"Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong—recruiting three new students this year is truly a pleasant surprise. Excellent."
Upon returning to Shrek Academy and learning of the situation, Flender couldn't help but beam with joy.
"Ning Rongrong, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit?"
"Don't worry. So what if she's from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? We didn't kidnap her. In Shrek Academy, she'll follow our rules."
Flender pretended to be indifferent, but inwardly, he was already feeling a headache coming on.
First, there was Dai Mubai, crown prince of the Star Luo Empire. Then, Zhu Qing from the Duke Zhu family. And now, Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Their backgrounds were huge—he couldn't afford to mess this up.
"Oh, right. This letter was brought by Tang San. He said his teacher asked him to deliver it."
Zhao Wuji took out a letter and handed it to Flender.
The envelope bore no writing.
Flender suddenly thought of something. "You mentioned Tang San and Xiao Wu previously studied at Notting Academy, right?"
Zhao Wuji nodded. "Yeah. Why?"
"Hahaha…" Flender laughed heartily as he looked at the letter in his hand. "It's nothing. Just an old friend's letter. It's been a long time since we last met. Maybe we'll see each other soon."
Zhao Wuji scratched his head, confused.
Opening the letter, Flender confirmed it was indeed from Yu Xiaogang. The contents mainly concerned Tang San and Xiao Wu—especially Tang San.
Flender never expected Yu Xiaogang to take on a disciple like Tang San. How unusual.
"This Tang San is interesting—Innate Full Soul Power, yet his spirit is Blue Silver Grass. There's definitely more to him." Flender was eager to meet Tang San now.
Zhao Wuji forced a bitter smile. "That kid Tang San… his spirit is one thing, but his other methods are downright unexpected."
Seeing Zhao Wuji's bruised face and body, Flender scolded, "You idiot, you always go overboard. Serves you right."
Zhao Wuji pouted. "I just wanted to knock some of their arrogance down a peg."
Just then—
"Zhao Wuji! Come out!"
A powerful voice boomed from outside.
Though loud, the sound didn't spread—only the two of them could hear it.
"Who's there?!"
"Daring to barge into Shrek Academy?!"
Already seething with pent-up frustration and looking for an outlet, Zhao Wuji charged toward the source of the voice.
Flender's expression darkened. Activating his spirit, a pair of owl wings sprouted from his back as he took to the skies, cautiously assessing the situation. Unlike Zhao Wuji, he wasn't reckless.
His spirit was the Four-Eyed Owl, a flying-type spirit suited for agility attacks.
Zhao Wuji chased the voice into a forest outside the academy, and soon, the sounds of battle erupted—though it was mostly Zhao Wuji getting pummeled.
He couldn't fight back at all!
And this was Zhao Wuji, a power-type Spirit Sage!
"This…"
Flender hovered in the distance, not daring to approach, his mind racing on how to save Zhao Wuji.
But after a brief exchange between Zhao Wuji and the intruder, Flender finally realized the man's identity—
Shock coursed through him.
Hao Tian Douluo—Tang Hao!
Tang San was his son!
Who would've thought? Aside from Dai Mubai, Zhu Qing, and Ning Rongrong, there was another student with an extraordinary background—Tang San.
This tiny Shrek Academy was truly a den of crouching tigers and hidden dragons.
Realizing Tang Hao was here to vent his anger on behalf of his son—however unreasonable—Flender could only accept it. What else could he do against such overwhelming strength?
Only after Tang Hao finished "disciplining" Zhao Wuji did Flender finally approach to greet him.
By now, Zhao Wuji's face was swollen and bruised, a pitiful sight.
First humiliated by Tang San, now beaten up by his father—where was the justice in this?
"Flender, you're heartless. You just watched me get beaten without lifting a finger," Zhao Wuji grumbled after Tang Hao left.
Flender scoffed. "That was Hao Tian Douluo—the man who killed the Spirit Hall's pope! The two of us combined wouldn't stand a chance!"
Zhao Wuji could only stew in silent frustration.
Flender wondered—did Yu Xiaogang take Tang San as a disciple because he was Tang Hao's son?
At the same time, he was puzzled. Why didn't Tang San have the Clear Sky Hammer spirit, but instead possessed an unusual Blue Silver Grass spirit? Could it be… inherited from Tang Hao's wife?
Suddenly, Flender thought of the current Spirit Hall pope, Bibi Dong, and his heart skipped a beat.
No way… Could Tang San actually have a twin spirit?
That had to be it!
Otherwise, given Yu Xiaogang's temperament, even if Tang San were Tang Hao's son, he wouldn't have taken him as a disciple so easily. It had to be because Tang San possessed twin spirits.
It seemed Yu Xiaogang still couldn't let go of Bibi Dong!
Ah… Poor Erlong.
In that moment, Flender pieced together many things.
The Next Day
Everyone who saw Zhao Wuji's battered face wore strange expressions.
Flender looked at Tang San and said, "Tang San, I've read your teacher's letter. He'll be arriving at Shrek Academy in a few days."
Tang San nodded. "Yes, my teacher mentioned he would come as soon as possible."
Flender acknowledged this before scanning the group.
Xu Yunhan, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, Zhu Qing, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong—eight students in total.
All of them prodigies!
Who would've thought Shrek Academy would one day gather so many geniuses?
Though inwardly delighted, Flender maintained a stern expression as he spoke gravely:
"First, let us welcome Tang San and the others to Shrek Academy."
"Having eight talents like you is an honor for this academy."
"However—no matter your background—in Shrek Academy, you will follow our rules. If you can't abide by them, leave now. This is not a place where anyone can throw their weight around!"
...
Dai Mubai, Zhu Qing, and Ning Rongrong all felt the words were directed at them.
Only Tang San remained oblivious to the fact that he had an overpowered father.
"As for the basics of spirit cultivation, I assume you're all already familiar. For now, focus on your individual training."
Flender continued, "In a few days, a Grandmaster will arrive—Tang San's teacher. Once he's here, he'll be responsible for your training arrangements."
Yu Xiaogang!
Xu Yunhan recalled the information about Yu Xiaogang. According to legends from ten thousand years later, Yu Xiaogang had played a pivotal role in Tang San's journey to godhood, especially in shaping his growth.
It seems that among Tang San's allies, Yu Xiaogang is the one who must be eliminated first!
Xu Yunhan glanced at Zhao Wuji's bruised face, certain Flender hadn't been the one to do it.
Then who? Who would dare beat Zhao Wuji like this while leaving Flender untouched?
Could it be… Tang San's father, Tang Hao?
Hao Tian Douluo—Tang Hao!
Xu Yunhan connected the dots.
So Tang Hao has been secretly protecting Tang San all along.
This meant Xu Yunhan couldn't openly target Tang San, Xiao Wu, or Yu Xiaogang anymore.
He'd have to stick to the "good friend" plan—pretending to be Tang San's ally while waiting for an opportunity or subtly sowing discord.
Perhaps the Spirit Hall could be used to deal with Tang Hao!
Ten thousand years later, the Shrek Seven Monsters were hailed as heroes, while the Spirit Hall was vilified as the ultimate evil, the antagonists destroyed by the Shrek Seven.
But as the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, Xu Yunhan knew things were never that simple. In his view, the conflict between the Shrek Seven and the Spirit Hall was likely a battle for godhood.
A fight to the death!
===
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 35 on my patreon, go check it out.
Give me all your power stones