Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Spirit Beast Owl, Spirit Saint of Seventy-Eighth Level, one of the Golden Iron Triangle's Flying Horn, Flender. I know you." Bone Douluo remained unmoved by Flender's appearance. To him, a mere Spirit Saint was hardly a threat; if he wanted, he could crush him with ease.

"Old Zhao, what's going on here?" Flender didn't respond directly to Bone Douluo. Instead, he shot a cold glance at Zhao Wuji, then at Dai Mubai, who lay on the ground, battered, bloodied, and barely clinging to life.

"Boss, they attacked us as soon as they arrived. I'm not sure why," Zhao Wuji replied bitterly.

Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Flender's expression grew colder. He turned to Bone Douluo and demanded, "So, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan thinks it can throw its weight around here? Why would you do this to my student?"

Bone Douluo scoffed. "Do I really need to explain? When the young ones are hurt, the elders must step in to seek justice—that's only natural. Or do you think that our clan's little princess is someone your pitiful academy can trample on?"

In the face of overwhelming power, Gu Rong felt no need to beat around the bush. Besides, as someone above the Spirit Douluo level, Flender wasn't even in his league.

"You…" Flender's face twitched. He couldn't deny that he knew about Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong's previous conflicts. However, as the academy's principal, he couldn't just stand by and watch his students get beaten.

While Dai Mubai belonged to the Star Luo Empire's royal family and had considerable backing, it was nothing compared to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, one of the Three Great Sects. Just the presence of two Title Douluo in the clan was enough to overwhelm the Star Luo royal family. Simply put, if it weren't for the full might of the royal army, the destructive spirit abilities of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo alone could leave the Star Luo Empire's royalty in ruins.

In Douluo Continent, there was a rule: might makes right. If your fists are strong enough, you have the power to call the shots. If Dai Mubai had been killed, the Star Luo royal family would be left with no choice but to swallow their pride—after all, the ones they offended were Title Douluo.

Bone Douluo was about to continue mocking Flender when Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's master, intervened. "Principal Flender, although Bone Uncle's actions were somewhat harsh, Dai Mubai was also in the wrong. You know well that both Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo treat Rongrong like their own. So…"

Ning Fengzhi didn't finish his sentence, trusting that Flender would understand the implications.

"Ha. As expected from the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, you excel at twisting logic to your advantage," Flender thought, frustrated.

Although he felt a surge of anger, Flender had no choice but to yield in the face of overwhelming power and influence. Forcing a stiff smile, he replied, "Clan Leader Ning, there's no need to say more. It's my fault for not disciplining Dai Mubai better; that's what led to his offense against your clan's little princess."

Ning Fengzhi nodded slightly and smiled politely.

Seeing Ning Fengzhi's gentle demeanor, Flender felt an urge to slap him. This man was a total hypocrite, showing a refined exterior while harboring ruthlessness beneath. And there was nothing Flender could do about it!

"Oh, by the way, Principal Flender, we came to your academy to see Tang San. Do you know where he is?" Ning Fengzhi asked with a calm smile.

"Tang San?" Flender's face stiffened. "May I ask what business you have with him?"

"It's nothing major," Ning Fengzhi replied calmly. "We're simply interested in a possible collaboration."

Flender's face darkened as he began to think of a way to turn them down, but a curious voice called out from behind him.

"Principal, Teacher Zhao, I heard from Oscar that someone was looking for me?" Flender turned around stiffly and saw Tang San and Oscar approaching, both with a puzzled look. Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo also noticed Tang San and immediately began discussing through sound transmission.

"Fengzhi, I'm not sure if this Tang San lives up to the hype. Could he really be the creator of those deadly hidden weapons?" Bone Douluo remarked, sizing Tang San up.

"Bone Uncle, it doesn't matter whether he lives up to it or not, as long as he's the one who designed those hidden weapons. If we can acquire these weapons for the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, our disciples would have the means to protect themselves." True to his nature as a self-serving merchant, Ning Fengzhi wasn't thinking only from one perspective. No matter Tang San's skills, the potential of those weapons was undeniable. If he could secure the blueprints or mass-produce the hidden weapons, that alone would be sufficient.

At this point, Tang San noticed Dai Mubai in Zhao Wuji's arms, covered in blood. He was a bit taken aback. Just recently, he too had been severely injured, wrapped in bandages for days before he could move around again.

"You must be Tang San?" Ning Fengzhi stepped forward, his graceful demeanor causing Tang San to pause in surprise.

"And you are?" Tang San asked, confused.

"Ah, Xia9 San, this is Ning Fengzhi, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's master and Ning Rongrong's father," Flender interjected, coughing twice to introduce the two.

Flender discreetly signaled Zhao Wuji to take the injured Dai Mubai and leave. Zhao Wuji, not being foolish, immediately rushed into the academy with Dai Mubai in tow. Oscar watched them go, his face unreadable.

Oscar had learned from Zhu Zhuqing about what Dai Mubai had done to her and Ning Rongrong. At first, he hadn't believed it, thinking Zhu Zhuqing might have exaggerated. But after hearing about Grandmaster's incident with Ma Hongjun, he knew Ning Rongrong hadn't lied or exaggerated.

These so-called "brothers" of his had turned out to be scum. Forced to make a choice for his future, Oscar decided that rather than associating with such people, he would pursue his goal of joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan and winning Ning Rongrong's affection. Though he was weak now, he refused to believe he would remain so forever. If given the chance, he would do whatever it took to grow stronger, even as a non-combat auxiliary Spirit Master.

"Greetings, Clan Leader Ning. I am Tang San, the person you were looking for," Tang San responded respectfully once he learned Ning Fengzhi's identity.

"Principal Flender, could you arrange a private room? I would like to have a good chat with young Tang San here," Ning Fengzhi said with a gentle smile.

"Clan Leader Ning, please, right this way," Flender gestured, hiding his reluctance with a courteous smile.

Under Flender's arrangements, Ning Fengzhi and his entourage entered the academy, while Tang San remained outside, puzzled. Flender had asked him to stay, saying he had something to discuss.

"Principal, why is Ning Rongrong's father looking for me? And how did Dai Mubai end up like that?" Tang San asked, confused.

Flender sighed and briefly recapped the recent events.

"What? Dai Mubai was beaten up by a Title Douluo?" Tang San's face darkened. Not long ago, he himself had been ruthlessly defeated by Dugu Bo, and now his "brother" had been given a similar treatment. Somehow, he felt a sense of camaraderie in their shared misfortune.

At that moment, two figures emerged from the academy to join them. It was Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, who had come out to see what all the commotion was about.