"If you are willing to leave with us, I welcome you. If you choose to stay here with Lan Si, I won't blame you, after all, your situation is a bit special. Moreover, Shrek Academy has just disbanded and lost its place," Flender said.
As he spoke, Flender's eyes turned moist as he looked at the other six members of Shrek: "Little monsters, the same goes for you. If any of you want to stay here, I won't blame you."
In fact, the moment he stepped out of the Education Committee, Flender had already decided on a destination: Blue Tyrant Academy, which Lan Si had originally planned to attend. It was established by his dream lover, the one he loved the most, Liu Erlong. Although his pride wouldn't allow him to live off others, for the sake of Shrek Academy, he could no longer care about such matters.
The reason he spoke these words to Zhu Zhuqing and the other six was to evoke sympathy. He wanted to leverage the bonds between the Shrek Seven to keep Zhu Zhuqing from rejecting him.
He believed that once Lan Si learned that his beloved was expelled from the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he would undoubtedly fly into a rage. In a fit of anger, he might even leave the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to join Zhu Zhuqing at Shrek Academy.
This plan could be considered exceptionally clever.
As expected, as soon as he finished speaking, Tang San was the first to respond: "Dean, we swear to share in the fortunes and misfortunes of Shrek Academy."
The other five members also expressed their agreement: "Yes, yes! What Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Just a trash academy! Even that useless Xue Beng could get in; we don't care about it at all!"
Only Zhu Zhuqing remained.
If Zhu Zhuqing's character were still like in the original story, Flender's little scheme might indeed have succeeded.
Unfortunately, plans don't always work out. Zhu Zhuqing was no longer the same Zhu Zhuqing from the original story. Because of Lan Si, she hadn't formed any bonds with anyone at Shrek. Throughout it all, she viewed Shrek Academy as an ordinary academy and positioned herself as just an ordinary student of Shrek Academy.
Even her relationship with Ning Rongrong had become distant because of her previous actions that made her seem like she would betray Lan Si. At this moment, her heart was solely with Lan Si—wherever he was, that was where she would be.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer Flender directly but instead turned to Ye Lingling and asked, "Sister Lingling, do you know where Lan Si went?"
Ye Lingling thought for a moment and replied, "Lan Si rarely stays at the academy. He goes out to train every so often, and I can't be sure where he is since he never stays in the same place for long. However, he usually returns every seven days. It's been four days now, so he should be back in at most three days."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly and took a deep breath. Under Flender's astonished gaze, she respectfully bowed to him and the teachers of Shrek Academy, saying, "I'm sorry, Dean, and thank you all for your guidance over the past six months. I am deeply grateful. If we meet again, I will welcome you and Lan Si with open arms."
"Wha—" Flender's eyes widened, and he felt a sudden sense of losing out on a good opportunity. Instead of bringing the strongest Lan Si on board, he ended up losing Zhu Zhuqing, whose strength in Shrek Academy was second only to Tang San and Dai Mubai. His expression was one of utter disbelief.
The other members of Shrek also bore expressions of anger, thinking Zhu Zhuqing was being ungrateful for their nurturing. Especially Dai Mubai, who felt like he could almost slap Zhu Zhuqing dead.
However, Flender had spoken first, so they couldn't say anything.
"Zhuqing, I've actually found a place to go. I was just testing your resolve. Now I can see that you are someone who is willing to give up everything for the one you love. I really admire your loyalty to love," Flender said, not willing to give up.
"Why don't you think it over again? I can guarantee that the place I have found won't be much worse than Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Besides, we won't have to endure the humiliation we faced before. We can call Lan Si over later, and you can still be together."
Upon realizing Flender's intentions, Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. The initial flicker of emotion she felt disappeared in an instant. She shook her head, her voice much colder now: "Dean, I have made up my mind. Wherever Lan Si goes, I go. When he returns, I will tell him what happened today. If he is willing to come to Shrek Academy, I will follow him."
Lan Si would never join Shrek; Zhu Zhuqing had known that from the moment she met him.
"Well then," Flender said, a heavy disappointment flashing in his eyes. He sighed helplessly but still wasn't ready to give up. He left one last sentence: "When you see Lan Si, tell him it's not that we don't want to stay at Heaven Dou Royal Academy; it's that we were forced out. If you decide to leave, you are welcome to join Shrek Academy. Just go to Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City and mention my name, Flender."
At the same time, in another location, Dugu Bo was making his way to Heaven Dou City. As a Title Douluo, his hearing was incredibly sharp; even from a thousand meters away, he could still hear clearly.
When he learned that Shrek Academy intended to head to Heaven Dou City, Dugu Bo didn't act recklessly. Tang San was surrounded by several teachers from Shrek and three Soul Sages along with several Soul Emperors. Even though he didn't regard these people highly, if a fight broke out, it would inevitably draw attention.
Moreover, his true goal wasn't to teach Shrek a lesson but to extract the method for overcoming the Phosphor Snake Poison from Tang San.
His own snake poison had already penetrated deep into his bones. Even if there was a one in ten thousand chance, he wanted to try, not just for himself, but more for his only granddaughter, Dugu Yan.
Therefore, Dugu Bo decided against startling the snake and instead planned to head directly to Heaven Dou City to wait for the right moment to act.
"Old Poison, you really have kept me waiting!" Title Douluos had flying abilities, and just as Dugu Bo passed over a canyon, a robust and grand black shadow blocked his path.
As he spoke, a strong red light suddenly burst forth from his body, followed by circles of halos rising one after another from beneath his feet. His own body, however, showed no signs of change.
Yellow, purple, black, black, black, black, black—there were nine soul rings spiraling upwards, their dazzling light made the entire sky appear resplendent.
"Title Douluo." Dugu Bo's pupils constricted, and his expression grew serious. From this unfamiliar strong presence, he felt a long-lost pressure from soul power, clearly indicating that the opponent was above him in soul power.
In other words, the newcomer was at least a Title Douluo of level 92 or higher.
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