Jiang Huai picked up the crystal ball and handed it to Gu Yue. She thought for a moment, then placed her hand on it. Light flared—the result was indeed Level 35.
Dai Mubai took the crystal ball back and passed it to the teacher from the second trial. The teacher looked stunned, then nodded.
Afterward, Dai Mubai used the crystal ball, which could measure levels between 20 and 40, to test Jiang Huai's group. Tang San was Level 29, Xiao Wu was Level 33, Zhu Zhuqing was Level 25, and Ning Rongrong was Level 25.
Dai Mubai led Jiang Huai and the others straight past the third trial and took them directly to the fourth trial: the practical combat test.
Gu Yue stayed close to Jiang Huai, afraid he might run off. Jiang Huai didn't mind and simply followed Dai Mubai.
Soon, they arrived at a place Dai Mubai called Shrek's fighting grounds.
Jiang Huai looked around. There were only a few buildings, which seemed to have been built by Shrek itself, but he paid them no mind.
Dai Mubai walked over to the short, stocky man sitting in a chair. After whispering a few words to him, the teacher's pupils contracted sharply.
The teacher boomed, "Three Soul Elders? Hahaha! This batch of monsters really is something. I haven't stretched my muscles in ages, so I'll have some fun with you."
Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically. He hurried over and said, "Teacher Zhao, this isn't appropriate, is it?"
The man waved a hand. "There's nothing inappropriate about it. With the dean away, I'm in charge. Mubai, tell them about my Martial Soul's characteristics and my basic skills. That way, it'll hurt less when they get beaten."
Seeing that he couldn't talk Zhao Wuji out of it, Dai Mubai went over to Jiang Huai and the others. He told them about Zhao Wuji's reputation.
The group soon began discussing their tactics, starting by announcing their Martial Souls and levels.
"My name is Jiang Huai. My Martial Soul is Hamburger. I'm a Level 39 Food System Soul Elder."
"My name is Gu Yue. My Martial Soul is the Silver Dragon Spear. I'm Level 35, a Power Attack System fighter."
"My name is Xiao Wu. My Martial Soul is the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit. I'm Level 33, an Agility Attack System fighter."
"My name is Tang San. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. I'm Level 29, a Control System fighter."
After the four finished introducing themselves, they looked toward the other two girls. Jiang Huai spoke first. "Tell us your Martial Souls and levels."
The girl in blue smoothed a stray lock of hair by her ear and said, "My name is Ning Rongrong. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm a Level 25 Support System Soul Grandmaster."
The girl in black leather said, "Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. I'm a Level 25 Agility Attack System Soul Grandmaster."
Jiang Huai nodded. "All right. Let's discuss our tactics."
Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, and Tang San all nodded. Jiang Huai continued, "Since I have the highest Soul Power Level here, I'll make the plan."
Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, and Tang San nodded in agreement. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had no objections, so they agreed as well.
"First, Tang San will be our main controller. The two Agility Attack System fighters can try to flank him from both sides. Ning Rongrong and I will provide support from the rear. Gu Yue, if you can, attack from above and catch him off guard. If necessary, I can switch to the Power Attack System."
Ning Rongrong nodded at the first part, but wondered what Jiang Huai meant when he said he could switch to the Power Attack System. She couldn't ask him now, so she decided to see how he would do it once the fight began.
Soon, it was time. Jiang Huai and Ning Rongrong stood on either side of Tang San. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing took the front, ready to attack, while Gu Yue stood at the rear.
Zhao Wuji nodded at their formation and smiled. "Hahaha! Not bad. That's a great plan."
With that, Zhao Wuji swung his arm. A stick of incense flew out, landed upright in the ground, and lit. Zhao Wuji grinned. "You have to defeat me within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. Mubai's already explained the rules, so I won't repeat them."
Jiang Huai smiled. "All right, Teacher Zhao. Let's begin."
"Good! Then let's begin."
As soon as Zhao Wuji said the word, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing sprang into action, attacking his flanks from opposite sides. Xiao Wu's agility wasn't her strong suit, so she relied mostly on close-range attacks. One of her kicks landed on Zhao Wuji's waist.
Zhao Wuji grunted in pain and rubbed his waist. "You little girl, you sure hit hard."
Then Zhao Wuji unleashed a Soul Skill and shouted, "Fourth Soul Skill: Gravity Enhancement!"
Gu Yue had already summoned the Silver Dragon Spear. She used Thunder Rush, one of the Nine Styles of the Long Spear that Jiang Huai had taught her.
Gu Yue descended from above, lightning crackling around her as she darted in and out, striking repeatedly. Zhao Wuji couldn't track her movements, so all he could do was protect his head.
Ning Rongrong watched in disbelief and exclaimed, "What incredible speed!"
Suddenly, Zhao Wuji grew impatient. He roared angrily, "Second Soul Skill: Immovable Bright King Body!"
A bear's roar drove Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing back. Orange light flickered over Zhao Wuji's body.
"I admit that you're strong when you work together, but in the face of absolute strength, even the best teamwork is useless."
Jiang Huai's lips curled into a faint smile. With a sweep of his hand, eighteen hamburgers appeared. Xiao Wu, Gu Yue, and Tang San each took a bite. Their Soul Power, defense, and attack power all increased.
Zhao Wuji grew serious. He could tell that Jiang Huai's Food-type skills surpassed the support abilities of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Zhao Wuji charged straight at Jiang Huai. Seeing him approach, Jiang Huai said, "I've been waiting for you."
Ning Rongrong chanted, "First: Power. Second: Speed."
Jiang Huai had already received three boosts—to his attack power, defense, and Soul Power. The only thing he lacked was a boost to his speed, and Ning Rongrong's support had made up for it. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's power boost as well, Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing's abilities were now approaching Soul King level.
Zhao Wuji jumped in surprise and stepped back, but it was already too late. Gu Yue was thrusting her spear at him, while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing charged from either side.
With nowhere left to retreat, Zhao Wuji's body glimmered with a black Soul Ring. Dai Mubai was still stunned by their teamwork when Zhao Wuji bellowed, "Fifth Soul Skill: Power Vajra Roar!"
Gu Yue, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing were blasted backward. You lunged forward and caught Gu Yue in your arms. The Power Vajra Roar had knocked her unconscious, while Tang San caught Xiao Wu with his Blue Silver Grass.
Dai Mubai caught Zhu Zhuqing. Zhao Wuji had already lost this round; continuing the fight would have been unfair.
Three auras in the shadows were already seething with anger. One belonged to Tang Hao, who was worried about his son. The second belonged to Jiang Yi, furious to see her sister-in-law knocked unconscious. The third belonged to Zi Ji, the Hell Demon Dragon King of the Star Dou Forest, who had seen their master knocked unconscious by Zhao Wuji.
Jiang Huai laid Gu Yue on the steps of the building, propping her up in a sitting position. After Tang San set Xiao Wu down, she hurried over to help look after Gu Yue.
Jiang Huai nodded, then turned around. A sword had appeared in his hand. It was called Jiang Ling—the sword he had once taken from the Sword Box and named himself.
Jiang Huai was furious now. Truly furious. For the first time, he understood what it felt like to have a breaking heart.
Before you continue