Chapter 77: Caught in the Middle

As Oscar spoke, a look of admiration crossed his face.

"And all of our academy's teachers are soul masters who refuse to seek shelter under any particular power. In other words, before the academy was founded, they operated independently. They value freedom and despise restrictions, to the point of even rejecting the titles of nobility offered by the empire. Think about it—how could they have had any steady income in that situation?"

Hearing this, the group felt something was off. Liking freedom and disliking restrictions—what did that have to do with money? Just because they rejected noble titles didn't mean they couldn't earn a living, right?

However, they didn't voice these thoughts directly. Instead, they continued asking, "Why refuse the titles offered by the empire? Wouldn't those titles come with some form of income? I remember that soul masters above rank 30 are granted the title of baron, and those above rank 40 become viscounts. Beyond that, there are no additional titles."

Oscar thought for a moment before responding, "Accepting an imperial title comes with the obligation to serve the empire. In the event of war, as a noble, you'd be required to follow the empire's orders and go to the battlefield. While a noble title comes with benefits, it's also a shackle that binds you. Many powerful soul masters refuse these titles to avoid being forced to serve any faction."

Upon hearing this, Yun Feng suddenly burst into laughter.

So, they were enjoying all the benefits, but when it came time to work, they didn't want to be involved.

Yun Feng didn't believe that these teachers, who had no backing, hadn't received support from either the Spirit Hall or the empire in their younger days.

The girls quickly understood the situation as well. When they saw Yun Feng laugh, they all followed suit.

Oscar, seeing the group laughing, was briefly confused. What were they laughing at?

At that moment, the sound of bells rang out from outside.

Oscar quickly stood up and said, "That's the dean's summoning bell. Let's head to the training grounds quickly!"

With that, he stood up and hurried out of the dining hall.

By the time the five of them arrived at the large training grounds, Tang San and Dai Mubai were already there. Tang San still looked pale, while Dai Mubai, after exchanging a few words with Flender, stepped back.

Flender, upon hearing the news, looked momentarily flustered, but quickly composed himself. As long as the injuries weren't fatal, everything would be fine.

When Xiao Wu saw Flender, she was visibly startled. The man appeared to be in his fifties, with a burly build and distinctive features. His chin jutted forward, his cheekbones were wide, his face flat, and he had a slightly hooked nose.

If she had to compare him to something, she'd say his face resembled the sole of a shoe.

Although his eyes were closed, there was a cunning look about him.

He wore a pair of black-framed crystal glasses with a rigid square shape.

Xiao Wu exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't that the shady merchant uncle?"

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, hearing this, curiously looked at Xiao Wu and asked, "Shady merchant? What do you mean?"

Xiao Wu then recounted her previous experience shopping with Tang San, where she had encountered the man.

Oscar, surprised after hearing the story, said, "Shady merchant uncle? That's our dean! The founder of Shrek Academy, Four-Eyed Owl Flender, a level 78 Soul Sage. He's even stronger than Teacher Zhao. And, he possesses a flying beast martial soul, which is rare among battle soul masters. Ma Hongjun is his direct disciple."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu's expressions shifted slightly. Zhu Zhuqing quietly whispered to Yun Feng, "Yun Feng, do you think he'll take revenge on us? We just injured his disciple."

Yun Feng chuckled and replied in a normal tone, not lowering his voice, "We were just helping out in a difficult situation. We didn't expect things to turn out this way, and Ma Hongjun was rude to us. If the dean is really that petty, we can just transfer to another academy, and we'll take Tang San with us."

Flender, already angry after hearing what Dai Mubai had told him, had been planning to quietly teach Yun Feng and the others a lesson.

But after hearing Yun Feng's words, he hesitated.

If these talented students all left, especially with Tang San in tow, it would be a disaster. Not only would his dreams for the academy be shattered, but how could he explain it to Tang Hao and Yu Xiaogang?

At that thought, Flender silently cursed Yun Feng, calling him a little fox.

Unlike the silent Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong nodded seriously, agreeing with Yun Feng.

"Then it's settled. If it comes to that, we'll all leave together!" Xiao Wu declared.

Realizing something, Xiao Wu turned to Oscar with a slightly tense expression and asked, "Uncle Sausage, does our academy have any Soul Douluo-level soul masters?"

Oscar shook his head. "Just call me Oscar. There's no need for that nickname. And no, do you think Soul Douluo are as common as vegetables? There are fewer than a hundred Soul Douluo on the entire continent, and they're all under the protection of the empire and its kingdoms. As for Titled Douluo, both empires combined have only about ten. They're not easy to come by."

Hearing this, Ning Rongrong's face showed a hint of disdain, but Xiao Wu, on the other hand, listened carefully and let out a sigh of relief.

She didn't want to encounter such a situation so soon. She wanted to keep traveling with Yun Feng.

"That's good."

Ning Rongrong glanced at Xiao Wu and asked gently, "Xiao Wu, are you alright?"

Xiao Wu shook her head and replied evasively, "It's nothing. Do you think that shady merchant uncle will remember me?"

Tang San, who had walked over, said weakly, "It's only been a few days. He probably hasn't forgotten yet, but since he's the dean, he shouldn't hold a grudge over you insulting him."

Yun Feng chuckled and added, "Actually, I've tricked the dean once too."

Everyone—Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong—turned their eyes to Yun Feng.

Yun Feng, noticing their gazes, nonchalantly said, "I just swindled him out of a bit of money."

Dai Mubai and Oscar now looked at Yun Feng with newfound admiration. To think he had managed to con money out of Flender—what an incredible feat!

Oscar quickly broke into a mischievous grin and whispered, "Well, you're in trouble now. Our dean is famous for holding grudges. But on the bright side, his greatest trait is his loyalty to his students."

As they spoke, Flender's gaze drifted toward them, his eyes locking onto Oscar with a glint of amusement.

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