The tall, thin elder standing in the center let out a hearty laugh, his stern expression softening with a hint of amiability. He took a couple of steps forward, patting Flanders’ shoulder with a touch of warmth. "Dean Flanders, it's an honor to finally meet you! I am Meng Shenji, Chief of the Academic Affairs Council of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. My spirit is the Black Demon, and I am an eighty-sixth level, eight-ring Control System Battle Soul Douluo."
Respect begets respect.
Moreover, these people were elites here to contribute talent to their academy, so he found Flanders instantly more likable.
"Come, Flanders, allow me to introduce you. To my left is Bai Baoshan, Vice Chief of the Academic Affairs Council, a Soul Douluo. His spirit is the Sky Star Furnace, an eighty-fifth level, eight-ring Defense System Battle Soul Douluo."
Bai Baoshan, slightly stout and with a blessed face, wore a kindly smile, reminiscent of a jovial Maitreya Buddha.
"To my right is Zhi Lin, Third Seat of the Academic Affairs Council, a Soul Douluo. His spirit is the Sky Green Vine, an eighty-third level, eight-ring Control System Battle Soul Douluo."
Zhi Lin, of ordinary appearance, stood calmly to the right, nodding slightly towards Flanders and his companions as a gesture of courtesy.
Even though he simply stood there quietly, with his eyes half-closed and without a word, the occasional glint of shrewdness that flashed in his eyes as they opened and closed signaled his undeniable presence.
Flanders, with a beaming smile, reciprocated by introducing their Shrek teachers one by one. As for the students, he simply stated they were all students of Shrek Academy without further specific introductions.
However, Flanders, being sharp, noticed the elders’ peripheral glances cast towards their students. Even Elder Zhi Lin, who appeared to have a cool demeanor, kept stealing glances at Dai Mu Bai and Tang Sui, a peculiar glint in his eyes.
Flanders was not surprised. He narrowed his eyes, thinking, "As expected of the elders of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's Academic Affairs Council, they immediately took notice of the two highest-ranked among these little monsters."
After the mutual introductions, Meng Shenji gestured them to step into the Academic Affairs Council building behind them.
The interior of the Academic Affairs Council was not as ostentatiously grand as its exterior. It was simply furnished with a few office chairs and desks, piled high with documents.
However, the wood used for those desks and chairs was the finest sandalwood. Upon closer inspection, the subtle fragrance emanating not only from the tea served by the servants who entered later but also from the wooden chairs and tables themselves, which exuded a faint scent, was truly refreshing.
Everyone took their seats, guests and hosts alike. Although there were over ten guest chairs, they were still insufficient for the entire group.
Without any prompting, Dai Mu Bai stepped behind Flanders and their companions’ seats. Tang Sui and the others instinctively followed, standing obediently behind their teachers.
After serving the tea, the servants thoughtfully closed the soundproof door and withdrew.
In the hall, Meng Shenji and the other two elders exchanged pleasantries with Flanders and his group before gradually moving to the main topic.
The requests Master had previously conveyed to Qin Ming were reiterated one by one, and absolute commitments were given.
Flanders, observing the unfeigned sincerity of the three elders, his smile widened. "Then, Flanders thanks the three elders here and now."
Meng Shenji waved his hand with a chuckle, "No need for such formality, my dear brother Flanders."
Within a few exchanges, Flanders had successfully been promoted to 'brother' again.
"Oh, right, Teacher Qin mentioned that among your academy's students, there are two exceptionally gifted young talents," Meng Shenji said with a genial expression. "The first is an outstanding Control System genius Soul Master, and the other, despite their young age, is on the verge of breaking through to the Soul Venerable realm, and what's more, their spirit rings from the very first one are all thousand-year spirit rings. May I ask which two students these are?"
Li Yusong and the other Shrek mentors’ gazes, as if by unspoken agreement, turned towards Tang San and Tang Sui, the siblings standing among Dai Mu Bai and the others.
Xiao Wu, unusually, was not sticking close to Tang Sui but stood at the very back of the group.
Ning Rongrong stood on Tang Sui's other side.
As she turned her head, she could see Tang Sui's drowsy little face. A glance at the scrutinizing looks from the others made her heart leap into her throat, mirroring the suppressed curve of Flanders' lips.
Why did this girl look so sleepy?!
What would these three Soul Douluo think?
Flanders' eyelids twitched violently. Following his gaze, Meng Shenji and the others, who were observing Tang Sui and Tang San, also let out an internal "Hmm."
"This young lady... seems to have some congenital deficiencies?" Bai Baoshan observed Tang Sui's pale face and tired expression. Possessing the Sky Star Furnace spirit and thus having some knowledge of medicine, he shrewdly detected Tang Sui's physical issues.
Master's gaze flickered. He subtly glanced at his two disciples and said, "As expected of Elder Bai Baoshan, you are correct. Tang Sui does indeed have some congenital deficiency. To my shame, calling them geniuses is perhaps too much. Tang San, Tang Sui."
He raised his voice slightly when calling their names at the end.
Tang San and Tang Sui, understanding the cue, stepped forward confidently. With practiced coordination, they cupped their hands and bowed slightly towards the three elders, speaking in unison, "Greetings, three teachers." Su Dan Novel Network
Smart people don't call them elders, do they? They call them teachers.
It had to be said that in terms of worldly interactions, Tang San and Tang Sui were as close as could be, truly like family entering the same household.
This time, Meng Shenji merely smiled at the two of them. However, Zhi Lin, standing beside him,'s eyes flashed with a sharp light. The air around him seemed to subtly distort.
Others felt nothing, but the fox-faced entity residing in Tang Sui's spiritual space brightened, though it was the ape-faced entity that spoke.
'Be careful, you've been locked onto by that old guy.'
---
(Author's Note)
Sui Sui is still cold-shouldering the fox-faced entity.jpg