"What a coincidence. We really are fated to meet," Dai Mubai chuckled.
"I got to know him by fighting him, and I got to know you by fighting you. But he beat me up pretty badly. You still have a long way to go!" Dai Mubai burst out laughing.
"Mubai, what's got you so happy? Oh, it's Tang San. What brings you here? Did the teacher come with you?" Jiang Siming knew the story, but still had to pretend to ask.
"No, Brother Siming. The teacher probably had something else to take care of," Tang San replied.
"All right, you should know I'm today's examiner, right?" Jiang Siming's gaze swept over the four of them.
When he first saw the aloof Zhu Zhuqing, his eyelid twitched. She felt strangely familiar, but he didn't pay it much mind.
"Let me explain the rules. You can use any method, any means, to force me to use a Soul Skill, or simply hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Either way, you'll pass the test."
"Quite the boast. You look about our age. What makes you so special?" Xiao Wu muttered under her breath.
"Xiao Wu, don't underestimate Brother Siming. If the academy sent him out here, then he can definitely do it," Tang San said.
Truthfully, Tang San wasn't sure Jiang Siming could beat them without using a Soul Skill. He was a proud person himself, but naturally cautious, so he still took the time to warn them.
"Mubai, light the incense," Jiang Siming said.
"The test begins!" Dai Mubai called.
"Aura of Hegemony!" Jiang Siming opened with this flashy skill. Might as well use it; it didn't cost any Soul Power, after all. Who didn't have a chuunibyou dream?
In an instant, Jiang Siming's bearing changed completely. If he'd seemed harmless before, now he looked like a high-and-mighty emperor.
"Don't get distracted. Ning Rongrong, provide support. Zhu Zhuqing, distract him. I'll restrain him, and Xiao Wu, look for a chance to get close," Tang San reacted first and gave the best orders he could.
"Not bad. You broke free of my Aura of Hegemony so quickly," Jiang Siming said with a smile.
Perhaps the pills Jiang Siming had given him had changed the story somewhat. Tang San was already level 30, but he still hadn't obtained a Soul Ring. Jiang Siming guessed that Grandmaster wanted Tang San to compress his Soul Power. A twelve-year-old Soul Master at level 30 certainly wasn't lacking in talent. If he wanted to go further and surpass his peers in the future, he had to learn patience.
By then, Zhu Zhuqing had already rushed over and activated her first Soul Skill, Hell Stab. She attacked from behind, hoping to catch Jiang Siming off guard. But Jiang Siming was an old hand and had seen this kind of attack countless times. He stamped his feet and leaned back, grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hands, and flung her away without the slightest concern for her feelings.
He straightened up, instantly gathered his strength, slipped past Tang San, and charged toward Ning Rongrong. Aside from control-type Soul Masters, support-type Soul Masters were the most important members of any Soul Master team. Taking Tang San out would be too much trouble, so he'd deal with the support first.
Jiang Siming swung a palm at Ning Rongrong before she could react. It landed right on a sensitive spot. Since it was summer, they were all wearing fairly light clothing.
A sharp smack rang out, and the whole scene fell silent. After a moment, Dai Mubai burst out laughing.
Ning Rongrong's face was bright red. At a loss, she turned and stumbled away, still blushing.
Tang San seized the moment Jiang Siming was stunned and activated his Soul Skill, Bind.
Jiang Siming immediately snapped back to his senses and gave an awkward smile. He broke free of Bind, but Tang San's first Soul Skill carried poison, so Jiang Siming was still affected. Xiao Wu took the opportunity to get close and used Waist Bow.
For a moment, Jiang Siming couldn't break free. He could have cut Xiao Wu's hair with his sword and escaped Waist Bow, but he didn't want to make Tang San lose his temper. This was only a test, after all.
"God of Slaughter Possession!" Jiang Siming finally used a Soul Skill.
He broke free at once and charged at Tang San, his speed surging. He grabbed Tang San by the neck, then rushed toward Zhu Zhuqing with him and swept her legs out from under her.
"All right, the test is over. You've all passed," Jiang Siming said helplessly.
"Though the test is over, one of them ran off. What should I do about that? Never mind. Before her personality changed in the original story, she'd probably be thinking about how to get back at me right now. She probably wouldn't just leave like that." Jiang Siming pondered.
"Ding! Sign-in successful. Sign-in reward issued. Congratulations, host, you have obtained an M4A1 automatic rifle."
"System, what the hell? What am I supposed to do with this gun?" Jiang Siming said helplessly.
"Looks like I'll have to find an excuse to give it to Tang San."
After the test, Jiang Siming went off to Spirit Fighting again. He was a regular there. But when he returned around dusk, an incident occurred.
"Come out," Jiang Siming said calmly.
Two figures darted out from the woods.
"You brat, you bullied our young lady today. We advise you to stand right there and let us beat you up. Otherwise, don't blame us for what happens next." As they spoke, the two released their Martial Souls.
"Two Soul Elders. You really think highly of me," Jiang Siming said calmly.
As he spoke, he released the Donghuang Bell, which enveloped the two of them. The pressure of its imperial might made both Soul Elders' hearts jolt. "This kid has Twin Martial Souls." They exchanged a glance, then attacked.
"First Soul Skill, Thunder Hand!" one of them shouted. Thunder Hand struck the inside of the Donghuang Bell, and the reverberating sound waves immediately battered the two Soul Elders' eardrums. It was like the might of heaven itself—something no one could easily offend.
Jiang Siming stepped forward, released his Rusty Sword Martial Soul, and struck the Donghuang Bell with all his strength. The sound waves echoed inside.
"You wanted to beat me up? Told me to stand still? Wanted to teach me a lesson?" Jiang Siming said mockingly.
He withdrew the Donghuang Bell.
The sound waves gradually died away.
The two Soul Elders dropped to one knee and said resentfully, "Brat, watch your place. There are some people you can't afford to offend."
"You're in no position to say that. Either have that little girl come here herself, or send the person behind you," Jiang Siming said, tilting his head.
Then he turned and left.
There were two likely reasons those men had come. First, the little girl wanted to teach him a lesson. Second, Ning Fengzhi wanted to test him.
Jiang Siming didn't mind revealing a little more of his strength. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't lightly offend a promising enemy.
Jiang Siming had a plan of his own. The M4A1 the system had rewarded him with would come in handy after all. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had plenty of wealth, and they wouldn't become his enemy. It was his first choice, which was why Jiang Siming had chosen to enter their sights.