Thank you to our new Patrons: Christopher Gärtner, Jose cabrera atzin, Luke Matthews, allen pellissery, mark74497, Charlie Puente-Duany and Anime fan123456! Your support means the world to me <3 We are up to Chapter 205: The End of the Preliminary Matches on Patreon!
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A piercing scream echoed throughout the entire Education Committee.
Qin Ming's body was continuously being melted within the force field created by Dugu Bo, yet he remained conscious.
The pain was akin to thousands of insects gnawing at his heart, tormenting him endlessly.
Every second spent in the force field felt like an eternity—thousands or even tens of thousands of years to him.
The three commissioners closed their eyes in anguish, guilt-ridden for failing to properly discipline Qin Ming.
About five minutes later, with the final wail fading, Qin Ming's body dissolved into a pool of lifeless liquid.
"Three commissioners, in the future, if you wish to nurture successors, please keep your eyes open so as not to be deceived by unscrupulous individuals. As for Teacher Wang Heng here, I find him quite capable—he shall be the new head teacher of the Imperial Team," Prince Xue Xing remarked with a faint smile.
With a wave of his hand, his guards regrouped, and together they departed from the Education Committee.
"Thank you for your reminder, Your Highness Prince Xue Xing—we will remember it!" The three commissioners ground out through clenched teeth.
Dugu Yan ran over to Dugu Bo.
Qin Ming's death brought her immense satisfaction, but she couldn't understand why Dugu Bo had let Tang San go.
"Yan Yan, know when to stop," Dugu Bo said affectionately, patting her forehead.
Abusing private punishment would inevitably invite criticism from the outside world.
After his death, someone might use this against Dugu Yan.
Earlier, if Prince Xue Xing hadn't branded Qin Ming as a thief of royal assets, Dugu Bo likely wouldn't have publicly tortured him to death.
---
On the way down the mountain, the members of Shrek Academy heard the screams coming from above and immediately stopped in their tracks.
Flender's sharp perception quickly identified the source. "That's Qin Ming's voice! Damn Prince Xue Xing—how could he blame Qin Ming for this!"
Overwhelmed with anxiety, Flender immediately turned back, intending to rescue Qin Ming.
Yu Xiaogang quickly blocked his path. "Flender, have you lost your mind? If you don't think about yourself, at least consider the children. Charging in now won't save anyone—it'll only drag us all down with you."
"Prince Xue Xing has a Title Douluo by his side, and Dugu Bo is ruthless. Rushing in blindly would be suicide."
Zhao Wuji also wanted to rescue Qin Ming, but hearing Yu Xiaogang's explanation, he reluctantly abandoned the idea. "Principal, Qin Ming still has the strength to cry out—he's probably not in mortal danger. Let's leave here first and make plans after we gather more information."
Flender sighed deeply and, in the end, continued down the mountain with the group.
At this moment, Xiao Wu was deeply troubled.
Dugu Bo was a genuine Title Douluo, undoubtedly capable of seeing through her identity. Just because he hadn't acted now didn't mean he wouldn't in the future.
Staying with the group would eventually endanger Tang San.
But if she tried to run, could she possibly outrun a Title Douluo?
Unaware that Dugu Bo had no intention of harming her, Xiao Wu spent the next few days in constant fear, dreading the moment he might capture her.
---
On the official road outside Tiandou City…
"Principal, what do we do now?" Zhao Wují and the other teachers couldn't help but ask.
Without being able to join Tian Dou Imperial Academy, they had nowhere to go. On top of that, their spending spree at Seven Treasures Mall on the way here had left them without even enough money for the journey back to Soto City.
Feeling the weight of everyone's gazes, Flender couldn't help but feel defeated. "Let's disband. Shrek Academy has been around for twenty years, yet it hasn't made any progress. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a principal. There are plenty of advanced soul master academies in Tiandou City. Old Zhao, with your abilities, finding a teaching position will be easy. As for the little prodigies, they can join a new academy with you."
After saying this, Flender seemed to age significantly.
His once fiery determination had been worn down by reality.
"Principal, we're a team. Wherever you go, we'll follow," Zhao Wuji and the others immediately declared their loyalty.
Yu Xiaogang, however, angrily retorted, "Flender, are you willing to remain a coward forever? This failure means nothing—as long as we're all together, how can we not rebuild Shrek Academy?"
After leaving Nuoding Academy, he had invested everything he had into Shrek Academy.
If the academy disbanded, how could he continue teaching Tang San? How could he train Tang San to become strong?
Without a place to go, he would have no choice but to return to his family.
When that happened, those who had once mocked him would surely ridicule him even more.
"Principal, we're willing to rebuild Shrek Academy with you," Tang San said firmly.
"Principal, if we don't have money, the four monsters of Shrek can participate in soul battles until we raise enough funds to rebuild the academy," Dai Mubai patted his chest confidently.
Seeing everyone's resolve, Flender gradually regained his confidence. "Alright, then let's rebuild Shrek Academy in Tiandou City."
But enthusiasm alone wasn't enough.
Flender couldn't seriously allow Tang San and the others to raise funds for the academy by participating in high-intensity soul battles in the Great Soul Arena.
"Let's find an academy in the city where we can stay temporarily. With the little prodigies' talents, there's hope they can become the mainstays of the academy's team."
"In the next few years, all of us will work hard to earn money. By the time of the next-next Soul Masters Tournament, Shrek Academy will definitely be rebuilt in Tiandou City."
When they entered the city earlier that day, Flender had noticed recruitment notices posted at the city gates.
Soon, they arrived at the bulletin board.
"Seven Treasures Academy is hiring teachers. Requirements: Soul King level or higher, with at least two years of teaching experience."
After reading the notice aloud, Zhao Wuji burst into laughter. "Principal, although we had some misunderstandings with Seven Treasures Academy earlier, their compensation is more than double that of other academies on the continent. With our abilities, joining Seven Treasures Academy will be more than sufficient."
There was one thing he didn't say.
By joining Seven Treasures Academy, former Shrek Academy students like Ning Tianchen would return to the fold. The Shrek team could regain its former glory from the start of the semester.
"Absolutely not," Yu Xiaogang interjected.
He only had the strength of a Great Soul Master—Seven Treasures Academy wouldn't hire him as a teacher, and he certainly wouldn't serve the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
Moreover, Ning Tianchen and others had left the academy due to dissatisfaction with his training arrangements. If they returned to their turf, his life wouldn't be easy.
Zhao Wují looked at Flender, awaiting his response.
As Flender pondered, his gaze fell on another recruitment notice on the bulletin board.
"Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Going to Seven Treasures Academy would mean intense competition not only for the teachers but also for the children. Instead, let's go to Blue Tyrant Academy."
Years ago, after Yu Xiaogang left the Golden Iron Triangle, Liu Erlong had founded an academy in Tiandou City.
Flender had some impression of this Blue Tyrant Academy.
Yu Xiaogang also saw the notice and calmly remarked, "Blue Tyrant Academy isn't bad either. I believe that with our teaching abilities, we'll eventually surpass Seven Treasures Academy."
------------------------------------------------------
Support my writing journey: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
40+ Chapters Ahead Guaranteed.