"You flatter me!" Zhang Fan shrugged casually.
"I'm serious," Qin Ming said earnestly. "The Heaven Dou Royal Academy has many geniuses—Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and others—all with exceptional talent. But you're different. You're a true monster. Even I feel I'm no match for you. Your strength is unfathomable."
His praise came straight from the heart.
"I'm alright, I guess," Zhang Fan replied modestly.
Soon after, Qin Ming led Flender and the others to meet the three senior Education Committee members.
The three elders, clad in black robes, were all Soul Douluos above the 80th rank.
Flender immediately bowed respectfully, showing his deference.
"Flender of Shrek Academy, Martial Soul: Owl, 78th-ranked Agility-Type Battle Soul Sage. Greetings, Seniors."
In the world of spirit masters, those who hadn't reached Title Douluo rank could still be addressed as "seniors."
The elder in the center laughed heartily and stepped forward to help Flender up. "Dean Flender, no need for such formalities. I've long heard of you. I am Meng Shenji, Chief of the Education Committee. My Martial Soul is Black Demon, an 86th-ranked eight-ring Control-Type Battle Soul Douluo."
He then introduced the other two.
The elder on the left was the committee's second seat, Bai Baoshan, a Soul Douluo…
The one on the right was the third seat, Zhi Lin, a Control-Type Soul Douluo with the Martial Soul "Celestial Vine" and an 83rd-ranked eight-ring Spirit Tool Douluo.
Flender introduced Shrek Academy's teachers and students to the three high-ranking committee members.
Meng Shenji nodded with a smile. "No need for courtesy. Consider this place your home. Qin Ming told us these children annihilated the Imperial Team in seconds. I was shocked—I never expected you to nurture so many geniuses."
"You praise us too much. Shrek Academy will soon cease to exist," Flender said with a bitter smile.
"But they represent Shrek, do they not?" Meng Shenji replied, scanning the crowd for Zhang Fan. "I heard one of your Battle Spirit Masters, Zhang Fan, is already at the 48th rank at just twelve years old. That's downright monstrous."
"Hello," Zhang Fan stepped forward.
"Bzz—"
Suddenly, a terrifying wave of spirit power surged toward him.
There was no killing intent—only a test of his strength.
Zhang Fan remained calm. Without even activating his Nine Yang Divine Art, he effortlessly withstood the immense spiritual pressure.
"Interesting," Zhi Lin murmured, eyeing Zhang Fan with surprise.
A 48th-ranked spirit master, yet he could withstand pressure equivalent to a 50th-rank Soul King without flinching?
No wonder he led Shrek to crush the Imperial Team.
As the spiritual pressure intensified, Zhang Fan finally activated the Nine Yang Divine Art to resist.
The fluctuations grew increasingly violent, making Flender and the others tense.
Soon, the pressure surpassed the 60th-rank—yet Zhang Fan still held firm.
Then, his spirit rings emerged.
Four black spirit rings.
Though they had heard of it, seeing it firsthand left the three elders utterly stunned.
"This…"
"You're a monster beyond comprehension," Zhi Lin finally relented, ceasing his test.
"To think such a prodigy has appeared in the Heaven Dou Empire," Meng Shenji sighed, deeply shaken.
The other two shared his astonishment.
"Zhang Fan's talent is extraordinary. Without him, Shrek wouldn't be so renowned," Flender said proudly, though his voice carried a trace of weariness and loneliness.
"Dean Flender, rest assured. We three guarantee these children will receive the best resources to surpass even us," Meng Shenji vowed solemnly.
"Thank you," Flender nodded.
"Tap… tap…"
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Three figures entered.
"Chief Meng Shenji!" A haughty voice rang out.
Meng Shenji frowned. He recognized the speaker—and his expression darkened.
Among the three was Xue Beng, the prince whom Xiao Wu had kicked away earlier, his nose held high in arrogance.
At the center stood a lavishly dressed elder in a golden robe, his hair white, his stature plump. He clasped his hands behind his back, showing no respect to the three Soul Douluo committee members.
Flender and the others sensed trouble.
"Your Highness, Prince Xue. What brings you here?" Meng Shenji asked with a slight bow.
"And who are these people?" Prince Xue Xing demanded.
"They're from Shrek Academy, here to discuss collaboration," Meng Shenji explained before introducing Flender to the prince, mentioning that the Royal Academy fell under the prince's jurisdiction.
"Greetings," Flender said politely, though his smile was strained.
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"Shrek Academy? Some no-name, third-rate institution. Chief Meng, why are you bringing these nobodies into our academy?"
The Shrek team's faces twisted in anger.
Meng Shenji was taken aback. "Your Highness, Shrek's students are all geniuses! Their teachers are exceptional talents."
"Oh? Then they should pass an evaluation. Have they?"
"Their ranks are sufficient. No evaluation is needed," Zhi Lin said coldly.
"This is my domain. I say they're not welcome," Prince Xue Xing snapped.
"Your Highness, is this about Prince Xue Beng's personal vendetta?" Flender's expression darkened.
"Xue Beng's matter is irrelevant. But if you wish to become teachers here, you must pass a test. I've invited Sir Dugu to evaluate you. Last five minutes against him, and I'll permit your enrollment."
Prince Xue Xing's tone was icy.
"..." Dai Mubai clenched his fists, itching to strike.
The green-haired elder glanced at him—and Dai Mubai shuddered as if staring into the eyes of a beast, stumbling back in fear.
"Clang!"
Zhang Fan suddenly slashed a sword-finger strike.
"Swoosh!" A blade of energy sliced through the eerie green energy, dispersing it instantly.
"Oh?" The green-haired elder's eyes widened. He hadn't expected the boy to detect his attack.
"Prince Xue Xing, don't go too far!" Meng Shenji, shocked by Zhang Fan's move, stepped in.
"Hah! This academy is under my control. I do as I please," Prince Xue Xing sneered.
"You—!" Meng Shenji's rage flared.
"Sir Dugu, if you would," Prince Xue Xing said deferentially.
"Hum—"
The green-haired elder cast a dismissive glance at the Shrek team.
"Come. All of you. Last five minutes under my assault."
As he spoke, his spirit rings ignited—
Two yellow, two purple, five black.
Nine rings in total, illuminating the entire hall.
The Shrek team paled.
Even the three committee members were stunned.
None had expected the green-haired elder to be a Title Douluo above the 90th rank!
"Are you… Dugu Bo, Your Excellency?"
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, his voice oddly pitched.
"Hoh? You freak actually know my name? Then scram out of Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Dugu Bo's laughter was cold.
(End of Chapter)