with dancing light.
Beside the lake stood an exquisite little courtyard. The courtyard was filled with a vibrant array of flowers—a riot of purple and crimson, each vying with the others in beauty.
At the courtyard gate hung a sign bearing an inscription: "Academy Restricted Area—Entry Forbidden Without Invitation."
A woman stood within the courtyard.
With her back turned to them, she held a watering can in her hands and was tending to the flowers.
Her movements were gentle and graceful, as if she were not merely watering flowers, but caressing some precious treasure.
Perhaps having heard the sound of their footsteps, she turned slightly to the side, her gaze shifting toward them.
She was a beautiful woman who appeared to be in her thirties.
Clad in a simple, plain blue cloth dress, she nevertheless radiated a grace that no humble attire could possibly conceal.
A cloth kerchief gathered her raven-black hair atop her head, revealing a smooth, unblemished forehead and a slender, elegant neck. Upon her somewhat pale countenance, her features were exquisitely delicate and captivating.
Her face was a living masterpiece; her large, dark eyes—deep yet luminous—seemed to harbor both a burning flame and a profound sorrow.
The instant Flander laid eyes on that face, he froze completely.
His gaze became fixed and unblinking.
His heart skipped a beat.
Then, it began to pound with frantic intensity!
Sister Erlong... it really is Sister Erlong!
The face he had yearned for, day and night, for over a decade—at this very moment—stood right before his eyes!
She was just as beautiful as ever.
No—she was even more beautiful than she had been all those years ago.
The mature allure born of the passage of time, the fiery passion concealed beneath that placid exterior—together, they caused her entire being to radiate a breathtaking, soul-stirring charm.
Flander’s breathing grew rapid and labored.
In his eyes, nothing remained but that solitary figure.
This time... Xiao Gang isn’t here!
The thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning!
Xiao Gang’s fate remained unknown; his whereabouts were a complete mystery!
And he—Flander—stood right here, right now, directly before Erlong!
This is my chance!
This is the opportunity Heaven itself has granted me!
Has it finally... finally come my turn—the turn of Flander?!