Yu Tianming suddenly thought of something and looked at Qin Ming with a curious expression. "Teacher Qin, may I ask—when did you graduate from Shrek Academy?"
Qin Ming scratched his head. "I knew Dean Flender even before Shrek was established. So, not long after the academy was founded, I graduated. After that, I traveled across the continent and, by chance, ended up joining the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as a teacher a few years ago."
Yu Tianming glanced at the defeated members of the Emperor Team and smiled. "What a coincidence. Your former schoolmates are now up against the Shrek Seven Devils. Don't you want to see how your alma mater has grown?"
Qin Ming nodded and stood up with a gentle smile. "I was just thinking the same. It's been years since I left Shrek—this time, I must visit Dean Flender. Tianxin may be the team captain, but his cultivation is nearly on par with mine, and he usually handles team training. If anything comes up, you can speak with him."
With that, Qin Ming didn't linger and quickly left the private room.
Watching him leave, Yu Tianming smiled without saying a word. 'How did Flender raise someone like Qin Ming? He gave him no resources, yet made him treat Shrek like his home.'
In the original story, Qin Ming became a level 81 Spirit Douluo in his forties, yet he still risked his life for Shrek to challenge a Title Douluo, the Ghost Panther, and died young.
And it wasn't just Qin Ming. Shrek also had many powerful Spirit Sages and Spirit Kings like Shao Xin and Zhao Wuji, who could have easily lived in luxury. Yet, they followed Flender to join Shrek as teachers. They weren't even paid—sometimes, there were more teachers than students.
In that sense, Flender was like the Liu Bei of the Douluo Continent—broke and with nothing to offer, but still managed to earn loyalty. Even if the academy was falling apart, these teachers never left.
Sadly, the Golden Iron Triangle's fusion technique was led by Yu Xiaogang, and that led to Flender—usually so sharp—being gradually brainwashed by this useless man. In the end, he willingly gave up Liu Erlong. Just because of one word from her, Flender followed them to some small village to start a school.
Yu Tianxin, standing beside him, patted Yu Tianming's shoulder and asked, puzzled, "Tianming, how do you even know about Shrek Academy? What's the deal with this so-called academy?"
Yu Tianming smiled meaningfully. "You're more connected to Shrek than you think. Yu Xiaogang once traveled the continent with Flender and Liu Erlong as the 'Golden Iron Triangle.' Their relationship wasn't simple. It was only after the trio split up that Flender went on to found Shrek Academy."
Yu Tianxin already knew about his aunt's ridiculous love story with Yu Xiaogang, but hearing this, he realized Flender was involved too. Could this have been… a love triangle? His face instantly darkened, as if he'd swallowed a fly.
Looking at Yu Tianming, he couldn't help but ask, "I heard they had a martial spirit fusion technique... Does that mean… were they that kind of relationship?"
Yu Tianming nodded. "Exactly what you're thinking. But in the end, the trio still went their separate ways. You probably know why."
Yu Tianxin muttered, "Good thing Grandpa broke them up back then… who knows what kind of mess they would've caused."
Having grown up in the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Tianxin didn't think it unethical for Yu Xiaogang to marry Liu Erlong. But if she married that disgrace to the clan—Yu Xiaogang—it would bring nothing but shame. If that love triangle ever got out, he'd never show his face in the Spirit Master world again.
Yu Tianming stood up and patted his shoulder. "Don't dwell too much on the past. I've got some matters to handle, so I'll be off now."
With that, he left the private room with Ah Zhu and Ah Zhi.
Yu Tianming had come to Soto City not only to deliver the spirit bone to Yu Tianxin, but also to visit Ning Rongrong—and to see his long-lost uncle, Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang... this guy's so-called "spirit theory" ruined countless civilian spirit masters. He seduced the Holy Maiden of Spirit Hall, leading to Qian Xunji's rage and disaster. He even brainwashed the shrewd Flender into a devoted follower.
When he arrived in Nuoding City, he still couldn't keep still. He used Tang San to validate his theory and ended up crippling his Blue Silver Grass spirit. From the Pope down to commoners, Yu Xiaogang caused chaos wherever he went—truly the root of all evil in the Douluo Continent.
Yu Tianming thought to himself, 'Ever since my spirit awakened, I've never seen that uncle again. It's been ten years... oddly enough, I kinda miss that "genius."'
Back to Qin Ming—after leaving the private room, he rushed straight to the hotel where the Shrek team was staying. As soon as he entered, he saw Flender and the Shrek Seven chatting and drinking in a corner of the restaurant.
Flender, who knew Qin Ming best, waved him over with a laugh. "Xiao Ming! Over here—come join us!"
Among the Shrek Seven, aside from Oscar who was raised by Flender, Ma Hongjun was his personal disciple and had spent the most time with him. When he saw Flender waving, he also stood up and shouted, "Senior Qin Ming! The food's already served—we've been waiting for you!"
Qin Ming walked over and looked curiously at Ma Hongjun standing beside Flender. "Teacher, is this young man also a student of the academy? Since when did Shrek have so many disciples?"
Ma Hongjun, being naturally sociable, grinned. "Senior Qin, don't you recognize me after just a short time apart?"
Qin Ming widened his eyes and stared at the chubby youth. "You... You're that flying, fire-breathing fatty from earlier? How old are you?"
He had expected it, but seeing Ma Hongjun's still childlike chubby face, he was still stunned.
He glanced at the other Shrek members—besides Dai Mubai and Oscar, none of them looked over fifteen.
He had seen young prodigies before—Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianming were both Spirit Kings under 20. Compared to them, these kids weren't the most gifted. But the fact that Flender managed to gather so many strong talents all at once still left him shocked.
Thinking Qin Ming was impressed by their talent, Ma Hongjun proudly said, "That's right, I'm the Evil Fire Phoenix! Just turned thirteen this year. Bet you didn't expect that, huh?"
Flender laughed smugly. "Qin Ming, have you forgotten Shrek's tradition? We don't accept ordinary people—we only take geniuses. You're surprised just by this level of talent?"
His laughter, like his spirit the Four-Eyed Owl, was hoarse and eerie.
Qin Ming didn't mind. He swallowed hard and said, "I'm just amazed... that our academy managed to recruit so many outstanding prodigies. None of them are ordinary geniuses."
Seeing that the mood was right, Yu Xiaogang crossed his arms and calmly said, "These children are once-in-a-generation talents. That's why I had them wear masks. The Emperor Team may be impressive, but compared to the Shrek Seven, they're not much. If they were the same age, they wouldn't stand a chance."
Qin Ming nodded. Harsh as it sounded, Yu Tianxin hadn't competed. Without him, the Emperor Team did fall short of the Shrek Seven.
Zhao Wuji tried to ease the awkwardness. "Enough with the boasting. Qin Ming, sit down and eat. Look at all this food—our dear Dean Flender generously paid for everything. Don't waste his kindness."
The table was packed with food—extravagant, and far more than expected.
Qin Ming frowned. Flender was famously stingy.
He sat down and smiled warmly at Flender. "Dean, you shouldn't have. Without you, I wouldn't be here today. Since it's been years since I came back, at least let me treat you to this meal."
But to his surprise, Flender suddenly stood up. "Xiao Ming, don't fight me on this. I just made a fortune at the Spirit Arena. This one's on me."
Qin Ming's expression turned to shock. 'Is this still the penny-pinching Flender I knew?'
After a pause, he cautiously asked, "Dean, is there... something you want to ask of me? If it's within my power, I'll help."
Flender didn't answer. He just slumped down again and quietly ate his food, looking gloomy.
Zhao Wuji sighed and turned to Qin Ming seriously. "Xiao Ming, what do you think of these students?"
Qin Ming studied the Shrek Seven, focusing especially on Tang San and Dai Mubai. "If they weren't already part of Shrek, I'd find a way to recruit them into Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. With their strength, they could easily make a name for themselves in the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament…"
Before he could finish, Yu Xiaogang cut in. "Even if they're Shrek students, they can still represent the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
Qin Ming froze. He looked at Yu Xiaogang, momentarily speechless.
Yu Xiaogang glanced at the seven students and at Flender, then said seriously, "Teacher Qin, showcasing their power at the Spirit Master Tournament is every prodigy's dream. Coincidentally, there are seven of them."
"You mean...?" Qin Ming asked cautiously.
Yu Xiaogang nodded with confidence. "As far as I know, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy has two tournament slots. I want to send these kids as exchange students under your academy's banner. What do you think?"
It was then that Qin Ming realized why Flender was acting so out of character—he was silently asking for this favor.
Qin Ming let out a long breath. "Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is known as the top school of the empire, but strong Spirit Masters have become rare in recent years. Talented students are in high demand. These seven definitely qualify. If they miss the tournament, it would be a real loss."
Then his tone turned serious. "But if they're going to compete under our name, the academy will publicly claim them as Heaven Dou students."
Yu Xiaogang smiled. "Adding another prestigious school to their résumé won't hurt."
Qin Ming didn't reply right away. He looked toward Flender. "Dean, what do you say? Are you really okay with handing over the qualification for the tournament?"
Flender slowly looked up. His eyes were brimming with tears.
This Soul Saint, over level 70, choked out his words. "Shrek can't provide the simulation training environment... and we don't have the right to enter the Continental Spirit Master Academy Tournament..."
He didn't finish—but Qin Ming understood.
This tournament was Tang San's stage to shine. It was also Yu Xiaogang's chance to prove himself. They couldn't give it up.
Yu Xiaogang patted his old friend's shoulder. "This is mutual benefit. They get reputation—we get training. Don't forget why we founded Shrek in the first place."
Then he looked at Qin Ming. "One condition—Heaven Dou Academy must accept all of Shrek's current teachers and allow us to continue teaching the students without interference. When we choose to leave, Heaven Dou cannot stop us."
Qin Ming smiled wryly. "Fair enough. All of you are respected names in the spirit world. The academy would probably offer generous compensation. But... Shrek Academy is Flender's life's work. If we do this…"
Yu Xiaogang cut him off. "If these kids can beat the Emperor Team now, by the tournament, everyone will remember them as the Shrek Seven Devils. Flender's efforts won't be in vain."
The room fell quiet.
Qin Ming eventually nodded.
Just as they were about to seal the deal, a low voice came from outside the door. "Beat the Emperor Team? Yu Xiaogang, are you forgetting that Tianxin is also part of that team? He just didn't go on stage today."
(End of Chapter)
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