Assessment, Ning Rongrong's Killing Intent

"The test is for the five of you to join forces. As long as you can hold out against me for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, even if only one of you remains, you'll pass."

"A word of warning beforehand: don't try to be clever. You can't escape this area by relying on speed, nor can you withstand my attacks alone. If you want to pass, cooperating with each other is your only chance."

After hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others showed little reaction. Dai Mubai, however, was clearly taken aback.

After thinking for a moment, he tentatively asked, "Teacher Zhao, is this really a good idea? Why don't I do it instead?"

Hold out for the time it took to burn an incense stick against a Soul Sage like Zhao Wuji—with just the five of them?

That was obviously impossible!

Dai Mubai had not volunteered out of kindness. He simply felt that if Zhao Wuji made a move, Luo Ye and the others would have no chance of passing the test.

If Zhao Wuji's momentary enthusiasm caused Luo Ye and the others to fail to enter Shrek Academy and go to another academy instead, Dai Mubai would have nowhere to cry.

As long as Zhu Zhuqing remained at Shrek Academy, he still had a chance to win his fiancée back. But if she left with Luo Ye, then he would be stuck wearing that cuckold's hat for good.

However, to Dai Mubai's despair, Zhao Wuji merely waved a large hand in response to his request.

"It's settled, then. If you're worried they won't pass, you can tell them about my abilities and characteristics so they can prepare."

Seeing that Zhao Wuji had already lit the incense, Dai Mubai went numb.

Left with no choice, he stiffened his face and walked over to Luo Ye and the others, saying in a deep voice, "Originally, I was supposed to fight you in this test. But now Teacher Zhao will be making a personal move, so pray for yourselves."

As he spoke, he also glanced at Luo Ye, disappointment rising in his heart.

Dai Mubai had just been thinking of using the assessment as an opportunity to teach Luo Ye a harsh lesson, letting him know that yesterday had only been an accident. At the same time, he could let Zhu Zhuqing see the gap between Luo Ye and himself.

He had not expected Zhao Wuji to interrupt his plan outright, perhaps even costing him his chance to win Zhu Zhuqing back.

Looking at his grief-stricken expression, Ning Rongrong smiled. "Is this Teacher Zhao like the teacher at the entrance? Is he also a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse?"

Dai Mubai shook his head. "No."

Tang San relaxed somewhat at those words and said with a chuckle, "Then it's fine. The five of us working together should have no problem holding out for an incense stick, as long as the difference in strength isn't too great."

Dai Mubai looked at him as though he were an idiot and sneered. "Teacher Zhao isn't a Soul Emperor. He's a seventy-sixth-rank Soul Sage! A Beast Spirit, a Battle Soul Sage!"

"His strength is second only to Headmaster Flender's. He is the vice headmaster of Shrek Academy."

Tang San's pupils contracted slightly as he instinctively looked toward Zhao Wuji.

A Soul Sage-level powerhouse?

Even Xiao Wu found it hard to believe. "He's seventy-sixth rank? He looks much younger than the teacher at the entrance."

Dai Mubai snorted and said indifferently, "Age has never represented anything. Alright, you don't have much time. I'll tell you about Teacher Zhao now. As for whether you can pass the assessment, that depends on your own abilities."

"Of course, I hope you can pass this assessment and remain at Shrek Academy."

As he said the last part, Dai Mubai shifted his gaze to Zhu Zhuqing. Those words were clearly meant for her.

Unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing could not even be bothered to spare him a glance. Her attention was entirely on Luo Ye.

The corner of Dai Mubai's mouth twitched at the sight, and his urge to take Zhu Zhuqing back grew even more urgent.

After he had finished introducing Zhao Wuji's spirit and abilities, Luo Ye swept his gaze over everyone and said with a smile, "Let's all introduce our spirits and Soul Power so we can coordinate later. I'll go first. Luo Ye, Body Spirit: Spirit Eyes, thirty-second-rank Control System Soul Master."

Zhu Zhuqing followed right after him. "Zhu Zhuqing, Beast Spirit: Hell Spirit Cat, twenty-seventh-rank Agile Attack Soul Master."

"Tang San, Tool Spirit: Blue Silver Grass, twenty-ninth-rank Control System Soul Master."

"Xiao Wu, Beast Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit, twenty-ninth-rank Assault Soul Master."

"Ning Rongrong, Tool Spirit: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, twenty-sixth-rank Support Tool Master."

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned toward Ning Rongrong, including Dai Mubai, who had been standing apart from the matter.

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? Then you come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Tang San looked at Ning Rongrong in great surprise.

The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was an inherited spirit. Only direct descendants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could awaken it.

Yu Xiaogang had once introduced this spirit to him. Among support-type spirits, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was unquestionably powerful to an utterly overwhelming degree.

What Tang San did not know was that his surprised gaze had already caused Ning Rongrong to misunderstand him.

She recalled what Luo Ye had written in his diary: in his previous life, Tang San had been able to grow so quickly by using her and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Yet after Tang San grew stronger, not only had he failed to repay her, he had even caused Chen Xin and Gu Yuena's deaths. He had ruthlessly destroyed the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as well.

Just imagining such a scene made Ning Rongrong want to kill Tang San on the spot. Unfortunately, Chen Xin had left after bringing her to Suotuo City, and according to Luo Ye's description, she could not act against Tang San for the time being.

In Ning Rongrong's eyes, Tang San's strong reaction meant that he was probably already thinking of ways to get closer to her and gain the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's support.

But in order to keep Luo Ye from noticing anything unusual and exposing the existence of the Diary Instance, she could only suppress that impulse and force a smile. "Stop staring. I'm no different from the rest of you. I ran away from home. Let's get through this test first."

"Oh, right. My soul skills can separately enhance everyone's speed and strength by thirty percent. Maintaining it for an incense stick won't be a problem."

A thirty percent boost to speed and strength was already quite an impressive support effect.

Especially since Ning Rongrong was only a two-ring Soul Grandmaster right now. Once she became a Soul Sage, the boost would reach a terrifying eighty percent.

Perhaps it was precisely because of such an exaggerated support effect that there was a limit of only being able to cultivate to a Seven-Ring Soul Sage.

Luo Ye clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention and said, "Xiao Wu, I'll need you to handle the main attack later. Tang San will control the field, Zhu Qing will keep him occupied from the flank, and I'll look for an opportunity to hit him with something big."

"One of my soul skills can link us together, allowing our coordination to become extremely seamless. With the support of Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda as well, we may not be without a chance."