Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Qiangu Dongfeng had finally figured it out; these Shrek Academy elders who had spoken earlier were all playing the bad cop. And the Red Dragon Douluo Zhuo Shi, who had just spoken, was playing the good cop.
If it were anyone else, Qiangu Dongfeng might have really sat down to negotiate properly.
After all, he did not want things to get too tense with Shrek. Both were top forces on the Douluo Continent, and having a falling out would benefit no one. Besides, if he agreed, he might even be able to gain some benefits.
But now it was different. Huo Yuhao's talent was too high. Leaving him at Shrek Academy, wouldn't that be "aiding the enemy"?
He could not allow Shrek Academy to produce a second Yun Ming!
However, faced with Zhuo Shi's proposal, Qiangu Dongfeng did not directly refuse. A faint smile remained on his Face as he looked calmly at Huo Yuhao, who was sitting to the side.
Then, he spoke slowly: "Although Yuhao is Yaozhu's Disciple and a Student of the Shrek Academy Outer Court, we as his elders cannot just decide his departure or stay at will, right?" Qiangu Dongfeng asked rhetorically, his refined Face full of sincerity.
He put on a show of respecting the younger generation, as if he were truly thinking of Huo Yuhao.
Afterward, he looked at Huo Yuhao and asked: "Yuhao, do you want to stay at Shrek Academy, or continue to stay at the Spirit Pagoda?"
Huo Yuhao naturally remembered that this Tower Master Qiangu Dongfeng had harbored ill intentions toward him earlier, but now was not the time to dwell on that; they were currently "on the same side."
Huo Yuhao did not hesitate in the slightest: "Naturally, the Spirit Pagoda!"
He did not need to consider, nor did he need to weigh his options. His answer had always been just this one.
Qiangu Dongfeng chuckled upon hearing this. He looked at Zhuo Shi, his voice deep and steady: "Since Yuhao does not agree, then it seems I cannot agree to Shrek Academy's proposal either."
As soon as these words were spoken, the meeting room instantly fell silent.
Although Leng Yaozhu was strong and unyielding, she was ultimately only the Vice Tower Master.
And Qiangu Dongfeng was the Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda; his decision was the Spirit Pagoda's decision.
Therefore, even Long Yeyue could no longer say things like "This matter is not for you to decide."
In the meeting room, the various Shrek Academy elders looked at each other.
They had not expected that Qiangu Dongfeng, a Tower Master who they thought put "profit first," would be so unyielding today despite his smiling Face.
They had assumed Qiangu Dongfeng would weigh the pros and cons and try to bargain. But he did not; he refused cleanly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.
What was to be done now?
A surge of anxiety welled up in everyone's hearts.
They could not help but cast their gazes toward one place, focusing on the old woman sitting on the left side of the head seat.
Long Yeyue was old and had high seniority. Although she always said "You all decide the academy's affairs," she did not refrain from expressing her opinions.
She was now the representative of the academy's hardliners, and also the initiator and firm supporter of keeping Huo Yuhao at the academy. Now, everyone was asking for advice from this "leader," waiting for her to make the call.
Facing their gazes, she thought to herself that these elders were too "weak" and their "combat power" was truly somewhat low.
Panicking over such a small matter, what else could be expected of them?
A deep sense of disappointment rose in her heart.
Even though Qiangu Dongfeng still insisted on taking Huo Yuhao back to the Spirit Pagoda, Long Yeyue's thoughts had not changed in the slightest. That aged Face was full of stubbornness and confidence.
She looked at Qiangu Dongfeng and said indifferently: "Tower Master Qiangu, today's meeting is purely for the sake of your Face as the Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda."
As soon as she spoke, that condescending air was revealed. It was not a discussion, not a negotiation, but a notification. It was as if she were not discussing with Qiangu Dongfeng, but telling him a fact that had already been decided.
"Regarding the matter of Huo Yuhao, there is actually no need for discussion. Because my Shrek's decision cannot be changed; he must stay at Shrek Academy!"
Upon hearing this, the various Shrek elders felt a surge of joy, thinking to themselves that Elder Long was indeed tough.
The smile on Qiangu Dongfeng's Face gradually faded, and a trace of coldness flashed in his slender eyes.
He had not expected Shrek Academy to be this unyielding!
He then spoke slowly: "Huo Yuhao is originally a person of my Spirit Pagoda; Shrek Academy is not in the right regarding this matter."
"If this matter spreads now, I fear Shrek Academy's reputation will suffer!"
Long Yeyue's aged eyes narrowed, and a sharp light flickered in those cloudy old eyes. "Are you threatening Shrek Academy?"
Qiangu Dongfeng chuckled, his smile full of hidden meaning. He did not reply, but his expression said it all.
So what if it was a threat?
He looked directly at Long Yeyue without the slightest flinching.
The other Shrek Academy elders' hearts sank at this moment, and their aged Faces were filled with gravity.
If this matter were truly blown out of proportion, Shrek Academy's reputation would indeed suffer. But Long Yeyue was completely unfazed, her Face still wearing an indifferent expression.
"Compared to the threat that already exists, what can mere words do?"
The "threat that already exists" naturally referred to Huo Yuhao. And these "mere words" referred to the public opinion on the internet after this matter spread.
Long Yeyue's expression was firm, and a stubborn light flickered in those cloudy old eyes.
"Shrek Academy has stood tall on the Douluo Continent for twenty thousand years, relying on its own strength. Let others say what they want; when the academy opens for enrollment, won't those so-called Geniuses still come scrambling to join?"
[A/N: Holy crap, it's fem Xuan Zi]
Her tone was full of confidence and arrogance.
Upon hearing this, Yun Ming's expression changed instantly. A trace of shock and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He really had not expected his teacher's wife to think this way; this had completely violated the academy's original intentions!
Long Yeyue's words made him feel like a stranger, and made him feel chilled.
Not just Yun Ming, but many of the elders present were startled upon hearing these words. If these words were spread, I fear they would instantly stir up a storm on the Douluo Continent, and Shrek Academy would instantly be pushed to the forefront of public criticism. The reputation accumulated over those years, the image established over those years, could all be destroyed in an instant.
Yet Long Yeyue seemed completely unaware of the changes in everyone, still maintaining an imperious manner.
"Want to use public opinion to force Shrek Academy to bow down? You have miscalculated!" Long Yeyue looked at Qiangu Dongfeng, slightly lifting her chin, striking the posture of a victor.
And at this moment, as Qiangu Dongfeng looked at the other party, four words could not help but pop into his mind— "Unreasonable"!
Reasoning with such a person was simply a waste of breath.
His voice sank as he said: "Since you put it that way, then I can only say that the Spirit Pagoda will absolutely not give up any member. Huo Yuhao, I must take him away today!"
Upon hearing this, Long Yeyue stood up directly.
Her gaze was fixed on Qiangu Dongfeng, and a sharp light flickered in those cloudy old eyes. "What? Does your Spirit Pagoda want to start a war with Shrek Academy?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the Faces of the various elders changed. They had not expected that Long Yeyue would directly bring up starting a war.
They were all shouting in their hearts: 'It hasn't reached that point yet.'
For the sake of one youth, the two great powers going to war—the cost was too high. They could not afford it, nor did they want to bear it.
And being pushed to this point by words, Qiangu Dongfeng also stood up.
A resolute light flickered in his slender eyes.
He spoke, his voice carrying an unquestionable firmness: "So what if we start a war? Does my Spirit Pagoda fear you, Shrek Academy?"
Beside Qiangu Dongfeng, Leng Yaozhu and the other two also stood up instantly, their gazes coldly fixed on Long Yeyue, looking as if they were prepared to act at any moment.
"Heh!" Long Yeyue sneered: "What qualifications do you have to say that? Back then, your father was slapped by me, and in the end, didn't he still not dare to start a war with my Shrek?"
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.