Seeing Zhao Wuji and Ma Hongjun remain silent, Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and stopped talking further.
She took Zhu Zhuqing by the hand and approached Ye Zhiqiu, bowing as she said, "Senior, I may have been a bit rude earlier with my words, but it was truly unintentional, and I apologize for that.
"As for my friend here, she has never spoken ill of you from the beginning, nor did she approve of those classmates' actions. They aren't that close, so it wasn't her place to intervene.
"If today's matter can be resolved here, I can assure you that my father and our clan will not cause you any trouble in the future. Additionally, I am willing to offer you some compensation on behalf of our side."
"You're quite clever," Ye Zhiqiu said, looking Ning Rongrong up and down as if appraising her. He pondered for a moment before speaking again.
"Little girl, your background is indeed exceptional, and since you did not initiate any trouble, I won't make things difficult for you today. As for compensation, there's no need for that. I'm not so petty as to covet a junior's possessions. Otherwise, I'd be no different from those unscrupulous people from your academy."
"..."
The others from Shrek Academy were momentarily stunned, finding it hard to digest the fact that Ye Zhiqiu had so lightly dismissed the matter.
Dai Mubai, in particular, was dumbfounded and frozen in place.
If that's the case, then what was the point of him kneeling and apologizing on behalf of Tang San and the others?
Was it all just a pointless joke?
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Senior."
Ning Rongrong's expression softened, a look of relief appearing on her face. She took Zhu Zhuqing's hand, ready to leave.
"Wait."
"Senior, is there anything else?"
"I'm not talking about you," Ye Zhiqiu said, looking at Zhu Zhuqing. "I'm talking about her."
Ning Rongrong's expression changed slightly as she stopped and said firmly, "Senior, I thought you were a reasonable person."
She stared directly at Ye Zhiqiu, her expression determined, completely different from the slightly timid demeanor she had shown earlier. Now, there was even a hint of defiance.
Ye Zhiqiu seemed a bit surprised by this. "You're quite loyal. Don't misunderstand; I just want to ask her a few questions."
With that, he turned his gaze from Ning Rongrong to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Little girl, I see that you have great potential and good character. Shrek Academy cannot teach you much. Are you interested in joining our academy?"
"Sir!"
Before Zhu Zhuqing could respond, someone had already spoken up.
Zhao Wuji shouted, seemingly ready to say more, but he was immediately silenced by Ye Zhiqiu's icy stare, making him feel like a cicada in winter, not daring to speak further. However, he was still anxious.
He didn't know about Tang San's unique dual-Spirit talent, so in his eyes, among the current Shrek Academy students, Zhu Zhuqing was undoubtedly the most talented, a genius of the highest order, a monster among monsters.
An eleven-year-old Spirit Elder with three rings, who could easily defeat Dai Mubai with even higher spirit power. What kind of concept was that? At least, based on Zhao Wuji's experience, he had never heard of such a case before.
Fortunately, Zhu Zhuqing didn't immediately agree. Her eyes flickered as if contemplating and weighing her options.
Ye Zhiqiu's strength was undeniable. With a Spirit Douluo's cultivation, he was more than qualified to guide her. He was far superior to the teachers at Shrek Academy and comparable to her father.
Moreover, she was not too fond of Shrek Academy's environment and atmosphere.
However, if she joined Blue Sunshine Academy, she would be separated from Ning Rongrong, a resource she was unwilling to give up.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was undoubtedly much stronger than Blue Sunshine Academy.
If the Star Luo Dai Clan somehow learned about the Hell White Tiger Spirit and decided to hunt her down, Blue Sunshine Academy wouldn't be able to protect her, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could.
Thinking this, Zhu Zhuqing instinctively glanced at Ning Rongrong beside her.
Ye Zhiqiu noticed her reaction and seemed to understand her intentions. He turned to Ning Rongrong, "Miss Ning, would you be interested in joining Blue Sunshine Academy? I don't think this academy's environment is suitable for young people to grow."
Surprisingly, Ning Rongrong immediately shook her head without much thought, refusing his offer. "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but the teachers at our academy treat me well. Today, Teacher Zhao even risked his life to protect us, which moved me deeply."
After saying this, she looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a pleading expression.
If Zhu Zhuqing decided to leave Shrek Academy, her own situation would become more difficult.
Her earlier rejection of Ma Hongjun's advances had severely affected their relationship, and she was already at odds with Dai Mubai. The teachers seemed somewhat biased against her.
Although these words she used to refuse Ye Zhiqiu might help her win back some of Zhao Wuji's goodwill, it was uncertain how effective they would be.
In truth, what she had just said was a complete lie.
As for the future, that was uncertain, but the impression Shrek Academy had left on her since her enrollment was not a good one.
The real reason she wanted to stay was that Ning Rongrong had her own plans.
She was very interested in the hidden weapon techniques that Tang San used.
For a clan centered around support-type Spirit Masters, self-defense was always a challenging issue.
If she could obtain some hidden weapon techniques from Tang San to enhance herself, she wouldn't be as powerful as an attack-type Spirit Master, but she could greatly increase her combat ability, avoiding the helplessness of being a defenseless target in sudden situations.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's response, Zhu Zhuqing also said, "Thank you for your kind offer, Senior, but I'm afraid I must decline. You may have a misconception about our academy. Shrek Academy isn't as bad as you think."
"Alright, I understand."
Ye Zhiqiu nodded slightly, his expression calm as ever, not showing any displeasure at their rejection, maintaining his demeanor as a superior elder.
"It seems they don't value you," Su Yue said softly. Although her tone was even, Su Cheng still detected a hint of schadenfreude.
"What's it got to do with me? It's clearly Ye Zhiqiu's lack of personal charm." He retorted, then added with some confusion, "It's really strange. What's so attractive about Shrek Academy? From any perspective, Blue Sunshine Academy's faculty should be far superior."
"You're just overconfident. You're not even a Spirit Master yourself. What can you teach? Just don't mislead others."
"I'm not a dragon either, yet I still guided you in cultivation."
"That's because you promised me that I'd see results in five to ten years." As she spoke, Su Yue glanced at him suspiciously. "You weren't just bragging, were you?"
"Why don't you try pulling out that scale on your hand before asking me that?"
"Tch."
Time passed quickly, and the agreed time had arrived.
Ye Zhiqiu suddenly stood up, the overwhelming pressure of a Spirit Douluo enveloping the entire place once more.
"Five minutes have passed. Have you made your decision?"
"..."
Zhao Wuji, straightforward as ever, walked forward in silence.
The burly figure knelt on the ground, kowtowing three times to Ye Zhiqiu.
He had experienced much in his past, and after accepting his defeat today, it didn't take long for him to regain his composure.
Reaching this point, it wasn't that difficult to accept.
After him, Dai Mubai followed, also kowtowing three times to apologize.
This was the punishment he was taking on behalf of Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Oscar.
Ye Zhiqiu glanced at them and said blandly, "Very well. Next, you should apologize to my students."
As he spoke, seven young Spirit Masters from Blue Sunshine Academy also walked back into the hotel one by one.
Their expressions were quite natural, with faint smiles tinged with sarcasm, reflecting their current situation perfectly.
Yet, in the depths of their eyes, there seemed to be a layer of haze, obscuring the faint confusion in their pupils.
However, the students of Shrek Academy were too emotionally shaken by the recent events and unfamiliar with these Blue Sunshine Academy students, so they didn't notice this subtle inconsistency.
Ye Zhiqiu, of course, noticed, but he wasn't too concerned about it.
Before this, he had already received a secret transmission from the senior, informing him that his mind was only temporarily influenced and that no residual effects would remain.
This was also done for his own good, to prevent any rumors from spreading due to the large number of people present, making it difficult to handle if the situation escalated in the future.
"..."
Looking at these youths, who were only a few years older than him and had been defeated by him earlier — mere Soul Masters or Soul Grandmasters, levels he considered weaklings — Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun gritted their teeth, their faces turning even paler.
"Stop dawdling."
Seeing that they hadn't moved for a while, Ye Zhiqiu frowned impatiently and pointed directly at Dai Mubai, "Start with you."
"..."
Hearing himself called out by name, Dai Mubai had no choice but to drag his leaden legs toward the young Spirit Master opposite him.
Kneeling and kowtowing to a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse, though humiliating, could still be somewhat justified due to the huge disparity in age, seniority, and strength. He could console himself by thinking he was bowing to a senior.
But facing a young Spirit Master with meager strength, the feeling was completely different.
This was a real insult!
Dai Mubai lowered his head, clenching his teeth so tightly that his cheeks bulged.
He was using so much force that his teeth nearly shattered, and there were even traces of blood at the corners of his mouth.
His face twisted in agony, and his voice squeezed out from between his teeth like a whisper.
"I'm sorry."
"Bang!"
With that, his knees buckled, and he kowtowed forcefully.
"Show some sincerity. State your name and background when you apologize, or who would know who you are?"
"..."
Dai Mubai closed his eyes tightly, taking several deep breaths before reopening them slightly, trying to conceal the hatred and resentment in his eyes.
"I am Dai Mubai, a student of Shrek Academy. I'm sorry."
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
After three kowtows, he moved to the next person and repeated the process.
The third person, the fourth…
Dai Mubai continued like this, moving past each student from Blue Sunshine Academy, kneeling and apologizing, under the condescending gazes of everyone.
He felt an endless surge of mockery, disdain, and scorn pressing down on him from all directions.
Gradually, his expression shifted from initial humiliation and hatred to numbness, and he seemed to move mechanically, like a walking corpse.
In the end, his movements — kneeling, apologizing, kowtowing — became seamless and without pause, performed in one smooth motion.
Even Tang San and the others watching nearby, who were initially indignant and united in spirit, gradually calmed down, silently waiting for him to complete the humiliating ritual.
Once Dai Mubai finished, Ma Hongjun followed, repeating the same actions one by one…
"After this, will these two ever be able to hold their heads high again in their academy?" Su Yue casually asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"That's their problem," Su Cheng replied indifferently. "If you want to know, we can come back and check in a few years."
"In a few years?"
Su Yue's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
A few years later, what would happen to these "children of destiny" Su Cheng had mentioned? How would their relationships evolve?
When they first met, although she sensed some discord among them, it was more a matter of Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong feeling out of place, while Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others seemed relatively close.
But after today's events, could they really maintain their previous equal relationship?
Even if the others didn't mention it, how could Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, who had suffered such humiliation, harbor no resentment or guilt?
And how would they deal with those who witnessed their disgrace?
Su Cheng, however, was contemplating something deeper.
Zhu Zhuqing no longer needed the Hell White Tiger fusion technique, nor did she need to pursue a political marriage to compete for the throne, yet she still chose to stay at Shrek Academy, even turning down the invitation from a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.
It seemed her reason for staying had something to do with Ning Rongrong.
It appeared that in this world, the bond between the Shrek Seven Devils was even stronger than in reality, more resilient than he had anticipated.
"By the way, about that Three-Eyed Golden Lion in the Star Dou Forest, can you bring it out?"
"What are you planning?" Su Yue glanced at Su Cheng warily. "I advise you not to have any designs on it."
"Don't be so protective. I won't do anything to it."
Su Cheng coughed lightly and explained, "Didn't you mention before that the Three-Eyed Golden Lion possesses the power of destiny? I want it to see how much of that power these people have, as I'm not well-versed in this area and can't discern it clearly."
"These people can't possibly carry the power of destiny," Su Yue frowned. "The power of destiny on Douluo Star resides entirely with the Three-Eyed Golden Lion. What you were talking about earlier wasn't the power of destiny. If it were, I would have sensed it too."
She instinctively glanced at Su Cheng as she spoke.
The person beside her was enveloped in a strange and complex web of destiny, but it was not connected to the Douluo Star.
"That's right, I wasn't referring to this planet's power of destiny but to the 'luck' of the human race. These two are different. Luck arises from a powerful race or is controlled by some mighty beings, so it shifts with people, gathering and dispersing, and is not something predestined and immutable."
"If you put it that way, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion wouldn't be able to recognize it either."
"But it's worth a try. There should be some similarities in attributes."
"Let me think about it."
After all was settled, the Shrek Academy students seemed somewhat dispirited, no longer exuding the same arrogance and vitality as before.
Zhao Wuji felt somewhat helpless at the sight.
These children were originally proud and high-spirited. Such a huge blow would naturally be difficult to bear.
But after some time, they should recover. Who hasn't faced setbacks in life? It wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
What worried him more was whether he would be held accountable afterward. And whether the academy's long-standing motto — "not daring to cause trouble is cowardice" — should still be upheld.
Of course, they couldn't stay in this hotel any longer.
Without delay, Zhao Wuji took the students away from the hotel that had become a place of bitter memories.
There were plenty of places to stay in the town; they didn't have to remain here.
As they left the hotel, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to hear something. Her eyes moved slightly, and she slowed her pace.
Ning Rongrong noticed her behavior immediately and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
"Hmm? It's nothing."
Zhu Zhuqing snapped back to reality, shaking her head subtly. She glanced back at the hotel as if looking for someone.
But she found nothing and had no choice but to follow the others out of the hotel.
Just moments earlier, someone had made a secret promise to her.