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Recruiting geniuses could indeed boost the academy's reputation and overall strength, but managing these talents was no easy task.
"It's all because of you—letting Hongjun and Mubai go to such places? The root of the problem lies in the engagement between Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing," Zhao Wuji analyzed. "If they dissolve the engagement, the group led by Ning Tianchen wouldn't have any issues. But doing so would completely isolate Mubai."
As for Tang San, though he hadn't openly taken sides, his actions subtly leaned toward favoring Dai Mubai.
Given Zhao Wuji's personality, he naturally wanted to keep Ning Tianchen. After all, during the entrance exam, Ning Tianchen had displayed a level of talent that left him deeply impressed.
On the other hand, Dai Mubai… well, there was just too much to say about him.
"The engagement is ultimately their private matter, and it also involves the Star Luo Imperial Family. We must tread carefully," Flender sighed, his gaze shifting to Dai Mubai, who was still running outside.
In the past, Shrek Academy had remained independent of any major powers, recruiting only commoners. Naturally, they hadn't faced the current predicament.
Now, with disciples from the Hao Tian Sect and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, as well as members of the Star Luo Imperial Family, the academy had become the forefront battlefield for the power struggle among these three factions.
"Old Zhao, during the soul hunt, try your best to prevent them from causing trouble. As for the specifics, let's wait until our friend arrives before discussing further," Flender finally decided to hand this thorny issue over to his exceptionally wise old friend.
…
In the afternoon, Zhao Wuji limped over to the group.
Tang San clearly remembered that Zhao Wuji wasn't physically impaired. Could it be that on that day, he had been injured by Ning Tianchen?
He didn't know that Tang Hao had come. If Ning Tianchen really had injured him, how powerful would that make the latter?
For a moment, Tang San hesitated.
It seemed that uniting Ning Tianchen might yield better results than trying to unite Dai Mubai.
After all, Douluo Continent was a world where strength reigned supreme, and the strong held absolute authority.
"Principal has told me about your conflicts. During the upcoming soul hunt, if I catch anyone acting foolishly, don't blame me for being harsh," Zhao Wuji growled menacingly as he scanned the group.
Seeing that his words had the desired intimidating effect, he continued, "Before we encounter thousand-year spirit beasts, I won't intervene. You are a team—arrange yourselves accordingly."
It wasn't that he didn't want to command them; rather, his own abilities were limited, and he didn't know how to organize a team formation.
Tang San wanted to speak up but hesitated and stopped himself.
Due to his earlier poor decisions during the entrance test, apart from Xiao Wu, it was unlikely that the three new students would follow his commands. This would harm the unity of the team.
After some thought, he turned his gaze toward Ning Tianchen.
"Rongrong and Oscar are auxiliary-type soul masters—they should stand in the middle of the formation. Tang San is a control-type soul master, so he stays with them."
"Ma Hongjun and Xiao Wu will guard the flanks. Mubai will lead the way, and I'll bring up the rear. Zhu Zhuqing will patrol around the perimeter to scout for potential dangers."
Ning Tianchen's arrangement was standard and reasonable.
This was a typical defensive formation. In the event of an emergency, the others could quickly respond.
Dai Mubai initially didn't want to follow Ning Tianchen's instructions, but after seeing Zhao Wuji's piercing glare, he reluctantly complied.
Shrek Academy wasn't far from the Star Dou Forest.
After leaving the academy, the group maintained their formation and jogged forward.
Auxiliary-type soul masters inherently had weaker stamina. After jogging a hundred li, Oscar and Ning Rongrong had already fallen far behind Dai Mubai. Even Ma Hongjun, with his bulky build, began to lag behind.
"Stop! Rest here!" Ning Tianchen immediately issued the order.
Most of the group stopped right away. Tang San hesitated for a moment but eventually followed suit.
As for Dai Mubai, he ignored the command entirely and kept charging ahead.
"Mubai…" Tang San sighed helplessly.
While Ning Tianchen's group had united, Dai Mubai had become increasingly headstrong.
"Let him be. We are a team—we don't need someone who insists on going it alone!" Ning Tianchen said calmly.
Not long after, Zhao Wuji grabbed Dai Mubai by the ear and dragged him back into the group, scolding him nonstop. "Are you the only capable one here? Have you ever seen a wolf pack where the strongest wolf leaves the group?"
"No real strength, yet you're acting tough? When we get back, I'll need to give you a proper lesson."
If there was one person at Shrek Academy whom Dai Mubai feared the most, it was undoubtedly Zhao Wuji.
Unlike Flender, Zhao Wuji showed absolutely no mercy when it came to discipline.
Over the years at the academy, Dai Mubai had been lectured by him more times than he could count.
"Ho ho, a tiger being pulled by the ear," Ning Rongrong chuckled weakly as she leaned against a roadside rock.
Tang San hurried over and tried to reason with him. "Mubai, you can't act like this. We are a team."
Under Zhao Wuji's intimidating presence, Dai Mubai didn't dare show any dissatisfaction.
Tang San sighed inwardly.
If his teacher found out that he hadn't managed to unite the group, he would surely be disappointed.
But both Dai Mubai and Ning Tianchen were extremely stubborn, leaving no room for compromise.
Ning Tianchen spoke up. "I hope you understand this: we are like a wooden bucket. The amount of water it can hold depends on the shortest plank. Even if one plank reaches the heavens, it won't hold a single extra drop of water."
Everyone nodded slightly.
This principle was something even junior soul master academies taught.
"Rest for the duration of an incense stick's burn, replenish your energy, and then we'll continue."
…
During the subsequent journey, Ning Rongrong provided a speed boost for everyone, greatly increasing their pace. Meanwhile, Oscar replenished her soul power.
By evening, the group of eight successfully reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, arriving at the Spirit Beast Town.
Though Zhao Wuji limped slightly, he hadn't fallen behind during the journey.
"It's getting late. Let's stay in the town tonight and enter the forest early tomorrow morning," Ning Rongrong suggested.
Her first two soul rings had been personally hunted down by Ning Fengzhi, and during the process, he had likely taught her many practical lessons.
Entering the Spirit Beast Forest at night, with limited visibility, could easily lead to unnecessary trouble.
Torches could provide light and even repel some fire-fearing spirit beasts. However, those spirit beasts unafraid of fire were invariably powerful.
Without absolute strength, even in the forest, one shouldn't travel at night.
"There's a restaurant over there—I'll treat everyone tonight," Ning Rongrong declared confidently.
Oscar and the others quickly voiced their agreement.
Dai Mubai was somewhat reluctant, but upon seeing Zhao Wuji nearby, he had no choice but to follow the group.
After finding an empty table in the restaurant and sitting down, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but ask, "Why isn't Teacher Zhao joining us?"
Oscar explained, "Rongrong, the academy has clear rules—teachers can't freeload off their students' meals."
Ma Hongjun chimed in, "I like how the academy keeps relationships so straightforward."
After ordering the dishes, Ning Tianchen surveyed the restaurant.
Thanks to Ning Rongrong's speed boost, the group had arrived at Spirit Beast Town earlier than they had in the original timeline. The group from Canghui Academy would likely take much longer to reach this place.
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