Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

Inside Shrek Academy, in the dean's office.

Two middle-aged men, both in their forties or fifties, were sitting there. One of them was stout, with a slightly protruding belly, broad cheekbones, and a flat face with a hooked nose. He gave off the impression of someone cunning and shrewd, with a pair of black-rimmed crystal glasses perched on his face.

The other man had a stiff face, a crew cut, and a slightly leaner build. His appearance was quite ordinary, but his face was marked by thick stubble, giving him a somewhat disheveled and downcast look.

These two were none other than the Wisdom Corner, Yu Xiaogang, and the Flight Corner, Flender, of the Golden Iron Triangle.

"Xiaogang, if it weren't for Tang San being here, I doubt you, as the so-called master of theories, would have ever stepped foot in my office, would you?" Flender leaned back in his chair, looking at the stiff-faced Grandmaster, and sighed.

Upon hearing this, Grandmaster shot Flender a disgruntled glance and said, "You should be thankful. Luckily, nothing serious happened when Xiao San went to the Star Dou Forest this time. Otherwise, neither of us would be able to answer to 'that person.' From now on, whenever Xiao San goes to hunt spirit beasts for spirit rings, you must personally accompany him."

"Alright, alright. This time was just an accident. Who could've predicted they'd encounter the man-faced demon spider, a notorious evil predator? But thanks to Zhao Wuji, Tang San was able to gain the spider's spirit ring and an exceptionally rare external spirit bone," Flender shrugged and replied.

He hadn't expected Zhao Wuji and his team to run into such a dangerous evil spirit beast, one that relied on devouring spirit beasts and spirit masters to grow stronger. But unfortunately for it, they encountered the immovable king Zhao Wuji. With his Spirit Saint-level strength, they managed to defeat the demon spider.

"Hmph! You were being reckless. What if Zhao Wuji had slipped up, and that spider had killed those kids?" Grandmaster's stiff face twitched slightly as he coldly snorted. "You are their teachers. Why didn't anyone stop Tang San when he was absorbing the spider's spirit ring? It's fine since he succeeded, but what if he had failed?"

"Oh, my dear Xiaogang," Flender exclaimed dramatically, "don't hold on to such a small thing. Hasn't Tang San successfully absorbed it already? According to your logic, if he hadn't absorbed the spirit ring, how would he have gained such an extremely rare external spirit bone?"

"Flender, you're twisting my words!" Grandmaster's face darkened instantly as he warned, "Let me tell you, if anything happens to Tang San, the consequences are not something you or I can handle!"

Flender sighed, feeling helpless. He understood who Tang San's backer was. But still, the fact remained that Tang San had succeeded. He couldn't understand why Grandmaster was making such a big deal out of a small issue.

Realizing he might have spoken too harshly, Grandmaster cleared his throat and said, "I know this wasn't your fault. But as Tang San's teacher, I have to remind you. If it weren't for Xiao San being here, I wouldn't have stayed."

"Alright, alright. As long as you're staying," Flender said with a smile, knowing Grandmaster's temper well. "Our brotherhood is finally reunited again, though it's a pity she's not here."

Hearing the mention of the one person he least wanted to talk about, Grandmaster's stiff face showed a hint of anger. "Flender, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't mention her in front of me. I don't want to argue with you, do you understand?"

"Fine, I won't bring her up again." Seeing Grandmaster getting angry, Flender quickly placated him. "Xiaogang, no matter what, I have to congratulate you. You've taken on a great disciple—a genius with twin spirits who broke the limits with his third spirit ring and even gained an exceptionally rare external spirit bone. I'm a little envious of you."

"Flender, don't exaggerate," Grandmaster's face turned serious. "All of this is the result of Xiao San's own hard work. As his teacher, I've only provided a bit of guidance. The cultivation of a spirit master ultimately depends on oneself."

Leaning back in his chair, Grandmaster took a sip of tea. Though his face remained expressionless, inside, he was bursting with pride.

Only a disciple like Tang San was worthy of his teaching. Only a genius with twin spirits could help him wash away the disgrace of his past. In time, when Tang San becomes a Title Douluo and is renowned across the continent, Yu Xiaogang would finally stand tall. Then, who would dare to mock his title of "Grandmaster"?

"Heh, Xiaogang, you're just the same as before," Flender rubbed his chin, smiling. "Tang San may be a genius, but without your guidance on spirit theory, how could he have achieved what he has today? Without you, would he have been able to cultivate Blue Silver Grass to level 30? Without your direction, could he have reached his current level?"

"I understand that you're modest and don't care for empty titles, but I'm your brother. I care! If you ask me, without you, there'd be no Tang San of today!"

Flender was pouring on the praise, trying to ensure that Grandmaster would stay for good, preventing him from leaving as he often did.

His real goal was to bring Grandmaster to Lanba Academy to meet Liu Erlong. That way, Erlong's longing for him could be eased, and Flender himself would be happy just seeing them together.

"Hmph, Flender. Since you've put it that way, I won't be humble any longer," Grandmaster's lips curled into a faint smile, pride flickering in his eyes. "Though Xiao San has great talent, if it weren't for my guidance on spirit theory and spirit ring selection, he wouldn't have been able to cultivate to his current level."

"Look, under my guidance, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass has gained both binding and parasitic abilities. For a control-type spirit master, this is the perfect combination."

"Hahaha, no wonder Tang San's control is so perfect—he has a master like you," Flender complimented.

"Of course," Grandmaster replied calmly.

"By the way, Xiaogang, have you been home in all these years?" Flender suddenly asked, as if he had just remembered something.

"Home?" Grandmaster sneered. "I haven't had a home since the moment I was expelled from my clan. I no longer have a home."

"Ah, Xiaogang." Flender shrugged helplessly. "No matter what, that's still where you were born. Even if they don't like you, you should go back and visit. Your father has always missed you."

"Enough. I don't want to talk about it anymore," Grandmaster waved his hand dismissively, his stiff face showing a trace of impatience. "Even if I go back, I won't return like this. Not until I prove myself. I won't give them the satisfaction of mocking me."

"It seems you've pinned all your hopes on Tang San," Flender forced a smile. "I hope you succeed."

"Hmm," Grandmaster nodded, then asked, "By the way, I wanted to ask you something. How are the students in this year's class?"

"Overall, they're pretty good. Including Tang San, there are six students, each with different specialties: power-attack, agility-attack, food-type, control-type. The food-type spirit master is exceptionally rare, with innate full spirit power. The support-type spirit master comes from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan," Flender paused and added, "And that support-type spirit master is the daughter of Ning Fengzhi, the clan leader."

"Ning Fengzhi's daughter?" Grandmaster was surprised. "So, Ning Fengzhi entrusted his daughter to you for teaching?"

Flender sighed, "Don't even mention it. Since she arrived, she's had several conflicts with her classmates and has even questioned my teaching methods. If it weren't for the personal letter Ning Fengzhi sent, I would have expelled her from Shrek Academy long ago."

"I really don't know what Ning Fengzhi was thinking. If his daughter doesn't like it here, he might as well have her withdraw sooner."

"Haha, Flender, it seems your teaching methods aren't effective after all," Grandmaster rubbed his chin, smiling confidently. "Don't worry. Now that I'm here, I'm confident I can tame her. It's just a little princess syndrome—what could she possibly do?"

"Oh? Xiaogang, you sound quite confident," Flender smiled, intrigued to see how Grandmaster planned to deal with Ning Rongrong.

Grandmaster replied indifferently, "Of course. Maybe your teaching methods were off, which is why she's so opposed to being here. Spirit masters with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda spirit are rare enough, not to mention the daughter of the clan leader. With her assisting our students, future battles will become much easier."

"Flender, I remember you saying that if I stayed, you'd give me full authority over the academy, right?"

"That's right. You can do whatever you want, just give me a heads-up beforehand so I can be prepared," Flender nodded. "The academy's teachers are also yours to allocate. But if something requires money, you'll have to let me know. The academy's finances are in bad shape, and we have to save where we can."

Grandmaster frowned slightly. "Flender, you're such a shrewd businessman. These students came to Shrek Academy to learn. As the dean, shouldn't you consider increasing your income?"

"Increase income?" Flender was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "If we could increase it, don't you think we would have by now? You know my personality—I hate accepting charity."

"You're so stubborn," Grandmaster sighed. "Look at me. My spirit power hasn't even broken through level 30, but I still collect a spirit master's stipend from Spirit Hall every month. Although I don't like it, you know my circumstances. That stipend helps me a lot."

"Besides, the spirit master stipends from Spirit Hall are funded by the two empires. If I don't collect it, it's their loss, not mine."

"You're more pragmatic than I thought," Flender shook his head and patted Grandmaster on the shoulder with a bitter smile. "Come on, I'll take you to meet the students of Shrek. But I should warn you—the girl named Xiao Wu that you asked me about hasn't joined Shrek Academy. Tang San came here alone."

"What did you say? She didn't come? How is that possible!"