Five Against One, the Advantage Is Ours

Shrek Academy's final examination tested a spirit master's actual combat ability.

Originally, Dai Mubai had been the examiner for the final test.

He had also been ready to have a proper spar with Ning Tianchen. However, Zhao Wuji suddenly felt like stretching his hands and personally came to test them.

Ning Tianchen sighed inwardly. Sure enough, my arrival hasn't caused any major deviation to the events of the original timeline.

If nothing unexpected happened, Zhao Wuji would be beaten senseless by Tang Hao tonight.

But now that Tang San no longer had the Dragon Beard Needle, the Hidden Weapons in his hands alone would find it difficult to pose a threat to Zhao Wuji.

"My name is Zhao Wuji. All five of you have Soul Power Levels above twenty-five. Very good. Next, I'll play with you."

As he spoke, an incense stick appeared out of thin air in his hand. With a casual flick, its tip ignited without fire. "You have One Incense Stick Time to discuss your strategy. Once time is up, you'll need to last One Incense Stick Time under my hands."

Dai Mubai still wanted to say something, but one glare from Zhao Wuji made him swallow his words.

Left with no choice, Dai Mubai turned his gaze toward Ning Tianchen and the other four.

"Five against one. The advantage is ours. So what if he's a teacher? There's nothing to be afraid of," Xiao Wu said confidently.

Back at Notting Academy, she and Tang San had often sparred with their teachers.

Even in one-on-one fights, Notting Academy's teachers had not been their match, much less now, when it was five against one.

Bound by her preconceived notions, Xiao Wu did not think Zhao Wuji was particularly formidable. Besides, he was even younger than Li Yusong at the entrance.

"If that's what you think, then you're in for trouble." Dai Mubai sighed. "Teacher Zhao has the strength of a Soul Saint. His strength is second only to the dean's."

"A Soul Saint!" The group was greatly shocked.

Ning Tianchen smiled faintly. "As long as he doesn't activate his Martial Soul Avatar, we'll have no problem lasting One Incense Stick Time."

"How so?" Dai Mubai asked curiously.

Ning Tianchen explained in a low voice, "Teacher Zhao has short legs and a stout body. He's probably a strength-type spirit master. The only weakness of that kind of spirit master is that they're too slow."

Dai Mubai shook his head in disagreement. "It's useless. Although Teacher Zhao is slow, his defense and attack power are extremely strong. Your attacks can't possibly break through his defenses."

"Besides, the arena is only so large. If Teacher Zhao uses a wide-range spirit ability, all of you will be eliminated."

Tang San said gravely, "We should be able to last One Incense Stick Time. We may be able to make use of his weakness in speed."

Ning Tianchen smiled. "That's right. As long as one of us remains on the arena, this examination should count as passed. Which one of us is a speed-type spirit master?"

The usually taciturn Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke. "Zhu Zhuqing, level twenty-seven Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

Ning Tianchen nodded. "Everyone, introduce yourselves. This is a team battle, so we must understand each other's strengths."

They introduced themselves one after another.

Just as Tang San was about to state his plan, Ning Tianchen beat him to it. "Among us, there are two Power Attack System Spirit Masters, one Control System Spirit Master, one Support System Spirit Master, and one Agility Attack System Spirit Master. We can already be considered a fully balanced team."

"Tang San, you'll be responsible for controlling Teacher Zhao. I'll be the main attacker. Xiao Wu, support us from the side. Rong Rong, enhance us. As for Zhu Zhuqing, you only have one task. No matter how fiercely we fight, do not join the battlefield. If anyone is injured, use your speed advantage to take them out of the combat area."

"Whether we can last One Incense Stick Time depends on you."

With Zhu Zhuqing's speed, Zhao Wuji would not be able to catch her. The others only needed to hold Zhao Wuji back and prevent him from reaching her.

Ning Tianchen's arrangement undoubtedly placed Zhu Zhuqing in the safest position.

Dai Mubai gave him a grateful look. "Good brother, once you join the academy, I'll treat you all to a meal."

I'm not eating anything paid for by that Dai Yin Hu! Ning Rongrong grumbled inwardly.

But under these circumstances, she could not easily offend Dai Mubai.

Tang San felt somewhat uncomfortable at that moment.

His strategy had been to attack all at once and overwhelm the old master with sheer numbers. Ning Tianchen's strategy, however, clearly contained an element of opportunism.

Besides, he had lived two lives. Being commanded by a twelve-year-old boy now inevitably made him feel uncomfortable.

After thinking it over, he decided not to oppose it. Their most urgent priority was to unite.

One Incense Stick Time quietly passed.

"You've all finished discussing?" Zhao Wuji walked to the center of the open ground and pointed with his right hand at the surrounding buildings. "The open ground is the boundary. Stepping outside the arena counts as elimination."

"One Incense Stick Time. Let me see what you're capable of."

As he spoke, he tossed another incense stick onto the ground beside him.

"Follow the plan," Ning Tianchen said.

The five immediately spread out, forming the shape of the character "A."

Ning Rongrong stood at the edge of the open ground. As a Support System Spirit Master, she had no ability to protect herself.

Once Zhao Wuji targeted her, she could simply step off the arena from her position at the edge and avoid physical suffering.

"What, you still aren't attacking? Do you have to wait for me to make the first move?" Zhao Wuji rubbed his fists and grinned.

"Now."

"Seven Treasure turns with glazed light, Seven Treasure has a name, First: Strength."

Seven-colored light entered Ning Tianchen's body, increasing his strength by thirty percent.

He coated the Seven Kill Sword with a layer of Soul Power. With a slash, fierce sword energy tore through the surrounding air and bore down on Zhao Wuji.

"Good kid. As expected of the Seven Kill Sword Spirit, its attack power is truly impressive."

"First Spirit Ability, Immovable Bright King Body."

Zhao Wuji raised both hands before his chest, and intense golden light instantly erupted.

The sword energy landed on him, but not only did it fail to harm him, it also reflected back toward Ning Tianchen.

"Watch out! First Spirit Ability, Entangling!" Tang San cried out.

Tang San knew that he would have found it difficult to block Ning Tianchen's sword energy, yet Zhao Wuji had easily neutralized it.

Countless Blue Silver Grass blades rapidly grew beneath the ground as Tang San attempted to forcibly break Zhao Wuji's defensive state.

Several Blue Silver Grass vines wrapped around Zhao Wuji's limbs, but under the immense difference in strength, he easily tore them apart.

"My sword energy won't hurt me."

The Seven Kill Sword pointed horizontally forward. Just as the sword energy was about to descend, it was easily captured by the Seven Kill Sword.

"First Spirit Ability, Azure Dragon Break!"

The two streams of sword energy transformed into two Azure Dragons and shot toward Zhao Wuji.

Xiao Wu had already reached Zhao Wuji's flank. If he continued responding defensively, Xiao Wu's First Spirit Ability would force him into the air.

At that point, he might very well be thrown out of the arena.

"Second Spirit Ability, Vajra Palm!"

Both palms struck out at once, forming two earthen-yellow palm prints.

Azure Dragon Break was instantly annihilated, while the palm prints continued their assault toward the group without losing momentum.

Tang San released Blue Silver Grass, forming a wall of Blue Silver Grass before them.

With Ning Rongrong's enhancement, his strength increased. Using the technique of Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, he forcibly pulled Xiao Wu out of Zhao Wuji's attack range.