"Your test is to withstand five attacks from me. As long as you can hold on for a little while, even if only one of you is left standing, you'll have passed."
"Let me warn you in advance: don't try to get clever. You won't be able to escape this arena by relying on your speed, and even if you all attack together, you won't be able to withstand my assault. Working together is your only chance of passing."
After hearing Tang San's words, Xiaowu and the others didn't react much. Huohuo, on the other hand, seemed a little nervous.
After thinking it over, Huohuo asked tentatively, "Elder Taolangke, would it be better if we paired up?"
With Taolangke standing in front of them and ready to strike, how could they possibly hold out against him for even a little while?
That was simply impossible!
Huohuo's main reason for speaking up wasn't kindness. He thought that if Taolangke attacked, Luo Ning and the others would have no chance of passing the test.
If Luo Ning were to be injured because of some momentary carelessness, and as a result couldn't pass the history exam, that would be terrible. If she then failed to meet the requirements of the other academies, Huohuo would be in a truly difficult position.
After thinking it through, he asked, "Elder Taolangke, could we do it as a team?"
If he could stay at the Taolangke Academy, he'd have a chance to win Zhu Zhuqing back before she got married. If she left with Luo Ning, he'd probably lose her for good.
But to Huohuo's surprise, Taolangke immediately shook his head in response.
"Then it's settled. If you're worried they won't pass the test, you can use some of your soul power to protect them. That way, at least they'll have a chance to put up a fight."
Seeing Taolangke's enthusiasm, Huohuo was stunned.
Helpless, he had no choice but to walk over to Huoyao and the others, his face full of regret.
"Originally, this test was supposed to be between you and me. But since Elder Taolangke insisted on taking part, you'll have to do your best."
Taolangke glanced at Huoyao, his expression full of disappointment.
Huohuo had originally hoped to use the test as an opportunity to teach Huoyao a harsh lesson, so she'd know that what happened yesterday had been a fluke. He also wanted Zhu Zhuqing to clearly see the gap between her and him.
He hadn't expected Taolangke to disrupt his plans so directly. He might even lose his chance to start over with Zhu Zhuqing.
Seeing how pitifully he looked, Duoxu chuckled.
"This Elder Taolangke is on the same level as the Elder from the Spirit Hall. He's also a follower of the Soul Emperor's family, right?"
Huohuo thought it over and shook his head. "No."
Tang San spoke up, sounding somewhat embarrassed. "Then this is going to be awkward. The five of us will be facing him, and if our strength isn't too far apart, we should be able to withstand Taolangke's attacks for a while."
Huohuo gave him a look that was neither amused nor impressed, then said with a cold laugh, "Elder Taolangke isn't a Soul Emperor. He's a seventy-sixth-rank Soul Saint, with a martial soul that combines the powerful Flame Lion and Fire Wolf!"
"His strength is second only to the academy's dean. He's the vice dean of our Shrek Academy."
Tang San's pupils contracted slightly, and he instinctively looked toward Taolangke.
A follower of the Soul Emperor's family?
Even Xiaowu couldn't help being shocked.
"He's a seventy-sixth-rank Soul Saint? He looks so young—much younger than that Elder from the Spirit Hall."
Huohuo gave a dry laugh and replied calmly.
"Age doesn't tell you everything. All right, your time is up. I'll explain Elder Taolangke's situation to you now. Whether you can pass the test depends on your abilities."
"Of course, I hope you can pass this test and stay at Shrek Academy."
As he spoke, Huohuo let his gaze linger on Zhu Zhuqing. That last sentence had clearly been intended for her.
Unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at him. Her attention was entirely on Huoyao.
Huohuo's mouth twitched slightly. He wanted more than ever to take Zhu Zhuqing back with him.
When everyone had finished introducing their martial souls, Luo Ning's gaze fell on them. She smiled.
"Everyone, let me briefly introduce the relationship between martial souls and soul power. It'll also help us coordinate. I'll go first. Luo Ning: Netherworld Spirit Cat, thirty-second-rank agility-type Soul Elder."
Zhu Zhuqing followed suit. "Zhu Zhuqing: Netherworld Spirit Cat, twenty-seventh-rank agility-type Soul Elder."
"Tang San: Blue Silver Grass martial soul, twenty-ninth-rank control-type Soul Grandmaster."
"Xiaowu: Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul, twenty-ninth-rank assault-type Soul Grandmaster."
"Duoxu: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, twenty-eighth-rank support-type Soul Elder."
As the introductions came to an end, everyone's eyes turned to Duoxu. Even Huohuo, who usually kept to himself, was no exception.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? So you're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
Tang San looked at Duoxu in surprise.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was the martial soul of the Heavenly Emperor's Family. Only members of the clan's direct line could awaken it.
Yu Xiaoqian had once told him about the Heavenly Emperor's Family. Among support-type martial souls, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was considered one of the most powerful.
What Tang San didn't know was that the reason he had made such rapid progress was that he'd used the method Luo Ning had described in her diary to approach Duoxu and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
After Tang San approached Duoxu, he hadn't made a move against her. Instead, he'd helped Tang San and Gu Yuena escape. Then the vicious and heartless Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had killed Tang San's father and Gu Yuena.
Just thinking about what had happened made Duoxu hate Tang San. She wished she could kill him right then and there. It was fortunate that she'd been sent to Suotuo City before she ever met him, and that, according to Luo Ning, she couldn't lay a hand on Tang San for the time being.
In Duoxu's eyes, Tang San was filled with resentment. He was probably already thinking of ways to get close to her and enlist the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's help.
But to ensure Luo Ning could observe the situation as it unfolded and uncover the existence of the diary's second volume, Duoxu had to suppress her urge to act and force a smile.
"All right, I'll tell everyone what my soul skill does. It increases everyone's speed and strength. The boost is thirty percent. If you're still willing to fight, then there's no problem."
A thirty-percent boost to speed and strength was already a remarkable support effect.
Especially since Duoxu was only a twenty-eighth-rank Soul Elder. Once she became a Soul Saint, the boost would be a terrifying eighty percent.
Perhaps it was precisely because of the powerful support effect of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda that its members had the greatest chance of advancing to Soul Saint.
Luo Ning clapped her hands to draw everyone's attention, then said, "I'll focus on supporting Xiaowu, who'll take the main attacking role. Tang San will be in charge of control, and Zhu Zhuqing will coordinate with us. I'll look for an opening to land a major hit."
"One of my other soul skills can make everyone's breathing synchronize, allowing us to coordinate almost perfectly. With Duoxu's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda supporting us, we should be able to fight as one."
Before you continue