Dugu Bo snorted coldly, pointing at Meng Shenji with a threatening glare.
"You let your students roam about instead of staying in the academy to train. If anything happens to Yan Yan, I'm holding you personally responsible!"
"Your Excellency, my academy has its own rules and reasoning. Even if you're a Titled Douluo, you can't interfere with our internal affairs, can you?"
Meng Shenji, having been harassed by Dugu Bo for several days, finally lost his patience.
Knock knock~
Just as the argument grew heated, a knock came from outside the room.
"Come in."
Meng Shenji was simply venting a bit. If it came to a real fight, he knew he was no match for this venomous old monster.
Though they were only a few ranks apart, the saying "beneath a Titled Douluo, all are ants" wasn't just empty words.
Even a rank 89 Soul Douluo was worlds apart from a rank 90 Titled Douluo.
"Headmaster…"
The door opened and a man entered.
He first cupped his hands respectfully toward Meng Shenji, then noticed Dugu Bo seated at the reception table. Immediately, he bowed again and greeted respectfully:
"Greetings, Your Excellency."
Dugu Bo didn't even spare him a glance. He simply flicked his sleeve and walked over to the window.
"..."
The man knew this Titled Douluo's temper well and didn't take offense. Turning back to Meng Shenji, he reported:
"Headmaster, Qin Ming reports that our academic exchange with the other academy was a great success. All members of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team have returned safely, without a single casualty. Additionally—"
"You're Qin Ming?"
Before Qin Ming could finish, Dugu Bo's figure flickered and suddenly appeared before him, grabbing him by the collar and demanding urgently.
"Poison Douluo, what are you doing?!"
Seeing this, Meng Shenji rushed out from behind his desk, activating his martial spirit, Black Demon. Even if he couldn't defeat Dugu Bo, he couldn't allow him to commit violence within the academy.
Dugu Bo released a wave of pressure that instantly forced Meng Shenji back a few steps. He then said coldly:
"Hmph! If I wanted to kill him, you wouldn't even have time to react."
"…Yes, I am Qin Ming. Did I somehow offend Your Excellency?"
Qin Ming, dangling in Dugu Bo's grip, looked utterly confused. I just came back to report. When did I offend this living nightmare?
"Is Yan Yan back?"
Dugu Bo ignored everything else and went straight to the point.
"Yes, Your Excellency. Miss Dugu has indeed returned…"
"Where is she now?"
"She's in the plaza with the rest of the students—"
"Hmph!"
As soon as he got confirmation, Dugu Bo let go of Qin Ming and swept out of the room with a flick of his sleeve.
"Headmaster, that man was…?"
Once Dugu Bo's figure vanished down the corridor, Qin Ming turned to Meng Shenji with a confused expression.
"Hmph! Ignore him—he's just a lunatic…"
Meng Shenji sighed helplessly. As long as Dugu Bo didn't cross a real line, there wasn't much he could do about him.
Then, as if remembering something, he added:
"You handled things well this time. You deserve to be commended."
"Thank you, Headmaster!" Qin Ming beamed with joy.
Receiving the headmaster's praise meant his path forward in the academy would only get brighter.
He had started as a grassroots soul master, climbing from the bottom all the way to the top academy of the Heaven Dou Empire through sheer talent and perseverance—and now he was even a teacher.
Apart from his natural gifts, a lot of his success came from his talent for flattery and networking.
"Right, Headmaster. There's one more piece of good news I have to report—something that's very beneficial to the academy."
Qin Ming calmed his excitement. The academic exchange had been more than just professional—he had personal motives too.
The academy he had chosen for the exchange wasn't just any school. It was his alma mater—Shrek Academy.
Since joining the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he had advanced greatly in soul power and status, but he had never returned to visit his former school—a lingering regret.
This time, he'd gone partly for that nostalgic "return in glory" feeling.
But what he hadn't expected was to bring back such a pleasant surprise.
Due to financial struggles, Shrek Academy was in shambles—its facilities barely functional. He had persuaded them to merge with the Royal Academy.
Despite its poor conditions, Shrek Academy had an impressive number of talented teachers and gifted students.
This was their one redeeming trait—and it was exactly why Qin Ming had proposed the merger.
The Royal Academy lacked for nothing—except talent.
By merging with Shrek, not only would his alma mater's funding issues be resolved, but the Royal Academy would gain top-tier staff and students.
It was a win-win that would solidify Qin Ming's position at the Royal Academy.
"Oh? What good news? Tell me."
Meng Shenji was clearly intrigued.
Qin Ming had always been clever. Not only had he successfully completed this mission, but now he seemed to have brought back a major opportunity for the academy?
It made Meng Shenji feel that the years of resources invested into Qin Ming were finally bearing fruit.
He had no grand ambitions—his only goal was to make the academy flourish. Anyone who helped the academy, he'd treat as one of his own.
Thinking this, he looked at Qin Ming with increasing warmth.
"It's like this, Headmaster. The academy we visited for the exchange is none other than the so-called Monster Academy—"
Qin Ming laid out everything, eloquently weaving the tale.
He dressed up Shrek's reputation and exaggerated how difficult it had been to convince them to merge.
Meng Shenji went from surprise to delight, and by the end, he walked over to Qin Ming, clapping him on the shoulder.
"Qin Ming, you did excellent work! Once Shrek sends their representatives, you'll be in charge of the entire merger. I'm granting you full administrative authority."
"Thank you for the trust, Headmaster. I'll do everything I can for the academy!"
With the matter settled, Qin Ming felt a wave of satisfaction. Not only had he helped Shrek, he had also earned major credit for himself.
"Hey now, calling me Headmaster feels too formal. We share the same goal—to grow the academy. I have high hopes for you."
Meng Shenji stroked his beard with a smile.
"From now on, call me Teacher. It sounds more personal."
"Yes… Teacher!"
Qin Ming's eyes lit up with emotion as he respectfully bowed.
Meng Shenji had now accepted him as a true disciple. From here on, both resources and authority would be within his grasp.
"Hahaha! Good, very good!"
Meng Shenji burst into hearty laughter.
In his heart, he was thrilled to have found another pillar to support the future of the academy.
...
Meanwhile, over in the academy plaza, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy team was lounging under a large tree, enjoying the shade.
"Yan Yan, are you feeling okay?"
Yu Tianheng sat beside Dugu Yan, looking concerned.
"I'm fine—wait, Grand… Grandpa? What are you doing here?"
Before she could finish, she saw a familiar figure standing right in front of her.
"Yan Yan, what happened? You're hurt?"
Seeing the pale tint on her face, Dugu Bo's fury surged like a volcano about to erupt.
"Who's the damn bastard that dared hurt my granddaughter?!"
Dugu Bo's Titled Douluo aura exploded, instantly sending the nearby team members flying in all directions.
_
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