555. Qin Ming Pays Respects

At the foot of the mountain.

Flender and the others had been waiting for a long time, growing bored and helpless.

But what choice did they have? They were here to seek refuge.
So they could only wait.

At some point, a large umbrella had been set up among their group.

Under the umbrella—

Ning Rongrong sat on a stool, leaning against Zhu Zhuqing. As she watched the scene beside her, she couldn't help but complain.

"Xiao Wu, are you here on vacation?"

"Hehe... I brought all this stuff from Nuoding Academy. We're just sitting around anyway."

Xiao Wu giggled, reclining on a soft lounge chair, sipping fruit juice, and wearing sunglasses.

She was completely relaxed, enjoying the sunbath.

The breeze was gentle and cool.

"Besides, if I don't use these things, they'll just go to waste. Isn't that right, Tang Xiaosan?"

As she spoke, Xiao Wu tilted her head slightly. Her sunglasses slipped down a little, revealing her ruby-like eyes that locked onto Tang San.

"Right. It's been a while—I should air them out."

Tang San nodded in agreement, holding a banana leaf fan, looking both amused and helpless as he fanned Xiao Wu.

Next to the lounge chair—

A few strands of Blue Silver Grass held up a small plate of peanuts for Xiao Wu to snack on.

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a look of silent disdain.

"Haha~ Tang Xiaosan, Big Sis Xiao Wu has high hopes for you!"

Xiao Wu giggled, tossing a peanut into her mouth—crunch!

"Heh."

Tang San simply smiled and continued fanning her, completely unfazed by the stares of those around him.

He was just fanning someone—what was the big deal?

The fan was a bit large, sure, but it wasn’t like he was doing anything inappropriate.

As Tang San’s teacher, Yu Xiaogang was already used to this.

As for the others—

Dai Mubai was actually a little jealous of Tang San.

After all, even if he wanted to play the devoted admirer, he was out of options.

If he tried now… what, was he supposed to become Zhu Zhuqing’s sister instead?

Flender, on the other hand, completely understood Tang San’s actions.

Chasing after a girl? Nothing to be ashamed of.

Even if you didn’t win her heart, just trying was respectable!
As long as the girl was happy, that was what mattered.

Zhao Wuji and the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students, however, had strange expressions.

They couldn’t help but admire both Tang San and Xiao Wu.

One was great at playing the game.
The other was great at being devoted.

If they had to pick who they respected more, it was undoubtedly Tang San.

They had all witnessed it—
The girl simply laid out the bait.

And Tang San?
He took the bait immediately.

—

"Ahem!"

Suddenly, Flender, who had sharp eyes, coughed twice as a reminder.

"Alright, enough fooling around. Qin Ming is almost here."

"Xiao Wu, put your stuff away."

Yu Xiaogang leaned on his cane, opening his one visible eye calmly.

"Got it."

Xiao Wu wasn’t going to argue with the ‘zombie face.’

She immediately got up, waved her hand, and put away the lounge chair and peanuts.

Then, she took out a small pouch of money and prepared to toss it to Tang San.

Smiling sweetly, she said, "Here, Tang Xiaosan—this is your payment for earlier."

"Xiao Wu~ I don’t need it."

Tang San quickly put away the fan and waved his hands dismissively.

But before he could finish speaking, Xiao Wu forcefully threw the money pouch right into his chest.

"You will take it!"

Xiao Wu stepped forward, pointing a delicate finger at him, her ruby eyes fierce.

"And don’t go spending it on those metal gadgets of yours!"

"At least use some of it to buy food and take care of yourself! Look at you—you’re getting skinny like a monkey!"

"Hmph!"

With that, she spun around and stomped away.

Tang San clutched the money pouch against his chest.

The impact had hurt… but the warmth in his heart was far greater.

He knew—
This was Xiao Wu’s way of looking after his pride, finding an excuse to give him money without embarrassing him.

Xiao Wu was really too good to him!

The little rabbit, still fuming, marched over to Ning Rongrong and the others.

Zhu Zhuqing and the rest, stunned, quickly got up.



Staring at Xiao Wu as she retrieved the stools they had been sitting on, he couldn't help but marvel.

This rabbit... how is she this good at flirting?

Enjoying the service, paying a little money afterward—
And making the other person willingly keep going, striving for more.

Had her hundred-thousand-year cultivation all gone into mastering the art of tea?

—

"Teacher!"

A surprised and delighted voice interrupted Ning Rongrong and the others before they could dwell any further on Xiao Wu’s finesse.

They turned their gazes.

A man who appeared to be around thirty years old, with an average-looking face and simple black hair, was rapidly approaching from the mountain.

His clothing was plain and unassuming.

Even before he arrived, his voice had already rung out.

"Dean Flender, are you well? Your disciple, Qin Ming, pays his respects!"

With that simple greeting, Qin Ming slowed his pace as he stepped forward.

Before the stunned eyes of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy students,
he dropped to one knee before Flender and Zhao Wuji, his black eyes filled with excitement.

—

"Haha, Qin Ming."

Flender chuckled, adjusting the crystal glasses on his nose.

"I thought you had long since forgotten about us."

Zhao Wuji quickly helped Qin Ming up, looking him over from head to toe before laughing heartily.

"Good kid! At this rate, it won’t be long before you catch up to us old folks!"

Qin Ming stood respectfully, hands lowered.

"No matter how much time passes, you two will always be my teachers. And I will always be a disciple of Shrek Academy."

"Good! Good! As long as you say that, I can rest easy."

Flender patted Qin Ming's shoulder happily, casting a smug glance at Yu Xiaogang.

—

Qin Ming froze for a moment.

Even though he had left Shrek Academy years ago, he still remembered Flender's personality well.

He lifted his gaze toward the other teachers and the students.

Dust-covered and travel-worn, they clearly weren’t here for an academic exchange.

"Teacher, you all…"

"Ha!"

Flender waved a hand, his eyes carrying a hint of mockery as he spoke frankly.

"To be honest, I'm here to seek refuge with you."

"What?!"

Qin Ming was taken aback and instinctively asked,

"Has the academy’s financial situation still not improved?"

As soon as he said it, he realized it was rude and looked at Flender awkwardly.

Tang San was momentarily stunned.

He hadn't expected that Shrek Academy had been struggling financially since the very beginning.

—

"After all these years, you're still as reserved as ever."

Flender grabbed Qin Ming’s shoulders and shook him firmly, sighing.

"This is just the truth—there’s no need to hide it."

"Besides, we’re all tired. It’s time for us to start living our own lives. As long as you don’t mind us old guys dragging you down, that’s enough."

Qin Ming hurriedly shook his head.

"Of course not! If anything, I’m overjoyed that you’re all here."

"Haha, I just didn’t want to trouble you too much."

Flender laughed in satisfaction.

"Teacher, you’re being too modest. With a lineup like this, you could fit in anywhere. I might even get some credit for bringing you in."

Qin Ming spoke without the slightest insincerity.

He knew that Heaven Dou Imperial Academy primarily accepted noble students.

But he was also well aware of Shrek’s selection criteria—
These students were all monsters.

As for Flender and the others, they were well-known figures in the soul master world, and their strength was nothing to scoff at.

Joining the Emperor Team? That wouldn't be an issue at all.

Hearing Qin Ming’s words, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others felt a small sense of relief.

"With you saying that… I feel a little more at ease."

Flender exhaled, then raised his hand to introduce the one-eyed man beside him.

"Come, let me introduce you."

"This is the Grandmaster. And these seven little monsters are your junior disciples. The record you set for breaking through the Soul Elder level? They've shattered it three or four times already."

Qin Ming first turned to Yu Xiaogang and respectfully performed a disciple’s salute.

"Greetings, Grandmaster."

Yu Xiaogang gave a slight nod, his expression indifferent.

"No need to be so formal."

Then, Qin Ming turned toward Tang San and the others, smiling warmly.

"Junior brothers and sisters, hello."

His gaze carried a hint of astonishment.

From what Flender had just said, their talents were clear—
Some of them were even already Soul Elders.

Tang San and the others returned the greeting politely.

Qin Ming withdrew his gaze and gestured for Flender to lead the way up the mountain.

"Teacher, juniors, let’s move to a better place to talk. I’ll take you up now."