Flanders has been a bit angry lately.
As for why he's so angry, just take a look at the bill in front of him and you'll understand.
It's clearly written at the bottom of the long bill:
Soul Gold Coin Balance: 122.
Flanders stared at yet another subsidy application he had submitted, his head pounding. The large "REJECTED" stamped on it was especially frustrating.
"Damn Barak Kingdom."
He cursed angrily.
Unlike other high-level soul master academies that were fully sponsored, Shrek Academy only received partial funding from the family of student Dai Mubai.
The only other ways to generate income were from admission fees and gambling on battle arena matches.
Barak Kingdom took advantage of their financial struggles and, under the pretense of sponsorship, demanded Shrek graduates pledge loyalty to the royal family.
Flanders had flat-out refused such an unreasonable request.
He'd rather see his school close down than allow his students to be worked like dogs for others.
It was a matter of principle.
His third brother was wealthy, but Flanders, the famous Soul Saint Four-Eyed Cat Owl, couldn't bring himself to borrow money.
"Ah…"
Flanders let out a deep sigh.
Soul masters weren't like ordinary people.
For an average family of three, a single gold soul coin could last months.
But for a soul master, a single gold coin barely covered food for a few days—never mind other cultivation resources.
So, 122 gold soul coins might seem like a lot, but with six students and five teachers, even living frugally, it would only last about a month.
Money shortage! Money shortage! Money shortage!
The academy's rundown buildings couldn't be renovated, everyone had to fend for their own food, and a better simulated training environment was out of the question.
Bang, bang, bang—
"Is Flanders here?"
A knock on the door came with a rough shout.
"Coming!"
Flanders found the voice familiar but couldn't quite place it. He shouted back in confusion.
But when he saw the tall boy walk in, he stood up in shock.
Wasn't this Erlong's younger brother?
Yu Xiaowei glanced around Flanders' office with a look of disgust, then sat down and crossed his legs.
"You're Erlong's younger brother?"
"Did you come to enroll at Shrek?"
Flanders' tone sounded uncertain.
After all, Yu Xiaowei came from the powerful Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—there was no reason for him to come here.
But Yu Xiaowei answered with disdain:
"Your crappy academy is so run-down even a dog wouldn't want to come here."
"Nonsense!!!"
Flanders swore in fury.
Yu Xiaowei's words hit him where it hurt most.
He absolutely hated people insulting his academy.
But then Yu Xiaowei's next words silenced him.
"We have Titled Douluo Dugu Bo as a teacher at Blue Overlord Academy. Does your academy have a Titled Douluo instructor?"
"We have money and resources, and I'm the lead student. I'm not even 13 yet, and my soul power has already reached level 42."
"What does Shrek have? Just a bunch of ugly weaklings I beat up who didn't even dare fart. Are these the so-called monsters you recruited?"
"Also, the dean of Blue Overlord Academy is my older sister, Liu Erlong. Tell me, why would I ever choose your broken-down academy?"
Yu Xiaowei's sharp words pierced straight through Flanders' heart.
Especially the part about being level 42 before age 13—Flanders nearly jumped up in shock.
What a freak! ! !
"Then why are you here? Just to insult my academy?"
Flanders was furious at this point.
So what if he was Erlong's little brother? Even if Erlong herself came, he wouldn't allow his school to be humiliated like this.
Just as he rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight, Yu Xiaowei pulled out a large box from his soul guide and slammed it onto the table.
The box opened, and the golden shine of soul coins lit up Flanders' face.
"Here. One hundred thousand gold soul coins. I've bought your Shrek Academy."
Flanders froze in shock. He forced himself to turn away from the glittering coins and said calmly:
"No, Shrek Academy is my life's work. I can't just give it up."
Wham!
Another large box hit the table.
Yu Xiaowei spoke casually:
"Two hundred thousand."
Flanders trembled slightly, but still said:
"No, Shrek is my blood and sweat—I can't."
Then a third box was slammed down, and Flanders went numb.
The Barak Kingdom only tried to buy them out with 10,000 gold coins.
What lay before him now was a full 300,000 gold soul coins.
"I—"
BANG!
"Let's discuss this. If you buy my academy, what happens to my current students and teachers?"
"And what will you do with the academy? Will it merge with Blue Bully Academy?"
Flanders' tone had clearly shifted. He was now negotiating.
He didn't want to sell the academy.
But—
Yu Xiaowei offered too much!!
He couldn't resist the temptation.
Still, he had loyal brothers and students to consider.
If Yu Xiaowei only wanted to destroy the academy, no amount of money would convince him.
"Shrek Academy will merge with Blue Tyrant Academy. My sister will remain dean. I want all your teachers—they'll be paid according to our academy's teacher standards."
"But as for students, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun must leave. That's my only condition."
"As for the money, use it however you want—for yourself or as severance. I won't interfere."
Yu Xiaowei's calm words made Flanders frown.
From his tone, it was clear he had already investigated Shrek's student roster before coming.
Removing Dai Mubai made sense—they had fought.
But Ma Hongjun? That was Flanders' personal disciple.
Was this a warning?
"I need a good explanation."
Flanders said darkly.
"Dai Mubai is the third prince of Star Luo Empire. Do you really think he belongs in a Heaven Dou Empire academy?"
"And you know Ma Hongjun's issue, right? Do you really plan to let that fat chicken loose in Lanba Academy, harassing female students?"
"So, is that a perfect explanation or not?"
Yu Xiaowei stared at Flanders confidently.
"Mu Bai is a prince of Star Luo?"
Flanders' hand trembled. He genuinely didn't know that.
Right now, the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires were enemies. If not for the Spirit Hall, they'd likely already be at war.
If Dai Mubai was truly a prince of Star Luo, then he absolutely couldn't attend an academy in Heaven Dou City.
"But Hongjun is my disciple. Do you know what that means? A disciple—not just a student!"
"No. Anyone else is fine—but not those two."
Flanders' expression changed rapidly.
Yu Xiaowei's offer was too tempting, but he couldn't give up his only true disciple.
He thought hard, trying to find a compromise.
Seeing his hesitation, Yu Xiaowei spoke softly:
"Dean Flanders, my sister says she really misses you."
The moment those words landed, Flanders froze.
He stopped hesitating and said:
"Then I'll keep him out of the academy. He won't enroll. How's that?"
"Fine."
"But I'll be honest, if I see him in Blue Tyrant Academy—I'll make sure he'll never be a man again in this lifetime."
After that, Yu Xiaowei pulled out a stack of papers from his soul guide and handed them over.
"This is the acquisition agreement—two copies. Sign each one."
"After you're done wrapping things up, come to Heaven Dou City and meet my sister."
Flanders flipped through the documents carefully, confirming there were no tricks, and signed them.
After storing his copy, Yu Xiaowei's expression relaxed.
He smiled and said:
"Dean Flanders, I hope you enjoy your time at Blue Tyrant Academy."