Hijacking the Seven Devils

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. The Lanba Seven Devils emerged from the Star Dou Great Forest looking refreshed and invigorated. This time, everyone had obtained Soul Rings they were satisfied with from hunting Soul Beasts in the great forest, and even their ages had been calculated perfectly, all within the limits they could bear.

The Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament would begin in three months. During this time, they needed to train their coordination and cultivate diligently, striving to raise their Soul Power. This was especially true for Xiao Wu and Oscar, who were still only Soul Ancestors in their forties. A gap of twenty levels would prevent their team from displaying the combat strength it should have.

Zhao Wuji smiled. "Very good. All five of you have obtained the Soul Rings you wanted, so we should head back to the academy. We can't stay outside for too long. You all saw Boss Flender's message, didn't you? You're all geniuses who made both rankings. Everyone is looking for you, hoping to recruit you for their own use. If they can't recruit you, they may very well turn desperate and ambush us on the way back to the academy."

"Understood, Teacher Zhao. Anyone trying to make a move against us won't succeed. My father and uncle are both Title Douluo, and my great-grandfather has even become a god. When it comes to status and backing, how many can compare to me?" Tang San said blandly, his tone filled with disdain.

"Third Brother is right. As for backing, our academy's dean is a Title Douluo, and the dean's husband is a god. Becoming their students is an immense honor. Only fools would go become lackeys for other factions." Ma Hongjun strongly agreed after hearing Tang San's words.

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing did not voice their opinions. They were from the Star Luo Empire; one was its Third Prince, while the other came from a major clan of the Star Luo Empire. Their identities were no worse than those of the major sects and factions in the Heaven Dou Empire. There was no need for them to abandon what was fundamental and become someone else's dogs.

As for Oscar, a lone cultivator with no background, he naturally would not leave the academy's protection. The academy's backing was powerful as well. If he truly left the academy, then his brain must have been crushed in a door.

Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in human form. To evade Spirit Hall's pursuit, staying at the academy was an excellent choice. Title Douluo-level powerhouses could all see through her identity, yet none of them had acted against her. Xiao Wu therefore felt safer remaining at the academy.

Ning Rongrong came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects. Her background was powerful, her sect was strong, and she was the Sect Master's daughter and the next generation's Sect Master. Naturally, she was not someone the other major sects and factions could hope to recruit.

"Teacher Zhao, don't worry. People from the Upper Three Sects would absolutely not dare provoke us, and neither would Spirit Hall. Their intelligence division isn't incompetent, after all. Only people from some mid-tier factions would make such an unwise choice, though not every low- or mid-tier faction is brainless." Tang San smiled as he voiced his own judgment.

"Oh? What big talk are you little brats spouting here?" At that moment, a group of black-clad men leaped out from all around them, surrounding Tang San and the others. One man who appeared to be their leader said, "Under our master's orders, we would like to invite you young talents to our mountain stronghold as guests."

"Uh, is that so? With the likes of you, what makes you so confident that we'll obediently go with you? Why don't you ask around and find out who your Uncle Zhao is?" Zhao Wuji lowered his folded arms and spoke calmly.

"Heh, aren't you just the Immovable Wisdom King? What's so impressive about that? Brothers, reveal your Soul Rings and let them see our strength!" the leader shouted, taking the lead in displaying his Soul Rings. He was actually an eight-ringed Soul Douluo. Every black-clad man he had brought also revealed their Martial Souls; all of them were seven-ringed Soul Sages.

"One Soul Douluo and twenty-three Soul Sages. You truly think highly of us. Any faction capable of fielding such strength can't be small. Why don't you take off your masks? We might even know each other. It would be unfortunate if we accidentally hurt you later," Zhao Wuji said without changing expression after counting their numbers.

"So what if we know each other? We now serve different masters. You'd best surrender obediently, lest you get hurt!"

"Pah! Since you know who I, Zhao Wuji, am, you should know my temper. You think bringing these people means you've got me cornered? You're not the only Soul Douluo here. So am I!"

Zhao Wuji no longer concealed himself and released his Soul Rings. This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had ostensibly been to bring the Seven Devils to obtain Soul Rings, but in secret, Zhao Wuji had also hunted a fifty-thousand-year Earth Demon Bear by himself and acquired his eighth Soul Ring. His defensive capabilities had become several times stronger than before. Even though twenty-four people surrounded them, he remained completely fearless. Even if he couldn't win, the Clear Sky Douluo secretly following them would not stand by and watch them fall into danger.

"Y-you actually broke through to Soul Douluo. No wonder you're so confident. But unfortunately, you're alone. You can't stop all of us brothers."

"Then come on. Martial Soul Possession!" Zhao Wuji shouted, summoning his Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul to possess him. "Little ones, be careful. Don't let them capture you."

"Don't worry, Teacher Zhao."

"Zhao Wuji, you really refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Brothers, don't bother with those little brats yet. Let's join forces and deal with Zhao Wuji first. It won't do if he stalls us for time."

At the leader's command, the black-clad men rushed toward Zhao Wuji.

"Heavenly Wolf Howling Moon!"

"Fierce Tiger Roar!"

"Good timing! Immovable Wisdom King Body!" Zhao Wuji shouted, using his First Soul Skill, Immovable Wisdom King Body. Intense golden light instantly erupted from his body, rebounding all attacks within three meters of him.

A continuous barrage of bangs rang out as every attack from the black-clad men was reflected by the golden light bursting from Zhao Wuji's body. Zhao Wuji watched their attacks smugly. Having consumed the Vajra Glazed Grass, his Martial Soul had been cleansed, tripling his defensive power. Combined with the defense granted by his First Soul Skill, Immovable Wisdom King Body, attacks below the strength of a level ninety Title Douluo could not break through his defense at all.

"Third Soul Skill, Gravity Enhancement!" Zhao Wuji unleashed his Third Soul Skill. This move suddenly made opponents within ten meters feel incredibly heavy, as though their feet had sunk into a swamp, restricting their movements.

Caught off guard by the attack, the black-clad men's movements all slowed.

"Second Soul Skill, Great Strength Vajra Palm!" Seeing that the black-clad men had been restrained, Zhao Wuji immediately used his Second Soul Skill, transforming his hands into bear paws and attacking.

"Aah!"

"Aah!"

Those struck by Zhao Wuji's bear paws let out miserable screams before being killed outright.

"Zhao Wuji, how dare you! Fire Crow Impact Wave!" The leader gnashed his teeth and immediately launched an attack. His Fire Crow Martial Soul flew into the air and fired a dark red flame dozens of centimeters thick at Zhao Wuji.

"So it's you, Fire Crow. Your time to die has come. Eighth Soul Skill, Magic Bear Roaring Bomb!" Zhao Wuji gathered both fists before his chest, condensing a golden sphere of light over a meter in diameter. With a push of both palms, the golden sphere shot toward the leader at supersonic speed.

"Boom!"

A massive explosion followed, blasting the leader directly into fragments.

"The boss is dead! Run!" Seeing their leader killed in a single strike by Zhao Wuji, the surviving black-clad men were scared out of their wits. Like frightened birds, they fled in all directions.

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