Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

He raised his head, his gaze piercing, and looked directly at the three education committee members: "Please believe me. I know that college near Soto better than anyone else. Because I graduated from there."

Upon hearing this, the three education commissioners were stunned.

Chapter 304 The Unorthodox Academy

"The college you graduated from?" A thoughtful glint flashed in Meng Shenji's eyes.

"Teacher Qin, your academic record lists your alma mater as..."

"I didn't write it," Qin Ming interrupted him.

"Because that academy is not registered in the Heaven Dou Empire, it is not considered a formal advanced soul master academy."

Silence fell over the office.

The three education commissioners exchanged glances, all seeing shock and bewilderment in each other's eyes.

An unregistered college?

This is almost impossible in the Heaven Dou Empire.

All Soul Master academies, whether primary, intermediate, or advanced, must register with the Imperial Ministry of Education and be subject to its supervision.

An unregistered college is illegal and is considered a diploma mill.

“Teacher Qin,” Zhilin’s face darkened, “you mean, you recommend that our team go to exchange with an unregistered academy?”

His tone clearly indicated his disapproval.

Qin Ming's heart clenched.

He certainly knew what the three education commissioners were thinking.

An unregistered college means that the quality of teaching is not guaranteed, the safety of students is not guaranteed, and even its legality is not guaranteed.

But he couldn't let the three education committee members misunderstand him like that.

"Three education commissioners, please let me explain." Qin Ming's voice was somewhat urgent.

"Although that academy is not registered in the Empire, it is by no means the shady academy you imagine. On the contrary, it may be the most unique and outstanding Soul Master academy in the entire Douluo Continent."

He paused, a look of reminiscence flashing in his eyes, and his voice softened: "The name of that academy is Shrek Academy. Its educational philosophy is very special; it only accepts monsters, not ordinary people."

"Only accept monsters?" Bai Baoshan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

"It means that only students with monstrous talent are qualified to study at that academy," Qin Ming explained, his tone filled with pride.

"The academy has extremely high requirements for the talent of its students, preferring to have fewer but better students. Therefore, the academy is very small, with very few students in each class, but each one is a true genius."

Zhilin frowned: "No matter how high the talent requirement is, without registration and a formal teaching system, how good can it be?"

“No, Zhilin Education Committee, you’re wrong.” Qin Ming shook his head, his eyes resolute.

"Shrek Academy's teaching system is very complete, and you could even say it's very advanced. The teachers there are all true powerhouses. They don't teach rigid textbook knowledge, but rather practical combat skills and battle wisdom that can truly make Soul Masters stronger."

He looked at the three education committee members and said, word by word, "The years I studied there were the years in which I made the fastest progress in my Soul Master career. What those teachers taught me was not only how to improve my Soul Power, but also how to become a true Soul Master."

Meng Shenji fell silent.

Looking into Qin Ming's sincere and eager eyes, the wall of distrust in his heart began to loosen.

He knew Qin Ming well.

One of the youngest Soul Emperors at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he possesses outstanding talent, immense strength, integrity, and a strong sense of responsibility. Since becoming a teacher at the academy, he has been dedicated and hardworking, earning the deep respect of his students.

Such a person would not joke about the safety of the team members.

"Teacher Qin," Meng Shenji slowly began, "who is the dean of Shrek Academy that you mentioned?"

Qin Ming answered without hesitation: "Flander, a level 78 agility-attack type battle spirit saint, with the martial spirit of the four-eyed cat owl."

Level 78 Soul Saint.

A hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of all three education commissioners.

A Soul Saint-level expert is a respected figure anywhere. Having a Soul Saint as the dean guarantees the academy's teaching quality.

"What about the teaching staff?" Bai Baoshan pressed.

"Besides Dean Flander, there are several other teachers," Qin Ming said, listing them off as if they were his own family.

"Li Yusong, Level 63, Attack-type Battle Soul Emperor, Martial Soul: Dragon Pattern Staff. Lu Qibin, Level 66, Control-type Battle Soul Emperor, Martial Soul: Starry Chess. Shao Xin, Level 71, Food-type Soul Saint, Martial Soul: Candy Bean."

Upon hearing this, the office fell silent.

The three education commissioners' expressions all turned serious.

“Teacher Qin,” Meng Shenji said slowly.

"Even if, as you say, Shrek Academy has a good faculty and advanced teaching philosophy, it's still not registered. If we send our team there and something goes wrong, how will we explain it to the Empire and the families of those children?"

This is a real problem.

The Heaven Dou Royal Academy team represents the face of the Heaven Dou Empire. The team members have special identities, and any incident involving any of them would cause a huge uproar.

Qin Ming took a deep breath.

He knew this was the final hurdle.

“The three education commissioners.” His voice became extremely solemn.

"I swear on my honor as a Soul Master that Shrek Academy is absolutely safe. The teachers there are all trustworthy people. They may be eccentric or unconventional, but they would never do anything to endanger the safety of the students."

He looked at the three education committee members, his eyes filled with pleading: "Please trust me this once. The reason I suggested adding Soto City as a stop wasn't just because I wanted the teams to go there for exchanges and learning, but also because..."

He paused, his voice low: "There are countless gifted little monsters there. If our team can spar and exchange skills with those little monsters, it will be an extremely valuable opportunity for them to grow."

"True strength is not cultivated in a greenhouse." Qin Ming's tone became firm and powerful.

"They need to face all sorts of different opponents and hone their skills in real battles. Every student at Shrek Academy is a monster with rich combat experience. Fighting against them will allow our team to see its shortcomings and find a way to break through."

These words were spoken with great conviction.

The three education commissioners remained silent.

They exchanged glances, communicating silently.

After a long silence, Meng Shenji slowly spoke: "Teacher Qin, you have convinced us."

Qin Ming's eyes lit up.

“However,” Meng Shenji changed the subject, “we have one condition.”

"What are the conditions?" Qin Ming asked immediately.

“You must accompany the team throughout their time in Soto City, never leaving their side.” Meng Shenji’s tone left no room for argument.

"In addition, I will send two Soul Emperor-level guards to protect the students secretly. If any signs of danger to the students' safety appear, the guards have the right to immediately terminate the exchange and lead the team back to Heaven Dou City."

Qin Ming nodded without hesitation: "No problem!"

Zhilin said in a deep voice, "Teacher Qin, you have to understand, this isn't about not trusting you. It's about being responsible to the team, and also about being responsible to you."

“I understand,” Qin Ming said solemnly. “I am already very grateful that the three education committee members agreed with my suggestion. Please rest assured that I will ensure the safety of every student.”

Chapter 305 Evil Fire and Ma Hongjun

Bai Baoshan clapped his hands with a smile: "Alright, since we've reached a consensus, it's settled then. Teacher Qin, the specific itinerary arrangements are up to you. Just let us know if you need any resources, and the academy will provide full support."

"Thank you, three education commissioners!" Qin Ming stood up and bowed deeply.

……

Soto City, Shrek Academy.

More than half a month has passed since Tang San and his companions returned from the Star Dou Great Forest.

Life at the academy seemed to have returned to its usual rhythm, but with some subtle differences.

The biggest change came from the students' individual training progress.

After Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing both broke through level 30 and successfully obtained their third spirit rings, five out of the six students in the entire Shrek Academy were now at the Spirit Master level.

Dai Mubai, a level 39 offensive-type Battle Soul Master.

Tang San, a level 35 Control-type Battle Soul Master.

Cinderella, a level 36 agility-based warrior.

Oscar, a level 31 Food-type Soul Master.

Zhu Zhuqing, a level 31 agility-based warrior.

And the remaining one

Ma Hongjun, a level 29 offensive-type Battle Soul Master.

This contrast might not be so obvious on ordinary days.

But while everyone else on the training field could unleash their purple third spirit ring, a symbol of their Soul Master status, only Ma Hongjun had two yellow spirit rings spinning alone beneath his feet.

That gap, that feeling of being left behind, was like a thorn stuck in Ma Hongjun's heart.

It's not that he doesn't try.

After returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, Ma Hongjun was indeed much more diligent than before.

In the past, his cultivation depended entirely on his mood. He would eat when he was hungry, sleep when he was tired, and go to Soto City to vent his anger when he felt irritable. He lived a muddled and aimless life.

But things are different now.

Although no one said it, Ma Hongjun always felt that there was a sense of disdain in the way people looked at him.

Oscar, after breaking through to the Soul Master level, became much more arrogant. His speed and efficiency in making sausages improved significantly. Occasionally, he would pat him on the shoulder and say earnestly, "Fatty, keep it up! Break through soon, and I'll take you to eat something delicious."

Even Zhu Zhuqing, whose cultivation level was about the same as his at level 29 when he entered the school, is now a Soul Venerable.

This made Ma Hongjun feel a surge of resentment.

He didn't want to be the last one.

Ma Hongjun is, after all, the owner of the mutated top-level beast martial soul, the Evil Fire Phoenix, and his innate soul power is not low. Why is he stuck at level 29?

Therefore, Ma Hongjun has been practicing diligently for the past two weeks.