Oscar was surprised and said, "What merchant uncle? This is our dean, the founder of Shrek Academy, the Four-Eyed Cat Eagle, Flender. He's a 78th-level Soul Sage, even stronger than Teacher Zhao. He also possesses a flying-type beast spirit, which is quite rare among Soul Masters. Fatty is his direct disciple."
A bird person with a feather stuck in its butt? Wasn't he weak in the original story? Other than being cowardly, he's still cowardly!
Gu Chen scratched his nose, thinking to himself.
Xiao Wu said, "Xiao San, do you think this merchant uncle will still remember us?" Since she was protected by Gu Chen and Gu Yue Na, she wasn't worried about being detected in her true form.
Tang San chuckled bitterly, "It's only been two days, he shouldn't have forgotten. But since he's the dean, he probably won't hold a grudge against you for offending him."
Oscar grinned, whispering, "You're wrong about that. Our Flender dean is famous for holding grudges. Of course, his biggest strength is being protective of his own."
Flender's gaze suddenly shifted toward them as he approached, his eyes lingering on Oscar, a mischievous glint flashing through them.
Oscar was startled and said, "Oh no, he probably heard what I said. This is bad."
Flender reached the group of nine students and stopped in front of them. His voice, gravelly and magnetic, echoed, "This year's batch looks good. We've got six little monsters. I, Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you all to the academy. Later, each of you will pay one hundred gold coins to Teacher Li, who handles the finances."
At this moment, Flender's gaze landed on Gu Chen, who had witnessed the battle between Gu Chen and Tang Hao.
Even Zhao Wuji had been beaten to a pulp, and although it was only a physical fight, Gu Chen was able to go toe-to-toe with a Title Douluo—this was no small feat!
Flender's eyes on Gu Chen were filled with a mix of shock, excitement, and admiration.
"Mu Bai!" Flender called.
"Dean." Dai Mubai stepped forward with respect, even a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Flender said, "We have six new juniors this year. Go and explain the academy's rules to them later. Then you can all rest. Try to get yourselves into the best shape possible. The first lesson will start tonight. Oscar, you and Ning Rongrong are exceptions. Come with me."
Oscar's face immediately fell, unwillingly stepping in front of Flender to bow. When he saw Ning Rongrong standing beside him, his expression lightened a bit.
Flender waved his hand, "The rest of you can go rest. Remember, try to be in your best condition before dark. Don't say I didn't warn you, our academy's teaching is unlike any other. You'll even face danger."
Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun didn't look back as they left, and Gu Chen, holding Gu Yue Na's hand, planned to enjoy some fun in Soto City.
Gu Chen knew that what they would face was the Soul Fighting in the Soto City Great Spirit Arena. But if he could defeat Zhao Wuji, what was there to fear from other Soul Emperors of the same rank?
He and Na'er didn't need to rest like the others.
Tang San wasn't in a hurry to leave. He wanted to see how the dean would teach. Oscar and Ning Rongrong were both auxiliary-type Soul Masters, so they probably wouldn't participate in tonight's class. What puzzled Tang San was why the lessons were scheduled for the evening.
Since Tang San didn't leave, Xiao Wu stayed too, quietly observing beside him.
...
Gu Chen and Gu Yue Na arrived in Soto City. After a big meal, they wandered to a more secluded corner.
Suddenly, an old woman bumped into Gu Chen. He dodged, but the old woman fell to the ground.
A scam?
Gu Chen sneered. How many young people had been ruined by scammers in their past lives, losing everything and breaking apart their families?
Gu Chen hated people like this. Old but not dead, yet causing trouble for society.
He ignored the old woman and was about to leave.
But the old woman didn't give up, "Ow, my old back! You bumped into me and didn't even apologize! My back is nearly broken! We'll see at the City Lord's Mansion! You're finished!"
Gu Chen turned back and said, "Heh, don't you know that big cities like Soto City have surveillance stones?"
The surveillance stone was a device similar to a Soul Guidance Tool, functioning like surveillance cameras in the modern world. Gu Chen learned about it at Notting Academy.
The old woman stood up, leaning on her cane, and grinned sinisterly, "I've already checked. There are no surveillance stones on this street!"
Damn, these scammers are so arrogant without surveillance?!
Gu Chen immediately kicked her. Although he didn't use much force, it still sent the old woman crashing into the wall at the opposite corner, a trickle of blood spilling from her mouth.
"Damn, so arrogant without surveillance?" Gu Chen muttered, leaving the scene with Gu Yue Na.
Poof!
The old woman, who wasn't seriously hurt, was so enraged by the remark that she spat out blood and fainted.
While strolling around Soto City, they ran into Ning Rongrong, who had sneaked out to eat and drink, but Gu Chen didn't say anything. After all, no one would waste their time teaching a stranger a lesson.
...
As night fell, Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, stood on the sports field, looking at the nine students in front of him.
Gu Chen, Gu Yue Na, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and the cold yet neatly-dressed Zhu Zhuqing were all ready for the night's class, looking full of energy.
However, Flender's attention wasn't on them; his gaze was fixed on the other two students.
"Oscar, have you finished running your twenty laps?" Flender's gaze was sharp, making it impossible for anyone to meet his eyes.
Oscar coughed and nodded, "Dean, I've finished."
Flender snorted coldly, "I'm asking about both of you, not just you."
Oscar turned to Ning Rongrong, who was looking at him with an innocent expression in her beautiful eyes.
Oscar gritted his teeth and nodded, "Yes, we've both finished."
Flender smiled, and if two words could describe that smile, it would be "sinister."
"Good, Oscar, I didn't expect you to be so caring. Come here." Flender gestured for him to step forward.
Oscar's face showed a bitter smile, but he didn't look at Ning Rongrong again and walked up to Flender.
Flender sealed his soul power and ordered him to run another twenty laps.
His gaze shifted to Ning Rongrong, who appeared innocent and pitiful, "Tell me, did you complete the task I assigned this morning?"
Ning Rongrong honestly shook her head, "No. The distance was too long, and I was too hungry to keep going."
Flender smiled faintly, "So you left the academy on your own, went to Soto City to have a big meal, and then wandered around the commercial street before finding Oscar, right? Gu Chen, you must have seen Ning Rongrong in Soto City, right?"
Ning Rongrong widened her beautiful eyes, "You were spying on me?"
Flender's expression instantly turned cold, "As the dean, I have to be responsible for every student in the academy. If Oscar lied to protect you, that's understandable, but the mistakes you made are unforgivable. Leaving the academy without permission, letting a senior lie for you—any of these would not be acceptable for a good Soul Master. If this were a battlefield, your punishment would be military law and death."
Ning Rongrong frowned, the warm expression on her face gradually fading. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, her expression turning with a hint of disdain and contempt, "This is not a battlefield, it's just an academy."
Flender nodded, "True, this is just an academy, but it's my Shrek Academy. Now, I'll give you two choices. One, pack your things and leave immediately. You're not worthy to be here. Two, prove to me that you have the right to stay here and show your determination to never break the rules again."
Ning Rongrong smiled, and despite being only twelve years old, she had to admit her smile was truly cute and beautiful. But that harmless smile made others feel uneasy.
"Flender, who do you think you are? Just a mere Soul Sage," Ning Rongrong said, showing her true colors as a ruthless witch. She was arrogant and disdainful, speaking without care for anyone else.
To be honest, there were countless people in the Douluo Continent who worked harder than Ning Rongrong, and many with better morals and character. Yet, those people were forgotten, while Ning Rongrong would ascend to godhood.
Gu Chen didn't know whether to say the heavens were blind or if Tang San's protagonist halo was too strong. Well, okay, the gods in the divine realm seemed to be blind too!