Chapter 46: Little Conflict
Flender and Yu Xiaogang, who were walking in front, stopped. Flender spoke politely, "We are from Shrek Academy, and we've come to your Heaven Dou Royal Academy for an exchange program. Young man, could you lead us to the main office?"
As a dignified Spirit Sage, if it weren't for Heaven Dou Royal Academy's reputation and his need to maintain good relations, Flender wouldn't bother speaking so politely to a group of teenagers.
However, the leading young man—who had an air of arrogance and privilege about him—scrutinized them for a few moments with obvious disdain.
Their clothes were simple, and they'd gotten dusty from days of travel. Compared to the pristine uniforms of Heaven Dou Academy students, they did look rather shabby.
The young man sneered. "Look at yourselves—what do you look like? A bunch of beggars wanting to come to our academy for an exchange? Don't be delusional! Hurry up and get lost, or we'll beat you up!"
The insult hung in the air.
Several of the Shrek students' expressions darkened immediately. Being called beggars was a direct insult not just to them, but to their academy.
Flender's face went red with suppressed anger. Zhao Wuji's fists clenched. Even Yu Xiaogang's usually calm expression showed irritation.
But there was no need for the adults to act.
Xiao Wu, always quick to fight when provoked, was already moving. Beside her, Dai Mubai—whose pride had been stung by the insult—moved simultaneously.
BANG!
The two of them kicked out almost in perfect synchronization, their feet connecting with the mocking young man's chest and sending him flying several meters backward. He crashed into his companions, knocking several of them down like bowling pins.
And they didn't stop there.
Both Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai activated their martial souls. Pink light surrounded Xiao Wu as her Soft Bone Rabbit manifested, while Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes White Tiger appeared with a roar.
Their soul rings rose—Yellow, Yellow, Purple for both of them. Two Spirit Elders charging into a group of Great Spirit Masters.
It was like wolves entering a flock of sheep.
The Heaven Dou Academy students panicked immediately. In their minds, soul rings represented absolute superiority. The concept of weaker opponents defeating stronger ones simply didn't exist in their pampered worldview.
When the two Spirit Elders charged forward, the ten students just stood there passively taking hits, without even thinking to coordinate or surround their attackers.
Chen Sheng watched with a frown. This is Heaven Dou Royal Academy? They're completely useless. Ten Great Spirit Masters facing two Spirit Elders, and they don't even have basic cooperative awareness.
Too weak. Is this really one of the continent's top academies?
In less than half a minute, all ten Heaven Dou Academy students were on the ground, groaning in pain.
The arrogant young man who'd insulted them received special attention—Xiao Wu had kicked him several extra times in passing, and he was now screaming in agony.
Flender frowned slightly. "These Heaven Dou Royal Academy students are not what I imagined. They're just a bunch of trash!"
Yu Xiaogang nodded. "Their basic training is severely lacking. No combat awareness, no teamwork, completely reliant on their soul rings as if those alone guarantee victory."
Chen Sheng thought to himself, Flender has never managed a large institution before, so he doesn't understand that not every student represents the academy's true quality. There are always bad apples, especially in privileged environments where noble children can coast on family connections.
The others nodded, feeling that Grandmaster's assessment made sense.
"Enough, come back!" Flender called out to Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai. If they continued fighting, something worse might happen—these students clearly had influential families.
The group of defeated students, who hadn't dared to utter a word during the beating, immediately started shouting as soon as their attackers stepped back.
"How dare you cause trouble at Heaven Dou Royal Academy? This is a provocation to the empire! You're finished! You'll get what's coming to you today!"
Dai Mubai sneered. "You're good at making threats, but trash is trash. You're not even qualified to speak to us. Call your teacher out!"
Everyone from Shrek shook their heads. These guys were truly pathetic—not even worthy of conversation.
Just then, a strong and powerful voice came from a nearby path.
"Who is causing trouble in my Heaven Dou Academy?"
Everyone looked toward the sound. A figure was running along a small hillside path—a man about fifty years old, dressed in elegant silver tight-fitting clothes. His hands were clasped behind his back as he ran, exuding the bearing of a master.
Chen Sheng inwardly laughed. If this were a world of Battle Through the Heavens, that old man would probably be flying through the air, and everyone would gasp: "A powerful Dou Zong, how terrifying!"
"Teacher Sun! Thank heavens you're here!" The arrogant young man who'd been beaten scrambled toward the approaching teacher. "These people are causing trouble in our academy, trying to force their way in! When we tried to stop them, they injured us and challenged the empire's dignity! You must uphold justice for us!"
Teacher Sun looked at the disheveled student, frowned, and reprimanded him sharply. "Xue Beng, what kind of behavior is this? Get up and stand aside properly!"
Because there were outsiders present, Teacher Sun couldn't say more. After the rebuke, he turned his attention to the Shrek group.
Upon seeing Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Yu Xiaogang—all clearly powerful spirit masters—Teacher Sun's expression became serious and respectful.
"I am Sun Buyu, a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy," he said with a polite bow. "May I ask what brings you all to our academy?"
As a teacher of a major academy, his conduct was completely different from that of the students—steady, composed, and professional.
Seeing this courtesy, Flender's anger cooled somewhat. He smiled and briefly explained what had happened and the purpose of their visit.
As soon as Flender finished, Teacher Sun's expression became even more respectful. "So it's Headmaster Flender of Shrek Academy! To be able to cultivate an outstanding teacher like Qin Ming is truly admirable. His achievements bring honor to all of us."
"Teacher Qin Ming had already informed us that Shrek Academy would be arriving soon. What happened just now was entirely our students' fault. On behalf of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I sincerely apologize to you all."
With the teacher being so polite and reasonable, smiles bloomed on everyone's faces.
Flender waved his hand magnanimously. "No problem, no problem! Young people sometimes act rashly. It's understandable."
Beside them, Xue Beng—who had been beaten the most severely—was now so furious his lungs felt like they would explode. Seeing the two sides conversing so pleasantly made his humiliation even worse.
However, he didn't say anything more, knowing that any protests now would be useless and might draw more punishment from Teacher Sun.
I'll have to wait until I get back and contact my people, Xue Beng thought venomously. Then I'll get my revenge on these country bumpkins.
"Everyone, please follow me," Teacher Sun said warmly. "I'll escort you to the main academy building."
The Shrek group fell in behind Teacher Sun as he led them up the mountain path.
Chen Sheng glanced back briefly at Xue Beng, who was glaring at them with pure hatred.
That's the Fourth Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, Chen Sheng thought with amusement. In the original story, his arrogance and stupidity were all an act to protect himself from his "brother" Xue Qinghe—who was actually Qian Renxue in disguise.
He'll probably run off to get Dugu Bo and Prince Xue Xing to pressure us into leaving. But when Dugu Bo arrives...
Chen Sheng smiled slightly. That's when things will get interesting.
Xue Beng remained on the path, watching the Shrek group disappear around a bend. His face was twisted with resentment.
"Shrek Academy, huh?" he spat. "A trash academy from some backwater village dares to come to our Heaven Dou as exchange students? I think they're just here to freeload! Just wait—with me around, you can forget about staying here!"
"Your Highness, isn't that inappropriate?" one of the young men in his group advised nervously. "Teacher Sun seemed to welcome them."
"Inappropriate? It's very appropriate!" Xue Beng snarled. "These country bumpkins need to learn their place! They won't be staying in our academy—I'll make sure of that!"
With that, he led his group of defeated students back toward Heaven Dou City, already planning how to make the Shrek Academy's visit as miserable as possible.
What Xue Beng didn't notice was that one young man from his group quietly slipped away from the others, heading in a different direction.
This young man, outwardly a student of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, was actually an undercover agent of Spirit Hall—one of many intelligence gatherers Qian Renxue had planted throughout the city.
He quickly made his way to a hidden passage enterd in the city and reported everything he'd witnessed: how many people came from Shrek Academy, how many children and adults, their approximate strength levels, the confrontation with Xue Beng, and the harsh words exchanged.
The information was recorded in detail and immediately sent through Spirit Hall's intelligence network.
Within an hour, the report reached the Crown Prince's palace in Heaven Dou Imperial City.
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Xue Qinghe—actually Qian Renxue in disguise—sat in an elegant study, reading the intelligence report with great interest.
"White Tiger God, you've finally arrived," she murmured, a slight smile playing on her lips.
She'd been receiving reports about the mysterious genius from Soto City for weeks now. His combat abilities, his tactical genius, his mysterious background—all of it intrigued her.
And now he was here, in her territory.
"It seems Xue Beng is quite indignant about being beaten," Qian Renxue mused. "Good. Let him test their situation and see what Shrek Academy is truly capable of."
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