Watching Zhu Zhuyun leading the way, while several stunningly beautiful women glared at him.
Flander wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with an aggrieved tone, "It's not that I underestimate you. To tell the truth, Shrek is indeed poor and can't provide you with many good resources."
As soon as he finished speaking, fearing that Luo Yu wouldn't believe him,
he took out a small black coin purse from his waist, which contained a small pile of scattered golden soul coins.
"This is a little bit of sponsorship I just pulled in from outside. Since I don't want to join a major power and be bound by them, no one is willing to sponsor Shrek. If you think it's adequate, I'll give it all to you. Shrek really is in a tight spot financially."
Looking at the coin bag that Flander reluctantly handed over, Luo Yu's mouth twitched, and he said speechlessly, "I'm here to attend school, why are you giving me money? Do I look like a robber to you?"
Zhao Wuji couldn't stand it anymore and poked the dean with his finger.
"Old Flander, is this little bit of money all you managed to find?"
Flander whispered back indignantly, "That's quite a bit already, okay? We don't want to join someone else's forces, who would want to give us money for nothing? That would be like throwing steamed buns to a dog."
"Pfft."
The girls in the room instantly chuckled.
Luo Yu held back a smile; it really was typical of the Shrek dean to curse even himself when he got serious.
"Dean, I wasn't asking about those messy things; I was referring to this."
Zhao Wuji took out a large coin bag, which was obviously more luxurious than the one in Flander's hands. With a slight shake, more than a hundred golden soul coins could be heard clinking inside.
Flander's eyes glared wide, and he snatched the coin bag from Zhao Wuji's hands, his face showing the greed of a miser as he exclaimed in shock, "Old Zhao! Where did you get so much money? Have you been hustling in the brothels??"
"Pah, what's with that dirty mouth of yours?" Zhao Wuji pointed at Luo Yu, "Counting on you to make money, we'd all die of starvation. This money was given to us by him."
Flander immediately looked toward Luo Yu.
Luo Yu yawned, his tone indifferent, and he waved his hand.
"It's just a small token of goodwill for attending school. It's nothing serious, no need for politeness."
"A small token?"
Flander, feeling the substantial weight of the coin bag in his hand, thought, how could this possibly be a small token???
He suddenly felt as if Luo Yu seemed to be glowing all over, and it was all golden light.
"This..." Flander was just about to speak.
Luo Yu raised his hand to stop him, "There's no need for words, I'll make two points only."
"First, I don't care about money. Just don't let me be wronged at the academy. I'm sensitive, I can't stand harsh words."
"Mhm, mhm."
Flander nodded repeatedly, catching Zhao Wuji's indifference out of the corner of his eye, he grabbed him to nod along together.
"Second, I want to live in peace. Revealing my identity would have too many people coming to my door, and that would annoy me."
"For sure," Flander said with a forced smile, "Even if you didn't mention it, we wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal your identity. Otherwise, if so many forces came knocking, Shrek would be done for."
Xiaowu asked in confusion, "Dean, is revealing an identity really that exaggerated?"
"It's more than just exaggerated."
Flander took a deep breath, his expression complex as he said, "You don't understand. The surface of the continent may seem calm, but the higher-ups of several major powers who got the news of Luo Yu's talent have already gone berserk."
"They've issued a death order, at all costs, to infiltrate Martial Soul Hall to find out the details about this genius."
"To woo him at any price."
"If wooing fails, then at any cost, eliminate him."
Zhu Zhuqing exclaimed in shock, "That's so cruel?"
Flander shook his head and sighed,
"Cruel? Not at all. Luo Yu's potential is indeed too terrifying."
"Once he comes into his own, Martial Soul Hall will surely be able to wipe out all sects and unify the world."
"But I don't think Brother Yu would do that," Xiaowu said, blinking her eyes.
Zhao Wuji explained, "You say he wouldn't, but the major powers won't believe that. Unless they recruit him into their own clan, there's no sense of security."
"Brother Yu, doesn't that make you very dangerous now?" Zhu Zhuqing looked at Luo Yu, concern in her eyes.
"Actually," Flander said wisely, "as I mentioned before, for a genius like him, staying in Martial Soul Hall is indeed the safest option."
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip, unwilling to accept, "Brother Yu, maybe… you should go back to Martial Soul Hall and hide."
With anxious faces, the sisters looked on, but Luo Yu just yawned.
He languidly waved his hand.
"What's the panic?" Luo Yu asked. "I'm only hiding my identity because I don't like being disturbed, not because I'm afraid of trouble. If these powers are polite, that's fine, but if they dare to target me, tsk tsk."
Luo Yu didn't continue, but a deadly aura flickered in the depths of his profound eyes.
In that instant, Flander, with eyes as sharp as a hawk's, caught the change and was so startled that his legs went weak.
As if nothing happened, Luo Yu picked up the soup spoon.
"Principal, can we continue with our meal now?"
"Yes, eat up," Flander responded quickly. "Has the food gone cold? I can reheat it for you."
"No need," Luo Yu declined.
"Do you want anything else to eat? My cooking is pretty good, I can make you a couple more dishes."
"Hmph! I'll take care of his meal; there's no need for you," A Wu snorted coldly from the side, subtly releasing a touch of pressure.
Flander felt that chilling aura and his facial expressions almost tore apart.
"You are… a... t-titled…"
"Don't talk." A Wu couldn't be bothered with him.
She turned away and watched Luo Yu eat with undivided attention, feeling sweetness in her heart with every sip of soup he took.
Suddenly, Flander had an epiphany. Why bother being a poor-ass principal when catering to this future invincible being was enough?
Wouldn't that alone warrant an immediate skyrocketing success?
Luo Yu had just taken a couple bites of meat when he looked up, puzzled.
He saw the three stunningly beautiful women in front of him, resting their chins in their hands, and watching him intently.
"You women, instead of eating properly, what are you all looking at me for?"
Zhu Zhuyun said with a sweet smile, "Because, Master, you're handsome. I've never seen such a handsome young man."
The usually cold and shy Zhu Zhuqing nodded in earnest agreement. "Brother Yu, Qing'er really didn't expect you to be this handsome."
Xiaowu's pretty face blushed, too enraptured to speak, wanting only to watch.
"Heh, women."
Shouldn't they be paying attention to my strength??
Luo Yu waved his hand over his face, restoring his disguise, and continued drinking his soup.
"Ah!! Don't do that; let us look at you a bit longer."
"Exactly, we haven't had our fill yet."
All three women complained charmingly, their voices filled with regret.
They pleaded with Luo Yu, coyly throwing tantrums.
Xiaowu was bolder, striding over with her delicate legs and wrapping her arms around Luo Yu's arm, interrupting his soup drinking.
The lady in palace attire also pursed her red lips in silent complaint about Luo Yu being stingy.
Flander and Zhao Wuji stood to the side, feeling utterly superfluous.
They looked at Luo Yu with envy, unable to hold back their sighs.
"Youth—"
"It's truly wonderful!"
Flander turned towards Zhao Wuji, raised his head and said aloud, "Don't be fooled by this kid's romantic ways. Back in the day, I, Flander, also..."
"Also what?" Zhao Wuji, with crossed arms, sneered.
Flander glanced at Xiaowu and the other three women, and his bravado deflated instantly. "Back in the day, when I bragged, I didn't dare claim to have so many women."
Zhao Wuji shook his head and sighed, "Pathetic. What makes you so reserved even in your dreams?"
After dragging their feet for a while, everyone finished breakfast and was just about to leave the cafeteria.
A cry for help came from outside.
A figure covered in blood staggered in.
"Principal, there's been an accident."
"Quick, save… come quickly and save someone!"
——————
Three updates tonight; the updates won't stop! There's still more to come.
As I promised everyone before, there's absolutely more coming on weekends and holidays. If anything special comes up, I'll be sure to ask for leave and let everyone know in advance. Thank you for your company and support.