Do I Have to Fight Too?

"Classmate Feng Xinglie, can you tell us how you surpassed your limits to absorb a spirit ring?"

Seeing Feng Xinglie was so easy to talk to, Tang San, who had been holding back for a long time, finally couldn't help but ask. However, as soon as the words left his mouth, the expressions of those around him changed. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were naturally very curious, but coming from prominent families, they knew that secrets that could determine the rise and fall of an empire could never be easily revealed. They didn't expect Tang San to ask so directly in front of everyone.

"Heh heh, didn't I already say it? My spirit is just special."

Seeing Feng Xinglie give a perfunctory answer and unwilling to say more, Tang San couldn't help but frown. Just as he was about to press further, he noticed the strange looks from Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. After a moment's hesitation, he swallowed the words that were about to be spoken.

"Teacher Zhao, I've brought this year's freshmen."

Dai Mubai led everyone to an open space. In the center, a middle-aged man around fifty years old was dozing in a chair. Hearing Dai Mubai call out, he slowly stood up:

"Hmm? Not bad, five little monsters this year. Good, good, then I'll personally play with you all."

Smiling as he sized up everyone, the middle-aged man took out a stick of incense and waved it:

"My name is Zhao Wuji, and I am your final examiner. As long as you can last for the time it takes for this incense to burn under my hands, you will pass. I'll give you some time to discuss tactics now. The exam will begin when this incense burns out. My final advice is that you can only pass by cooperating. Don't think about being a lone hero."

After speaking, Zhao Wuji flicked his fingers to light the incense, casually threw it on the ground, and lay back down in his chair to doze. Dai Mubai, however, looked somewhat troubled. He certainly wished Zhao Wuji would teach Feng Xinglie a harsh lesson, but he couldn't bear to hit Zhu Zhuqing as well.

"I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to personally participate. I'll briefly explain his spirit's characteristics to you all so we can prepare."

After a brief introduction, everyone except Feng Xinglie looked at each other in bewilderment. A level seventy-six Soul Sage, with the Great Strength Vajra Bear spirit, possessing almost no weaknesses in attack or defense. Could they last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn against such an enemy?

"He's actually the Immovable Wisdom King Zhao Wuji! I heard that sixteen Bishops from the Martial Soul Hall attacked him before, but he still managed to break through their encirclement and escape. After so many years without news, I never expected him to be a teacher here!"

Dai Mubai nodded in agreement with Ning Rongrong's words:

"That's right, Teacher Zhao's seven spirit rings are all of the optimal age configuration, and they are all attack and defense type spirit skills. I've never seen Teacher Zhao go all out in all these years. You'd best get to know each other and figure out how to cooperate to withstand Teacher Zhao's attacks."

"That makes sense. Let's start with me. Tang San, tool spirit Blue Silver Grass, level twenty-nine control system battle spirit master."

Seeing Tang San take the lead, everyone else introduced themselves. However, when it was Feng Xinglie's turn, he was somewhat vague:

"My name is Feng Xinglie. My spirit is my own body, and I'm an assault type. It looks like our team is good now, with a complete configuration of all types of spirit masters."

"Your own body? Can a body also be a spirit?"

The concept of a Body Martial Soul did not exist at this point in time, and everyone was clearly very interested in this. However, Feng Xinglie did not want to dwell on this matter:

"Everyone, time is pressing. Instead of asking about my spirit, let's quickly come up with a plan."

The crowd looked at the incense stick, which had already burned halfway, and a sense of urgency arose.

"If that's the case, then Ning Rongrong will be responsible for support, Feng Xinglie and Xiao Wu will be the main attackers, I will be responsible for controlling Teacher Zhao's attacks and limiting him as much as possible, while also assisting Xiao Wu in frontal attacks. Zhu Zhuqing, please provide harassment from the flank with your speed. Does anyone have any other opinions?"

Soon, Tang San made arrangements almost identical to those in the original work. This proposal received everyone's approval... except for Feng Xinglie.

"Feng Xinglie, do you have any different ideas?"

Seeing Feng Xinglie raise his hand to express his opinion, Tang San felt a little displeased but still asked:

"Everyone, are you really planning to go head-to-head with Zhao Wuji?"

"Otherwise?"

Looking at the protagonist group who seemed to take it for granted, Feng Xinglie sighed:

"Everyone, first, we need to recognize a fact. That is, no matter how much Zhao Wuji goes easy on us, we cannot win with our current strength."

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Feng Xinglie continued:

"Secondly, our goal is to last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. So the question is, when facing an unbeatable enemy, why should we confront them head-on? This is a village, with many buildings and forests. After the exam begins, let Ning Rongrong provide us with support and buffs, and then each of us can escape in a different direction and hide. After all, as long as one person isn't caught, the whole team passes. Zhao Wuji is an assault type, not a speed type. Even if he catches one person after another, he can't possibly catch all of us instantly. After he catches two or three people, the rest will have already run off and hidden somewhere. Wouldn't dragging it out until the time is up have a better chance of success than us rushing forward and fighting a Soul Sage?"

Speechless.

They looked at each other. No one had ever thought of such a solution, and they had to admit that this method had a higher success rate. A moment later, Zhu Zhuqing was the first to stand beside Feng Xinglie, stating her position. However, Xiao Wu, who was naturally combative, couldn't sit still and retorted:

"Isn't this cheating? How can we pass the exam without even fighting?"

"But the exam rules do not prohibit this behavior. Our only goal is to last for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Do you think fighting a Soul Sage is more advantageous?"

Although Xiao Wu was skilled in fighting, her verbal sparring skills were still lacking. She stomped her feet in frustration at these words:

"I don't care! This is definitely not right! Third Brother, are you on my side?"

Facing Xiao Wu's pouting, Tang San was naturally defenseless. But he was clearly still somewhat moved by Feng Xinglie's suggestion:

"Xiao Wu, of course I'm on your side, but..."

"That's great!"

Xiao Wu interrupted Tang San before he could finish. A pair of rabbit ears swayed proudly, and with her hands on her hips, she began to lecture, imitating how Feng Xinglie had taught her yesterday:

"Besides, this is Monster Academy! We are monsters! How can monsters fear challenges? How can we choose to run away without even fighting?"

Seeing Xiao Wu's insistence on fighting, Feng Xinglie felt a headache coming on. He knew Xiao Wu was willful, but he didn't expect her to act up at such a critical moment.