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"Dean, even like this, are you still going to shield Yu Xiaogang? Fatty is your Personal Disciple! We've followed you since we were young, and he harmed us like this. Have you ever considered us?"
Faced with Oscar's questioning, Flender's figure completely froze in place.
After a long while, Flender seemed to have made a decision as he slowly spoke again, apologizing, "Hongjun, I, your teacher, let you down. Little Ao, I, as the Dean, truly haven't been competent. The Academy has failed you all. I will bear the mistakes Xiaogang made alone. My life is already like this. You are still young, and your future is long. I am already satisfied to see that you are all fine. You should leave."
"Teacher!" Ma Hongjun's eyes instantly reddened.
Oscar sighed, "Dean, didn't you ask us how we came? Zhuang Zhou and I, Shi Quan, asked the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan for this opportunity. Fatty is alive now because Shi Quan went to great lengths to save him, disregarding past grievances. Moreover, Shi Quan directly solved the problem with Fatty's Martial Spirit, so Fatty won't have to worry about the effects of the evil fire on him in the future."
"It was him?" Recalling Zhuang Zhou's various retorts to Yu Xiaogang back then, Flender's mouth curved into a bitter smile.
"Can you tell me what has happened on the continent these past few years…" Flender's expression was dazed, and he sat on a reclining chair in the courtyard, looking haggard.
Two hours later.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun walked out of the courtyard with forlorn expressions. In the end, Flender still insisted that the two of them not seek out Yu Xiaogang to save him.
Their hearts were conflicted now. They could understand Flender's insistence; if Oscar were asked to betray Ma Hongjun, he would likely be as resolute as Flender. However, they just couldn't get past this hurdle in their hearts. In front of years of master-disciple affection, Flender had never once considered them from beginning to end. In his heart, there was only his brother.
"Little Ao, Teacher also has his own difficulties…" Ma Hongjun couldn't help but speak on the carriage ride back.
He had been taken in by Flender since he was a child and meticulously raised by him. Among the Shrek Seven Devils, he undoubtedly had the deepest feelings for Flender.
Having the deepest feelings also meant being hurt the deepest, because in his heart, he had long considered Flender his father. Would it feel good to be abandoned by one's own father? No, it wouldn't.
But he still held onto that affection in his heart, comforting Oscar.
"Fatty, I know, you don't need to say more." Oscar shook his head, not wanting to continue the topic, and asked, "What are your plans next?"
Ma Hongjun was silent for a moment before saying, "I still want to rescue Teacher. I'll consider it my final repayment for his past kindness to me…"
"If we don't exchange him for Yu Xiaogang, it's impossible for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan to release him with just our current abilities."
"I understand."
"Are you planning to find Shi Quan?"
"Shi Quan has already saved my life once. I still want to rescue Teacher with my own abilities."
"Then work hard to improve your strength. Only if we are strong enough might the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan give us some Face."
"That's the only way."
"Fatty, the Dean made his own choice. We've done our best…" Oscar patted Ma Hongjun's shoulder.
"I know."
"Zhuang Zhou said that after a while, Shi Quan and the others will go to a place called Sea God Island for training, which will greatly help with strength improvement. He invited me to go too. I hadn't given a reply before, but after returning this time, I want to agree and go with them. Fatty, don't you want to improve your strength? Let's go together!"
"Okay." Ma Hongjun didn't hesitate much and nodded in agreement.
A few days later.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy by carriage.
Oscar also told Shi Quan about their desire to go to Sea God Island together, and Shi Quan naturally agreed with a smile.
With Oscar settled, Shi Quan also planned to bring Ning Rongrong when she went to Sea God Island. On one hand, it would allow Oscar and Ning Rongrong to Cultivate their relationship, and on the other, they could use the Sea God's Trial to confirm their talents.
Three months later.
The sunlight was warm, bringing a touch of warmth to the world.
Outside the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace's main plaza, crowds surged on both sides, with a golden carpet laid in the middle, extending from the street all the way to the stone platform in front of the palace gates.
Below the steps, a long sacrificial table was set up.
"Woo…"
As a deep, resounding horn blast echoed, Xue Qinghe, dressed in a magnificent long robe, supported Xue Ye, who wore a lavish red long robe, as they walked through the crowd onto the golden carpet.
Step by step, they walked towards the sacrificial table. Wherever they passed, the crowds on both sides bowed in salute.
Shi Quan, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, Dugu Bo, and Gu Yuena all stood near the sacrificial table. They waited for the two to approach, then smiled slightly, bowed in salute, and straightened up, watching the two walk to one side of the sacrificial table.
Xue Qinghe and Xue Ye slowly walked to the center of the sacrificial table and received long incense sticks from an old man who approached with a bow.
After lighting them, Xue Ye faced the tens of thousands of common people standing in the plaza and on the street, and also seemed to Face the sky, bowing deeply three times. Then, with a solemn expression, he stepped forward to place the incense. He then stood straight and spoke loudly, looking straight ahead.
"I, Xue Ye, on this day…"
After saying a great deal about his own achievements and shortcomings, he summarized himself. Then he praised Xue Qinghe at length, finally announcing loudly, "Today, with all the people as witnesses, I pass the throne to Crown Prince Xue Qinghe!"
After years of planning, and with the support of various forms of prestige, Qian Renxue successfully ascended the imperial throne!
This, of course, was inseparable from Shi Quan's multifaceted support; otherwise, how could Xue Qinghe have inherited the throne so quickly?
On the sacrificial platform, Xue Ye was still blabbering about his future hopes for Xue Qinghe, unaware that the Xue Qinghe on the platform had been replaced by Qian Renxue for nearly twenty years.
After Xue Ye finished speaking, the coronation ceremony finally began. A group of nobles came forward from the side, surrounding an elderly man of advanced age who stepped forward.
The old man held an exquisite wooden tray, inside which lay a pure gold crown inlaid with gems.
Xue Ye solemnly lifted the crown, turned, and placed it on Xue Qinghe, who had approached and slightly bowed. Then he moved aside. Qian Renxue stood up straight, naturally walked to the center, and began to give a speech, referring to herself as "I, the Emperor."
Afterward, she issued her first decree after ascending the throne: appointing Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as the Imperial Tutor.
Given their master-disciple relationship, everyone had long anticipated this. They watched Ning Fengzhi step forward to receive the Title, smiling and nodding.
"Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Shi Quan."
After Ning Fengzhi retreated to the side, Qian Renxue continued to speak, calling out Shi Quan's name.
Meaninglessly, she again listed a bunch of contributions, such as leading the team to win the Spirit Master Tournament championship, bringing glory to the nation. Furthermore, she mentioned his research into multiple Spirit Master theories, making immense contributions to the Empire and its people, which the Empire would not forget.
Finally, she announced his noble title: Prince: Prince Yun.
"Wow!" The uninformed onlookers in the crowd immediately burst into an uproar. In the history of the Heaven Dou Empire, an outsider had never been bestowed with a princely title. Of course, there were also cheers, believing that Shi Quan, who had publicly shared the soul spirit and Cultivation methods, was entirely worthy of this honor.
The imperial family members and ministers standing in front were relatively calm; they had known about this for a long time.
This Prince title carried no real power, and they also knew that Shi Quan cared nothing for power; it was merely a designation.
In today's Spirit Master's world, who didn't know Shi Quan's great name? A being who even Spirit Beasts actively protected, which force wouldn't give him three parts of respect upon seeing him?
Using an empty princely title to win over a theoretical Genius like Shi Quan was absolutely more than worth the cost.
The key was that it didn't harm their own interests.
One could say it was an absolute gain.
"Please, Prince Yun, step forward to receive the Investiture."
Qian Renxue turned her head with a solemn expression.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shi Quan bowed and stepped forward to receive the Investiture.
After the Investiture, Qian Renxue continued her speech. A quarter of an hour later, Qian Renxue finally finished speaking, and then the banquet began.
Qian Renxue supported Xue Ye and walked at the very front, followed by imperial family members and all the officials.
"Big Brother Shi." As a guest walking behind, Ning Rongrong approached with Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo, greeting him politely.
"Rongrong." Shi Quan smiled and nodded in response.
It had to be said that the current Ning Rongrong showed no trace of her former spoiled nature.
"Shi Quan, when do you plan to go to Sea God Island? Is there anything I can help with?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a smile.
Regarding Sea God Island, Shi Quan had already asked Xue Qinghe to inform Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi naturally wouldn't let go of such a good opportunity and immediately agreed. The chance to Cultivate and train alongside Shi Quan was an opportunity many people couldn't even dream of.
"Soon." Shi Quan replied with a smile, "As for help, there's no need. I've actually prepared everything already."
"Good." Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly, "Shi Quan, you also know that my little girl is mischievous. On the journey, I'll have to trouble you to be more accommodating."
Shi Quan chuckled, "Uncle Ning, don't worry, Rongrong is still very excellent. It's no trouble."
Before long, the group also followed the procession into the main hall.
This banquet was essentially a family feast. The retired Xue Ye still sat in the main seat. After a simple greeting, the banquet began.
Scanning the room, the expressions of the people at the banquet varied.
For example, Xue Beng and Xue Xing both looked quite dejected, drinking their wine with gloomy Faces.
Good wine paired with good food naturally included some entertainment, with singing and graceful dancing in the center.
Shi Quan had no interest in this at all, smiling as he served food to the two women beside him and chatted casually.
Ning Rongrong, sitting opposite, saw this scene and her eyes flickered slightly, a hint of inexplicable envy in her heart.
"Shi Quan, you're becoming more and more popular with girls, aren't you?" Ye Lingling took in everyone's expressions.
Besides Ning Rongrong, even Princess Xue Ke of the Heaven Dou Empire occasionally looked towards Shi Quan's direction.
Shi Quan's expression didn't change as he calmly said, "Doesn't that mean yous r men hagreat charm? Isn't that a good thing?"
Dugu Yan rolled her eyes, "When did you become so conceited?"
"Didn't I learn it from you?" Shi Quan chuckled softly.
"You're asking for a beating." Dugu Yan raised her fist and lightly playfully punched Shi Quan. Their playful interaction made others even more envious…