Chapter 69: Flender Feels the Pressure
The group headed to the cafeteria together.
Along the way, through Oscar and Dai Mubai's explanation, everyone learned more about Ma Hongjun's situation—his mutated Phoenix spirit, which required him to vent his inner fire through women to maintain balance.
Once they truly understood, everyone was speechless. Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu, in particular, regarded Ma Hongjun with visible disgust.
Facing their judgmental stares, Ma Hongjun felt his pride crumble. "Boss Dai, tell me—what's wrong with men and women having fun? Isn't that normal?"
"Come on, Boss Dai, you've got no right to talk. You go on multiple dates a day, all with different girls! Every man's the same!"
Dai Mubai froze for a second, glancing nervously at Zhu Zhuqing. He waved his hands quickly. "What nonsense are you spouting? I'm nothing like you!"
"True!" Ma Hongjun nodded seriously. "You're better looking and rich, so the girls you find are even prettier than mine."
Dai Mubai immediately clamped a hand over his mouth. Zhu Zhuqing's gaze had turned icy, and an awkward chill filled the air.
"Enough! Dinner's on me later!" Dai Mubai hissed in panic.
Ma Hongjun blinked in confusion but said no more.
Luo Ling, watching the scene, suddenly felt a faint tug on his sleeve.
He turned and saw Zhu Zhuqing gently holding the edge of his coat.
Her face was calm, unreadable. Luo Ling blinked but didn't pull away, letting her keep her hold.
Dai Mubai's expression froze—he had seen everything.
…
They soon arrived at the cafeteria.
The food wasn't anything special, but Luo Ling ate without complaint.
As they sat, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both chose seats beside him, with Xiao Wu quietly taking a spot right across from him.
The scene crushed the confidence of every other male present.
In strength, Luo Ling outclassed them all; in looks, even Oscar—considered the handsomest after shaving his beard—was still several leagues behind.
They were utterly defeated in every possible metric.
"Xiao Wu, you know Brother Ling too?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Xiao Wu nodded.
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips. Three girls—all acquainted with one man. A subtle wave of panic rose in her chest.
Why did Luo Ling have to come to Shrek Academy? Was it really just for 'investigation'?
Standing nearby, Tang San hesitated. He wanted to sit next to Xiao Wu, but there was no space left at that table.
He could only sit a few seats over with Dai Mubai, both of them wearing equally sour expressions. They shared a weary glance—almost like wounded comrades.
The meal didn't last long before the sharp clang of a bell echoed outside.
Dai Mubai jumped to his feet, adjusting his demeanor back to authority. "That's the Headmaster's summons! Everyone, to the main grounds, now!"
The others immediately dropped their utensils and followed.
…
When they reached the training field, a middle-aged man was already waiting for them.
Luo Ling, Tang San, and Xiao Wu all recognized him at once.
"Hey, isn't that the shopkeeper from yesterday?" Xiao Wu whispered, stunned.
"Shopkeeper?" Oscar nearly choked. "That's our Headmaster—Four-Eyed Owl Flender. A rank seventy-eight Soul Saint, even stronger than Teacher Zhao!"
The group looked astonished—everyone except Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong, whose expressions stayed calm.
A Soul Saint was nothing special in their eyes.
Flender walked forward slowly, his sharp eyes sweeping the students. But when his gaze landed on Tang San, it flickered for an instant—and when it reached Luo Ling, his step faltered.
So this was the new "accompanying student" Zhao Wuji had mentioned—the same young man he'd unknowingly encountered in his shop.
That oppressive aura he sensed back then—it had to belong to a Titled Douluo.
Flender inwardly groaned.
This batch of students was beyond troublesome.
One had a Titled Douluo father (Tang San).
One had a Titled Douluo as a guardian (Luo Ling).
And one was the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's little princess (Ning Rongrong).
Just three of them could topple half the continent's balance of power.
The weight on his shoulders suddenly felt enormous.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Flender forced a smile. "Ahem! Not bad. We've got four new monsters this year. I'm Flender, Headmaster of Shrek Academy. Welcome."
"Also, before classes start, each of you will pay one hundred gold soul coins in tuition. Hand it over to our finance office."
He said it calmly, pretending it was a rule like any other.
At that, Zhu Zhuqing froze slightly. She hadn't brought much money, and a hundred gold soul coins was far beyond what she had.
"Dai Mubai, you'll explain our rules to the new students later," Flender continued. "Afterward, everyone get some rest. First class begins tonight."
Then he looked at Oscar and Ning Rongrong. "You two, come with me."
Dai Mubai acknowledged the order. His gaze naturally drifted toward Zhu Zhuqing—who at that moment was hesitating, realizing she couldn't pay the fee.
She looked up and caught Dai Mubai's glance. As a prince of the Star Luo Empire, he obviously had the money, but she refused to ask him.
Instead, she walked over to Luo Ling, speaking quietly but firmly.
"Luo Ling, could you… lend me a hundred gold soul coins? I'll pay you back later, I promise."
Luo Ling blinked in surprise, about to reply when Ning Rongrong's voice cut in first.
"Zhuqing, if you're short on money, I'll cover it!"
"It's only a hundred gold coins."
Without hesitation, Ning Rongrong pulled out a small pouch from her soul tool before Luo Ling could even react.
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, caught off guard, then nodded faintly. She glanced at Ning Rongrong, then at Luo Ling.
"Take it," Luo Ling said with a helpless smile. "Rongrong's loaded."
Zhu Zhuqing accepted it without protest. "Thanks. I'll pay you back."
She said no more and turned to leave.
Dai Mubai immediately followed after her.
Xiao Wu hesitated, eyes darting between the two before trailing after them as well.
Tang San took half a step as if to follow, but when he saw Luo Ling wasn't moving, he stopped.
Between Xiao Wu and Luo Ling's proximity, staying behind felt safer.
Ma Hongjun had already disappeared, sneaking off somewhere. In the end, only four people remained.
Flender didn't mind. He turned to Ning Rongrong and Oscar.
"You two are support-type soul masters. Your training differs from the others'," he said seriously.
"In battle, support types are the most vulnerable. You rely entirely on your teammates' protection. Now tell me—what is the most important thing for a support soul master during a fight?"
Oscar thought for a moment and answered first. "Stay behind your teammates, use whatever's around for cover, and stay as far from danger as possible."
Flender nodded, then looked at Ning Rongrong.
She didn't hesitate. "A support-type soul master must understand the whole battle situation. Safety comes first—if you must retreat, retreat. If you must hide, hide. And above all, you have to trust your teammates."
Her voice was firm and confident, her tone almost instructional.
Flender raised his eyebrows, surprised but quickly composed himself.
As expected of the Seven Treasure—or rather, Nine Treasure—Glazed Tile Clan's young heiress. At just twelve years old, already a Soul Honored, and with such clear tactical insight.
This generation's "little monsters," he thought with a sigh, might truly terrify the entire continent one day.
(END CHAPTER)
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