"Fine! We'll go!"
Flender's shoulders slumped as if crushed by some weight. His lonely figure looked like a stray dog as he walked toward the door.
Zhao Wuji supported the unconscious Dai Mubai, cast a wary glance at Su Wen, then dragged along the indignant old fellows and left.
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Since in your mouth those 'trash' are better than us, then we'll see each other on the battlefield!" Tang San snorted coldly and turned to leave.
"Next time we meet, I won't hold back."
The pink-clothed girl glared at Su Wen, then followed after Tang San.
Ning Rongrong's eyes also flashed with shared resentment. Clearly, in the Spirit Arena, the Shrek Seven Devils had already formed an initial bond.
"Hmph! Heaven Dou Empire doesn't have just one Imperial Academy. So what if we don't have money or resources? I'll just ask my father. Do you know the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? The wealthiest sect in the world. And what are you so smug about anyway? Just wait until I call my two grandpas over and see if you can still be this arrogant."
Ning Rongrong snorted, pulled Zhu Zhuqing's arm, and turned away.
Only the black-clothed girl glanced at Su Wen with a dazed expression before being led off by Ning Rongrong…
"…"
"The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Su Wen said with a smile.
"Mm-hmm? Scared now?" Ning Rongrong turned around, her face full of pride.
"What a pity she's a white-eyed wolf." Su Wen shook his head and said something that left everyone bewildered.
"What did you say?!!" Ning Rongrong was confused at first, then instantly furious.
"Rongrong!"
Zhu Zhuqing quickly apologized on her behalf, covered her mouth, and hurriedly dragged her away.
This young man's cultivation was utterly unfathomable. Judging by how respectful Meng Shenji and the others were, he was at least a Spirit Douluo, maybe even a Title Douluo. If they provoked him too much, they might really lose their lives here…
"Elder! You all—ah…" Qin Ming said angrily.
"Since they've left, I'm going too!"
"Really?" Meng Shenji narrowed his eyes. Although the three had already discussed this scenario, now that it was actually happening, Qin Ming's attitude still disappointed them.
"Of course, I…" Qin Ming wanted to complain, but Meng Shenji cut him off: "Good!"
Bai Baoshan chuckled. "A word is a bond. Double happiness today, hahahaha!"
"Someone will help Teacher Qin with the resignation procedures right away. Teacher Qin, this way please~"
Qin Ming's eyes went wide with shock.
"You all…"
"Hmph!"
Seeing how coldly they treated him, Qin Ming gave a cold snort, flung his sleeves, and strode after Shrek's retreating figures.
"…"
"If not for Little Friend Su Wen, we would still be in the dark, fooled by Flender. A teacher with such conduct and character—if he were to be recruited into our academy, it would be a disaster for Heaven Dou Imperial Academy." Bai Baoshan sighed.
"Elder should call me Su Lin." Su Wen said with a grin.
"Er…"
The three members of the committee looked at one another and nodded.
"Very well."
"I am the current Emperor's fourth son, Su… Master Lin, would you be willing to take me as a disciple?" Xue Beng hurriedly knelt down under Xue Xing's subtle signal, speaking in a sincere tone.
"Oh?"
Su Wen raised a brow.
He hadn't expected the Fourth Prince to be this impatient. By rights, under Qian Renxue's pressure, he should have tried to worship him as a teacher quietly. After all, these three Elder members were all subordinates of "Xue Qinghe" in the original story…
"I have no intention of getting involved in your struggle for the throne."
Su Wen shook his head.
"No, I simply feel a sense of fate upon meeting you, Master. I know I am a foolish, debauched wastrel while my elder brother is exceptionally gifted, so I long ago gave up such ambitions. I absolutely have no thought of using you to seize the crown. Even if I cannot be your disciple, just being able to sit in on the Heaven Dou classes you teach would already satisfy me." Xue Beng said earnestly.
Clearly, on one hand he wanted to build goodwill with Su Wen, and on the other hand, he was making a dangerous play. As long as he could get close to Su Wen, he might one day reveal the truth that "Xue Qinghe" had been replaced. If Su Wen helped him then, the crown prince title would be all but guaranteed. Su Wen would even earn the title of Imperial Tutor. He didn't believe Su Wen would feel no temptation.
"Oh?"
Su Wen stared at him, smiling.
He looked until Xue Beng's confidence faltered and the prince finally lowered his head, guilty.
"Prince Xue Xing, the old poison owes you a favor. I'll repay it for him now. From this point on… stop bothering me."
With that, he glanced at the somewhat uneasy Xue Xing, flicked his sleeve, and left.
Only the trembling uncle and nephew were left behind.
And the three Elder members, who exchanged thoughtful glances.
…
Heaven Dou Empire, Imperial Capital.
The Palace.
Outside, the streets were packed.
Tonight, the Emperor of Heaven Dou—the true ruler of this land—was hosting a grand banquet. Only the high-ranking officials and nobles who had received invitations could attend. Eminent guests arrived one after another.
"Uncle Bone, Rongrong won't be coming today…"
A refined man in luxurious robes, somewhat thin but scholarly, shook his head helplessly at the black-robed elderly man who was craning his neck and looking around.
"Of course I know. But Rongrong was raised by us two old fellows since she was little. Fengzhi, you too. Why did you have to send her to that god-forsaken Shrek to suffer? If you'd picked any Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, we wouldn't have said a word." The burly, black-robed elder grumbled.
"I agree as well."
Another elder with silver hair and beard, dressed in blue and looking like an immortal hermit, also nodded slightly.
"Sigh…"
Ning Fengzhi could only shake his head helplessly.
It was because Shrek was far away and tough that he sent Ning Rongrong there. Otherwise, with these two doting on her like that, who knew what she'd become in the future.
"But, speaking of which… His Majesty's special guest today is a young man. According to Qinghe, he can control a powerful beast, and even the three members of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Elder are no match for him." Ning Fengzhi frowned.
When had such a strong figure appeared in the Heaven Dou Empire?
Thinking through the Title Douluo he knew, none of them were fond of disguises.
"You know who it is?"
"Young, wind-attribute… Within the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire, there is absolutely no such young powerhouse. Certainly not that I know of." Chen Xin shook his head.
"That's really strange then." Gu Rong raised a brow.
"It's fine. Once we meet him, we can probably figure him out." Chen Xin remained calm.
"Heh, we're both Titles. I want to see if he can beat me." Gu Rong's interest was piqued.
"You two, don't provoke him. I heard he's already joined Heaven Dou Imperial Academy as a worship elder. Strictly speaking, he's a man of the imperial clan now…" Ning Fengzhi said helplessly.
"Heh, I'm just saying. Besides old sword here, who else is qualified to trade a couple moves with me? Some random brat who popped out of nowhere is still a bit lacking." Gu Rong grinned.
"Teacher!"
As they spoke, a tall figure approached.
"Qinghe?"
Ning Fengzhi broke into a smile.
The newcomer was dressed in formal attire, movements smooth and elegant, features unbelievably handsome, and his demeanor courteous and refined. Even as the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi felt proud of this disciple.