Unlike Qi Lin's calm demeanor, Flender's declaration set the entire room ablaze.
"What?!"
"Forty-eighth rank?!"
"How's that even possible?!"
"He's just a kid! How can he be a teacher at Shrek Academy?!"
Dai Mubai and his two companions were the first to lose their composure.
It wasn't just Qi Lin's unfathomable talent that shook them—but his identity.
They were all the same age. So why was he qualified to become their teacher?
Even if he had somehow reached the forty-eighth rank, all of Shrek's teachers were at least at the sixtieth rank and above.
What made him so special?
While Dai Mubai and his companions struggled to accept the truth, the teachers were simply stunned by Qi Lin's monstrous talent.
Especially Shao Xin.
As a seventy-first rank Support-type Soul Saint, he had clawed his way through years of arduous cultivation. He knew all too well how slow the path of a Support-type Soul Master could be.
Back when he was twelve, he had just barely reached the twenty-second rank. At the time, he too had been hailed as a genius among support-types.
But the boy before him—also a Support-type—had reached the forty-eighth rank at twelve years old.
What kind of terrifying talent was this?
If Qi Lin were just a typical forty-eighth rank Soul Ancestor, neither the students nor the teachers would agree to let him join the teaching staff.
But Qi Lin was anything but typical.
With talent like his, it wasn't unthinkable that he might catch up to—or even surpass—them within a few years.
With such a monster on their side, how could Shrek's faculty not welcome him?
Under Shao Xin's lead, the other teachers quickly stepped forward to greet him with warm smiles.
"Teacher Qi Lin, welcome to the Shrek family!"
Qi Lin returned their kindness with a faint smile. "I'll be relying on your guidance in the days to come."
On the other side of the courtyard, Dai Mubai watched Qi Lin chatting casually with the staff, his eyes flickering with resentment. He turned and whispered in Ma Hongjun's ear.
"Fatty, are you really going to sit back and let some kid our age lord over us?"
"You're the Dean's personal disciple. This is your moment to stand up and protest!"
Ma Hongjun shot him a glare. "Boss Dai, why don't you go up there? You're trying to get me killed?"
"I'm not trying to get beaten up by the teachers!"
Dai Mubai leaned in closer. "What are you scared of?"
"Remember what the Dean always says? Those afraid to stir up trouble are nothing but cowards!"
"Make that kid suffer a little today. Even if he stays on as a teacher, he'll have to give the three of us some respect."
Ma Hongjun hesitated, still unsure.
Then Dai Mubai played his trump card.
"Fatty, if you step up now, I'll treat you to Spring Bloom Pavilion for a whole month. VIP room, top courtesans—your pick, every time."
Ma Hongjun's chubby face flushed bright red.
"Say no more, Boss Dai. I'm in!"
Dai Mubai grinned and clapped him on the shoulder.
"Atta boy! Knew you wouldn't let me down."
Not far away, Oscar had been watching everything in silence. He gave Dai Mubai a long look, then quietly took a step away from him.
Damn, Boss Dai's being way too ruthless. Doesn't like Qi Lin, fine—but now he's using Fatty as cannon fodder?
What if Qi Lin holds a grudge? He's a twelve-year-old Support-type Soul Ancestor! His future's limitless!
"Teacher, I object!"
Under Dai Mubai's intense gaze, Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth and stepped forward, raising his voice.
The shout instantly drew everyone's attention.
Flender turned and glared the moment he saw it was Ma Hongjun. His eyes flashed with warning as he barked:
"If you've got an opinion, keep it to yourself!"
Honestly, if there weren't so many people around, Flender would've already smacked the boy upside the head.
This wasn't the time to be causing trouble!
He'd thought a single sentence would shut Ma Hongjun up—but the boy, consumed by the promise of a month at the Spring Pavilion, pressed on.
He'd been blinded by desire.
"I don't care what anyone says—I won't accept Qi Lin as a teacher at Shrek!"
"He's the same age as me! So what if his soul power is a little higher?"
"Every teacher at Shrek is at least a Soul Emperor. What's he got that qualifies him?"
"I won't accept it—unless he beats me in a fight!"
The words rang out loud and clear, while Ma Hongjun remained completely oblivious to how dark Flender's face had become.
"Fatty, looks like you've got an itch that needs scratching."
"Apologize to Teacher Qi Lin right now, or I'll make sure you regret it!"
Flender's voice was low and dangerous—he wasn't playing anymore.
If even Oscar could see what was going on, how could he not?
Ma Hongjun flinched, suddenly aware of the weight of his teacher's fury. The haze of desire lifted slightly—but it was too late to turn back now.
Backing out now would be humiliating.
Oscar might even mock him behind his back.
So Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth and made his choice.
Even if he got beaten black and blue, a month at the Spring Pavilion was worth it.
After all, the top courtesans there were delicacies he'd never dared dream of tasting before.
As for offending Qi Lin and whatever consequences that might bring—he didn't even think that far.
"Hmph! I'm not apologizing unless he accepts my challenge."
"If he can beat me, I'll submit."
"But if he can't—even if you beat me to death, I won't acknowledge him!"
"You—!" Flender was shaking with rage.
Nearby, Xiao Wu was just as furious. She glared at Ma Hongjun like she wanted to throttle him.
"Fatty, how dare you disrespect Brother Qi?!"
"If you've got guts, come fight me! I'll beat you into a pig's head!"
Ma Hongjun shrank back when he saw it was Xiao Wu.
He was brave enough to challenge a Support-type Soul Ancestor.
But in front of a thirty-seventh rank Agility-type Soul Elder? Not a chance.
"Hmph! A real man doesn't fight women. Besides, you're not the one trying to be a teacher, are you?"
"Stay out of this!"
"Oh, you're dead, fatty. I'll remember this." Xiao Wu shot him a frosty glare and huffed angrily.
Flender roared again, "You're a Strength-type Soul Master and you've got the nerve to challenge a Support?!"
"I'll say it one last time—apologize, now!"
Qi Lin stepped forward, still smiling gently.
"Dean Flender, it's fine. Kids will be kids. A bit of rebellion is normal."
"If he doesn't accept me, I don't mind giving him a little... guidance."
"Even though I'm just a Support-type Soul Master, I do know a thing or two about combat."
He turned lazily toward Ma Hongjun, stretched, and his eyes sharpened.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he understands—"
"What it means... to respect one's teacher and honor the Way."