Chapter 128: Setting the Stage!

Qin Ming had always considered himself a prodigy among spirit masters, even during his time at Shrek Academy, where he was one of the top students.

The masked Shrek students seemed somewhat shorter at first glance, but Yun Feng, Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu, and a few others were already at an adult's height. Unless they revealed their ages, no one would have guessed their true youth.

Ma Hongjun smugly declared,

"That's right! I'm the Evil Fire Phoenix you saw earlier, and I'm thirteen years old."

"Oh, I get it now! You couldn't recognize me before because of the masks, huh?"

At this moment, the rest of the Shrek team approached, and Qin Ming found himself staring at a group of mostly under-fifteen-year-olds. He was momentarily speechless.

Flender let out his characteristic raspy laugh that always carried a hint of mischief.

"What's wrong, Qin Ming? Forgotten our academy's tradition? We only accept students at twelve years old. Ma Hongjun joined at eleven."

"Yun Feng, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all enrolled this year. This batch of students is unusually large for us."

Qin Ming swallowed hard.

"So, most of them are only twelve or thirteen years old?"

Flender nodded.

Qin Ming's gaze swept over Yun Feng and the others, a wry smile forming on his lips.

"Now I understand why you wear masks. You've surprised me too many times today."

"I always thought the talent of the Royal Battle Team was remarkable, but compared to you… it's nothing. Especially you, Yun Feng. If you were the same age as them, I can't even imagine your spirit power level!"

Yun Feng merely smiled at Qin Ming's words but said nothing. To Yun Feng, Qin Ming didn't hold much value.

Seeing Yun Feng's silence, Dai Mubai remembered something and couldn't help but ask,

"Senior, may I ask, what is your spirit power level now?"

Qin Ming replied instinctively,

"Sixty-two, thanks to some luck."

Hearing this, Dai Mubai and the others exchanged looks, recalling Flender's motto:

"Shrek only accepts monsters, not ordinary people."

Indeed, anyone who could graduate from Shrek Academy was extraordinary.

Yun Feng, however, was pondering something else.

The man reputed to have reached Spirit Emperor rank faster than anyone else in history had still stalled at this level after so many years. It was clear that early neglect had limited his potential.

But Yun Feng kept these thoughts to himself. There was no point telling someone so deeply indoctrinated.

"Alright, enough compliments," Zhao Wuji announced loudly.

"Little monsters, sit down. Order whatever you want. Today, your stingy headmaster is treating you. Don't hold back—order freely!"

Flender's grin froze. Ma Hongjun and the others cheered, immediately calling over a server and wasting no time ordering.

Ma Hongjun grabbed the menu first and skimmed through it. After pointing to a few cheap items, he casually added,

"Actually, forget what I just picked. Bring one of everything else on the menu—and make the portions big! Also, two barrels of your best ale. Quickly, please."

Flender had been delighted moments ago, seeing his student's frugal selections. But now, his expression darkened as if struck by lightning.

"Teacher, what's wrong? Why does your face look pale? Didn't you sleep well last night?" Ma Hongjun asked innocently.

Qin Ming held back his laughter, but Zhao Wuji burst out laughing.

"Flender, your penny-pinching ways have finally caught up to you!"

Qin Ming smiled and offered,

"Headmaster, teachers, there's no need for you to spend a dime tonight. It's my treat, as thanks for the guidance you gave me in the past. Without you, there'd be no Qin Ming today."

Zhao Wuji laughed harder.

"Ah, Qin Ming, you're as thoughtful as ever. I was looking forward to seeing Flender bleed money tonight, but I guess I'll miss the show."

Flender's face brightened at Qin Ming's offer. He glared at Zhao Wuji.

"Enjoying my misery, are you? Let's see how much fun you'll have sparring with me when we're back. Maybe it'll help you grow your spirit power."

"Uh…" Zhao Wuji's laughter ceased. He had sparred Flender countless times and knew exactly how futile his efforts were against the agile, flying spirit master. Flender's spirit power was two levels higher than his, and at their rank, every level made a huge difference.

Qin Ming looked at the seated Shrek students, his gaze lingering on Yun Feng.

"What a pity. If you weren't from Shrek, I'd do everything in my power to bring you to the Royal Academy."

"If you joined, who knows…"

Before he could finish, a familiar voice interrupted.

"Even if they're from Shrek, you can still take them to the Royal Academy."

Everyone turned to see Yu Xiaogang entering. Without hesitation, he pushed his way into a seat beside Flender.

Qin Ming cautiously asked,

"Master, what do you mean?"

Before Yu Xiaogang could answer, Flender's eyes gleamed briefly with excitement before he hid it behind a mask of anger.

"Yu Xiaogang, are you here to sabotage me?"

"These kids belong to Shrek, now and always. Don't we provide them with an excellent education here?"

Yu Xiaogang remained unfazed by Flender's outburst. He gave him a calm look and replied,

"I'm not suggesting they join the Royal Academy. I propose a collaboration between the two academies instead."

"Qin Ming, that shouldn't be an issue, right? If you can't decide, I'll contact the Spirit Hall."

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