Chapter 72: Special Training (Patreon)

"No problem, you can have one too."

Lu Feng had overheard their conversation. With the casual air of someone who could burn money without a second thought, he tossed a storage belt to Oscar.

Giving away a mid-tier spirit tool was nothing to him—let alone something worth over 100,000 gold coins.

Truth be told, gold had long since lost its meaning to Lu Feng. For the past two years, it had just been a string of numbers in his accounts. As long as the fluctuations stayed within tens of millions, he barely noticed.

But he wasn't some reckless philanthropist either.

The gifts to Ma Hongjun and Oscar weren't random acts of generosity.

He'd already absorbed Ma Hongjun's Extreme Fire, and he'd soon be stealing Oscar's destined romance with Ning Rongrong.

The least he could do was compensate them materially.

"Y-you're really giving it to me?!"

Oscar clutched the belt like it was a sacred artifact, his entire face lighting up with disbelieving joy.

"Thank you, Brother Feng! Thank you!!"

Among their group, Dai Mubai had always been the wealthiest—but he mostly splurged on women. At most, he'd treat them to a meal here and there.

Gifts? Never anything substantial.

And yet, he'd still strut around like nobility, ordering them to fetch water or run errands, all while sneering at Oscar's sausage-selling hustle to pay tuition.

Lu Feng? The complete opposite.

He'd just arrived, yet he'd handed out priceless items without a single demand in return.

Warm as jade, generous as the sun.

Up in the faculty building,

Flender and Zhao Wuji had watched Lu Feng and Ning Rongrong return—the notoriously spoiled princess now docile, no tears, no tantrums.

"Dean," Zhao Wuji muttered, impressed. "Your eye for talent is as sharp as ever. This teaching assistant is masterstroke."

Flender nodded. "He's good, yes… but perhaps too generous. Gifts that lavish could dull their hunger. Poverty, sometimes, is the best motivator."

"Well said! In that case, Dean, why don't you return that 100,000-coin storage belt Lu Feng gave you? Or—better yet—hand it to me?"

"…Zhao Wuji, you greedy old bastard. He gave you one too!"

"I'm just helping you stay 'motivated' by poverty!"

"That's—! Ugh. Look, 'poverty builds character' is just what we say when we're broke. The truth? Resources matter. Better gear means less time wasted scraping for coins, more time for actual training."

"Too many words. Just answer: yes or no?"

"NO."

The next morning,

The entire Shrek Academy gathered on the training grounds.

Lu Feng's eyebrows rose slightly when he spotted Liu Erlong standing behind Flender—but he'd already guessed why.

Sure enough, Flender announced:

"From today onward, Liu Erlong will serve as Shrek Academy's Honorary Dean!"

As an honorary position, she could come and go as she pleased—teaching a class or two when free, or vanishing for months.

In reality, Liu Erlong had stormed in at dawn to demand the title—and insisted on staying to teach for a few days.

Flender, of course, couldn't refuse.

As Flender finished introducing Liu Erlong's identity, even Ning Rongrong looked stunned.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar cheered wildly.

Dai Mubai's face lit up with rare excitement.

They all understood what it meant for the female president of the Pan-Continental Merchant Alliance to stand before them.

Rumors said she commanded over 200,000 people—practically a queen in her own right.

Her strength is Level 79 Soul Sage, half a step from Titled Douluo. Stronger than Flender himself.

And before this, she'd been the headmistress of Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City.

But the most crucial point was the first one:

In the Merchant Alliance, her authority stood second only to the Elders.

If Dai Mubai could leverage her influence, his desperate struggle against Dai Weiss for the throne might finally turn in his favor.

"It is an immense honor," Flender declared, puffing his chest, "to welcome President Liu as our Honorary Dean—all thanks to our decades-long friendship —"

He rambled on, blatantly using her prestige to boost his own.

"Hold on."

Liu Erlong cut him off, her voice sharp as a blade.

"Let's be clear, Flender. I'm not here for you. I came solely for Lu Feng."

Dead silence.

Every student—even teachers like Li Yusong and Zhao Wuji—gaped.

So this legendary figure had lowered herself to Shrek Academy…

…just for Lu Feng?

Just how much pull did he have in the Merchant Alliance?!

Flender's smile froze into awkward plaster. He couldn't refute her.

Some things never changed. After all these years, Liu Erlong's temper still burned as hot as her figure—she never suffered fools.

What he didn't know was Lu Feng's irreplaceable status in her heart.

Normally, she'd let Flender's posturing slide.

But with Lu Feng present?

She wanted him to know— explicitly —that she'd come for him alone.

Not that Lu Feng needed the hint.

He'd already figured it out.

Though honestly, Madam President… I did tell you to stay at Lakeside Manor and train. Was this "surprise visit" really necessary?

Liu Erlong continued, "As you know, Lu Feng is one of ours. The Alliance rarely produces a genius of his caliber—so when he chose Shrek Academy, we had to adapt."

She paused, then dropped the bomb:

"That's why I'm here. Primarily to conduct special training for him."

"Special training."

Wow. She really just went for it.

What's next? "Private coaching" in a broom closet? "Demonstration drills" on her bed?

Lu Feng kept his face the picture of obedient attentiveness.

But the others?

They bought it completely.

Her explanation was flawless—logical, official-sounding, and impossible to challenge.

"Alright then, Lu Feng—come with me. My time is limited, so let's get started on your first 'special training' session right away."

Liu Erlong shot him a glance and beckoned.

With no other choice, Lu Feng shrugged and stepped out of line, following behind her.

The rest of the students dispersed to their respective classes.

Shrek Academy – Secluded Back Mountain

Under the shade of a towering tree, Liu Erlong spun around, her lips curling into a playful smirk.

"Apologies, Alliance Leader—I came without your permission. But since we're here now… how about calling me 'Teacher' first?"

Lu Feng nearly choked. "What, you're trying to get a kick out of being the Alliance Leader's teacher?"

"Exactly!" She grinned. "I may never outrank you in the Alliance, but at least let me have this one little victory. Come on, humor me."

"Following orders is part of your job description," he countered dryly. "Disobey, and I'll dock your pay."

"Go ahead. What's a little salary compared to the honor of personally guiding the Alliance Leader's growth?"

"…" Lu Feng's breath hitched. "Fine, you've got a point. But in private, do we really have to stick with 'Teacher'?"

"If you don't like that…" Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "How about I adopt you as my foster son? You can call me 'Mom.' Being the Alliance Leader's mother sounds even better—"

She abruptly cut herself off, cheeks flushing. "No, no… that's too much. Not after last night." 

Yeah, you think that's too far?

This is all wrong. The script was supposed to be you adopting Xiao Wu as your daughter, not suddenly developing maternal instincts for me!

Before she could spiral further, Lu Feng blurted out:

"Teacher."