In a short while, accompanied by the sound of rapid footsteps, Qin Ming strode in from outside, his face beaming with joy.
"Dean Flandre, you've finally arrived! I've been waiting with bated breath!" As he spoke, he hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Flandre and the Shrek Academy teachers.
Flandre helped him up and smiled. "No need for all the formalities. Come to think of it, we'll be following your lead from now on. Have everything been arranged on your end?"
Qin Ming nodded quickly. "Rest assured, Dean, I've made all the arrangements. I've already spoken with the senior administration at Tian Dou Academy, and they're very welcoming toward having all of you join the faculty. They just weren't quite convinced that the juniors could really be that strong. But the kids from the Imperial Battle Team vouched for everything. It's all settled. How about this — you've all traveled a long way, so rest today and I'll get your quarters sorted out. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the school leadership and we'll finalize everything."
Qin Ming's arrangements greatly satisfied Flandre. He immediately led them to a courtyard on the western side of the Tian Dou Royal Academy's main campus grounds. The place had been thoroughly cleaned and tidied up. Each person had their own private room, and there was a separate large reception hall. Every amenity was brand new. The entire courtyard stood as its own self-contained retreat — conditions incomparably better than Shrek Academy in every respect.
Not only were the teachers impressed, but the Shrek Seven Devils were also pleasantly surprised, silently marveling at how remarkably capable Senior Qin Ming truly was. Everything had been arranged with such meticulous care.
With all arrangements settled, everyone gathered in the reception hall. Qin Ming sat beside Flandre and asked earnestly, "I hope the teachers and juniors are satisfied? After I finalized this matter with the school administration last time, I weighed my options and felt this place was the most suitable. Step outside the courtyard and you can see the mountain scenery, and there's a view of the lake below as well. A dedicated path leads straight down to the foot of the mountain from here, making the trip to Tian Dou City very convenient too."
Zhao Wuji laughed. "Qin Ming, you really outdid yourself. You've set things up beautifully."
Qin Ming replied, "It's only what I should do. It's getting late. I originally wanted to take everyone into Tian Dou City and find a nice restaurant to welcome you properly. But since it's already gotten quite late today, we'll just have a simple meal here at the academy. Once everything is officially settled tomorrow, I imagine the administration will host a proper banquet for all the teachers."
Flandre said, "Qin Ming, you know we don't much care for worldly etiquette. Don't go to too much trouble."
Qin Ming looked at Flandre, deep emotion visible in his eyes. "Dean Flandre, without you and all the teachers, there would be no Qin Ming as he is today. Now that I finally have a chance to give back, how could I possibly not give it my all?"
The evening banquet was far more lavish than any of them had expected. Though everything had been arranged on short notice, Qin Ming had still prepared the finest dishes he could to welcome the group. The meal stretched on until the stars hung high in the night sky.
The Shrek Academy group had been traveling for so many days to finally reach their destination and were all a bit weary. They retired to their rooms for the night.
Nothing further happened that evening. The next morning, just after Tang San had finished his Purple Extreme Demon Eye practice, Qin Ming arrived — having specifically brought along the academy's hired chef with a steaming hot breakfast.
"Little San, you're up this early?" Qin Ming happened to spot Tang San jumping down from the rooftop and walked over with a warm smile.
Tang San chuckled. "Senior, you're early too!"
Qin Ming patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Of all the Shrek Seven Devils, you left the deepest impression on me. I honestly can't imagine how you cultivated such incredible skill at such a young age. You're far more impressive than I was at your age."
Hearing Qin Ming's praise, Tang San said somewhat bashfully, "Senior, you flatter me."
Qin Ming's expression turned serious. "I'm speaking from the heart. I've been at Tian Dou Royal Academy for several years now and have seen no shortage of gifted students. Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others — their talent is exceptional. But compared to you, they lack a certain quality. What impressed me most about you wasn't your Mutant Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, but your calm and clear-headed thinking. In that duel against the Imperial Battle Team with Tianheng and the others, you could say they lost to your strength — but it was really your wisdom and ability to control the flow of the battle that beat them. Given time, you will absolutely become a top-tier Control Type Soul Master."
He paused for a moment, his gaze growing intense. "Being able to bring out your teammates' full potential already makes one a competent Control Type Soul Master. But being able to control the state of the battlefield and win against stronger opponents with weaker forces — that is the hallmark of a top Control Type Soul Master. You're the Great Master's disciple, and his teachings are far beyond anything I could offer you. The one thing I can teach you is confidence. No matter what the situation, as long as you maintain an unshakeable belief in victory when facing your enemy, you will be able to draw out your full strength to the greatest possible degree."