As Yu Tianming led the group toward the battle zone of Blue Tyrant Academy, he spoke slowly, "Blue Tyrant Forest is the largest plant zone within Heaven Dou City. Over a decade ago, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan funded the establishment of Blue Tyrant Academy here. Although the academy was founded relatively recently, it boasts complete facilities and devoted instructors. That's why its results are no worse than those of long-established academies."
Flender glanced around at the surrounding buildings, eyes gleaming. He didn't even realize how much talent his Shrek Academy had wasted over the years.
Hearing Yu Tianming's words, he quickly nodded and smiled. "As expected of Erlong, not only is she powerful, but even the academy she founded is better than my Shrek."
"Erlong Auntie's efforts are certainly important," Yu Tianming replied, "But it's the strong support from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan that is the real key. The fact that Blue Tyrant Academy was built in Heaven Dou City, where land is worth its weight in gold, shows just how much was invested. With all these resources, Shrek's cultivation speed should increase significantly."
Hearing the way he addressed Liu Erlong, Flender paused, then suddenly found Yu Tianming a lot more pleasing to the eye. 'So he's Erlong's nephew. No wonder he's so good-looking.'
Following closely behind Yu Xiaogang, Tang San's eyes briefly flashed purple as he asked, "Brother Tianming, we're about to join Blue Tyrant Academy. I'm curious—what here can help us cultivate faster?"
Hearing Tang San's question, Oscar and Ma Hongjun—who had spent half their lives scraping by with Flender—immediately perked up their ears.
Yu Tianming smiled and explained, "Blue Tyrant Academy is different from Shrek. We have specially built simulated cultivation fields, meals made from soul beast meat, and even simple medicinal baths. And thanks to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's financial support, tuition fees are very low."
Not only is the environment better for cultivation, it's also not run by a penny-pincher like Flender. After hearing all this, even Flender felt a bit ashamed despite his thick skin. Meanwhile, Oscar and Ma Hongjun, who had never known such luxury, completely let go of their last attachments to Shrek.
Oscar, who was walking at the back of the group, quickly stepped forward to walk beside Yu Tianming, eyes full of anticipation as he asked, "Brother Tianming, since Rongrong came to Heaven Dou City with you, is she here too? Will she be joining Blue Tyrant Academy?"
Yu Tianming glanced at Oscar's bearded face and couldn't help but sigh internally. 'This really is the continent of romance: Flender is a top-tier simp who's devoted himself to Liu Erlong without complaint. Now his adopted student Oscar is following in his footsteps. Who knows how long he'll be simping for Ning Rongrong.'
"Little Ao, Rongrong stayed at Shrek for half a year, but she just returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. She'll probably be here in a few days." Yu Tianming didn't mind that Ning Rongrong had attracted another loyal admirer.
"Oh? With Rongrong back, the Shrek Seven Devils will be reunited." Flender's eyes sparkled.
'If these seven join the Soul Master Tournament, it's basically no different from Shrek Academy competing.'
While chatting, Yu Tianming had already led the group into the battle zone of Blue Tyrant Academy.
He casually stopped a student and instructed, "Could you please call out Tai Long and the other three? I have something for them."
After the student left, Yu Tianming turned to Flender and said slowly, "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Dean Flender. Blue Tyrant Academy also has some promising talents. Given the current strength of the Shrek Seven Devils, a few of them will have to be substitutes."
"What? There are people stronger than these little monsters?" Flender couldn't believe it.
Shrek's environment was poor, yes, but he knew how gifted his students were. Even the Emperor Battle Team had been easily defeated by them.
Just as Flender finished speaking, the student returned with Tai Long and the others.
These four were all talented commoners. Without Yu Tianming's intervention, they would have become the next generation of Shrek's substitutes. But without the immortal herbs, the position of a substitute was no longer so clear-cut.
Yu Tianming smiled and introduced them to Flender. "These four are Blue Tyrant Academy's seeded candidates. While their talents may not surpass those of the Shrek Seven Devils, they've trained for years and have developed considerable strength. Tai Long, introduce yourselves."
Following his words, Tai Long and the others began reporting their strength.
"Tai Long, 23 years old. Martial soul: Vigorous Orangutan. Level 42 Power Attack System Battle Soul Ancestor."
"Huang Yuan, 21 years old. Martial soul: Lone Wolf. Level 34 Power Attack System Soul Elder."
"Jing Ling, 21 years old. Martial soul: Skeleton. Level 34 Agility Attack System Soul Elder."
"Jiang Zhu, 19 years old. Martial soul: Healing Scepter. Level 34 Support System Soul Elder."
Although Blue Tyrant Academy's students had higher soul power than Shrek's group, they were also nearly ten years older. Thinking of the raw talent of the Shrek Seven Devils, Flender straightened his back proudly and shouted, "Little monsters, show the Blue Tyrant Academy your strength!"
Dai Mubai looked at the others and smiled, then stepped forward. "White Tiger Dai Mubai. 15 years old. Level 38 Soul Elder, Power Attack System."
"Sausage Specialist Oscar. 14 years old. Level 31 Soul Elder, Tool Soul."
"Thousand Hands Shura Tang San. 13 years old. Level 36 Soul Elder, Power Attack System."
"Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Hongjun. 13 years old. Level 28 Soul Grandmaster, Power Attack System."
"Soft Bone Charm Rabbit Xiao Wu. 13 years old. Level 32 Soul Elder, Power Attack System."
"Netherworld Spirit Cat Zhu Zhuqing. 12 years old. Level 28 Soul Grandmaster, Agility Attack System."
Their strength wasn't shocking, but their ages left everyone stunned. Only Yu Tianming looked puzzled. 'Six of them are reasonable… but Tang San? 36 levels already? He's almost overtaking Dai Mubai. Just how much life force did he absorb?'
Tai Long, who had been sizing up the Shrek group, eventually locked his gaze on Xiao Wu with her rabbit-ear hair accessories.
His blatantly lustful stare made Tang San frown and step directly in front of Xiao Wu, blocking Tai Long's view.
Seeing how close they were, Tai Long grinned and directly asked Tang San, "Tang San, you and Xiao Wu seem awfully close. What's your relationship?"
Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu behind him and thought of all the moments they'd shared. But unable to express his feelings, he forced himself to say, "I'm Xiao Wu's older brother."
Tai Long scoffed but said nothing more.
Yu Tianming didn't concern himself with their drama. He addressed everyone again, "Now that we've all been introduced, I'll explain the team arrangement. The original Shrek Seven Devils and Blue Tyrant Team will be disbanded and merged into the new Blue Tyrant Team."
He looked at the varied group, cleared his throat, and continued, "Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing, as Grandmasters, will be substitutes. The three support-type soul masters—Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Jiang Zhu—will be deployed depending on the enemy's lineup. The six main members will be Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Tai Long, Huang Yuan, and Jing Ling. If the substitutes become strong enough, they can replace main members. Any questions?"
His decisions were based on soul power and quite reasonable. None of the Shrek group had anything to say.
After arranging the students, Yu Tianming looked at Shrek's teachers. "The teachers from Shrek are all highly capable—far beyond our requirement of Soul King-level teachers. Since you've joined us, Blue Tyrant Academy will offer fair compensation."
No one could pick fault with Yu Tianming's words. After he promised proper salaries, everyone nodded in agreement.
Only Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke up, "I have one condition. The students participating in the tournament must be taught by us directly. Only then can they achieve better results."
Yu Tianming gave the arrogant Yu Xiaogang a strange look. 'Where does he get the nerve? I'm not Bibi Dong or Liu Erlong—I don't indulge this failure.'
"A bad teacher suppresses talent, an average teacher brings out talent, and a great teacher lets people exceed their potential. Our students are all commoners, yet our teachers help them match noble students. I believe Blue Tyrant's instructors are more suitable."
The words made Flender flinch, and he instinctively looked at Qin Ming. Yu Xiaogang also turned to look at Tang San.
In that awkward silence, Qin Ming—one of the few true gentlemen in Douluo Continent—was the first to speak. "Dean Flender, don't blame yourself. You helped me fulfill my potential safely, and I'm truly grateful. My days at Shrek were the happiest of my life."
Flender couldn't hold back anymore. He pulled Qin Ming into a hug, sobbing, "Xiao Ming, Shrek was poor back then. I've let you down. But having you as a student is the greatest blessing of my life."
Yu Xiaogang was different. He had crippled Tang San's Blue Silver Grass, and everyone blamed it on his flawed theories. Because of this, he hadn't dared lift his head among the Shrek group for days.
Whenever he saw the strange looks they gave him, he just wanted to crawl into a hole.
When Yu Tianming brought it up again, Yu Xiaogang slowly turned to look at the angry Tang San and, mimicking Flender's tone, said with guilt, "Little San, I'm sorry. I should've told you about the pros and cons of animal-type soul rings beforehand, not made the choice for you."
Tang San, who had lost the rose-tinted view of Yu Xiaogang, immediately saw through the excuse. 'Calling it a choice instead of a mistake? Just saving face.'
But out of respect for his teacher and to preserve his image, he didn't call him out. Instead, pretending to be moved like Qin Ming, he replied with false admiration, "Teacher, don't blame yourself. I know you had my future in mind. Once I reach higher levels, I'll make your theories shine."
Yu Tianming, disgusted by their act, interrupted their teacher-student sentimentality. "Blue Tyrant Academy requires teachers to be at least level 50 Soul Kings. Yu Xiaogang, your soul power is only level 29—not even as strong as your students. You're unqualified. The academy is not hiring you."
Yu Xiaogang froze. 'Why is everything such a struggle in my own clan's academy? Whether it's Second Uncle or this brat—they're always giving me trouble!'
Before he could back out, Yu Tianming continued, "But since we're family, Blue Tyrant Academy will specially appoint you as the Director of Sanitation. Welcome to Blue Tyrant Academy!"
Yu Xiaogang was stunned again.
But he wasn't stupid. The usually prideful man quickly realized what was going on. 'Director of Sanitation? Isn't that just… street sweeping?!'
He scowled. "I refuse! I came to teach, not to sweep the streets! Yu Tianming, do you even have respect for your elders?"
"Everyone else from Shrek is a teacher, but they're just staff. You, on the other hand, will be part of the management as Director of Sanitation—managing several workers. I only offered it because we're family. Don't be ungrateful." Yu Tianming kept a perfectly serious face.
Still unwilling, Yu Xiaogang snapped, "That still won't work! I need to teach Little San. If I can't be a teacher, how can I guide him?"
Yu Tianming smiled meaningfully, "Second Uncle, being a teacher means a fixed schedule, teaching entire classes. But as Director of Sanitation, your time is completely free. Naturally, that gives you more time to mentor Little San."
At those words, Yu Xiaogang rubbed the stubble on his chin. 'With such a great position arranged for me, maybe Yu Tianming isn't so bad after all.'
He murmured, "Tianming, you've got a point. Maybe I overreacted. You don't mind, right?"
"Of course not. No matter what, we're still family." Yu Tianming's smile deepened.
This Director of Sanitation was a title Yu Tianming had just made up—basically someone in charge of cleaning staff. Like the "Protector of the Horses" title, it sounded grand but meant nothing. He wondered if, once Yu Xiaogang realized the truth, he'd raise hell like the Monkey King.
(End of Chapter)
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