As the sect master, Tang Lan had no intention of explaining himself, nor was anyone in a position to press him for answers.
Without further ado, they set off in grand fashion toward the Star Dou Forest.
When Shrek Academy originally chose its location, they had taken into account students needing to hunt for spirit rings.
Soto City was quite close to the Star Dou Forest.
This time, since three teachers were accompanying them, Zhao Wuji didn't need to hold back his strength. He continuously applied his gravity-controlling spirit skill, forcing everyone to run under heavy pressure toward their destination.
—Training remained a top priority.
"Seven Treasures, Glazed Tile! Second Ability: Speed!"
Ning Rongrong took the initiative to activate her spirit skill, boosting everyone's speed.
After a few conflicts and with Tang Sect disciples acting as intermediaries, she had gradually integrated into the group and was slowly becoming a trusted companion.
Because she was accelerating too many people at once, Ning Rongrong clung to Tang Lan's sleeve, and whenever her spirit power ran low, she would turn to him for more.
—Compared to the peculiar uncle's "big sausage," the internal energy of Nine Yang Divine Skill was warm and addictively soothing.
Zhu Zhuqing silently observed this.
Judging by Ning Rongrong's behavior... was she trying to throw herself at him?
Xiao Wu also felt a twinge of jealousy.
But since her own internal energy wasn't self-replenishing, this task really could only fall to Tang Lan.
Tang Lan took it all in but had no intention of speaking up.
The more you say, the more mistakes you make.
Let them figure it out on their own.
As for himself—
Up to this point, Tang Lan didn't have much interest in this pampered princess.
—Having a Xiao Wu was already enough.
But since he didn't need to take responsibility, he might as well let things be.
While Tang Lan could replenish their internal energy, physical stamina was another issue entirely.
At this point, Oscar came in handy.
One Stamina Recovery Big Sausage could extend their endurance by another ten kilometers.
The team's seamless cooperation left Flender feeling deeply gratified.
With Tang Lan, this little monster, around, the students hardly needed much teaching. Even their "sausage phobia" was resolved.
It was practically effortless!
What's that?
This doesn't showcase Shrek's teaching standards?
What a joke!
Without Shrek's reputation, how could they have gathered such a talented group of little freaks?
Zhao Wuji acted as a living training machine every day, Shao Xin worked hard preparing meals, and Flender himself supervised constantly.
This was all effort!
However—
Flender glanced at the back of the group, where Ma Hongjun trailed behind like an outsider.
His face wrinkled in frustration.
That disciple of his—
Lazy, gluttonous, overly proud, and still unable to integrate into the team.
Seriously...
"I need to find time to have a proper talk with him."
"If he keeps up this stubborn pride, he'll only suffer for it. Fall behind once, and you'll keep falling further behind."
"If it really doesn't work out..."
"At least there's still Xiao Ao."
"The Spirit Master Elite Tournament only needs seven people. Hongjun can just be a substitute."
Night fell.
They had covered nearly five hundred kilometers, with only about a hundred left to the Star Dou Forest.
Flender glanced at the team.
Even Tang Lan was drenched in sweat—he had Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing hanging off his arms.
After all, they had been running under increased weight and gravity!
Even Tang Lan was feeling the strain, let alone those two.
The others were sprawled out in various positions, too exhausted to care about their image.
Utterly spent.
Seeing their condition, Flender said, "It's late, and you're all exhausted. Let's find an inn in the nearby town to rest for the night."
The group was so drained they didn't even have the strength to respond.
They checked into a modest hotel.
"Eat to your heart's content, the academy is covering the bill!" Flender declared generously.
For someone as stingy as him to say such words—
It was clear that Ning Fengzhi's recent "investment" was truly substantial.
"Woohoo! A rare chance to feast on the dean's dime—don't hold back, everyone!" Oscar cheered. "I feel like I could eat a whole cow!"
"This is my first time having a meal paid for by the dean," Dai Mubai joked as well.
Tang Lan was the most direct.
He picked up the menu and called out—
"Boss, bring out the whole menu!"
"Coming right up!"
The restaurant owner eagerly rushed over—this was a big order!
Flender panicked.
No matter how much money he had, he couldn't afford to squander it like this!
He hurriedly pressed down on the menu.
"Xiao Lan! You think you can finish everything?"
"No worries, I can pack it up," Tang Lan said with a bright smile. "There's no air in my storage ring, so food keeps fresh for a long time."
Good grief!
Eating, taking extra, and packing leftovers—he really had no shame saying that out loud!
"Wow! Dean, you're not going to go back on your word, are you?" Xiao Wu teased. "Your authority would take a serious hit!"
"That's right, Dean! Uncle Tang always says that a real man must keep his word!" Ning Rongrong added playfully.
What could Flender do?
Gritting his teeth, he let go and watched the restaurant owner leave with a pained heart.
Tonight was going to be a major financial hit!
The atmosphere among the group was lively and harmonious—
Except for Ma Hongjun, who was usually the biggest foodie, sitting quietly like an outsider.
Flender noticed and sighed inwardly.
Just as he was thinking about how to find an opportunity to help Ma Hongjun integrate into the group—
Beside him, Zhao Wuji raised a hand to stop the restaurant owner, reigniting Flender's hope.
—As a fellow victim of the students' torment, surely he would help talk sense into them and reprimand them for wasting resources, right?
Then, Zhao Wuji's booming voice rang out—
"Boss! Bring out your best wine—one jar!"
"One jar per person!"
"Time to train these little monsters in their alcohol tolerance!"
Flender: (=①ω①=)
"ZHAO! WU! JI!!!"
"They're still kids!!!"
That excuse—
"Dean, we're all over ten years old, we can drink!" Ning Rongrong exposed him mercilessly.
"Yeah!" Oscar jumped in. "Plus, we're Spirit Masters, we can handle it!"
Flender shot him a glare, making Oscar shrink back behind Tang San.
—Master, please shield your disciple!
Tang San sighed helplessly.
But still, he spoke up, "A little alcohol tonight will help us sleep well. That way, we can wake up early tomorrow."
—After all, he had to side with his own people.
What could Flender do?
In his frustration, he simply went all in—
"Boss! Bring ten jars! The strongest stuff you've got!"
"Tonight, I'll make sure you all understand your own alcohol limits, so you won't embarrass yourselves when drinking outside in the future!"
If they were going to drink, he might as well make it sound like a noble lesson.
Everyone accepted with laughter.
—Flender treating? This might be a once-in-a-lifetime event.
They had to make the most of it!
The food and wine were soon served.
After a few drinks, the group loosened up.
Under Flender's guidance, Oscar and the others started scheming ways to toast Tang Lan.
"Sect Master, let's drink to the future of the Tang Sect!"
"Uncle Tang, your niece is toasting you—surely you won't refuse?"
"Xiao Lan, why not become a teacher? If not, then at least have a drink!"
Tang Lan saw through their ploy to get him drunk but didn't refuse.
They wanted to see him make a fool of himself?
Sorry, not happening.
With Nine Yang Divine Skill constantly running, the alcohol evaporated into mist before it even entered his bloodstream.
—Using internal energy to force out alcohol was just basic technique.
Not to mention getting drunk—
Even if he drank everything in this restaurant, he wouldn't even need a trip to the restroom.
Even Flender, a seven-ring Spirit Saint, couldn't control his spirit power with such precision.
One drink after another,
Drinking alone, Ma Hongjun gradually let the alcohol loosen his tongue.
"Tell me, Brother Lan, why do you accept everyone else, but not me?"
"I'm innately full of spirit power, and my mutated martial soul isn't bad either."
"So why don't you want me?"
The lively atmosphere fell silent.
Over this period,
Everyone had noticed Ma Hongjun's outsider status.
But since Tang Lan had never spoken on the matter, neither Xiao Wu nor Tang San would intervene.
As for the others, who had the right to?
They could only choose to turn a blind eye.
But now—
Ma Hongjun had laid the issue bare, and all eyes turned to Tang Lan, waiting for his response.
Tang Lan calmly took a sip of his drink, savoring the spicy burn—
As if he hadn't heard Ma Hongjun at all, leaving him hanging.
Ma Hongjun, with his impatient nature, couldn't stand being ignored.
He was about to press the issue when—
"BANG—"
The hotel's main door was pushed open with force.
Ma Hongjun instinctively turned his head, and his eyes immediately locked onto the newcomers.
A middle-aged man entered, followed by seven students in matching academy uniforms.
Among them—
A short-haired girl of average looks, but with an exaggerated figure that swayed alluringly with each step.
—Even more extreme than Zhu Zhuqing!
Ma Hongjun, already tipsy, felt his evil fire surge at the sight.
Forgetting everything else, his eyes gleamed as he stared at her,
Looking like he was about to pounce at any moment.
Tang Lan shrugged at Flender—You see that?
Flender was furious!
They were just about to have a proper conversation—
Who the hell were these people, showing up at such a perfect moment?!
Looking closely,
He noticed the newcomers had a blue circular emblem embroidered with the words "Canghui" on their left shoulders.
Flender signaled Dai Mubai with a glance.
Dai Mubai caught on.
He deliberately raised his voice, "Hmph! Just a measly Canghui Academy—what's there to brag about?"
Meanwhile, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Li Yusong discreetly slipped away.
Tang Lan's eyes narrowed—Really? You're pulling this move?
Dai Mubai's provocation drew glares from the Canghui students.
They scanned the table,
Finding only a bunch of kids,
Without even matching uniforms—looking like a completely unprofessional group.
Their expressions shifted.
The middle-aged leader whispered something to his companions,
Then casually found a seat nearby.
Oscar chuckled under his breath, "Guys, looks like we're in for a show."
But no one responded.
Because—
Tang Lan's previously relaxed expression had darkened.
Xiao Wu, Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong, who always paid attention to his mood, immediately sensed something was off.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, as the "senior members," understood the academy's tradition and didn't ask questions.
The atmosphere grew cold.
Dai Mubai and Oscar exchanged glances and decided to behave themselves.
"Why's everyone so quiet?" Ma Hongjun said, still facing forward. "Isn't it time for today's training? Get to it!"
"Oh? What kind of training?" Tang Lan finally spoke.
Dai Mubai and Oscar buried themselves in their food, not daring to answer—
They even nudged Ma Hongjun under the table.
Unfortunately—
Ma Hongjun, completely drunk and overwhelmed by his instincts,
Brushed them off impatiently.
"Of course, it's the training the dean told us to do!"
He stated matter-of-factly—
"The dean said that if you don't dare cause trouble, you're useless."
"We shouldn't be afraid of conflict—we should seek it out."
"Especially when encountering students from other academies—it's the safest time to make trouble. At worst, it just ends in a fight."
Tang Lan's expression darkened.
Running into Canghui Academy here—
That was good news.
It meant the timeline was still intact.
But this "teaching philosophy"...
He wasn't some bleeding-heart saint.
In fact, when it came to revenge, he never let a grudge last overnight.
If someone provoked him, like Ning Rongrong once had—
They weren't leaving without paying a painful price.
He lived by the principle of an eye for an eye.
But acting like some rabid dog, picking fights with anyone on sight?
That was just stupid.
If this continued,
Wouldn't they just end up like the spoiled, arrogant disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Once such a toxic academy culture formed,
Tang Sect wouldn't last long.
And Tang Sect—
Was Tang Lan's foundation for godhood!
Even after becoming a god,
He planned for Tang Sect to grow like Spirit Hall,
A tool to harvest faith in the mortal world.
The sect's reputation had to be maintained!
So—
Tang Lan spoke calmly, "Niece Ning, doesn't this sound just like how you used to be?"
Ning Rongrong: "…"
This princess has already reformed! Why am I still being dragged into this?!
But the smart ones in the group could all tell—
Tang Lan was very unhappy.
At that moment,
One of the Canghui students strode forward.
As he passed a waiter carrying dishes,
He subtly knocked the tray over—
Sending the plates flying straight toward Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.
But of course—
That was far from enough to trouble them.
Dai Mubai reacted quickly, catching all the falling food and placing it back onto the tray.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, was much rougher. He erupted with spirit power, sending the drinks and dishes flying—splattering all over the young man from Canghui Academy.
Nearby waiters and customers also got caught in the mess.
Before they could even get angry—
"Fatty, you're looking for death!"
A spirit wolf manifested behind the Canghui student, his claws swiping toward Ma Hongjun in rage.
Ma Hongjun sneered in disdain.
He proudly released his own martial soul, revealing two yellow spirit rings—drawing shocked gasps from the Canghui students.
—At such a young age, he was already a Rank 20+ Spirit Grandmaster?
Using his superior spirit power, Ma Hongjun grabbed the wolf claw directly, and, refusing to let up, swung the student around in midair.
"Stop!" the Canghui instructor shouted. "This is a misunderstand—"
"CRASH—"
The Canghui student was flung across the room, crashing into two tables before skidding to a stop right in front of the short-haired girl from their academy.
A clear display of Ma Hongjun's strength.
"BANG!"
The middle-aged man slammed the table and stood up, revealing five spirit rings—white, yellow, yellow, purple, purple.
A Rank 50 Spirit King!
The hotel guests panicked and fled in terror.
The owner was frantic—but didn't dare intervene.
These were all Spirit Masters!
Even a stray shockwave from their battle could kill an ordinary person.
Who would be foolish enough to step in?
"I am Ye Zhiqiu, Director of External Affairs for Canghui Academy!" the man barked. "Which academy are you from? Where is your teacher?"
Dai Mubai glanced at Tang Lan.
Tang Lan sat there calmly, eating and drinking as if nothing was happening.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai held his tongue and stayed put.
Ma Hongjun, sobering up a little at the sight of the five spirit rings, felt a surge of irritation.
"You're just going to sit there and watch me get bullied by a Spirit King?"
Dai Mubai and Oscar were about to move.
But the others had a strange look in their eyes.
Tang Lan spoke calmly, "You started this mess, didn't you? If you want to cause trouble, you should have the ability to clean it up. Dai Mubai, go help him."
Dai Mubai sighed, smiling bitterly as he stood up, stopping Oscar from moving as well.
—Couldn't they see? The Sect Master was establishing authority.
Ma Hongjun was dumbfounded!
Just him, a Rank 20+ Spirit Grandmaster, and Dai Mubai, a Rank 30+ Spirit Elder, against a Rank 50 Spirit King?
That was asking to be destroyed!
"Hmph! At least you know your place," Ye Zhiqiu scoffed. "You two—I'm not one to bully kids. Call your teacher out."
Dai Mubai's face twitched—this was bad.
And then—
(End of Chapter.)