The strength of a Titled Douluo was something no Contra could hope to match. At least, for ordinary Contras, crossing that boundary in battle was impossible—unless one possessed monstrous talent or a martial soul fusion skill.

Though Zhi Lin and the other two deans were far from weak, they lacked any martial soul fusion skill, and they were certainly not freaks of nature. Before Dugu Bo, they were still inferior. He hadn't even used a soul skill, yet he had already crushed the three of them with sheer pressure. In his eyes, they were nothing more than three slightly larger ants—unable to even force him to reveal his martial soul.

It was enough to make anyone sigh in awe at the might of a Titled Douluo.

The teaching building had long since been shattered in their clash. Dugu Bo now stood atop the ruins, overlooking the three deans, his expression touched by a flicker of surprise.

He truly couldn't understand it—why were these three acting as though they were ready to fight to the death? Bai Baoshan was a hotheaded fool, Zhi Lin had always been stubborn—those two he could understand. But Meng Shenji, that old fox… why would he go all out for an obscure little Shrek Academy?

Had they gone mad?

Still, the thought passed quickly. In his long life, Dugu Bo had seen far too many fools throw away reason in the heat of anger.

"Out of respect for you three old relics, I'll give you ten seconds. Leave Heaven Dou Royal Academy!" Dugu Bo sneered, looking past the fallen deans toward Flender.

"Never!" Zhi Lin spat blood and roared.

"You don't get to speak."

With a disgusted kick, Dugu Bo sent him sprawling, his voice cold as ice.

Flender's face shifted between shadow and light, his heart torn. Zhao Wuji was fuming as well—how he longed to shout at Dugu Bo that the eight children behind them, aside from Ma Hongjun and Oscar, all carried backgrounds terrifying enough to shake the continent.

Perhaps the Star Luo royal family and Zhu Clan wouldn't go to war with a Titled Douluo for Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing—but the Clear Sky Douluo, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan certainly would not let Dugu Bo go unpunished.

But Zhao Wuji could not speak, and Dugu Bo knew nothing of it.

"Ten!"

Dugu Bo's serpent-like pupils flashed cold as he barked the count. At the same time, his poisonous soul power surged outward, twisting into venomous snakes that lunged toward Shrek's group.

"Damn it! Let's fight!" Zhao Wuji could hold back no longer. With a curse, he unleashed his Vigorous Vajra Bear spirit and charged.

"Old Zhao, come back!" Flender cried in shock, yanking him back. Zhao Wuji could afford recklessness, but Flender could not. As Shrek's headmaster, he bore responsibility for every soul behind him.

Restrained, Zhao Wuji howled in frustration, his true body vanishing as he staggered back in defeat.

Flender gritted his teeth, his weathered face twisting nearly to tears as he finally roared, "Fine! We'll leave!"

The Grandmaster's eyes widened in disbelief. He knew Flender's pride too well—this was a man who would rather hide away as a mere village school headmaster than bend his pride. For him to utter those words…

"Then get out!"

Dugu Bo gave Flender only a contemptuous glance before turning away, as though no one present was worth his attention.

Once he left, the courtyard fell into silence. Only Prince Xue Xing wore a smug smile. Everyone else's faces were dark.

Bai Baoshan forced himself to his feet, bowing apologetically.

"Dean Flender… forgive us."

Flender forced a smile. "It's fine. Since it's Poison Douluo's decision, we naturally must accept it."

"Dean Flender, there's no need to endure this. If we report this matter to His Highness the Crown Prince, I believe he will find a solution," Zhi Lin said weakly, gritting his teeth.

His words made Han Feng raise a brow.

So this was tied to Qian Renxue after all?

If that was the case, then perhaps "Sister Qian Qian" was much like Princess Xue Ke—a close friend of 'Xue Qinghe.'

But would Qian Renxue really risk offending Dugu Bo just for her? Han Feng doubted it.

"There's no need to trouble His Highness." Flender shook his head, refusing politely. "Thank you, Elder Zhi, and please thank the Crown Prince on our behalf. But Shrek cannot accept such grace."

Though he had lived in seclusion near Suotuo City, Flender was no fool about the outside world. He knew well that as the sole Titled Douluo enshrined by the Heaven Dou royal family, Dugu Bo's position was beyond the Crown Prince's reach. Even Emperor Xue Ye himself would not lightly provoke him.

Zhi Lin opened his mouth but stopped several times before finally sighing. He knew as well as Flender—there was little the Crown Prince could do against Dugu Bo, at least on the surface.

Seeing the deans' grim faces, Flender forced a strained smile and bowed.

"For your support today, I will never forget. But in the end, we are only outsiders here. It's best if we leave."

Meng Shenji looked ashamed. "Dean Flender…"

"Please don't worry, Elders. If His Highness seeks to blame anyone, say only that Shrek Academy was too ignorant." Flender laughed bitterly at himself.

"Impossible!" Zhi Lin shook his head firmly. "We will report everything to the Crown Prince and ask His Majesty to uphold justice!"

His voice was sharp with resolve. After all, Shrek wasn't the only one humiliated today—their own dignity as deans was trampled as well.

"Thank you for your kindness, but there's no need." Qin Ming suddenly stepped forward, his face calm. "We've offended both a prince and Poison Douluo today. Even with the Crown Prince's support, forcing Shrek to stay will only mean endless trouble."

The meaning was clear. Everyone understood.

Zhi Lin fell silent.

"That's why… forgive me. I will leave Heaven Dou Royal Academy together with Shrek." Qin Ming's voice was steady, but his resolve unshakable.

"Xiao Ming—you!?" Flender cried in shock.

"Director Qin!?" Meng Shenji was equally bewildered.

Qin Ming only shook his head, shame written on his face. "When my own teacher is humiliated, yet as his student I can do nothing—how could I have the face to remain here?"

"Ah…"

The three deans could not stop him. All they could do was sigh.

"Xiao Ming, we've ruined your future…" Flender muttered, guilt gnawing at him. Compared to Shrek, Heaven Dou Royal Academy was a path to far greater prospects. And yet Qin Ming was walking away from it, all for their sake.

"Dean, please don't blame yourself. The fault is mine," Qin Ming shook his head. "If I hadn't insisted on inviting Shrek here, none of this would have happened."

"Too naïve… Heaven Dou Royal Academy was never a place for us." The Grandmaster let out a complicated sigh.

For all his vast knowledge of the world's soul masters, today had shown him the limits of knowledge alone. Matters of power and politics could not be solved by theory.

Tang San and the others wore somber expressions. Only Han Feng remained calm—he had expected this outcome. Of course he held grudges, but now was not the time for vengeance.

He scanned the area one more time, unable to find the figure he had hoped to see. A pang of disappointment tugged at his heart.

He glanced at the three deans, wanting to ask something, but seeing their haggard state, he chose to hold his tongue.

Even without asking, it was clear—their hearts were heavy. Now was no time to add to their burden.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki