"Generally speaking, Martial Soul mutation is determined at birth. During a Martial Soul Awakening, if a mutation has already occurred, it will manifest at that time. Post-natal influence causing a Martial Soul mutation is exceedingly rare.
Flandre asked, "Then what's going on? Those spider legs didn't just materialize out of thin air. Wuji just said that those spider legs carry the Human-Faced Demon Spider's lethal poison. If applied properly, they could actually serve as a weapon of his own — and a rather sudden one at that."
The Great Master's eyes gleamed as he shot to his feet. "I need to see those spider legs with my own eyes before I can determine what they truly are."
Flandre waved him off. "Come on, those kids just got back too. You can go see Xiaosan tomorrow — let him rest for a bit."
The Great Master hesitated for a moment, then finally settled back into his seat. "If my guess is correct, then Tang San's gains from the Star Dou Great Forest are extraordinary. Potentially even more valuable than the Soul Ring he obtained."
Flandre started. "You mean—"
The Great Master nodded. "But I can't be certain yet. If it really is what I think, then… I'll agree to stay."
Flandre broke into a hearty laugh. "Good! Then I'll look forward to having you stay. Our brothers can finally be together again. It's a shame she isn't here."
At the mention of "she," the Great Master's expression shifted slightly, and he frowned. "Flandre, don't bring her up. I don't want to argue with you."
Flandre shrugged helplessly. "Fine. I don't want to fight either. But I really do hope you'll stay. After all these years, I've poured everything I have into Shrek Academy, and now that I've finally decided to close it down, I want this last group of students to give me a perfect ending. With you here, all of that becomes so much easier."
From the weariness in Flandre's eyes, the Great Master saw a softness creep across his own rigid features. He nodded. "Everything can wait until I've seen Xiaosan tomorrow."
Flandre turned to
Zhao Wuji smiled faintly. "The academy isn't yours alone, you know. If we didn't have hope for this place, if we hadn't come to love this quiet life, who would have stayed here all these years? This is the product of all our efforts. No need for formalities. Great Master, Flandre — I'll be going."
With that, Zhao Wuji stood and left Flandre's office.
Flandre watched him go, a touch of warmth in his eyes. "If not for these old brothers helping me all these years, I probably would have had to shut the academy down long ago. Once this batch of students graduates, I'm going to take it easy — travel across the continent, clear my mind. Xiaogang, want to come along when the time comes?"
The Great Master paused, then shook his head. "I don't know."
Flandre sighed. "I know you don't like thinking about the past, but I can't help saying it — the time we spent together back then is something I'll never forget for as long as I live. That period of my life was the happiest I've ever known. If only we could have gone on living like that, free and unburdened…"
As Flandre spoke, something flickered in the Great Master's eyes. He lowered his head and said quietly, "People grow old. People mature. What's the point of bringing up things that have already passed? 'If only life were like the first time we met' — easy to say, but can it really come true?"
Flandre sighed and shook his head. "Xiaogang, you're just too stubborn. If you were willing to soften a little, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way. Can you really not accept her? After all, it wasn't her fault. And besides — do you really care that much about what the world thinks?"
"Shut up." The Great Master's emotions suddenly surged, and he snapped, his eyes locking onto Flandre's with an unyielding intensity. "Don't you dare bring her up in front of me again. And what about you? What have you been doing all this time? Why haven't you been with her? Don't tell me you don't love her. If that's true, then why are you still single? Why are you still clinging to Shrek Academy? That was nothing more than a passing remark she made back then!"
Flandre's gaze gradually turned cold. "Xiaogang, you're still just as stubborn as ever — nothing's changed after all these years. Yes, I'll admit it: I love her. But the one she truly loves is you. A gentleman doesn't steal another's beloved. Besides, in my heart, you've always been my dearest brother. I can't forget her, but I would never make a move on her. All I want are the memories we shared. Is being on my own like this really so bad?"