Chapter 343: Joining Heaven's Will Academy
Yang Potian looked around at the gathered crowd before finally speaking. "Dean Flender, Uncle Tai Nuo, you're both welcome to join Heaven's Will Academy, but I have a few questions. I'd like clear answers from you; otherwise, I'll have to refuse your admission."
Yang Potian knew these people fairly well. Some he'd known from childhood, and he was familiar with the personalities of others from the original storyline. He understood that their desire to join Heaven's Will Academy stemmed partly from a need for sanctuary, as they were all fugitives from the Wuhun Empire, and partly from personal ambitions—they hoped to use the academy's resources to rise again and seek revenge in the future.
Flender was the first to respond. "Mr. Yang Potian, please feel free to speak plainly."
Tai Nuo also quickly added, "We're all friends here, so it's good to be upfront. Clear boundaries are best, so everyone knows where they stand."
Yang Potian first addressed Flender. "Dean Flender, as the former head of Shrek Academy, you have valuable experience in both teaching and administration. I believe you and your instructors could contribute greatly to our academy. However, Heaven's Will Academy has a strict policy: we do not get involved in external affairs, clan disputes, or any political entanglements. To put it bluntly, even if someone from the upper three sects were to die on our doorstep, we would not interfere.
"Shrek Academy has deep ties with the upper three sects and a connection to the Heaven Dou Empire's royal family. If you join us, will you sever these connections?"
Yang Potian continued, "You may have heard that joining Heaven's Will Academy isn't difficult, as long as one isn't deeply entangled with clans or involved in treacherous activities. But bear this in mind: once you join, any attempt to betray or leave the academy will leave you with no place to turn. At the very least, you would lose your martial spirit. At worst, it could mean your life.
"That said, the academy won't demand a lifetime of loyalty. You would simply be teachers or outer-circle elders, entitled to the same resources and equal treatment as everyone else. There's no favoritism here."
Hearing these words, the faces of Flender and the others grew serious. Each of them considered the differences between a life of wandering and joining Heaven's Will Academy.
Zhao Wuji spoke up, "Does your academy have any other requirements? Are we expected to participate in battles?"
Yang Potian smiled slightly. "Zhao Wuji, our academy is just a school. We don't go looking for fights. If the academy were ever under attack, we'd be on the front lines. All we ask is that the faculty and students don't abandon their positions."
Zhao Wuji continued, "Mr. Yang Potian, I have a record with the Wuhun Empire. Will that be a problem?"
Yang Potian glanced at him. "I'm not concerned with past matters. As long as you're not guilty of heinous crimes, your conflict with the Wuhun Empire is your own. If you join, I'll handle any issues with the Wuhun Empire. I think they'll respect my stance."
He then turned to Flender. "Dean Flender, Tang San is a descendant of the Clear Sky Clan, and Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong have ties to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Both clans have a deep grudge against the Wuhun Empire. I need you to understand that if you join us, you must sever all connections with them. I'm merciful, but I won't tolerate rule-breakers."
Although Yang Potian's tone was calm, a palpable murderous aura filled the room, as if nature itself were rejecting any defiance.
Everyone present had witnessed Titled Douluo before, but this display reminded them of the vast difference between ordinary powerhouses and an Extreme Douluo.
After a pause, Yang Potian turned to Tai Nuo. "Uncle Tai Nuo, we've known each other a long time, so I'll be direct. Heaven's Will Academy can provide refuge for the remnants of the Strength Clan, but you need to consider this carefully.
"Your former leader, Tai Tan, and your clan's young master, Tang San, are both deeply opposed to the Wuhun Empire. Joining us means forsaking your loyalty to them. Can you truly sever those ties?"
He added, "You've watched me grow up and know my character. Once I make a decision, no one can change it. If you join and later attempt to re-establish contact with Tai Tan or Tang San, I will have no choice but to eliminate you. Do not think I would put the academy in danger for your sake."
Yang Potian finished and leaned back, closing his eyes as if uninterested in the conversation. He had more important things to focus on than these issues.
Flender and Tai Nuo exchanged glances, gathering their groups to quietly discuss their decision.
Yang Potian didn't particularly care about admitting these people, as they wouldn't add much to the academy's strength. From a purely power-based perspective, even the combined abilities of these individuals fell short of matching a single Spirit Douluo from the Breaking Clan.
For Tai Nuo and the remnants of the Strength Clan, parting ways with Tai Tan likely signaled a final, irreversible decision. The more complicated case was Flender—could he genuinely sever ties with Yu Xiaogang and his love for Liu Erlong?
Most of the Shrek teachers, however, seemed enthusiastic about joining the academy. They were already used to independence, with few personal connections to Yu Xiaogang or Tang San. Their focus was teaching, not forming deep bonds with every student. Otherwise, Shrek Academy wouldn't have had such a high student dropout rate.
After much deliberation, everyone decided to join Heaven's Will Academy. They agreed to serve as ordinary instructors, with Flender appearing particularly resolute.
Yang Potian briefly asked about their recent experiences. Satisfied that there was no news of Tang San, he dismissed them.
Reflecting on the events of the original storyline, Yang Potian considered that Tang San had spent four years on Sea God Island; by this point, it had been only a little over three. He wasn't sure if Tang San would return soon or even attempt to escape the island.
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