Tang San Forges in Suotuo City

"Sacrifice!"

Without a second thought, Huo Feng answered directly.

Ding!

Zhao Wuji has been successfully sacrificed!

Hidden mission completed!

Mission rewards have been issued!

Reward: Host's Soul Power increased by five levels!

Sacrifice Points increased by 1,500!

Huo Feng had no time to analyze what the system was telling him in his mind.

All his attention was focused on Zhao Wuji.

A needle-like, agonizing pain suddenly shot through his waist. He had not expected these little brats to hit so hard!

Just as he was about to shake off the people around him, a wave of dizziness suddenly struck at this critical moment.

It lasted only briefly, around two breaths.

But that short interval was enough to make him lose his balance.

"Bang—!"

With the combined efforts of Huo Feng, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, Zhao Wuji crashed heavily to the ground.

After his Martial Soul Possession, his body had become exceptionally massive, and the force of gravity he bore was equally immense.

As a result, Zhao Wuji's head sank completely into the dirt.

"Hiss—!"

Dai Mubai, who was watching from nearby, drew a sharp breath at the sight.

These people were utterly terrifying!

Although Teacher Zhao had not used any Soul Skills and had merely undergone Martial Soul Possession.

These four not only broke through the Vajra Bear's defenses, but also reduced Teacher Zhao to such a sorry state.

"You're probably in for it now."

Dai Mubai glanced at the incense stick planted in the ground. It had already burned down to two-thirds.

In other words, as long as they held out for the remaining third, they would pass the test.

Just then, Zhao Wuji climbed up from the ground, covered in dust and dirt.

He lightly brushed the dust from his body, and the expression on his face suddenly grew more serious.

He had originally intended to toy with these four children in their twenties and thirties.

Who would have thought that his carelessness would cause a seventy-sixth-level Soul Sage like him to suffer at their hands?

"Come on, continue!"

Zhao Wuji shouted and resumed his defensive stance.

Huo Feng and the other two exchanged glances, immediately understanding each other's intentions.

"Third Soul Skill, Light Wing Consecutive Slashes!"

As the words fell, the black shortsword in Huo Feng's hand changed once more.

A blinding golden flash streaked through the air.

A giant golden sword radiating dazzling light seemed to have emerged from the sun itself.

The golden greatsword was extremely heavy, and even Huo Feng struggled to raise it.

At the same time, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing charged forward again.

"Whoosh—!"

"Whoosh—!"

"Whoosh—!"

Three golden sword arcs shot out at once, speeding straight toward Zhao Wuji.

The dazzling light caused him to lose focus for a brief moment.

At that instant, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing arrived simultaneously.

Once Zhao Wuji reacted, he immediately swung a palm at Xiao Wu.

However, Xiao Wu suddenly changed directions, causing his strike to miss.

Instead, he was kicked hard in the shoulder.

The two yellow Soul Rings beneath Zhu Zhuqing's feet lit up at the same time, and her blue-and-green heterochromatic eyes abruptly narrowed into vertical slits.

The next second, her speed surged dramatically.

"Second Soul Skill, Netherworld Hundred Claws!"

Through the rapid rotation of her body and the piercing sharpness of her cat claws.

Netherworld Hundred Claws could strike an enemy hundreds of times in an extremely short period.

Most terrifying of all, every attack landed in the exact same spot, making its power extraordinarily frightening.

Like a rapidly spinning gear, it swiftly carved into Zhao Wuji's back.

At that moment, the three Light Wing Consecutive Slashes slammed into Zhao Wuji's chest from the front.

Their terrifying power left three shallow wounds directly on his body.

They were also accompanied by an intense burning sensation.

"Roar—!"

A cold glint flashed through Zhao Wuji's eyes as an enraged roar erupted from him.

The First Soul Ring among the seven beneath his feet lit up fiercely.

An intense golden light burst forth in an instant.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, who were beside him, were sent flying.

Huo Feng rushed forward with quick reflexes and caught them both, one in each arm.

The powerful shock made their blood and energy churn violently within their chests.

They could even taste the faint tang of blood in their throats.

Ning Rongrong, standing at the rear, grew anxious at the sight.

But as a Support System Soul Master, there was nothing she could do.

What Zhao Wuji had just unleashed was precisely his First Soul Skill.

Though it was only his First Soul Skill, when used by a seventy-sixth-level Soul Sage, its power was still incomparably terrifying.

Huo Feng cast a glance at the incense stick in the ground. Only the final bit of ash remained.

But Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were clearly no longer fit to continue fighting.

In that case—"First Soul Skill—Sword Cleaving Strike!"

"Second Soul Skill—Prairie Fire!"

"Third Soul Skill—Shadow Assault!"

After placing the two girls aside.

All three of Huo Feng's Soul Rings lit up at once as he launched a relentless barrage at Zhao Wuji.

A trace of surprise flashed through Zhao Wuji's eyes.

From the beginning of the battle until now, this kid had hardly stopped at all.

He had not expected him to still have so much Soul Power left to support the consecutive use of three Soul Skills.

By the time Zhao Wuji came back to his senses, the two entirely different sword arcs produced by Huo Feng's First and Second Soul Skills had already reached him.

Zhao Wuji extended his massive palm and slapped down fiercely.

The two sword arcs instantly turned into motes of energy and dispersed into the air.

When he looked up, he found nothing before him.

Huo Feng was gone? "Pfft—!"

Almost at the same instant, an extremely familiar pain came from his lower back.

Zhao Wuji's expression darkened. This kid's moves were really underhanded! Of all the places he could strike, he had to stab the two spots where Zhao Wuji's defenses were weakest—his kidneys.

What man could endure that? Having succeeded in his sneak attack, Huo Feng flashed away, retreating directly five zhang away.

Zhao Wuji clenched his fists, and his Second Soul Ring lit up fiercely. Just as he was about to attack, Dai Mubai's voice came from the side at precisely the right moment.

"Teacher Zhao, the time for one incense stick is up."

Zhao Wuji froze for a moment, then turned to look. The incense stick in the ground had indeed burned out completely.

He could only nod helplessly.

"You little brats got lucky!"

With that, he covered his two kidneys and left without looking back.

At the same time, inside an ordinary Blacksmith Shop in Suotuo City.

A boy of around twelve or thirteen was forging iron, drenched in sweat.

His skillful technique filled the shop owner beside him with admiration.

Such a young child already possessed such forging skills.

He was a promising talent indeed!

If Huo Feng had been there, he would certainly have recognized that the boy forging iron was Tang San!

Having failed to pass Shrek Academy's entrance examination.

Tang San was deeply frustrated. After leaving the village, he returned to Suotuo City.

The only ten Gold Soul Coins he had were all handed over to Shrek Academy.

Penniless, he could only find a Blacksmith Shop to survive for the time being.

At least it provided food and lodging.

"Teacher said that after he makes a trip to the Imperial Capital, he'll come to Suotuo City soon."

Tang San gripped the hammer in his hand, his expression firm.

Yu Xiaogang had told him that he had some ties to Shrek Academy.

As long as he waited for his teacher to arrive, it would not be impossible for him to enter Shrek Academy through that connection.