Yin Shu and two other Soul Masters from Blue Tyrant Academy had already guessed, from Flandre and Great Master's earlier exchange, that these two probably knew the Headmaster. But protocol still had to be observed. They quickly stepped forward, walking to the outside of the fence, and Yin Shu respectfully addressed the beautiful woman behind it. "Headmaster, several Soul Masters here for the application have arrived. Six of them have soul power exceeding level sixty. We can't make the decision ourselves, so we've come to ask you to settle the matter."
With a flash, the beautiful woman was already outside the fence. None of the Shrek Seven Devils saw how she had gotten out, and the teachers were equally startled. As the saying goes, from small things one can see the great—from this woman's simple movement alone, one could already tell just how powerful she was.
"Xiao… Xiao Gang, is it really you? Am I dreaming?" The gentle voice asked twice, her beautiful tone trembling violently as tears flowed uncontrollably down her slightly pale face. She was completely consumed by overwhelming emotion.
Great Master, his eyes red, stared at the woman he had yearned for day and night yet had never dared to face. His lips trembled, but for a long time he could not utter a single word.
It was Flandre who broke the silence with a soft sigh. "Our so-called Golden Iron Triangle is finally together again. Erlong, it's been years. How have you been?" His heart was sighing too—before him, her eyes still held only Xiao Gang.
The woman's unfocused pupils finally sharpened, her gaze turning to Flandre, an indescribable emotion in her eyes. "Boss Fan, it's been years, and you're still the same."
Flandre smiled bitterly. "I've gotten old. You're the one who still looks as radiant as ever. Here, let me introduce you—these are the teachers and students of my Shrek Academy. We happened to see your academy's recruitment notice. Never expected this was your territory. We're here looking for a livelihood."
Bypassing Great Master, Flandre introduced the Shrek Academy teachers to the woman one by one. Finally, he addressed the Shrek Academy group. "This is Liu Erlong. You may have heard of her. She was the one who adventured through the Soul Master world with me and Great Master—the last corner of our Golden Iron Triangle."
Liu Erlong—the name sounded a bit unusual, but no one at Shrek Academy dared to be negligent. They all stepped forward to pay their respects, and Liu Erlong composed herself, wiping the tears from her eyes and politely returning the courtesy.
"Erlong, aren't you going to invite us in?" Flandre said with a smile. Seeing Liu Erlong again wasn't just stirring for Great Master alone—wasn't he just as affected? But he could only bury that feeling deep in his heart.
Liu Erlong smiled bitterly. "Boss Fan, do you think my little hut can fit so many people? What happened to you all? When did you fall on such hard times?"
If anyone else had spoken to him like that, Flandre might have gotten angry on the spot. But the one asking was the woman who had haunted his dreams. He smiled bitterly and briefly explained their situation.
When Flandre told her about being driven out of Tian Dou Imperial Academy, a fierce glint flashed in Liu Erlong's eyes. "Fine. Fine, Tian Dou Imperial Academy. Boss Fan, say no more. Isn't my place your place? I have complete say over Blue Tyrant Academy. Here's what we'll do—everyone stays. From now on, this is your home."
Flandre glanced at Great Master, who looked like a walking corpse beside him, and said jokingly, "Our requirements are quite demanding. Can you handle it?"
Liu Erlong smiled faintly. "Boss Fan, you're wrong. It's not about whether I can handle it or not—these should be your problems. You're the one who leads our Golden Iron Triangle. From this moment on, this academy is yours. Tomorrow I'll call a general assembly of all teachers and students and announce the decision. At the same time, the academy's name will be changed to Shrek. Let me share in the glory of your Shrek Academy."
"What?" Though Flandre had always known Liu Erlong was a bold, forthright woman who could match any man, he hadn't expected her to so casually hand over an academy of this scale. He was momentarily at a loss for words. Meanwhile, the three Blue Tyrant Academy teachers were completely dumbfounded.
"Yin Shu, please go announce that we'll hold a general assembly of all teachers and students tomorrow. These are my friends—we haven't seen each other in years, and today we need to catch up. Have the cafeteria prepare a lavish banquet in the second-floor private dining room. I'll be hosting them."
"Yes, Headmaster." Though they still didn't understand the true relationship between Headmaster Liu Erlong and these people, it was obviously not something Yin Shu and the others should ask about. They hurried off the way they had come.
"Xiao Gang, are you planning to keep not talking to me forever?" Liu Erlong's gaze turned to Great Master again. The excitement in her eyes hadn't faded, but her voice no longer trembled—instead, it carried a hint of loneliness.
Looking at the jade-like beautiful woman before him, Great Master's heart was trembling. He opened his mouth several times with difficulty, only to find himself unable to say anything at all.