Chapter 18. Liu Erlong
A week passed, and when the reply finally arrived from the capital, we had all finished our preparations and set off.
To be honest, I had expected that Yu Xiaogang might try to take Tang San from Shrek Academy. However, it seems I had still slightly underestimated his pride. Even so, the constant conflict on his face was plain to see. It's just that no one brought up the topic with him, which was actually akin to a torment for someone prone to overthinking. Especially now that he was left all alone.
But that wasn't important.
Our journey to the capital was quite uneventful. Unlike in the original story, we didn't participate in any life-and-death battles on the Spirit Arena along the way to shed first blood. Of course, this was mainly because classes had just started recently, and besides, Tang San's hidden weapons were still a secret from everyone else.
So, just making a few stops along the way, we soon arrived at the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire.
At first glance, one could tell it was no accident this empire was one of the great powers of the continent. The capital was surrounded by a sturdy wall, reaching a hundred meters in height, with guards visible from top to bottom. They were men clad in full armor, holding halberds. Each one appeared imposing at first sight.
However, in the eyes of Spirit Masters, they were nothing more than trash. Ordinary people who could never even compare to children from a primary spirit academy. Nevertheless, wars still involved vast numbers of such ordinary people. After all, compared to ordinary people, there are still far too few Spirit Masters.
Where we approached, the wall had several gates: some enormous ones for main traffic and many smaller ones, which pedestrians were using.
Honestly, it was a strange feeling. The daughter of the Duke of the Star Luo Empire and the prince of that same empire infiltrating the very heart of an enemy country so simply. It seemed a bit absurd. Though the way in the original story my 'colleague' and Dai Mubai even considered joining the Royal Academy as part of Shrek's team was even more absurd.
Shaking off these strange thoughts, I focused on the present. It didn't take us long to find the correct address in the capital. And unlike Shrek, Blue Tyrant Academy certainly looked wealthy. The gates alone were adorned with beautifully carved white marble and reached ten meters in height. At the very top, written in golden letters, were the words: Blue Tyrant Advanced Spirit Master Academy.
"Let's go. Although everything has already been arranged, we should still do things properly," Flender spoke up and led everyone a little to the side, where a designated reception area was set up.
The person in charge of reception was a middle-aged man who, based on my senses, was no weaker than a Spirit King.
"Are you all here to enroll in the academy?"
"No. We've come regarding the advertised recruitment for staff. And these are our students who naturally followed us."
"These children are still quite young," the examiner frowned, looking us over. "Anyone wishing to enroll in the academy will have to pass the entrance exams. And of course, if both you and your students can pass the exams, there will be no issue with you continuing to instruct them."
"Exams are not a problem. Where are they held?" Flender was more than confident that everyone would pass and even looked forward to seeing others' reactions to his outstanding students.
"I will escort you. Please follow me."
The man led us deeper into the academy grounds until we reached a place flanked by woods, with more than enough space for sparring.
Soon, three others joined the middle-aged man, ready to evaluate the applicants.
"All those here to take the teacher qualification exam, please step forward one by one. So, who will be first?"
"Song, you go first," Flender addressed the old man who had handled student admissions back in Shrek.
"What do I need to do?" asked the old man who stepped forward.
"Please, release your spirit, as long as you have reached level 40. Then, in a fight with one of the three of us, if you can hold out for 10 minutes, you will qualify."
"Fine," the old man nodded.
"Level 63, Spirit Tool: Dragon Staff, Spirit Emperor, Li Yu Song, Power Attack System." The old man summoned his battle spirit, preparing for combat.
"So, who will give this old man the test?"
What they saw clearly exceeded the examiners' expectations. What right did they, ordinary Spirit Kings, have to try and suppress a Spirit Emperor? With such a difference in strength, the question wouldn't be how long he could last, but how long could they?
"Uh... th-this... there's no need for a combat test. The academy stipulates that Spirit Masters who have reached level 60 are exempt from further tests."
This leading Spirit Master examiner of Blue Tyrant Academy inwardly wiped away sweat, thinking today might be difficult to handle.
"Since level 60 and above require no additional examination, we need not waste time. Brothers, spirit rings."
"Level 66, Spirit Tool: Star Chessboard, Spirit Emperor, Lu Ji Bin, Control System."
"Level 71, Spirit Tool: Sweet Pea, Spirit Sage, Shao Xin, Food System."
"Level 76, Spirit Beast: Vajra Furious Bear, Spirit Sage, Zhao Wuji, Power Attack System."
"Level 78, Spirit Beast: Horned Owl, Spirit Sage, Flender, Agility System."
The three examiners were completely lifeless. Five Spirit Masters had appeared, apparently applying for the advertised teacher positions, and all above level 60. The chaotic display of spirit rings before them had already made their eyes widen. If not for Flender and the others carefully controlling their spirit power output, perhaps the three Blue Tyrant Academy teachers wouldn't have been able to stand under the pressure.
"So, did we pass?" asked Flender.
"Ah, of course, you pass. Seniors, please withdraw your spirits."
As soon as the spirits were recalled, the three teachers breathed sighs of relief.
Taking a deep breath, the leading Blue Tyrant Academy teacher respectfully said:
"My humble name is Yin Shu. Spirit Master of the Power Attack System, level 54. Allow me to escort you to our dean."
Watching the man walking ahead, I couldn't help but sigh. To be honest, those three were rather weak.
"Rongrong," I called the girl walking beside me.
"Yes?" She looked at me curiously.
"You've already sent a letter home, right?"
"Yes," Ning Rongrong nodded.
"Then how about visiting your father right after we register?"
"Of course, I'm sure Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone would be happy to meet you," the girl said excitedly, clearly already looking forward to returning home.
"By the way, why are we heading into the woods?" Ning Rongrong questioned.
"The dean usually isn't at the academy, preferring the quiet solitude of living alone in the forest. All daily academy affairs are managed by the teachers; only major matters require the dean's instruction," Yin Shu replied, not usually paying attention to questions from a girl not yet enrolled, but he had clearly overheard our conversation and already understood Ning Rongrong's connection to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
"I see," a trace of sorrow was visible on Flender's face. Who better than him to know what a disaster it was that Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong only discovered their blood relation on their wedding day, leading to the subsequent elopement.
Honestly, I wanted to encourage this man. After all, in my humble opinion, he is far more deserving of Liu Erlong than Yu Xiaogang. However, if I said anything on this topic now, it would be inappropriate. Love advice from a 12-year-old girl is definitely not what he needs right now.
After nearly 10 minutes of walking, we heard soft singing.
It was a sorrowful girl's song about unrequited love and loneliness. Listening to it, one couldn't help but start thinking sad thoughts as well.
"This song was written by Yu Xiaogang," Flender whispered softly, yet everyone present heard him perfectly.
The song made everyone pause briefly right before a large tree bearing a sign that read 'Forbidden Zone'. But soon, we continued on.
Beyond this massive tree, the scenery immediately changed.
There was a small lake, only about fifty meters from the shore. A three-meter-wide stream calmly flowed into the water from among the trees on the other side and exited again, keeping the water in what should have been considered a pond, fresh.
Beside the pond stood a simple thatched cottage, built from wooden planks and reeds, in complete harmony with the surroundings. Within the fence surrounding the thatched cottage roof were all kinds of flowers, blooming over each other in their eagerness, a multi-colored beauty.
Among all these flowers stood a woman with a watering can in her hands, watering them. Perhaps hearing footsteps, her gaze unconsciously turned towards the direction Shrek Academy's group had come from.
She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties, dressed in a simple blue-green dress that couldn't hide her charming figure. A blue-green scarf was wrapped around her head; her face was slightly pale, her features delicate as if from a painting. Though her large dark eyes currently seemed lifeless, there was still a trace of spirit in them. Her high, unconstrained peaks and undulating waves were visible under her dress, a mature, voluptuous figure ordinary young ladies couldn't hope for. And now, as she looked at us, her gaze swept over the group carefully, as if searching for someone, but soon she could only sigh sadly. It was obvious whom she had hoped to see.
"Dean, several Spirit Masters applying for teaching positions have arrived, among them six individuals whose strength exceeds spirit power level 60. We are unable to evaluate them, so we respectfully request you to judge."
A figure flashed—the beautiful woman was already outside the fence.
"Boss Flender, he... he didn't come?"
"He left," Flender replied without hiding his disappointment.
"Boss Flender, after so many years, you still look the same," complex emotions swirled in the woman's eyes.
Flender gave a wry smile:
"I've grown old, but you are just as graceful as before. Come, let me introduce everyone. These are all my teachers and students of Shrek Academy. These children are so talented that, unfortunately, providing them what they need has become beyond my capabilities. Each of them has a splendid future ahead."
"This is Liu Erlong. You may have heard of her before. She traveled with me and the Grandmaster when we roamed the Spirit Master world—the last corner of our Golden Iron Triangle," Flender introduced the woman.
Each person present respectfully introduced themselves to her in turn.
"So, Erlong, will you invite us in for a cup of tea?"
"Boss Flender, do you think my little hut can accommodate so many people? It's better to let Yin Shu take the children to the dormitories. From today on, this will be your home."
"Erlong, the salary we're requesting is quite high. Can you handle it?" Flender said jokingly.
"Boss Flender, you're mistaken. The question isn't whether I can afford it, but whether you can. You are the boss of our Golden Iron Triangle, so from now on, this academy is yours. Tomorrow, I will convene a general assembly of students and staff to announce this. At the same time, the academy's name will be changed to Shrek. Let me also borrow the glory of your Shrek Academy."
"Ah?"
"Haha, well, it seems things won't be too hard for them after all," I chuckled softly. Seeing Zhao Wuji glance at me upon my words, I winked at him.
"Flender, Mistress Erlong, I think it's best if we all go get settled. It's already getting late. And you two have much to catch up on." Nodding in response to me, the man stepped forward.
"Alright," Liu Erlong agreed. "Teacher Yin Shu, I ask you to go and announce tomorrow's general assembly of students and teachers. For now, please help the others get settled."
"Yes, Dean." Yin Shu bowed. Everything happening was definitely confusing him. However, he was more than aware this wasn't something he should inquire about.