Forced to Reveal His Martial Soul: Wu Changkong

"What a bizarre Soul Skill!"

"Even at Shrek Academy, it would be hard to find a little monster like Zhao Tao!"

"Looks like I really struck gold!"

Watching Zhao Tao break through his defenses so effortlessly, admiration filled Wu Changkong's eyes, and he marveled inwardly.

Back then, after Long Bing's death, he had lost heart and left Shrek Academy without a word.

Because of that, he felt deeply guilty toward Shrek Academy, the place that had raised him.

Now, if he could properly train Zhao Tao and the other little monsters, giving them the chance to become members of Shrek Academy—

In a way, that would make up for leaving without a word back then!

Though he thought this, Wu Changkong didn't stop moving.

As the blade of the Time Burial Sword drew closer, Wu Changkong lightly pushed off with his toes and sprang backward like a nimble swallow.

However, at that moment, he found himself in a predicament much like Gu Yue's earlier!

Although Wu Changkong was already moving extremely quickly,

the influence of the Power of Time within the Time Burial Sword caused its sharp silver blade to draw closer and closer to him, until it nearly grazed his clothes!

"I can't let my clothes get sliced off in front of a few students. Looks like I'll have to break my promise and use my Martial Soul!"

As he looked at the Time Burial Sword, now mere inches away, a helpless look flashed deep in Wu Changkong's eyes. With a thought, he summoned his Martial Soul!

The next moment,

a bone-chilling cold swept across the entire Soul Fighting Arena.

Zhao Tao, Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin all felt a chill.

It was as if they had stepped into the depths of winter.

Along with that unnatural cold, a pale blue longsword appeared in Wu Changkong's hand.

Its blade was long and slender, incredibly elegant, yet it radiated a cold so intense it seemed capable of freezing everything.

This was Wu Changkong's Martial Soul—the Heavenly Frost Sword!

As the Heavenly Frost Sword appeared, Wu Changkong's bearing grew even colder.

The sword tip flicked, releasing an endless chill that seemed capable of freezing everything.

Under the Heavenly Frost Sword's strike, even the Time Burial Sword's bizarre Power of Time seemed to freeze, losing its effect.

After all, although the Power of Time was strong enough, in a battle between opponents of equal rank, Wu Changkong's Heavenly Frost Sword could never freeze the Time Power within the Time Burial Sword.

But the enormous gap between Zhao Tao and Wu Changkong's cultivation levels was right there, and that was why Wu Changkong's Heavenly Frost Sword had worked.

With a crisp clang, the Heavenly Frost Sword in Wu Changkong's hand clashed with the Time Burial Sword in Zhao Tao's.

In an instant, a terrifying chill traveled along the Time Burial Sword toward Zhao Tao, seeming to freeze his Soul Power. He quickly canceled his Soul Skill, only then escaping the attack of the terrible cold.

"Teacher Wu, that's cheating!"

"You clearly said you wouldn't use your Martial Soul or Soul Skills!"

Seeing Wu Changkong use his Martial Soul, Tang Wulin couldn't help speaking up in protest.

"Hmph. Foolish. If an enemy on the battlefield promised not to use their Martial Soul, would you believe them without question?"

Hearing Tang Wulin's words, Wu Changkong merely snorted and retorted stubbornly.

"Still, this time I did break my word!"

"You all performed better than I expected, especially Zhao Tao!"

"To bring out your potential even further, I'll use my Martial Soul, the Heavenly Frost Sword, in the battles from here on!"

Wu Changkong wasn't shameless, though.

After retorting to Tang Wulin, he openly admitted his mistake.

Then he announced the rules for the rest of the battle.

As soon as Wu Changkong finished speaking, he stepped forward and swung the Heavenly Frost Sword, launching a fierce attack at Zhao Tao.

Facing Wu Changkong's attack, Zhao Tao's eyes gleamed with wariness.

He knew he couldn't meet Wu Changkong's Heavenly Frost Sword head-on. His only chance of winning was to use clever technique.

With a thought, Zhao Tao activated his First Soul Skill again, summoning the Time Burial Sword.

This time, however, Zhao Tao's swordplay was exceptionally graceful, like a nimble serpent.

Rather than clashing directly with Wu Changkong, he redirected the force of his attacks, trying to evade or deflect them.

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

After exchanging several blows with Zhao Tao, Wu Changkong saw him adjust his swordplay with ease and deflect his attacks. The admiration in Wu Changkong's eyes grew stronger still.

Whether it was his Martial Soul or the skill and strength he displayed in battle, Wu Changkong could describe Zhao Tao with just one word: astonishing!

"Let's work together and help ease the pressure on Zhao Tao!"

Watching the fight, Gu Yue took the initiative and directed Xie Xie and Tang Wulin.

Following Gu Yue's instructions, the three of them each activated a Soul Skill and began interfering with Wu Changkong.

Their attacks weren't difficult for Wu Changkong to handle,

but they forced him to divide his attention, easing the pressure on Zhao Tao.

Before long, the battle between the four of them had reached a fever pitch!

To be honest, Zhao Tao didn't feel all that pressured by Wu Changkong's fierce attacks.

After all, given his true mastery of swordsmanship, he could defeat Wu Changkong even with the gap in Soul Power and the suppression from Wu Changkong's Martial Soul.

But Zhao Tao didn't want to reveal too much of his strength and arouse Gu Yue's suspicions.

So, after exchanging dozens of blows with Wu Changkong, he deliberately left an opening, allowing Wu Changkong to knock him off the Soul Fighting platform with a sweep of his sword.

Without Zhao Tao, their undisputed core, the remaining three—Gu Yue, Xie Xie, and Tang Wulin—didn't last long against Wu Changkong before he defeated them one by one.

Of course, Zhao Tao knew that Gu Yue had deliberately held back, just as he had.

After all, how could the dignified Silver Dragon King, even as a clone with diminished power, lose to Wu Changkong, who was only a Soul Emperor?

All he could say was that he and Gu Yue were both truly masterful actors!

"Very good. You performed better than I expected!"

"Zhao Tao, especially—you forced me to bring out my Martial Soul with your Soul Skill. That's no small feat!"

After calling the four of them back in front of him, Wu Changkong nodded and offered some rare praise.

"Still, although you performed well, each of you has areas where you can improve!"

"Next, I'll explain each of your problems in turn!"

"Xie Xie, your attacks and speed are already above average among your peers."

"But your stamina is a weakness, and you need to improve it."

"You also need to pay attention to your energy use and control during battle."

"As for your second Martial Soul, the Shadow Dragon Dagger, you need to work on developing it as well."

"Preferably, you should come up with a practical set of tactics: the Light Dragon Dagger in plain sight, the Shadow Dragon Dagger concealed, so you can get the most out of both."

Pausing briefly, Wu Changkong looked at Xie Xie and began his instruction.