"What? You said someone has taken a liking to Oscar's talent and wants to recruit him? And if you don't agree, he'll kill you? How dare he!!"
Flanders, who had earned a lot of money today and happily returned to Shrek, was still considering whether to use some Silver Soul Coins to upgrade the academy. But suddenly he heard news that someone wanted to forcibly recruit Oscar and Shao Xin.
He immediately rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward to confront Xu Mingxi. Who was he, Flanders? He was the Flying Horn of the Golden Triangle, a dignified level 71 Soul Saint. How could he tolerate such humiliation?
But just as he was about to rise, he was stopped by the other teachers. Flanders had just returned and didn't know, but they had already heard about it from Shao Xin.
At that time, Zhao Wuji refused to believe it and shouted a few angry words before attempting to walk out of the main gates of Shrek with dignity. But as soon as he stepped forward, he was engulfed by a killing intent so intense it felt limitless.
Zhao Wuji felt as if he had fallen into an abyss. He instinctively pulled back his foot. Once the killing intent faded, he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air, cold sweat covering his face. He never dared to cross that boundary again.
You must understand, Zhao Wuji was a high-level Soul Emperor known as the Immovable King. That kind of pressure clearly wasn't something a mere Soul Saint could emit—certainly not Flanders.
"Flanders, this is what happened. He claims to be from the Star Crown Sect, one of the most powerful sects on the continent. Clearly, we're in no position to refuse."
"Yes, Flanders. Not to mention the Star Crown Sect backing him—we couldn't defeat him even together."
The teachers of Shrek were all born commoners. To have risen to this level, talent alone wasn't enough. Each of them had blood on their hands.
More than that, Xu Mingxi hadn't even fought yet. When faced with the threat of death, there was really only one answer to choose.
"Alright, Shao Xin, how did he even notice Oscar's talent?"
"Maybe when I was mentoring him during his training, he saw Oscar's yellow soul ring and the sausage he summoned—and Oscar's age made it clear."
Flanders raised his hand to silence everyone and sat in his chair with a grim face. He didn't understand how things had come to this. Oscar was an orphan he had raised—he was one of the children Shrek had nurtured.
He was a food-type soul master with innate full soul power. Let me ask you, who on this continent had ever seen such a thing? When he grew up, Shrek Academy would undoubtedly become famous.
But now, all of this was being shattered by a sudden accident. And yet, Flanders also knew that this time, he had no choice but to agree. At that point, even if the people of the Star Crown Sect didn't act, the teachers of Shrek would pressure him into handing Oscar over.
He waved his hand, signaling the teachers to leave first, then called Oscar in. He asked the boy to sit beside him, took his hand, and looked into his eyes without material attachment.
"Oscar, you know what happened today. What's your impression of the man from the Star Crown Sect? Are you willing to go with him?"
Oscar lowered his head. As an orphan, he actually understood a lot. He knew that when the dean said that, it likely meant he could no longer stay at Shrek Academy.
Truthfully, he didn't feel any strong aversion to the man who came today. The elegant clothing and promised resources were things he would probably never experience during his life at Shrek.
Moreover, his teacher Shao Xin, who had always taught him, had agreed—so perhaps it wasn't unreasonable to follow. Besides, joining a sect didn't necessarily mean leaving Shrek Academy behind.
"Dean, I really can't stay here."
...
Flanders said nothing, but Oscar already knew the answer. He stood up and bowed deeply to the middle-aged man who had adopted him.
"Dean Flanders, I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life."
"Alright, take care of yourself."
After they both ate the food Flanders had brought back from Soto City—the food he had wanted to enjoy alone—Flanders led Oscar to the parade grounds and watched as Xu Mingxi descended from the sky.
Wasn't this the same man from this afternoon? I didn't expect it to be him. I gained a thousand gold soul coins but lost one of the most gifted youths on the continent. Turns out I was the real victim.
Flanders sighed and watched Shao Xin lead Oscar to the opposing side. Just as he expected, he couldn't protect anyone—not Erlong back then, and not Oscar now.
After waiting the entire night, Xu Mingxi finally got the answer he had wanted. Except for the protagonist and the rabbit, the most talented person in all of Shrek was now in his grasp.
As for Ma Hongjun, who was now standing next to Flanders, he had no interest. Without the Sunflower Phoenix Comb, he would never escape his evil fire problem. No matter how great his talent, the peak for him would only be Soul King or Soul Emperor.
Xu Mingxi half-knelt and reached his hand toward Oscar, who was standing nervously behind Shao Xin. He waited until Oscar timidly placed his hand in his before speaking.
"Your name is Oscar, right? Trust me—you will never regret joining our Star Crown Sect. A Soul Saint is certainly not your final destination."
Under Flanders' sorrowful and slightly resentful gaze, Xu Mingxi left with Shao Xin and Oscar. The other teachers breathed a sigh of relief. This walking disaster had finally left. It wasn't pleasant to have your life dictated by someone else.
"Flanders, don't be too sad. Maybe Oscar will get better training at the Star Crown Sect."
"Sad? Which eye of yours sees me being sad? He took Oscar and didn't even leave child support. I raised that kid all these years for free."
Flanders turned away and left. His eyes were red—though no one could see—and there was even a glint of tears in them.
Elsewhere, Xu Mingxi flew through the sky with Oscar and Shao Xin, shielding them with his soul power. Along the way, he shared some basic information about the Star Crown Sect, though he held back on revealing his true power or deeper secrets for now.
"Young Master of the Sect, I heard from the dean that the Star Crown Sect is the most powerful sect in the Star Luo Empire."
"That's right. Once you arrive at the Star Crown Sect, they'll provide you with cultivation resources, help you get soul rings, and even spirit bones. The only condition is that you must never betray the sect.
And Shao Xin, once you're there, you can request a 5,000-year-old spirit bone from the sect master and break through to Soul Saint as soon as possible. You'll temporarily take Oscar's place on the sect elder council."
"Yes."
Oscar was still a bit dazed, thinking of Flanders and his friend Ma Hongjun from Shrek Academy. But Shao Xin, walking beside him, was thrilled.
He had never imagined that the Star Crown Sect would actually give him a spirit bone. It seemed this young sect master had considerable power. Maybe one day, he really could become a Soul Douluo.
Xu Mingxi watched their expressions. Oscar was only eight years old now, so he had plenty of time to return to his roots. As for Shao Xin, a food-type Soul Saint, he was more than qualified to sit as an elder.