Going All Out Counts as Holding Back; Holding Back Doesn't Count as Going All Out

Zhu Zhuqing had no objections to Luo Ye's arrangements.

To be precise, while she had not yet reached the point of obeying Luo Ye's every word, she would at least no longer reject his suggestions.

Tang San thought it over and found his arrangement reasonable, so he nodded in agreement. However, he still looked at Xiao Wu and reminded her.

"Xiao Wu, you must be careful later. No matter what, Teacher Zhao is a Soul Sage-level powerhouse. Even if he won't use his full strength during the assessment, it'll still be dangerous."

Xiao Wu silently nodded.

"I know."

In the past, Xiao Wu would have been very happy to receive Tang San's concern.

But ever since reading Luo Ye's diary, she could not help doubting whether Tang San's concern was an act, whether he truly harbored some ulterior motive or scheme against her.

Although she had not completely believed Luo Ye's diary yet, once the seed of doubt had been planted, regaining her trust would not be so easy.

"Are you done discussing? Time's up."

Hearing Zhao Wuji's voice, everyone turned their heads at once and saw that the incense stick had already burned out.

Luo Ye responded.

"We can begin."

Zhao Wuji nodded and rose to his feet. His large hands clenched as he loosened up his body, and a series of bone-cracking pops that made their teeth ache rang out, adding even more pressure to them.

After finishing those movements, Zhao Wuji took out another stick of incense.

Before he could light it, Ning Rongrong gave a sharp cry.

"Seven Treasures Manifested as Glazed Tile."

Dazzling seven-colored light burst from Ning Rongrong's body. Where the light gathered, a seven-colored pagoda over a foot tall appeared in her palm, while two yellow soul rings slowly rose beneath her feet.

"The Seven Treasures have a name: first, Strength!"

"The Seven Treasures have a name: second, Speed!"

Colored light burst from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and entered the bodies of Luo Ye, Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu respectively, allowing them to clearly feel that both their strength and speed had increased significantly.

Seeing this, Zhao Wuji looked at Ning Rongrong in surprise.

"Well, well. There's actually someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect among this year's examinees? Not bad, not bad. That fellow Flender will definitely be delighted when he finds out."

It was not because of Ning Rongrong's talent, but because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was simply too wealthy. Just a little spillover from them would be enough to stuff Shrek Academy full.

With Flender's miserly, money-grubbing personality, he would never let this opportunity pass.

However, before they entered Shrek Academy, their pride still had to be shattered. Only then would they obediently listen in the future.

With that thought, Zhao Wuji bent his knees and crouched down, clenched both fists, and viciously smashed them into the ground.

Boom!

With a muffled blast, the ground beneath his feet shook violently. A ring of earth-yellow ripples rapidly spread along the ground toward Luo Ye and the others.

Zhao Wuji had done this to interrupt the enhancement effects of Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.

But before his fists struck the ground, Luo Ye had already activated Mental Detection and Mental Sharing, two of the four soul skills brought by Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's sacrifice, establishing a connection with them.

When they felt everything before them become incomparably clear, as though they had gained x-ray vision and an auto-lock, able to take in every minute detail at a glance—and discovered Zhao Wuji's opening—they were all stunned. Their reaction was even greater than when they received Ning Rongrong's soul skill enhancements.

"Is this... your soul skill?"

Tang San turned to look at Luo Ye and noticed golden light appearing around his deep-blue eyes. Clearly, he was the one responsible for all this.

It was also because of the effects of Mental Detection and Mental Sharing that the moment Zhao Wuji made a move, all five of them realized his target.

Luo Ye dashed to Ning Rongrong's side, grabbed her shoulder with one hand, and stomped hard with both feet, leaping high into the air with her.

Tang San and Xiao Wu jumped at the same time, while Zhu Zhuqing relied on her speed to dodge to the side, easily evading the tremor running through the earth.

Zhao Wuji raised his brows and muttered.

"They're pretty quick to react."

At that moment, Xiao Wu, the main attacker, descended from above, her feet viciously stomping onto Zhao Wuji's body.

But to Zhao Wuji, who bore the title of the Immovable Ming King, that bit of strength was no different from a scratch.

Just as he was about to mock them, a sudden numbness spread through his body. Thorn-covered vines were wildly sprouting and coiling around him.

At the same time, Xiao Wu exerted her strength, and Zhu Zhuqing rushed in as well.

With Ning Rongrong's strength enhancement, the combined force of the two girls along with Tang San's Blue Silver Grass sent Zhao Wuji's massive body crashing to the ground.

Seeing this scene, Dai Mubai could not help widening his eyes.

No, this wasn't just Teacher Zhao going easy on them anymore, was it? This was practically throwing the whole match!

Even if he wanted to give them some leeway, there was no need to go this far, right?

And he could understand Ning Rongrong staying hidden in the back. After all, auxiliary-type martial souls like the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda were universally acknowledged to have no combat ability.

But what was Luo Ye doing?

Why was he hiding so far away too?

What, you wanted to coast to victory?

Dai Mubai ranted furiously in his heart, resolving to humiliate Luo Ye without mercy once the assessment was over.

But just then, Zhao Wuji's low roar drew his attention away.

Zhao Wuji's already exaggerated muscles swelled to more than twice their original size, making his entire body look even more burly.

The Blue Silver Grass and vines that had been wrapped around and restraining him instantly burst into countless fragments.

Seven dazzling spirit rings rose beneath his feet—two yellow, two purple, and three black—displaying the strength of a Spirit Sage.

Zhao Wuji bared his teeth in a savage grin.

"Had enough fun? My turn now!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhao Wuji moved to attack Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, who were closest to him. The two girls were startled and hurriedly tried to dodge.

Yet to their surprise, the instant Zhao Wuji threw his punch, he froze in place as though his body had been locked in time.

"Attack!"

At Luo Ye's sharp shout, they immediately reacted. This had to be Luo Ye's doing.

Especially with the support of Mental Detection and Mental Sharing, Zhao Wuji now seemed to be covered in openings from head to toe in their eyes.

Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Tang San held nothing back any longer, unleashing their full strength at the same time as they attacked Zhao Wuji.

A thunderous boom rang through the sky. Zhao Wuji was blasted directly into the air, tumbling dozens of times before finally crashing heavily to the ground.

He lay there for quite a while before his consciousness gradually cleared. After getting to his feet, just as he was about to launch another attack, he heard Luo Ye's smiling voice.

"Teacher Zhao, time's up."