Huo Feng kept his expression neutral, but inwardly, he was surprised. Seeing Yu Xiaogang standing there, looking so calm, was highly unusual. His prized disciple, Tang San, had just failed to even get past the first gate of Shrek Academy. Since Yu Xiaogang was here now, he must have already heard the news. To remain so composed in this situation was incredible. Had he already given up on Tang San? If so, that was a truly miserable fate for his disciple.
Lost in thought, Huo Feng followed Flender with the others until they all stood in the center of the playground. The atmosphere was unusually lively. It wasn't just Dean Flender and Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji; several other teachers from the academy were present as well.
The other students were just as curious. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar, as senior students, knew all the teachers at the academy, but the unfamiliar middle-aged man standing among them was a complete mystery.
"Fatty, you think that's a new teacher?" Dai Mubai whispered, leaning closer to Ma Hongjun.
The larger boy just shook his fat head. "You're asking me? How the hell would I know?"
Zhu Zhuqing maintained her usual cold expression, seemingly disinterested in everything. Ning Rongrong, though a little curious, didn't know any of the teachers well enough to ask. Meanwhile, Huo Feng and Xiao Wu, the two who actually knew Yu Xiaogang, stood off to the side, saying nothing.
"Alright, now that everyone is here, I have a few announcements," Flender declared, his eyes scanning across the seven students. "First, for our four new students, I'd like to introduce you to the teachers of Shrek Academy."
He pointed to the old man Huo Feng remembered from the entrance exam. "This is Teacher Li Yusong. His Spirit is the Dragon Pattern Staff, and he is a rank 63 Spirit Emperor."
Next, he gestured to a second, older man who appeared to be in his seventies. "This is Teacher Lu Qibin. His Spirit is the Star Luo Chessboard, and he is a rank 66 Spirit Emperor."
The three new female students looked at the two powerful teachers with wide eyes. Even the ordinary teachers at this academy were Spirit Emperors. This place was terrifying! Oscar and Ma Hongjun, being senior students, were already aware of this and showed no surprise. Instead, their attention remained fixed on Yu Xiaogang, who stood in the middle with a profound and mysterious look on his face. Everyone was wondering where this new teacher had come from.
At this time, Flender began to introduce the third teacher. "This is Teacher Shao Xin. His Spirit is the Flavor Bean, and he is a rank 71 Food-type Spirit Saint. Teacher Shao is easily one of the top five food-type Spirit Masters I know."
The girls were even more astonished. This short, plain-looking teacher was a Spirit Saint? And a Food-type Spirit Saint at that, which was incredibly rare.
After the three teachers were introduced, they each gave a brief nod to the students. However, Huo Feng noticed that Teacher Li Yusong, the one with the Dragon Pattern Staff, wore a blank expression the entire time. More than that, he seemed to have a subtle aversion to Yu Xiaogang, who was standing in the center. That's odd, Huo Feng thought. They shouldn't have any reason to be in conflict. What's going on there? His interest was suddenly piqued.
Flender then pointed at Zhao Wuji. "This is Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji, a rank 76 Spirit Saint. I'm sure you all know him already."
Finally, Flender walked over to Yu Xiaogang, placing a friendly arm over the shoulder of his empty sleeve. "And now, I'd like to properly introduce this last person to you all!" he announced with a grand smile. "Through his own research, he devised the theory of the Ten Core Competencies of Spirits. He is known as the strongest mind in Spirit theory and the most intelligent Spirit Master of his generation. This is Mister Yu Xiaogang!"
Flender's voice boomed across the playground. "We've known each other for decades. You may not recognize his name, but I'm sure you've all heard his title. From now on, you will simply call him 'Master.' The Master will be staying at the academy for a while to provide you with some guidance. If you have any questions at all about your cultivation, you can ask him."
The introduction gave Yu Xiaogang an incredible amount of face. Flender had praised him to the heavens without mentioning a single word about his Spirit or his actual rank. A rare, stiff smile appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face; he was clearly very satisfied.
"Master, do you have anything you'd like to say?" Flender asked, turning to his friend. The implication was clear: You're the one who wanted this meeting. The stage is yours.
Yu Xiaogang nodded pretentiously, took a step forward, and faced the seven students. He scanned them calmly from left to right before speaking. "Strictly speaking, I am not a teacher at the academy. However, over the years, I have developed some unique insights. If you have any questions regarding your cultivation or your Spirits, you may ask me."
His pompous speech had a varied effect. Huo Feng and Xiao Wu were completely unmoved. After six years at Notting Academy, they knew exactly what kind of man he was. Huo Feng had to suppress a sneer. Guidance? You? You probably couldn't even beat our two support-type Spirit Masters, Oscar and Ning Rongrong, in a fight.
The other person who wasn't intimidated was Dai Mubai. He had heard of Yu Xiaogang's name before and, out of curiosity, had already looked into his background.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang walked over and whispered something to Flender. The dean nodded, then gave a few instructions to the other teachers. A moment later, Zhao Wuji and the others turned and left, leaving only Yu Xiaogang on the field.
Flender then addressed the students again. "Alright, you are dismissed for now. Class times will be announced later." He paused, then added, "Huo Feng and Xiao Wu, please stay for a moment."
A thousand wild horses galloped through Huo Feng's mind. There was no doubt who that order had come from. The other five students nodded and began to walk away. They hadn't gone far before four of them—Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing—surrounded Dai Mubai, hungry for information.
A strange, knowing look appeared on Dai Mubai's face. He leaned in conspiratorially and said, "I heard that this famous 'Master' of ours... only has a spirit power of rank 29." He paused for dramatic effect. "And his Spirit is some bizarre creature that looks like a cross between a pig and a dog."
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