Generally speaking, this kind of formal attire was rarely worn by Soul Douluo and Titled Douluo. It represented not only status but solemnity. Such custom-made formalwear exclusive to the Soul Douluo class only appeared when dueling an opponent of equal rank or at extremely important occasions. The fact that these three elders had put on their formal attire naturally did not mean they were going to a duel — which could only prove one thing: that they took the Shrek Academy delegation very seriously. Moreover, these three elders had personally come all the way to the entrance of the Education Committee to welcome them.
Even someone as proud as Flandre could not help feeling flattered by such a gesture. He had always lived by the principle of "give me an inch of respect, and I'll give you a foot in return." When the other party had shown such deference, how could he not respond in kind?
Flandre quickened his pace and strode forward a few steps. When he came to a halt, he had already crossed both hands over his own shoulders. He bowed slightly. "Shrek Academy, Flandre. Martial Soul Cat Eagle, agility-attack system, seventy-eighth level, seven-ring Battle Soul Emperor. I pay my respects to the seniors."
In the world of Soul Masters, this gesture was the proper etiquette for a junior greeting a senior. Though Flandre was already over fifty, facing three elders who were at least eighty years old, this junior's greeting was by no means excessive.
The elder in the center of the three let out a hearty laugh and strode forward, pulling Flandre's hands down from his shoulders. "Headmaster Flandre, no need to stand on ceremony! I've long heard of your great reputation — truly long heard of it! Having the distinguished teachers of the Monster Academy grace us with their guidance is an honor that lights up our humble institution. I am Meng Shenji, Chief of the Education Committee. My Martial Soul is the Black Demon, a Control-type, eighty-sixth level, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo. Allow me to introduce the others."
Meng Shenji was of medium build and very thin, looking as though there were hardly a few pounds of flesh on his entire body. When he spoke, his voice was somewhat high and sharp, but not unpleasant — it gave people a feeling of approachability. His hair and beard were entirely white, and though he was thin, his spirit was remarkably vigorous, his face ruddy and full of life.
As he spoke, Meng Shenji pointed to the elder on his left. "This is the Vice Chief of the Education Committee, Soul Douluo Bai Baoshan. His Martial Soul is the Celestial Star Furnace, a defense-type, eighty-fifth level, eight-ring Battle Soul Douluo."
Bai Baoshan's build was the exact opposite of Meng Shenji's — not tall, but extremely fat. The kind of figure where the height was four chi and the waistline was four chi as well.
A warm smile was permanently fixed on his face, and the fat on his cheeks quivered with every grin. Upon hearing Meng Shenji introduce him, he nodded at Flandre with a courteous smile.
Meng Shenji pointed to the last elder. "This is the Third Chair of the Education Committee, Soul Douluo Zhi Lin. His Martial Soul is the Sky Blue Vine, a Control-type, eighty-third level, eight-ring Artifact Soul Douluo."
Of the three Education Committee leaders, Zhi Lin looked the most ordinary on the outside. His appearance was quite unremarkable — only the occasional flash of keen light between his eyes when they opened and closed would give people a hint of something special about him.
Though Flandre had already known beforehand that all three were eighty-plus-level Soul Douluo powerhouses, hearing Meng Shenji make the formal introductions still sent a wave of shock through him. Especially the fact that among these three Soul Douluo, two were Control-type.
Everyone in the Soul Master world knew that while the Assault-type's attacks were devastatingly fierce, it was the Control-type that was the most difficult to deal with and the one you least wanted to face. Unless you happened to have a direct counter, it was extremely hard for a same-level Soul Master to defeat a Control-type in a one-on-one fight.
Flandre quickly introduced the Shrek Academy teachers as well. As for the Shrek Seven Devils, they were students after all, so he didn't say much about them. But Flandre could tell that these three Education Committee leaders seemed even more interested in the Shrek Seven Devils than in the teachers themselves.
Meng Shenji said, "Everyone, please make yourselves at home. Once you're here, consider it your own home. Come, please — come inside."
The Education Committee was not as extravagant as one might have expected. Quite the opposite — the interior of the place where these three Soul Douluo worked and lived was very simple and unadorned.
There were only the essential furnishings, decorated with a few simple green plants here and there.
Everyone took their seats as hosts and guests, though since there were not many chairs in the Education Committee chamber, the Shrek Seven Devils could only stand behind Flandre and the other teachers. At this point, everyone's eyes carried a measure of excitement, for seated before them were three Soul Douluo-level powerhouses.
In the entire Soul Master world, those who had cultivated to this level were absolutely the rarest of the rare, and every one of them possessed tremendous power. Even if they could not shatter the heavens and crack the earth, they could certainly move freely through armies of ten thousand without the slightest difficulty.
Meng Shenji had his servants bring tea and pastries, then let his gaze sweep over the Shrek Seven Devils standing there. With a smile, he said, "Qin Ming told me that these children defeated our Imperial Academy team. I must say, that truly surprised me. The Monster Academy truly is a gathering place for monsters. Qin Ming's achievements had already astonished me greatly — I never expected your academy would also have nurtured so many outstanding geniuses."
Flandre gave a bitter smile. "Shrek Academy no longer exists."
Meng Shenji's expression turned serious. "No — look at the children standing behind you. Their achievements in the future, and the achievements of all the alumni who have graduated from Shrek Academy in the past, will forever be Shrek's glory. Qin Ming has already explained everything to us very clearly. Your coming to our institution this time is our honor. Unless the teachers are willing, the academy will absolutely not assign any teaching duties to you. Here, everything is completely free for all of you. Whatever you need, just ask — so long as it's within my authority, anything can be arranged."