Chapter 8: Conversation and First Encounter with Flender

Zhou Hao stood up and smiled at Dai Mubai, saying, "Sure, what do you want to talk about?"

Dai Mubai remained silent, gesturing towards a distant location and then turned to walk deeper into the academy. Zhou Hao could guess what Dai Mubai wanted to discuss, but he would not back down. He wanted to show Dai Mubai just how much stronger he had become.

Dai Mubai led Zhou Hao to a forest and suddenly turned around. His tiger claw was already laced with a chilling light as it lunged towards Zhou Hao's face. Zhou Hao furrowed his brows and casually blocked the attack, causing Dai Mubai to be pushed back several steps.

"What are you doing? Don't think I can't handle you," Zhou Hao said with a cold smile.

"She is mine, and she can only be mine. I advise you not to delude yourself, or your fate will be miserable," Dai Mubai said, his expression somewhat manic as if consumed by raging fury.

"Oh, is that so? You, the second prince of the Star Luo Empire, can only resort to threatening people like this. Feel free to give it a try," Zhou Hao remained calm and composed. However, Dai Mubai's heterochromatic eyes suddenly contracted. "You know my identity, so who are you?"

"I, as Tang San has already mentioned, am just a friend from the neighbouring village," Zhou Hao replied.

"Do you know why Zhu Zhuqing came here then?" Dai Mubai's eyes gradually filled with a sense of desolation.

"I know because of the ridiculous rules of your royal family, a duel is required. And if your strength is too weak, both of you could end up dead," Zhou Hao said indifferently.

"Hahaha, you know, you actually know. Well, then you understand that we have no chance of winning. How could I possibly defeat Dai Weisi? I prefer to stay far away and live my comfortable life. But she still wants to find me," Dai Mubai lay down on the grass, speaking to himself.

"I had never seen her before. I only knew that I had a fiancée named Zhu Zhuqing. Dai Weisi is five years older than me, and I knew the outcome from the very beginning. So I ran away to this place. I wanted to spend my remaining time here, and I hoped she would do the same. Everyone should be at ease. Heh, it's a dead end anyway," Dai Mubai spoke with increasing desolation, his heterochromatic eyes seeming to lose their lustre.

Filled with anger, Zhou Hao kicked out, causing Dai Mubai to roll on the ground and spit out blood.

After a long while, Dai Mubai stood up and said, "Zhou Hao, I want to fight you." His third soul ring glowed, and he transformed into the White Tiger Diamond King. He roared, "I'm not some trash that anyone can trample on!" His muscles bulged, and a golden "King" character appeared on his forehead. Amidst the roar of a tiger, a blazing white light shot out.

Zhou Hao paid no attention and lightly tilted his head while his martial soul was activated, easily evading the attack. A mocking expression appeared on his face.

"You are weak, so pitifully weak!"

The dark golden figure made Dai Mubai feel suffocated. He attacked relentlessly, but his efforts were effortlessly resolved by Zhou Hao.

"You don't have the right to decide her fate. You may not want to live, but she wants to live a good life, do you understand? I can see her desire for strength, but what about you? All I see is that you're a worthless person who can't control his desires," Zhou Hao's right hand tightly gripped Dai Mubai's neck, his face turning red.

"Yes, yes, I'm worthless. We have no emotions, yet we have to be together and face an inevitable fate, to hell with fate. Just kill me," Dai Mubai's gaze completely dimmed, devoid of life.

"Just you, with your Evil Eye White Tiger, who do you think you are? What right do you have to be called 'Young Master Dai'? You're just a sick cat. Think about how old you are this year, and how many years you've had to work hard to cultivate. What qualifications do you have to die together with Zhu Zhuqing? You never even thought about rebelling," Zhou Hao finished speaking and threw Dai Mubai to the ground. He glanced at the edge of the forest and left alone.

He had already seen Zhu Zhuqing approaching. With his words, he hoped to facilitate a calm conversation between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai. Zhou Hao had made up his mind that regardless of the outcome, he would be there to support Zhu Zhuqing. As for Dai Mubai, it was up to his own fate.

Zhou Hao and Zhu Zhuqing met eyes, the girl's eyes were red, no longer as cold as before. She looked at Zhou Hao gratefully, her body trembling slightly, but she still spoke concisely, "Thank you."

"No need to thank me. I hope I can help you. Talk to him, and I hope you can become happier in the future," Zhou Hao spoke warmly, nodded, and then quickly walked away.

A night passed without words.

The next day, as the sky was slightly breaking dawn, Zhou Hao immediately got up and went outside to stretch his muscles. He saw Tang San sitting on the rooftop of his and Oscar's dormitory, practising cultivation. There was a faint purple aura emanating from him, indicating the manifestation of his Purple Demon Eyes.

The three girls from the opposite dormitory had already come out. Each of them had their own unique beauty. Zhu Zhuqing seemed to be in a much better mood. Although there was still no smile on her face, her eyes couldn't hide her true emotions. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were engaged in a conversation, seemingly eager to involve Zhu Zhuqing in their chat.

Zhou Hao's mood also improved as he looked at the gentle and lively Ning Rongrong. He thought that this little witch wouldn't be able to contain her excitement when she saw Oscar. He was about to walk over and join their conversation when he saw Dai Mubai and a chubby guy with reddish hair approaching.

Dai Mubai showed no signs of melancholy from yesterday, his expression was normal. He called out to everyone, "Today is the first day of school. Let's gather quickly." As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps could be heard from a distance.

"Quick, everyone gather, the Dean is calling us." Ma Hongjun squinted his eyes while looking at the three beautiful girls across the way, finding it difficult to take his eyes off them. "Boss, no wonder you came back last night looking like a different person. It turns out this year's junior sisters are so attractive." He was practically drooling, with a gleam of lust in his small eyes.

Dai Mubai glanced warily at Zhou Hao, then turned around and punched Ma Hongjun, saying, "You fatso, you don't get a share."

"Boss, can't you leave some for your brother? I just broke up yesterday." Ma Hongjun looked pitifully at Dai Mubai.

"Let's go, let's go, we'll be late." Dai Mubai felt uneasy and hurriedly left.

When everyone arrived at the playground, Oscar came walking leisurely with sleepy eyes, munching on his sausage. When they saw him, everyone was surprised. Oscar had merely shaved his beard, but his appearance had drastically improved and was now approaching Zhou Hao's level of handsomeness.

Oscar strolled over in a chic manner, with deep-set peach blossom eyes that gave off a profound feeling. He had a regal and dashing presence, with moderately thick eyebrows and a playful smirk on his face, exuding an air of elegance and nobility. Especially to Ning Rongrong, he was particularly eye-catching.

"Damn, Oscar, why did you shave your beard?" Ma Hongjun asked quietly.

"Didn't you see? With so many beautiful junior sisters around, of course, I have to seize the opportunity. I'm already fourteen," Oscar glanced at Ning Rongrong and said to Ma Hongjun, "My dad had me when he was fourteen."

Tang San on the side helplessly rubbed his forehead. What a strange conversation. It was indeed the Monster Academy. While everyone was talking, a middle-aged man with a steady gait approached.

Tang San and Xiao Wu were clearly a bit stunned. This person appeared to be in his fifties, tall and sturdy, but his facial features didn't match his physique. His face was flat, with wide cheekbones, and his black-framed crystal eyes gave him a cunning look, not as noble as described by Dai Mubai.

Xiao Wu expressed her surprise within the group, saying, "Brother, isn't he that shady businessman?"

Before Tang San could answer, Oscar was even more surprised, "This is our Dean, a Soul Sage at the 78th rank, the founder of Shrek Academy. His martial spirit is an Owl, very powerful, he is even more formidable than Teacher Zhao. Fatty is his direct disciple."

Oscar smirked, "Our Dean's most prominent characteristic is favouritism. He's a very kind person."

Flender turned his gaze towards them, with a hint of playfulness in his eyes. Oscar immediately panicked, "Oh no, he probably overheard us."

Zhou Hao silently observed the Dean. His strength was indeed extraordinary. Zhou Hao considered Flender to be a very good Dean. In the process of these students' growth, Flender's role couldn't be ignored.

Flendee walked up to the group and looked at the neatly arranged eight people. He felt gratified and spoke with his magnetic and hoarse voice,

"This year is excellent. We have five little monsters joining us. I am Flender, the Dean of Shrek Academy, and I welcome you on behalf of the academy. Later, each of you will need to pay 100 gold coins to Treasurer Li."

"Dai Mubai."

Dai Mubai respectfully stepped forward. Flender said, "Mubai, inform these five junior brothers and sisters about the rules of the academy. Go back and make the necessary adjustments. The first class will begin tonight! Oscar, and Ning Rongrong, the two of you are exceptions. Come with me. And you too Zhou Hao."

Oscar's face fell as he knew he was in for trouble today. However, the only consolation was that he had the lovely Ning Rongrong by his side. As for Zhou Hao, he had no idea about the Dean's intentions.

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