Qin Ming had mentioned earlier that he was among the academy's earliest students, so everyone immediately turned to look at him.
But the truth was, he had no idea either.
Shrek Academy had only been established for less than twenty years. Back when it first began recruiting students, the admission standards were nowhere near as strict as they were now.
Even if someone had enrolled at the maximum eligible age during the academy's first year, they would only be a little over forty today.
A Spirit Hall elder had to at least be a Title Douluo, or someone like Ning Fengzhi, the leader of one of the Upper Three Sects.
The youngest Title Douluo on the continent was Tang Hao, but at the height of the Clear Sky Sect's glory, there was no way he would have come to study at Shrek Academy.
Thinking this through, Qin Ming suddenly understood.
Flender still hadn't gotten rid of his habit of exaggerating. This story was probably made up out of thin air.
Of course, he couldn't embarrass Flender in front of everyone, so after some thought, he said, "When I enrolled, the academy had already existed for several years. At the time, Dean Flender mentioned that there had once been a senior who completed all his studies and graduated after only half a year."
"So, I probably never met the senior you're asking about. But if anyone fits the description, it would only be that person."
Flender shot him a grateful look and hurriedly filled in the gaps himself.
"Back then, Shrek Academy's admission standards weren't as strict as they are now, so that senior didn't enroll at twelve years old. He was already in his twenties, nearly thirty."
"At the time, he encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation, and it was this dean who helped him overcome it."
"Strictly speaking, he wasn't really an official student of the academy. He only studied here temporarily."
Since Flender wasn't exposing Yu Xiaogang's lies, Yu Xiaogang naturally wouldn't expose his either.
As long as appearances were maintained, they could say whatever they wanted.
Hearing this, the Shrek Six Devils finally understood, and even Yu Tianheng couldn't help admiring how impressive Flender sounded.
But a lie was still a lie. Afraid that everyone might go to Spirit Hall to verify the story, Flender quickly added,"Spirit Hall elders are extremely busy, and as top experts of the continent, they naturally dislike people using their names carelessly."
"So I can't tell you his name, and you all shouldn't disturb him either."
After leaving the hotel, Ye Lingling ran through the streets.
At a corner, she happened to run into Dugu Yan, who had come looking for her.
"Lingling, are you alright?" Dugu Yan asked anxiously.
Ye Lingling shook her head and quietly said, "Teacher Qin is a graduate of Shrek Academy…"
Dugu Yan let out a cold laugh. "Very good. Lingling, let's return to the academy first. Don't worry, my grandfather will stand up for us."
Thus, under the escort of the city lord's guards, the two of them left Suotuo City overnight.
Meanwhile, at Heaven Dou Royal Academy
Dugu Bo and Wu Qi sat atop a hill outside the academy, admiring the moonlight while discussing matters.
"I keep feeling uneasy," Dugu Bo muttered. "Could something have happened to Yan Yan?"
After hearing Wu Qi describe Qin Ming's character, he genuinely feared something might happen along the way.
Lying lazily on a rock, Wu Qi replied, "Worrying won't help. Besides, as long as you're alive, Dugu Yan won't be in mortal danger."
"And even if someone takes her hostage, at worst I can just go to Spirit Hall and borrow some people to help you."
It sounded like bragging, but with the Pope's Token in his possession, he really could mobilize Spirit Hall experts.
Dugu Bo rubbed his brows. "Maybe I've just been under too much pressure lately."
"You stay out of worldly affairs. What pressure could you possibly have?" Wu Qi asked curiously.
Dugu Bo sighed. "Now that my strength has improved, naturally I want revenge for what happened back then. That damned Chrysanthemum Douluo nearly got me killed!"
"I promised not to trouble your side, but that doesn't mean I'll give Chrysanthemum Douluo any face."
After all, Chrysanthemum Douluo was one of Bibi Dong's loyal subordinates. Whether he lived or died had nothing to do with the Worship Hall.
"If you only want revenge, then a leaf from the Snow Swan Kiss should be enough," Wu Qi said. "But you'd better be careful. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo are practically inseparable. Unless one of them is on a solo mission, they're never far apart."
Dugu Bo sneered disdainfully. "I'm only Level 93. If Ghost Douluo interferes in a duel between me and Chrysanthemum Douluo, the two of them would become the laughingstock of the continent."
This battle was his chance to finally get rid of the title of "weakest" Title Douluo.
His reputation was already terrible anyway. Someone with nothing left to lose had nothing to fear.
Seeing how late it had become, Qin Ming took his leave.
Yu Tianheng, however, remained behind. He looked at Yu Xiaogang with a complicated expression.
This uncle of his had been away from the family for many years, yet he had never expected him to look this aged.
"Uncle Xiaogang, Grandfather—"
Yu Xiaogang interrupted him. "Let's go for a walk. We can talk on the way."
After informing the others, the two headed downstairs together.
Outside the hotel.
Yu Xiaogang could not help but ask, "How has Father been all these years?"
Yu Tianheng nodded. "Uncle Xiaogang, what happened back then is already in the past. Grandpa wants you to return…"
Yu Xiaogang turned away and said firmly, "I have yet to prove myself. How could I dare ask for the family's acceptance?"
Yu Tianheng did not think he could persuade him, so he simply changed the topic.
"Uncle Xiaogang, Tang San is your student?"
The Grand Spirit Arena was different from the Spirit Master Tournament. It did not forbid the use of weapons outside one's martial soul abilities.
Although he had been defeated by hidden weapons, Yu Tianheng did not blame Tang San, nor did he make excuses for himself.
A loss was a loss.
At the mention of Tang San, Yu Xiaogang's lips curled upward. He clasped his hands behind his back, raised his head slightly, and assumed the posture of a detached master.
"That's right. Little San is my disciple. And I can tell you clearly, his talent goes far beyond what you've seen. Under my guidance, he will definitely become a powerhouse like the former Clear Sky Douluo in the future."
The two generations of Clear Sky Douluo had long been legendary figures across the continent and role models pursued by countless Spirit Masters.
Yu Xiaogang spoke with absolute certainty, and Yu Tianheng did not think he was lying.
"Another monster like Wu Qi."
"Wu Qi? The one with the Azure Luan martial soul?" Yu Xiaogang quickly asked.
After receiving confirmation, he smiled broadly.
"I didn't expect him to end up at your academy."
"You know him?"
Yu Xiaogang sighed regretfully. "When I first came to Soto City, I crossed paths with him once. I originally planned to take him as my disciple, but unfortunately I was too late. He had already left."
As he spoke, he suddenly thought of something and asked, "By the way, Tianheng, have you considered transferring to Shrek Academy?"
The Shrek Team was still missing one member, and Yu Tianheng was undoubtedly the most suitable choice.
In Yu Xiaogang's imagination, Yu Tianheng and Dai Mubai forming a dual-frontline lineup would make it nearly impossible for opponents to break through.
He believed that with such a lineup, they would definitely achieve excellent results in the Spirit Master Tournament.
Yu Tianheng smiled bitterly. "Uncle Xiaogang, I'm afraid that won't be possible."
"It's getting late. I should head back. We can talk another day."
His main priority was still "winning over" Dugu Yan. If he left now, how could he build ties with Dugu Bo?
Besides, Dugu Yan already deeply despised the Shrek Team. Just figuring out how to ease the relationship between both sides was enough to give him a headache.
Yu Xiaogang was not surprised.
There would be plenty of time in the future. And judging from Qin Ming's attitude, he likely already understood the difficulties Shrek Academy was facing.
Right now, the priority was solving the issue of tournament qualification slots before worrying about team members.
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