Douluo Dalu: The Legend of The Spider Emperor

"Are you really leaving?"

Outside the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Qin Ming had packed his belongings, prepared for his departure.

With a wry smile, Qin Ming nodded. "The Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is no longer a suitable place for me. Staying would only make things worse."

"Is it because of Shrek Academy? You don't need to dwell on it. Shrek Academy's downfall is their own doing—they have no one else to blame," Ye Hao remarked as he stood with Qin Ming on the outskirts of the academy grounds.

Though Ye Hao was reluctant to see Qin Ming go, he understood the inevitability of the situation. The conflict with Shrek Academy was entirely of their own making. Even if Ye Hao hadn't intervened, others like the Poison Douluo or Prince Xue Xing would have ensured the same outcome.

For Qin Ming, a former Shrek student, the path forward seemed unavoidable: leaving was his only option.

Qin Ming felt a pang of bitterness. The decision to leave wasn't sudden—it had been brewing within him for some time.

He recalled his past in Soto City, when Flender had approached him. As a former Shrek student, Qin Ming deeply respected Flender as the headmaster. Back then, it was the Grandmaster who proposed the merger between Shrek Academy and Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Flender had been overjoyed to share the news with Qin Ming, who had eagerly supported the idea.

For Qin Ming, facilitating the merger became a personal mission.

But now, everything had fallen apart.

The ideals and vision Ye Hao described painted a vastly different picture of Shrek Academy. It wasn't that the academy had changed; rather, Qin Ming had grown and evolved.

Sometimes, the environment truly shapes a person's destiny.

Qin Ming glanced back at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. While it had offered him prestige and status, those were never his true desires.

Despite the reluctance of the academy's three educational leaders to accept his resignation, Qin Ming remained steadfast. Even with promises of unparalleled benefits, his resolve was unwavering.

As Ye Hao watched Qin Ming depart, he turned and walked away, his heart heavy with the weight of parting.

...

The Shrek group arrived at the towering city walls, moving at a leisurely pace. After the Grandmaster's relentless motivational speech, the disheartened group seemed revitalized, channeling their humiliation into a newfound determination.

They vowed to mark this as Shrek Academy's greatest disgrace, swearing to reclaim their honor.

Unable to return to Soto City due to the distance, they decided to explore Heaven Dou City instead. As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, it was too significant to pass up.

At the city gates, a notice posted on the wall caught Flender's eye.

"Headmaster!"

Startled, Flender turned toward the familiar voice. To his surprise, he saw Qin Ming running toward them with his belongings in tow.

Seeing his former student, Flender's gloomy expression brightened as he rushed forward to greet him.

"Qin Ming, weren't you with the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?" Flender asked, puzzled by his presence. "Did they drive you out? I knew it! Heaven Dou Imperial Academy can't compare to our Shrek. One day, they'll regret how they treated us!"

Flender's tone brimmed with ambition, but Qin Ming shook his head quietly.

"Headmaster Flender, I resigned voluntarily," Qin Ming clarified.

The revelation delighted Flender and the Shrek group, who regarded Qin Ming with admiration.

Grandmaster patted Qin Ming's shoulder with a hearty laugh. "I knew it! Welcome back to the Shrek family."

"Welcome back, Senior Qin Ming!"

"Welcome!"

"Good to have you with us!"

Their spirits lifted as Qin Ming's return bolstered their ranks.

...

A soldier at the gate snapped impatiently, "What's all this noise? Heaven Dou City has rules. No loitering or causing a commotion. Otherwise…"

Chastened, the Shrek group quickly quieted down.

Flender grumbled under his breath, "What's so special about this place? One day, Shrek Academy will become the number one academy on the continent. By then, they'll be begging to curry favor with us."

Approaching the notice, Flender squinted to read the bold text.

"Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy is expanding. Now hiring Soul Masters of level 40 and above. Higher soul power preferred."

Stroking his scruffy chin, Flender mused, "Posting an ad at the city gates? That must've cost a fortune."

Mentioning money only reignited Flender's frustrations. He still couldn't forget the golden card Ye Hao had taken with him, a missed fortune that haunted him to this day.

"Sigh…" Flender heaved a weary sigh.

"Why don't we try our luck at Blue Tyrant Academy?" he suggested confidently. "With our skills, landing teaching positions will be a breeze."

The group nodded in agreement. They had no other options and were nearly at the point of homelessness.

As the Shrek group entered the city, a disheveled figure emitting a foul stench lurked in the shadows, going unnoticed.

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