A Solo Battle Against Zhao Wuji

"Little sister, how did you figure out that Xiao Wu's martial soul was a rabbit?" In the end, Tang San took the initiative to break the strange silence.

Griseo frowned at Tang San, then hid in Lang Lei's arms again.

Disappointment appeared on Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing's faces.

Lang Lei patted Griseo's back, signaling that he had everything under control, then said, "My sister Griseo's talent is different from mine. She can see things that other people cannot."

"That might include martial souls, then?"

Hearing Lang Lei's guess, Xiao Wu visibly let out a sigh of relief. Still, she silently moved behind Tang San, putting even more distance between herself and Griseo.

Tang San keenly noticed Xiao Wu's abnormal behavior, but he only assumed that she had been frightened and did not think much of it. He simply went to comfort her.

Before long, the group arrived at the site of the fourth test.

"Teacher Zhao, I've brought people for the fourth test. Sorry to trouble you." Ma Hongjun stepped forward and nudged Zhao Wuji, who was nearly asleep.

"Hm? There are students taking the fourth test this year? And there are five of them!" Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Wisdom King, opened his bleary eyes and looked at the five young boys and girls before him in surprise. Though perhaps Lang Lei should have been called a young boy?

"Not bad, very good! Looks like there are quite a few little monsters this year... This old Zhao will have something to play with..."

"..." Lang Lei and the others had clearly heard him, and strange expressions appeared on their faces.

Zhao Wuji did not seem particularly embarrassed. He spoke again.

"This is the final test. Once you pass my trial, barring any surprises, you'll officially become students of Shrek Academy."

"However, my test won't be so easy to pass. Practical combat experience is something every soul master must possess. What I'm testing is your ability in that regard. If anyone fails..."

"Then go home and find your mommy."

Just then, Ma Hongjun jogged over to Zhao Wuji and whispered into his ear, "Teacher Zhao, Teacher Li said that if you don't let that student holding a little girl into Shrek Academy, he'll fight you to the death..."

"Hm? That kid is Li Yusong's relative?" Zhao Wuji looked toward Lang Lei. "Doesn't seem like it... And I've never heard that old Li Yusong had any relatives..."

"No, that student is seven years old and level thirty-six! And his soul rings are outrageous!" Ma Hongjun said excitedly.

"Huh?" Zhao Wuji looked at Ma Hongjun as though he were an idiot.

"It's true! If you don't believe me, Teacher Zhao, see for yourself in a moment!" Ma Hongjun said firmly.

"..."

Seeing how excited and certain Ma Hongjun was, Zhao Wuji fell silent and looked thoughtfully at Lang Lei.

"I understand. If you aren't lying, then he's an exceptionally rare monster even across the entire continent. Looks like we've struck gold." Zhao Wuji became somewhat excited as well.

"You five over there, come take the test!" Zhao Wuji shouted.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhao Wuji, and I'm the teacher of that fellow who brought you here just now."

"I've heard from him that all of you are geniuses. Since the five of you passed the second and third tests without testing, I'll personally have some fun with you."

Looking at Lang Lei holding Griseo, Zhao Wuji grew interested. He felt only excitement. What would the practical combat talent of such a genius be like?

"Alright, let me explain the rules. I'll give you one incense stick's worth of time to familiarize yourselves with each other's martial soul abilities and discuss your battle strategy. Once the incense burns, the test begins. The test is for the five of you to join forces and withstand my attacks for one incense stick's worth of time. As long as even one person is still standing in this clearing after the incense has burned out, all of you will pass."

"Wait!" Lang Lei suddenly called out to Zhao Wuji, who was about to light the incense.

"Hm? Student... Lang Lei, is there something else?" Zhao Wuji's tone was unusually gentle, and he spoke with great patience. Geniuses naturally had to be treated somewhat differently from others. It was not entirely favoritism; it was only human nature.

"I hope to fight Senior alone. Otherwise, this test would be meaningless for them." Lang Lei made his request.

"Are you sure? Let me tell you first, I'm a Soul Sage! Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Wisdom King!" An incredulous expression appeared on Zhao Wuji's face. Why was someone voluntarily making things harder for himself?

He had planned to test them personally so that he could accurately control the intensity of the test.

After all, students who could pass the first three tests were already heaven-blessed talents. Eliminating even one more in the fourth test would make Shrek Academy's teachers heartsick.

As for practical combat experience...

There would be plenty of time to build that up later. If students already knew everything, what would they need teachers for? Shrek Academy's facilities were already pitifully lacking—or rather, they had none at all...

Now that Lang Lei had voluntarily asked to challenge him alone, even if he held back, as a Soul Sage facing a Soul Elder one-on-one, he could not possibly be stalled for long!

Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and the others also showed surprised expressions, while Xiao Wu was simply relieved that Zhao Wuji was not a Soul Douluo.

"It's fine. I also want to test my current strength." Lang Lei rolled his neck, then shook out his wrists. "There's no need for any restrictions, either. Please give it your all against me."

Seeing the serious look on Lang Lei's face, Zhao Wuji and the students fell silent once more.

"If the teachers of your academy can't satisfy me, I have the right to withdraw on my own initiative, don't I?" Lang Lei added another stab.

"Fine, I accept. I'll fight you with everything I have!" Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Um, before we fight, let me ask something. What level of soul master's attacks can Senior Zhao withstand at most?" Lang Lei asked, so that he would not accidentally leave the other man half-crippled.

In order to make Lang Lei back down in the face of difficulty, Zhao Wuji answered without hesitation, with no small amount of pride. "Don't be fooled by the fact that I'm only a Soul Sage right now. My Great Strength Vajra Bear martial soul is far from ordinary. Its defensive power is not the least bit inferior to defensive-type martial souls of the same level. If I go all out, even a Soul Douluo would have to put in considerable effort to injure me."

"Then that's good!" Lang Lei was relieved. Now he could enjoy himself a little more.

After all, his physical constitution was already at the peak Soul Douluo level. Though nine out of ten parts of a soul master's combat strength on Douluo Continent lay in their martial souls, his physical strength was still the real deal.

What Zhao Wuji had just described was most likely a Soul Douluo using soul skills normally. Then, without activating his martial soul or receiving any other enhancements, Lang Lei should be able to have a satisfying fight...

Seeing Lang Lei eagerly itching for battle, Zhao Wuji was dumbfounded again. Was something wrong with this kid's head?

Instead of backing down after hearing that, he had become even more eager to fight?

However, since the other party insisted so strongly, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to figure something out afterward.

"You four, discuss your strategy first and exchange information. Once he and I are done fighting, you can take your turn," Zhao Wuji said. "Of course, you can choose to watch the battle. That won't violate the rules."

Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and the others nodded, looking forward to it.

"Since we're going all out, kid, there's no need to light the incense, right?" Zhao Wuji rolled his neck as well and walked toward one side of the clearing.

"Wait here obediently for me for a little while, okay~"

"Mhm, Griseo will be good!"

Lang Lei smiled and set Griseo down. Two or three World-Painting Creations that had concealed their auras immediately appeared around her, blocking Ning Rongrong when she tried to approach.

Lang Lei then stood and walked to the other side of the clearing. With one hand behind his back and his body slightly turned sideways, he gestured for Zhao Wuji to come forward.

"Of course. Senior Zhao, please."