Douro Continent

Chapter 205 Using a hen to lay eggs? (Part 1)

Qin Ming swallowed hard. "So, most of them are only twelve or thirteen years old?"

Flanders nodded.

Qin Ming's gaze swept over the Shrek Seven Devils, and he said with a wry smile, "Now I understand why you were wearing masks. You've really surprised me too much. I always thought the Royal Fighting Team had quite a bit of talent, but in front of you, they're nothing at all. If they were the same age, they wouldn't have any chance of winning."

Flander didn't speak, but just smiled as he looked at the disciples in front of him. Being a student of Shrek Academy was arguably the greatest achievement of his life. Qin Ming was the same, and so were the Shrek Seven Devils in front of him.

Dai Mubai asked, "Senior, may I ask what level of soul power you have now?"

Qin Ming subconsciously replied, "Level 62. Not bad luck."

The Shrek Seven Devils exchanged glances, simultaneously recalling Flander's profound saying: Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, not ordinary people.

"Alright, stop flattering each other. Little monsters, sit down. Order whatever you want to eat. Your stingy headmaster has generously paid for this meal. Don't hold back, take whatever you want." Zhao Wuji looked at the smug Flander and loudly called out to the Shrek Seven Devils.

Flander's smile froze instantly, while the Shrek Seven Devils cheered at the same time and immediately called over the waiter, showing no respect for Zhao Wuji as they began ordering food.

Ma Hongjun snatched the menu first, flipped through it, and found that there were only three pages. He raised his hand and tapped a few times on the menu, signaling the waiter to remember these dishes.

Flander was standing right next to Ma Hongjun, and seeing that his apprentice had ordered only the cheapest dishes, he felt a surge of satisfaction. "Good, as expected of my disciple, he really knows how to save me money. Not bad at all." However, Ma Hongjun's next words instantly plunged him from heaven to hell.

"Okay, forget what I just ordered. Order one of everything else on the menu. Make sure it's a large portion. And two buckets of the best ale. Hurry up and serve the food." Ma Hongjun didn't give anyone else a chance to order and directly completed this glorious task for the Shrek Seven Devils.

Turning to Flander, Ma Hongjun asked curiously, "Hey, teacher, what's wrong with your face? It looks a bit bluish. Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Qin Ming managed to maintain his composure, but Zhao Wuji burst into unrestrained laughter. Flander's stinginess was well-known among the academy's teachers.

Qin Ming's expression had returned to normal, and he smiled, "How could I let the dean go to so much trouble? After all these years, I've finally returned. My two teachers, please give me a chance to thank you for your guidance back then. Without you, there would be no Qin Ming today."

Zhao Wuji laughed and said, "Xiao Ming, you're still so sensible. I was hoping to see Flander bleed profusely. Now I won't be able to."

When Flander heard Qin Ming say he was going to treat everyone, his expression immediately softened. He glared at Zhao Wuji and said, "You enjoy seeing me make a fool of myself, don't you? Alright, Old Zhao, it's been a long time since we sparred. When we get back, I'll challenge you to a match. It'll help improve my soul power."

"Uh..." This time, Zhao Wuji couldn't laugh anymore. He and Flander had sparred countless times, so he knew Flander's strength all too well. As a strength-type Soul Master, he had no way to deal with Flander, who was an agility-type and a flying Soul Master, not to mention that Flander's Soul Power was two levels higher than his.

At their level, the difference between each level of soul power is not as insignificant as it is at the current level of the Shrek Seven Devils. Every level difference represents a significant gap.

Qin Ming looked at the seated Shrek Seven Devils, finally focusing his gaze on Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing. "It's such a pity. If you juniors weren't from Shrek Academy, I would have tried every means to get you into the Royal Academy. With you joining us, maybe..."

Just as Qin Ming was speaking, a familiar voice suddenly rang out from not far away, "Even if they are from Shrek Academy, you can still bring them back to the Royal Academy."

As everyone looked closely, they saw the master walk in from outside, and without any ceremony, he squeezed into a seat next to Flander.

Qin Ming tentatively asked, "Master, what did you mean just now?"

Before the master could answer, Flander protested, "Master, are you deliberately trying to undermine me? These children belong to Shrek Academy, now and always. Can't we provide them with a good education at Shrek?"

Grandmaster Qin remained unmoved by Flander's anxiety, his face still stiff, and said calmly, "I didn't say they should join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy. What I meant was that I hoped the two academies could exchange ideas. Teacher Qin, I think this shouldn't be a problem. If you can't make the decision, I can contact the Spirit Hall."

Qin Ming was stunned for a moment, looking at the master, unsure how to respond.

Flander was also watching the master, wondering to himself, what exactly is Xiao Gang up to? But with Qin Ming in front of him, he couldn't very well ask. However, having been brothers with the master for so many years, he naturally believed that the master was a man of principle.

Qin Ming thought for a moment and said, "It's a privilege for Tiandou Academy to be able to interact with the younger students. But I'm afraid..."

The master said, "Are you afraid that these children are too outstanding, and that they won't be able to come back from your Heavenly Dou Royal Academy?"

It's never pleasant to be seen through. The master may seem ordinary, but his words are incredibly penetrating, directly hitting the nail on the head for Qin Ming.

Qin Ming nodded without pretense and said, "Yes. Although the Heaven Dou Royal Academy holds the title of the number one academy in the Heaven Dou Empire, it has produced very few powerful Soul Masters in recent years. Its status has been declining. The academy's leaders are eager for talented students. If our juniors go there, I can't guarantee they won't have some ideas. I'm afraid they will use all sorts of connections to try and keep our juniors here. Wouldn't that be poaching talent from Shrek Academy?"

Flander laughed and said, "Xiao Ming, you're not bad, lad. No wonder you came from Shrek Academy; you know how to think of the academy. Master, Xiao Ming isn't an outsider, so just say what you have to say."

The master glanced at Flander. "I'm just being blunt. Teacher Qin, if I remember correctly, as an academy established by the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy should have two spots for the grand event a year from now. I can let these children temporarily join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy as exchange students until the event ends a year from now. I think that would make things easier for you."

Qin Ming was taken aback. "Master, are you saying that we should send our junior students to represent the Heaven Dou Royal Academy at that grand event? But if we do that, Heaven Dou Academy will definitely announce to the outside world that our junior students are members of Heaven Dou!"

The master smiled calmly and said, "There's nothing wrong with having another academy as a graduation title."

"No, I disagree." Flander slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, glaring at the Master. "The children belong to Shrek. Master, don't forget, Shrek is the culmination of my life's work over the past twenty years."

Grandmaster's emotions remained unchanged despite Flander's anger. "Flander, I have a few questions for you. If you can answer them, then it doesn't matter whether the children go to Heaven Dou Academy or not. First, can you provide the children with a simulated training environment? Second, can you provide them with the qualification to participate in the Continental Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament a year later? Third, what makes you think that once these children enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they will no longer belong to Shrek Academy? Perhaps you don't understand why I'm doing this. But I have one last question for you. What is the significance of your founding of Shrek Academy?"

"I, I..." Flander was speechless under the barrage of questions from the master. He stared at the master, but the anger he had felt earlier had gradually faded, replaced by dejection.

The master said calmly, "The simulated cultivation environment can further increase their speed of cultivating soul power. Only regular academies that pass the preliminary rounds can participate in the Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament. Shrek Academy has not been registered in any kingdom or empire because we lack the necessary infrastructure. Although Shrek Academy has a reputation in the soul master world, that doesn't guarantee eligibility to participate. You should know what the rewards of the Continental Elite Soul Master Academy Tournament are and how important they are to the children. Your initial ideal in establishing Shrek Academy was to cultivate geniuses in the soul master world, to shock the entire soul master world because of them. The path I chose for them is to make their journey as smooth as possible. Moreover, I haven't finished speaking yet."

At this point, the Grandmaster turned to Qin Ming, "I have one condition for allowing these children to join the Heaven Dou Royal Academy: the academy must accept all the current teachers of Shrek Academy, and we must personally educate these children. The Heaven Dou Royal Academy must not interfere in any way. In other words, they can bring honor to the Heaven Dou Academy, but the education will still be our responsibility. When we want to leave, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy has no right to stop us."

(End of this chapter)