Chapter 471: 471: The Horse Gallops Swiftly in the Spring Breeze
The more arrogant he was before, the more humble he became now.
"Sister, dear sister, please don't hit my face!"
Ma Hongjun was very decisive and knelt directly on the ground.
He finally understood why the Phoenix God told him to run!
This was not an opponent on the same level at all!
Xiao Feilian flipped down at Ma Hongjun, then shook her head, not bothering to deliver a finishing blow.
Bullying two opponents who had no will to fight was not the behavior of a true powerhouse.
"Does this count as my win?"
"Yes, yes!"
Ma Hongjun nodded like a garlic bulb, and quickly responded.
As he spoke, he respectfully offered the God-given Spirit Ring.
As long as everyone could leave Shrek Academy safely, the God-given Spirit Ring was of no importance.
"Sister, you've won!"
"I will never dare to provoke you again, sister!"
"We'll move out immediately, right away, no need for you to lift a finger!"
Ma Hongjun knelt on the ground, speaking with a flattering smile.
Seeing this, although Flender and the others felt some heartache, they didn't say much.
Surrendering when outmatched was a very common practice in the Spirit Master world, a last resort for survival.
Ma Hongjun's humility was actually for their lives. Although they were old, they weren't foolish.
Xiao Feilian took the God-given Spirit Ring without saying much, then looked at the self-isolated Dai Mubai.
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up, instant understanding.
The bet was for two God-given Spirit Rings. He had only handed over his own, while the other was still with Dai Mubai.
Scrambling over to Dai Mubai, he easily pried open Dai Mubai's hand and retrieved the Spirit Ring.
"Sister, Brother Dai is a bit out of it. Please don't take it personally. This is his God-given Spirit Ring."
Ma Hongjun presented the Spirit Ring with both hands as if offering a treasure.
Xiao Feilian expressionlessly accepted the bet and nodded, no longer paying attention to the two.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the other party was reasonable.
Reasonable powerhouses were rare!
The scene shifted to Zhongli and the others.
"Pfft—"
Zhongli was someone who had weathered many storms and generally wouldn't laugh, unless he couldn't help it.
"Zhongli, what's wrong?"
Paimon asked, puzzled.
Since Guizhong and Azhdaha had arrived, Zhongli's smiles had increased, but he wouldn't usually "break character" like this.
Hearing this, everyone instinctively looked at Zhongli. They were also curious about what could make Zhongli laugh out loud.
Zhongli waved his hand and smiled, "It's nothing, I just remembered something happy."
"Oh?"
"What happy thing?"
Paimon pressed, her eyes filled with curiosity as she looked at Zhongli.
"Hmm—"
Zhongli hesitated for a moment, pondering slightly before speaking, "Well, I remember the day Chi Yu became my disciple a few years ago."
Originally, it didn't seem that funny.
But how could this young man, Dai Mubai, be so forgetful?
As for Ma Hongjun, he was quite tactful.
"So that's it. That day was truly quite joyful!"
Paimon rubbed her chin and replied.
She remembered there were a lot of delicious foods that day, and she kept eating non-stop. As for other happy things, she didn't recall much.
"Zhongli, Paimon, what happened that day?"
The girl with large sleeves also asked curiously, her beautiful eyes blinking, exuding a unique charm.
"Yeah, I'd like to know too. Tell us about it."
Azhdaha, perched on Guizhong's head, added fuel to the fire.
It wasn't hard for him to find out what happened that day, the earth would have recorded those memories.
But the recorded scenes couldn't compare to the vividness and eloquence of Morax's storytelling.
Hearing this, Zhongli nodded and said, "Alright, I'll tell you about it."
Since they were traveling, chatting about past events along the way was quite interesting.
Meanwhile, at Shrek Academy.
At this moment, Shrek Academy was deserted, with only the three deans and Xiao Feilian remaining.
The three deans occasionally stroked their beards, looking as if they had regained their youth by more than ten years.
How could they not be proud?
Their disciples were the heirs of the God of Destruction!
Although they didn't know exactly how powerful the God of Destruction was, he was definitely stronger than the gods Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai had inherited!
Those two were about to inherit divine positions, yet their Spirit Ring configurations were merely average.
They couldn't compare to Xiao Feilian and Du Siji at all.
"Two teachers, you're about to break through to the Title Douluo level. These two God-given Spirit Rings can help you obtain the best Spirit Rings and skills."
Xiao Feilian hands the God-given Spirit Rings to Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, continuing, "Please accept them."
She wasn't a twin-spirit master, and her spirit power level had already reached level 99. The God-given Spirit Rings were of no use to her.
The God-given Spirit Ring rewarded to her by the God of Destruction had already been given to Meng Shenji.
"This…"
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin didn't accept them immediately but instead hesitated.
These were God-given Spirit Rings! What qualifications did they have to receive such treasures?
They felt it would be better for Xiao Feilian to keep them for emergencies.
Even the smartest people can sometimes be foolish.
Xiao Feilian was already level 99 and not a twin-spirit master. How could she use the God-given Spirit Rings?
Would she use them for gambling like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun?
Seeing this, Meng Shenji rolled his eyes at the two old men.
"Accept them. Do you think my 100,000-year Spirit Ring came from nowhere?"
As he spoke, Meng Shenji looked proud!
Not everyone who absorbed a God-given Spirit Ring could reach the 100, 000-year level. His ability to achieve such a feat showed he still had some strength!
As if reminding something, Meng Shenji added, "Besides, Chi Yu isn't a twin-spirit master. If you don't accept them, aren't you just being pretentious?"
When Chi Yu had given him the God-given Spirit Ring, he had been no better than Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, even more pretentious.
In his heart, Xiao Feilian was his only direct disciple. All good things should be given to her first.
Whether it was a 100, 000-year Spirit Bone or a 100, 000-year Spirit Ring.
As for him, he was old and could do.
It was exactly because of Xiao Feilian that Meng Shenji's mindset improved day by day, gaining some "luck" and allowing him to break through to the Title Douluo level!
Bai Baoshan was now an 89th-level Spirit Douluo, just one step away from becoming a Title Douluo.
Zhi Lin's situation was slightly worse, as he was only at the 88th level.
The two exchanged glances, nodded, and their eyes filled with contentment.
This disciple was worth doting on!
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Chapter 472: 472: Did Xianyun Have an Accident?
Back when the three of them were scheming against that old man Xue Ye... ahem, the former emperor, they had to put in a lot of effort.
Now that their disciple has grown up, becoming a towering tree, and has the ability to help these old folks who are nearing their graves take another step forward, it's truly heartwarming.
Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin exchanged another glance, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Then we'll shamelessly accept it!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Feilian repeatedly waved her hand.
"Don't say such things, teachers…"
Shamelessly accept it?
How should she account for all the favors she had received back then?
Between master and disciple, saying such things wouldn't it create distance?
"Ah, old people are just sentimental. Look at what you're doing!"
Meng Shenji pointed at Bai Baoshan and Zhi Lin, saying with annoyance, "Are you waiting for Chi Yu to say what would happen without us old folks?"
"Without us, her growth might have been even faster!"
Xiao Feilian: "…"
Bai Baoshan, Zhi Lin: " 0.o"
Don't say it, but really, don't say it!
By now, the Shrek group had already left Heaven Dou City, and most of the students had been dismissed.
Jiang Zhu, Liu Erlong's direct disciple, who was now a teacher at Shrek Academy, had not left like the other hired teachers but chose to stay.
"Teacher…"
"Dean…"
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai pleaded earnestly, "Come with us to the Star Luo Empire. The Heaven Dou royal family doesn't value Shrek, but the Star Luo Empire is different!"
At this point, Ma Hongjun paused before continuing, "With Brother Dai there, we'll definitely get the best resources!"
Hearing this, the group of old folks, including Liu Erlong, all fell silent.
After a long while, Flender sighed, "Ah… we're old."
In a single day, they had experienced great joy and sorrow, and the ups and downs of life…
All the members of Shrek seemed to have aged many years in an instant.
"Dean…"
Dai Mubai hesitated, looking at Flender.
Before Dai Mubai could finish, Flender waved his hand and said, "Hongjun, Mubai, we've already decided to find a small village to live in seclusion, and no longer involve ourselves in the affairs of the soul master world."
"Now, we are mentally and physically exhausted, and it's time to rest."
Everyone nodded. In fact, they had long harbored such thoughts, but had clung to a sliver of hope.
Now, that hope had been shattered.
Of course, they didn't blame Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai for lacking ability. These two young men had worked very hard.
Only they knew how much hardship they had endured to achieve what they had today.
It was destined to be a calamity they couldn't avoid, so it was better to leave voluntarily.
A peaceful life was also quite good.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun trembled but didn't say much.
They knew that once these old folks made a decision, no amount of persuasion would bring them back.
"Dean, here is one million gold soul coins. Even if you live in seclusion, you'll still need daily necessities. This is the only thing student Dai Mubai can do, please accept it!"
Dai Mubai took a deep breath, took out a gold card from his storage soul tool, handed it to Flender, and said with a serious expression.
One million gold soul coins was no small amount. It could equip a hundred royal knights.
As long as they didn't gamble or purchase large amounts of cultivation resources, this money would be enough to provide for everyone until their old age and even their funerals!
Seeing this, Flender and the others chuckled.
Their lives had been a mix of good and bad, with all sorts of tricks and schemes.
For the needs of the academy, they had swindled the children's registration fees, and for the students' future, they had given up on others' investments.
Whether they were good or bad, let others judge.
"The academy never accepted any investments before. Now that the academy is gone, I'll accept the students' gifts."
Flender didn't refuse Dai Mubai's goodwill and accepted the gold card.
He didn't regret bringing Dai Mubai, the troublemaker, into the academy. He didn't regret it before, and even now, he still didn't regret it.
This child had the potential to become a god but had taken a wrong turn. Perhaps this was his trial before becoming a god!
As if remembering something, Flender continued, "By the way, don't think about seeking revenge for the academy in the future. Xiao Feilian letting us go today was already a great mercy."
"She's so smart, how could she not know your schemes?"
"She's just too kind-hearted and doesn't want to resort to mass slaughter."
Flender's words struck them like a thunderbolt, leaving them bewildered. Upon reflection, it made sense, and for a moment, they were at a loss for words.
Especially Dai Mubai, who had truly been in a state of self-imposed isolation. He had thought that the gap between him and Xiao Feilian had been bridged or even surpassed by divine inheritance. Never did he expect that the gap would only grow wider!
After a long while, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged glances and nodded, saying, "Alright, teacher (dean), we understand."
"Although it's frustrating, I acknowledge her strength and character."
Dai Mubai said with a serious expression, "I've lost, and I won't target her anymore."
This time, he was genuinely convinced.
Flender sighed, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He patted their shoulders and said, "Mubai, Hongjun, you both have the potential to become gods. Judging from your previous performances, Xiao Feilian should be a bit stronger than you, right?"
"…"
"Yeah, just a bit stronger!"
Ma Hongjun said with a conflicted expression.
"Let go of this grudge. Besides, you don't have any direct enmity with her."
"If possible, join her, assist her. When you reach the realm of the gods, your status will be higher, and you'll also have a backer."
Flender, being the old fox he was, was naturally quite wise.
He was teaching Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai about their future paths, perhaps the final lesson from Shrek Academy.
"No, absolutely not!"
"Acknowledging her is one thing, but joining her is out of the question!"
This time, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun didn't listen to Flender. They still had their last shred of dignity.
Joining Xiao Feilian?
That would be worse than death for them!
Seeing this, Flender opened his mouth but remained silent for a long time.
After a while, he sighed.
"Ah, you're still so stubborn…"
"We're leaving. You two focus on your cultivation and strive to become gods as soon as possible!"
"Alright, dean (teacher)!"
They nodded, respectfully watching as Flender and the others left.
At the edge of the Icebound Forest, one step further would lead to the Extreme North.
Zhongli and the others were about to step into this world of ice and snow when suddenly, Zhongli seemed to sense something and stopped in his tracks.
"Morax, what's wrong?"
"Xianyun is back, and she seems to be in a hurry…"
"That girl is always in a rush. Could you be mistaken?"
"It shouldn't be wrong. She's almost rushing at full speed."
"Then let's head back first. We can always come back for the trip another time."