A gust of wind blew past, causing the Shrek Academy signboard to sway precariously as if it might fall at any moment.
"This is Shrek Academy?"
Ning Rongrong blinked in disbelief, murmuring to herself.
The legendary academy that supposedly only accepted "monsters" turned out to be this dilapidated?
Little did Ning Rongrong know that the glowing stories she had heard were intentionally fed to her by Ning Fengzhi.
After all, how else could a 20-something-ranked auxiliary spirit master sneak out of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?
"It should be correct. This is the only academy near Soto City called Shrek Academy," Zhu Zhuqing confirmed with a nod.
After yesterday, she had completely lost faith in Dai Mubai. Initially, she thought the rumors about him back in Star Luo City were exaggerated, but reality proved he was worse than the gossip.
If only Dai Mubai could be replaced…
Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself, though she didn't believe it was possible.
Years later, she would…
"This run-down academy dares to boast so much? Claiming to only accept monsters? Hah!"
Ning Rongrong scoffed, her disdain evident.
"It's a scam!"
"Such a waste of my time. I thought this would be an extraordinary academy, but with an environment like this, how could they possibly train powerful soul masters?"
At that moment, a voice rang out nearby.
"Little girl, it's not right to disparage my Shrek Academy like that."
Flender had appeared beside Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing at some point, speaking in a low, deliberate tone.
As the dean of Shrek Academy, how could he tolerate someone coming to the academy gates just to insult it?
If not for the fact that the offender was a young girl, he would have acted long ago.
"I wasn't disparaging—it's just the truth!" Ning Rongrong countered with her hands on her hips, her pampered persona fully unleashed.
"This shabby academy of yours, what talent could it possibly nurture?"
Flender: "…"
He felt his lips twitch at the biting remark. How could she claim Shrek Academy hadn't produced talented individuals?
Since its founding, Shrek Academy had only admitted 60 students, 14 of whom had successfully graduated.
Graduation required reaching the rank of Soul Ancestor before the age of 20 and earning a Silver Fighter Badge in the battle arena.
Was that not a testament to its excellence?
These 60 students had all been geniuses, entering the academy before the age of 12 with a spirit power of 20 or higher.
Even if they had attended an advanced soul master academy, only about half would have reached the rank of Soul Ancestor by the age of 20.
From the perspective of the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament, very few participants reached Soul Ancestor level by age 25. Such individuals were usually the team captains or vice-captains.
By that standard, Shrek Academy's 14 Soul Ancestors by the age of 20 was remarkable.
"Let me tell you about the talents nurtured by Shrek Academy!"
Flender assessed the spirit power levels of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Judging by their presence at the academy's gates, they must have at least some interest in joining.
While Flender wasn't the best teacher, he was a master of persuasion.
"The first graduates of Shrek Academy include the youngest elder of the Spirit Hall!"
"Every graduate of Shrek Academy becomes a noble of the empire…"
Flender began weaving an elaborate narrative, hands clasped behind his back as he spoke with pride.
Completely engrossed in his performance, he failed to notice the strange expressions on Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's faces.
"Hey, shoehorn-faced old man!"
Unable to hold back, Ning Rongrong interrupted him loudly.
"How many years has this academy been around?"
"Twenty years. Why?" Flender asked, confused.
Hearing the exact timeframe, Ning Rongrong's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"On the Douluo Continent, the youngest titled Douluo is Tang Hao of the Clear Sky Clan, who became a titled Douluo at the age of 44."
"Elders of the Spirit Hall must be at least titled Douluo in rank."
"Your academy has been open for 20 years, and you only admit students under 12. Are you saying your students can reach titled Douluo rank in their 30s?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened in realization.
This is a scam academy!
Flender's lips twitched. He hadn't expected this girl to know so much and tear his narrative apart on the spot.
In the original story, Ning Rongrong didn't scrutinize Flender's claims because she saw Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing all joining the academy. As the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she would have easily seen through Flender's exaggerations if she had thought about it more carefully.
Thirty-something titled Douluo? That was laughable!
To top it off, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, a true genius, was merely an honorary elder of the Spirit Hall.
Being exposed by a teenage girl left Flender speechless. He wanted to say something but found himself at a loss.
"So, are you here to enroll or cause trouble?" Flender asked, changing the subject. He had no answers for her earlier questions.
"Hah! I'm here to cause trouble, obviously!" Ning Rongrong declared, her hands on her hips and head held high.
Flender: "…"
Which family's young lady is this?
Such arrogance and audacity—she didn't even care that he was a Soul Saint!
The events of yesterday were still fresh in his mind. Dai Mubai and Zhao Wuji had offended a monstrous prodigy from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan.
Now, two young ladies were here causing trouble. Could they be related to him?
Could they be here to stand up for that boy?
Or maybe… Flender's thoughts grew wild. Are these two his admirers, furious that their beloved faced such injustice?
His imagination spiraled further.
"Hahaha, may I ask this young lady's name? I, Flender, may only be a humble Soul Saint, but I am well-known on the Douluo Continent. I can count on two hands the people brave enough to cause trouble at Shrek Academy."
Pushing up his glasses, Flender's tone turned icy.
After all, there were only a handful of titled Douluo on the Douluo Continent, and while Contra-level spirit masters were more common, there were certainly no more than 50.
As a 78th-ranked Soul Saint, Flender considered himself reasonably notable.
Of course, this was Flender's own perception. The Spirit Hall might have a very different view…
(End of Chapter)