The five dormitory buildings formed an independent courtyard. Tang San had just finished stowing his luggage and stepped outside to stretch his legs when he spotted two visitors arriving.
"Good day, Uncle Ning. Your Highness the Crown Prince—what brings you here as well?"
The person accompanying Ning Fengzhi was none other than the Crown Prince of the Tian Dou Empire, Xue Qinghe.
Xue Qinghe was dressed in ordinary noble attire—nothing particularly lavish or extravagant. He looked like any common aristocrat, and standing beside the elegantly composed Ning Fengzhi, he seemed almost like a footnote, drawing no attention whatsoever.
Had Tang San not met him before, he never would have guessed the young man held such a distinguished rank.
Xue Qinghe wore a warm, amiable smile. "Brother Tang, well, since you've arrived, I took the opportunity. I'm fortunate enough to be attending the advancement rounds alongside my father, so I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing. How is everything here? Are you settling in all right? If anything's uncomfortable, I can have someone arrange a different place for you."
Tang San quickly shook his head. "There's no need for that trouble—this is already quite good. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Xue Qinghe's brows knit together slightly. "Brother Tang, please stop calling me 'Your Highness.' I'm a few years your senior. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Xue. I'll call you by your name—how does that sound?"
Tang San did have a rather favorable impression of Xue Qinghe. Compared to that younger brother of his, Xue Beng, the two might as well have been from different worlds. Though Xue Qinghe was still young, he was remarkably deep beneath the surface. But no matter what lay underneath, the aura he projected on the surface was genuinely pleasant. He carried none of the arrogance one might expect from a Crown Prince, and that approachable demeanor put people at ease. Though he clearly had designs on recruiting Tang San, he never pressed the matter.
"All right, Brother Xue. I'll call you that from now on then. Please, come inside and sit down." Tang San hurried to usher Xue Qinghe and Ning Fengzhi toward the dormitory.
Ning Fengzhi smiled and shook his head. "We won't stay—just passing through to say hello. Where's Rongrong? It's been a while since I've seen that girl of mine; I really have missed her."
"Daddy!" Ning Rongrong's voice rang out at just the right moment as her lively figure came bounding out of the dormitory. "What are you doing here?" She threw herself straight into Ning Fengzhi's arms, her face alight with excitement.
By now, the others had also emerged from their rooms. Xue Qinghe made a silencing gesture toward Tang San, who immediately caught on—the prince didn't want his identity exposed. Naturally, there would be no introductions.
Flandre and the Great Master came forward to greet them. "Clan Master Ning, welcome."
Ning Fengzhi chuckled. "Headmaster Flandre, we happened to be passing by and heard you'd moved in, so we thought we'd stop in. I also have a rather forward request to make."
"Oh? Please go ahead." Flandre regarded this influential figure among the seven great clans with some surprise, wondering what matter could possibly bring him to ask for a favor.
Ning Fengzhi said, "Rongrong's strength has surged tremendously under the care and guidance of you and your teachers at your academy—far beyond what she ever achieved within the clan. It seems our internal education system at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan still has considerable room for improvement. With that in mind, I'd like to send some of the clan's younger disciples to study at Shrek Academy when the next semester begins. I hope that wouldn't be an inconvenience?"
"What?" Flandre thought he must have misheard. Compared to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Shrek Academy's status was worlds apart—he never could have anticipated such a request from Ning Fengzhi. "Clan Master Ning, surely that isn't appropriate? How could our academy possibly compare to the education your clan provides?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled. "There's nothing inappropriate about it at all—Rongrong herself is the finest proof. I'll be straightforward: the main reason I want to send our clan's disciples to your academy is the Great Master. His ability to educate and train students is, I believe, second to none across the entire continent. As for his knowledge, even I must humbly admit I fall short."
Only then did Flandre understand. Indeed, while the Great Master had long been renowned for his theoretical expertise, his reputation among Soul Masters had stemmed primarily from the Golden Iron Triangle's three-person combination. But with Tang San's dazzling emergence, anyone with discernment—Ning Fengzhi chief among them—could see that this had everything to do with the Great Master's teaching. If the Great Master could nurture one genius, then surely he could produce a second, a third, and many more beyond that. Ning Fengzhi was worthy of his position as one of the clan masters of the Upper Three Clans; his long-sightedness drew a quiet sigh of admiration from Flandre.
The Great Master's expression shifted, and he was about to speak when he caught Flandre's almost pleading gaze. The words he intended to say were immediately swallowed back down. A partnership between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and Shrek Academy would be enormously significant for the academy's future development. With the clan's backing, Shrek Academy would instantly be elevated to the rank of one of the continent's most prestigious institutions.
Though the Great Master disliked being entangled in worldly affairs, when he thought of everything Flandre had sacrificed over the years for him and Liu Erlong, he simply couldn't bring himself to refuse again. He could only acquiesce in silence.
Ning Fengzhi appeared not to notice the discomfort on the Great Master's face and continued with a smile to Flandre, "As for the specifics of our cooperation, let's discuss them after the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament concludes. The advancement rounds are a stage for showcasing individual strength and the best opportunity to temper these children. For now, let me wish Shrek Academy an outstanding performance."
Flandre hurried to express his thanks.