Big Wins Count as Small Wins; Small Wins Don't Count as Wins

Zhu Zhuqing had no objections to the arrangements Xuran had made.

Besides, she was still young, and didn't have much experience dealing with Xuran. At the very least, she wouldn't refuse Huoyao's warning.

Han San thought it over and decided that Xuran's plan made sense. So he nodded in agreement, then couldn't help but tease Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, be careful. No matter how old Xuran is, he's still a Soul Sage with seven rings. Even if he doesn't use his full strength during the test, he'll still be dangerous."

Xiao Wu quietly nodded.

"Got it."

If Xuran had been someone else, Xiao Wu would have been completely confident facing Han San.

But every time she saw how close he was to Xuran, she couldn't help wondering if Han San was pretending to be devoted. Was he actually trying to curry favor with her?

Although she still didn't fully trust Xuran, once her doubts took root, she knew it would be much harder to earn her trust again.

"Have you all discussed it? We're out of time."

Hearing the impatient voice from up on the high platform, everyone nodded. The last trace of emotion in Xuran's eyes vanished.

Huoyao turned and replied.

"We're ready to begin."

The examiner on the platform rose to his feet. His massive hands clenched into fists, and he sprang into action. His joints cracked loudly, adding a terrifying air of power to his imposing frame.

After finishing his warm-up, he took a step forward.

As soon as he saw the others were ready, Duoxu began to shout.

"Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda!"

A dazzling rainbow-colored light burst from Duoxu's palm. Within it, a seven-story pagoda appeared, about a foot tall. Her yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, and black soul rings rose around her.

"Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda: first skill, Strength!"

"Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda: second skill, Speed!"

Colored light shone from the pagoda, enveloping Huoyao, Zhu Zhuqing, Han San, and the other four. They immediately felt a clear boost to both their strength and speed.

Seeing this, Xuran couldn't help looking at Duoxu with surprise.

"Impressive. This year's examinees include someone with the Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda? Not bad, not bad. That kid Xuran really will have a bright future."

It wasn't because of Duoxu's talent, but because the Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda was so useful. Even a little oil and water would be enough for him to make a killing.

With Xuran's greedy temperament, there was no way he'd let such a golden opportunity slip by.

However, before they entered Taolangke Academy, he still needed to shatter their arrogance. Only then would they behave themselves in the future.

Thinking this, Xuran bent his knees, clenched his fists, and fiercely punched the ground.

Bang!

A dull boom rang out, and the earth beneath him shook violently. A wave of yellow earth surged across the ground toward Huoyao and the others.

The reason the examiner had chosen this test was to show off the increased power of Duoxu's Seven-treasure Glazed Pagoda.

But before his fist could reach the ground, Huoyao had already connected her spiritual perception and shared it with the examiner, who was standing far away. She had also established a link.

The moment Xuran's strength was boosted, it became as clear as day to her. The faintest movements were as easy to detect as if they were happening right in front of her. And once she noticed what Xuran was doing, everyone else reacted immediately. They were even more shocked to see that the examiner's soul power had been boosted even more than Duoxu's.

"That's... your soul skill?"

Han San turned his head toward Huoyao. His dark eyes gleamed with golden light. It was obvious that he had been the one who established the link.

And because of the shared spiritual perception, the examiner's every movement had been noticed by all five of them.

Huoyao took a few steps forward, grabbed Duoxu by the shoulder, then stamped down hard. With Duoxu in her grasp, she leaped high into the air.

Han San and Xiao Wu leaped after them. Zhu Zhuqing was the fastest, darting away in a blur and leaving a tremor in the earth where she had stood.

The examiner tilted his head, letting out a low chuckle.

"Not bad. You reacted quickly."

Just then, Xiao Wu descended from above, her leg slamming viciously into the examiner's back.

But against the examiner, who possessed the title of Immovable King, that much force was nothing at all.

Just as he was about to open his mouth and say something mocking, a numbness suddenly swept over him. Countless sharp vines had begun to grow across his body.

At the same time, Xiao Wu unleashed her full strength, and Zhu Zhuqing joined the attack.

With the boost from Duoxu, the combined strength of the two girls, and Han San's Blue Silver Grass, even the examiner's massive body began to stagger.

Seeing this, Huohuo, who was standing to the side, couldn't help widening his eyes.

Wait, weren't those old fellows going easy on them? Had they completely let loose?

Even if they wanted to teach him a lesson, did they really have to go this far?

Besides, Duoxu had stood behind him, so he could understand why she had attacked. But what on earth was Huoyao doing?

How had he moved so far away in the blink of an eye?

Was he trying to get himself beaten up?

Huohuo's heart began to race. He made up his mind to wait until the test was over before giving Huoyao a good scolding.

But just then, the examiner's low grunt drew his attention back.

The muscles covering his body swelled again, making his whole frame look even more imposing.

The vines wrapped around him were crushed to pieces in an instant.

Seven soul rings rose from beneath his feet, their colors yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, and black, revealing the strength of this Soul Sage.

The examiner chuckled.

"Having fun? You've pushed me into this!"

As soon as he spoke, he turned to attack Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, who were closest to him. The two girls' hearts lurched, and they hurriedly dodged.

But what neither of them expected was that as soon as the examiner made his move, he froze in place as if rooted to the spot.

"Attack!"

At Huoyao's sharp shout, they immediately understood. This had to be Huoyao's doing.

Especially with their spiritual perceptions linked, they could clearly see that the examiner's body was covered in cracks.

Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, Huohuo, and Han San all gave up any restraint and unleashed their strongest attacks against the examiner.

The fierce sounds of crashing bones rang out across the sky. The examiner was sent flying, tumbling through the air dozens of times before crashing heavily to the ground.

He lay there for a long time. His consciousness gradually returned, and he rose to his feet. He was about to curse and launch a counterattack when he heard Huoyao's voice, full of laughter.

"Old man, time's up."