Flender’s Persuasive Power – The Trio Gets Fooled Again

Tang San was stunned.

His eyes blinked furiously, his mouth opened and closed repeatedly, and for a moment, he didn't even know what to say.

Just a second ago, he had been racking his brain on how to stay alive. In the blink of an eye, a powerful Soul Sage was now kneeling at his feet, calling him Young Master?

What in the world…

The ups and downs of life—was it supposed to be this thrilling?

After a long silence, he barely suppressed the impulse to just roll with it and deceive this Soul Sage into working for him. Instead, he spoke weakly:

"Dean, sir… you might have mistaken me for someone else. I'm from Saint Spirit Village, just an ordinary little village.

My father is just a blacksmith—not some so-called Young Master."

A lie is still a lie. This kind of person was too dangerous. If he got exposed, who knew when a blade would suddenly stab him in the back.

He had already made up his mind. No matter what the other person said, he'd agree on the surface, and then slip away under the cover of night.

But Flender shook his head stubbornly.

"No. There's no mistake. Your other martial soul is a hammer, isn't it?

It's called the Clear Sky Hammer, a symbol of lineage among the direct descendants of the Clear Sky Clan.

Twelve years ago, the clan suffered a great calamity. As far as I know, only one bloodline survived outside—that of the man who was supposed to inherit the clan: Tang Hao.

You, as the son of Haotian Douluo, are naturally our Young Master, and the only rightful one at that."

Tang San froze again. When he heard about the "other martial soul," he almost instinctively reached for his sleeve dart.

But when the names Tang Hao and Haotian Douluo entered his ears, his heart began thumping wildly.

He had long suspected there was something off about his dad.

A common blacksmith? How could someone like that possibly know the supposedly long-lost Disorder Wind Hammer Technique?

He could go days without eating and still move around like nothing, and even swing a hammer weighing dozens or even hundreds of pounds like it was nothing.

Also, the inherited hammer martial soul from his father was clearly no ordinary tool. Even at nearly level 30, he still couldn't fully control it.

Is this what people called "ordinary"?

He never expected it—his father was a powerful Title Douluo. And the name Clear Sky… just sounded badass.

Tang San restrained his internal excitement and slowly raised his left hand, trembling slightly. A jet-black, round-headed hammer slowly emerged in his palm.

"Is… is this it?"

At the sight of the Clear Sky Hammer—

Flender immediately burst into tears.

Like a man beholding a legendary treasure, he reached out to gently stroke it, his gaze fixed in awe.

After a long while, he spoke through sobs, grief-stricken and excited all at once:

"That's it… This is the Clear Sky Hammer. After twelve years… I've finally seen it again.

Tell me… how is Lord Haotian?

Has he become haggard? Does he still eat as much as he used to?

Ugh, if not for what happened back then, he should've been the next clan leader.

And you, you should've been the true Young Master, enjoying endless glory.

It's all the fault of that damn Spirit Hall.

The clan… I don't even know what state it's in now.

After all these years, not a single word sent to us disciples…

We've suffered. To keep this academy running, I eat plain porridge with pickled vegetables every day. I have to split every coin in half just to survive."

Flender sobbed and sniffled while hugging Tang San, stroking him up and down like a long-lost son.

The sincerity in his expression was so exaggerated that even Tang Hao, secretly watching from the shadows, couldn't help but curl his lips.

"Truly a good dog. Might even toss him a couple bones later."

After the tearful reunion, Tang San visibly relaxed. His nerves eased, and his posture, tone, and expression shifted. He even began acting with a hint of superiority.

Flender, watching closely, immediately knew—his con had succeeded.

Seizing the opportunity, he said enthusiastically:

"Whether by accident or on purpose, whether Yu Xiaogang knew the truth or not—

Now that you're part of Shrek Academy, I will personally give you the best training plan.

I might scam others, but I'd never scam my own Young Master.

Once you reach Soul Power level 30, I'll personally help you find the best possible soul ring.

With your twin martial souls and innate full soul power, winning the next Soul Master Tournament is practically guaranteed.

And one day… reclaiming the Clear Sky Clan's leadership will be just around the corner."

Ten minutes later…

Tang San and Flender walked out of the cabin, shoulders back and heads held high.

Both of them felt like they had hit the jackpot. The future was bright. Yep—this is what they call a win-win.

A few minutes later, Flender spoke to Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun in one of the only two intact cabins:

"You're the prince of Star Luo Empire, and the Clear Sky Clan has always supported Star Luo.

Even if I've tricked others before, I would never deceive you.

That would be severing ties with the clan and the empire.

Don't worry—stay."

"Little Ao, have you forgotten? I took you in as an orphan. I even awakened your martial soul myself.

We say master and disciple, but in truth, we're closer than father and son… No, closer than father and son.

If I wanted to scam you, would I have waited until now?

Relax. The academy will never disappoint you."

"Fatty, with our relationship, you wouldn't seriously consider leaving Shrek, would you?

Your martial soul is special, and when the Evil Fire flares up, I'm the one who helps you deal with it every time.

What other teacher would find a… technical girl for a student?

We may call ourselves master and disciple, but I raised you from a child.

I have no kids of my own—I'm counting on you to take care of me when I'm old.

How could I ever scam you?"

…

After calming all the students down,

The normally stingy Flender surprisingly pulled out a whopping fifty gold soul coins and gave them to nearby villagers to help rebuild the academy.

Zhao Wuji assisted in flattening the ground. The Vigorous Vajra Bear, aside from raw strength, also had some earth attributes—

So building a few wooden cabins and dirt walls was well within the villagers' capabilities.

As for the other four hundred and fifty gold soul coins that Tang San contributed out of excitement—

well, that money was definitely going toward strategic upgrades like better blades and hilts.

Meanwhile—

Thanks to the Dark Devilgod Tiger's lightning speed, the group of four reached Heaven Dou City in just two days.

A massive gate stood towering above, with the powerful characters "Kaiyuan" inscribed upon it.

At the gate, Dean Yuan Tiangang, along with Qin Likui, Qi Ji'an, and Yang Zheng—three Soul Sage vice deans—stood with over twenty Soul King and Soul Emperor teachers, and four or five young team members.

Yuan Tiangang, as usual, dropped to one knee without hesitation and respectfully saluted:

"Greetings, Sect Master."

But this time, before he could fully kneel, he was caught and lifted up by Nangong Lingyun, who seemed to have predicted it.

The welcome banquet was a blur of clinking glasses, laughter, and lively celebration.

On the third morning, Nangong Lingyun took Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to the Kaiyuan Team's exclusive training camp.

He himself had no intention of joining the lower realm Soul Master Tournament. As a Title Douluo, fighting a bunch of kids was just bullying.

But his academy? Dead set on taking the championship.

(End of Chapter)