Tang San was clearly taken in by the explanation and hurriedly asked, "Dean, what's the reasoning behind that?"
Zhao Wuji had heard this line countless times before and explained on Flanders' behalf, "By building an academy outside the city and away from places of luxury, you can effectively prevent students from becoming overly indulgent."
"Don't forget, almost everyone who attends a royal academy comes from a noble family."
Of course, that was easier said than done.
Shrek Academy had also been located outside the city, yet Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun still frequented entertainment districts regularly.
Likewise, the students of Heaven Dou Royal Academy certainly weren't missing out on life's pleasures.
Tang San and the others nodded in understanding, looking as though they had learned something valuable.
Grandmaster suddenly added, "That's because you were poor and could only afford to build your academy outside the city. They, on the other hand, have the money and are voluntarily restraining themselves."
Flanders instantly became awkward and shot him a resentful look.
While chatting, they walked toward the academy entrance.
As expected, they were quickly stopped by the guards.
"What are you people doing here? Heaven Dou Royal Academy isn't a place for you to cause trouble."
Since they were asking for a favor, Flanders kept his attitude humble.
"Brother, could you please pass along a message for us? Tell them that Shrek Academy has arrived as agreed."
"Shrek?" the guard asked, puzzled.
Qin Ming had already been executed, and the matter involving Shrek Academy had largely faded from public discussion.
Seeing how confident Flanders sounded, the guard assumed they were an academy invited for an exchange visit and did not dare neglect them.
"Wait here. I'll go report it."
A month had passed, and Meng Shenji and the other two Education Committee members had officially retired. Control of Heaven Dou Royal Academy had fallen entirely into the hands of Prince Xue Xing.
As for Xue Qinghe, although he had been implicated to some extent after returning from the Spirit Beast hunt, bringing him down over this matter was unrealistic.
Moreover, the three former committee members had voluntarily accepted responsibility, leaving Xue Xing with little room to pursue the issue further.
Inside the Dean's Office.
Old habits died hard. Xue Xing had no intention of changing the lifestyle he had cultivated for decades.
He spent plenty of time flirting with the academy's younger female teachers.
Many of them willingly threw themselves at him in hopes of advancing their careers.
Meanwhile, academy affairs were handled by two veteran Heaven Dou-level teachers whom he had promoted personally.
When news arrived that Shrek Academy had come, the two newly appointed committee members did not dare take the matter lightly and reported it outside the office.
Moments later, a satisfied voice sounded from within before Xue Xing spoke:
"So they've finally arrived. I would very much like to meet them."
After the two committee members left, a young female teacher hurriedly escaped from the office.
Under Xue Xing's orders, the Shrek group was escorted to the Education Committee Hall.
The new committee members held little real authority within the academy and therefore did not appear.
Upon entering the hall, the Shrek group was surprised by what they saw.
Qin Ming had previously told them that the academy was jointly managed by three Education Committee members, all of whom were Spirit Douluo-level experts.
Yet Flanders could clearly sense that the man seated above them possessed only the cultivation of a lower-level Spirit Sage, completely contradicting the information they had been given.
Still, since they were seeking shelter under someone else's roof, they had little choice but to follow the arrangements.
The group bowed respectfully toward Xue Xing.
"Greetings, Your Excellency. May we ask where Qin Ming—"
Xue Xing chuckled.
"Qin Ming? He's probably still on the road."
The two sides understood that statement very differently.
The road Xue Xing referred to was the road to the underworld.
Flanders paid little attention to the remark and quickly continued.
"May I ask how we should address you, Senior? Regarding Shrek Academy's merger into Heaven Dou Royal Academy..."
Xue Xing smiled.
"I am the academy's vice dean and currently oversee its affairs."
"Qin Ming spoke highly of Shrek Academy. I am quite satisfied with what I've heard. Since you've agreed to join the academy, all the necessary procedures can be completed today."
Xue Xing was no fool.
Since he intended to build a faction for Xue Beng, he certainly wouldn't let such an opportunity slip away.
With Qin Ming dead and the three committee members retired, Shrek Academy had effectively become his for the taking.
Flanders was delighted.
The journey had been long, and the cultivation of the Shrek Seven Devils had fallen behind considerably. The sooner they settled into Heaven Dou Royal Academy and gained access to its resources, the sooner they could make up for lost progress.
Grandmaster, however, immediately sensed something strange.
Logically speaking, Qin Ming, as the person who had invited them, should have been present.
Furthermore, Qin Ming had specifically told them that the academy's true administrators were the three committee members, not the prince before them.
They didn't know what had happened at Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but they couldn't agree to anything hastily.
At the very least, they needed to meet Qin Ming first.
With that thought in mind, Grandmaster stepped forward.
"Your Highness, may I ask where Qin Ming is currently? We came here at his invitation. It would only be proper for us to meet him and express our gratitude."
Xue Xing replied indifferently,
"Didn't I already tell you? He's on the road."
Realizing something was wrong, Flanders quickly asked,"Your Highness, perhaps we could go and receive Qin Ming ourselves. We'd like to thank him in person for his invitation."
Xue Xing sneered.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to find him."
"Of course, I shouldn't speak in absolutes. If all of you kill yourselves right now, you might still meet him before you're reincarnated."
The expressions of everyone from Shrek Academy froze.
Qin Ming was dead?
When had that happened?
And why?
Their minds filled with questions.
Before anyone could ask further, Xue Xing spoke again.
"My patience is limited."
"If you wish to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy, then give me a clear answer now."
"The imperial family will devote considerable resources to cultivating your talents."
"Of course, nothing in this world is free. You will be required to obey my authority."
Flanders' face darkened.
Qin Ming had previously promised them extensive autonomy. The academy would not interfere with their movements, nor would it force unwanted orders upon them.
What Xue Xing was proposing was clearly the complete absorption of Shrek Academy and its subordination to his control.
There was no way Flanders would agree to that.
As for what had happened to Qin Ming, they could only ask around after leaving.
"Your Highness, I apologize, but it seems we were being overly optimistic. Your conditions are far too harsh. I'm afraid we cannot accept them."
With that, Flanders turned to leave.
"Leave?" Xue Xing sneered. "Do you think this is a place where you can come and go as you please?"
His attempt to recruit Shrek Academy had been a spur-of-the-moment decision. Originally, he had never intended to let them off lightly.
The three former Education Committee members had wanted to recruit Shrek Academy in order to gather talented individuals for Xue Qinghe.
Since they refused to submit to him, Xue Xing certainly had no intention of benefiting Xue Qinghe for free.
Taking action directly against Shrek Academy could be troublesome.
Over the past few days, he had conducted investigations and learned that Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing came from extraordinary backgrounds. If he harmed them, it could escalate into a diplomatic incident and potentially spark a conflict between two nations.
However, merely teaching them a lesson was another matter. Even if the Star Luo Imperial Family learned of it, they would not react too strongly.
Flanders' face grew even uglier.
"Your Highness, don't push things too far."
"Shrek Academy may be a small academy, but we are not people who can be manipulated at will, nor will we easily place ourselves under someone else's control!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Xue Xing applauded slowly.
"What lofty integrity from Shrek Academy."
"Qin Ming secretly colluded with all of you and stole imperial resources to support your academy. How do you explain that?"
He let out a cold laugh.
"Qin Ming has already paid for his crimes with his life. Since you are unwilling to suffer humiliation, then I shall grant each of you three feet of white silk. You may end your own lives."
----
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