I Want to Fight Too?

"Feng Xinglie, could you tell us how you managed to absorb a Soul Ring beyond your limits?"

Seeing how agreeable Feng Xinglie was, Tang San, who had been holding back for a long time, finally couldn't resist asking. As soon as the words left his mouth, however, the expressions of those around him shifted. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were naturally curious too, but they came from great families and knew that a secret capable of determining the rise or fall of an empire would never be revealed so easily. They hadn't expected Tang San to ask about it outright in front of everyone.

"Heh, didn't I already say? It's just because my Martial Soul is rather special."

Seeing that Feng Xinglie had brushed him off and wasn't willing to say more, Tang San furrowed his brows. He was just about to press him when he noticed the strange looks Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were giving him. After hesitating for a moment, he swallowed the words he'd been about to say.

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

Dai Mubai led everyone to an open clearing. In the center, a middle-aged man of about fifty was sprawled in a chair, dozing. Only when he heard Dai Mubai call out did he slowly climb to his feet.

"Hm? Not bad. There are five little monsters this year. Very good, very good. Then I'll personally have some fun with you."

The middle-aged man smiled as he sized them up, then pulled out a stick of incense and waved it around.

"My name is Zhao Wuji, and I'm the examiner for your final test. If you can last a stick of incense against me, you'll pass. I'll give you some time to discuss your tactics. Once this incense burns out, the test begins. And here's one last piece of advice: only by working together do you have a chance of making it through. Don't go trying to play the lone hero."

With that, Zhao Wuji struck the incense with his finger, lighting it, then casually tossed it to the ground and stuck it upright. He returned to his chair and dozed off again. Dai Mubai, though, looked rather troubled. Of course he wanted Zhao Wuji to give Feng Xinglie a good beating, but he couldn't bear the thought of Zhu Zhuqing getting hurt too.

"I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to take the field himself. I'll briefly explain his Martial Soul and abilities so you can prepare."

After the brief introduction, everyone except Feng Xinglie exchanged stunned looks. A seventy-sixth-level Soul Sage, with the Great Strength Vajra Bear as his Martial Soul, and virtually no weaknesses in either attack or defense. They had to last a stick of incense against an enemy like that?

"So he's the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji! I heard that the Spirit Hall once sent sixteen Bishops to surround him, but he still forced his way through their encirclement and escaped. He'd been missing for so many years. I never imagined he was teaching here!"

Dai Mubai nodded, clearly agreeing with Ning Rongrong.

"That's right. Teacher Zhao's seven Soul Rings are all at the best possible age, and every one of his Soul Skills is focused on attack or defense. I've never seen Teacher Zhao go all out. You'd better get to know one another and figure out how to coordinate so you can withstand his attacks."

"Good point. I'll start. Tang San, Blue Silver Grass weapon Martial Soul, level twenty-nine Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."

With Tang San leading off, everyone introduced themselves to one another. When it was Feng Xinglie's turn, though, he was somewhat vague.

"My name is Feng Xinglie. My Martial Soul is my own body, and I'm a Power Attack System Soul Master. Looking at us now, our team's pretty well-rounded. We've got every type of Soul Master covered."

"Your own body? Your body can be a Martial Soul?"

At this point in time, the concept of a Body Martial Soul didn't exist, so everyone was obviously very interested. Feng Xinglie, however, didn't want to dwell on the subject.

"Everyone, we're short on time. Rather than asking about my Martial Soul, let's figure out a strategy as quickly as possible."

Everyone glanced at the incense, which had already burned halfway down, and felt the pressure mount.

"In that case, Ning Rongrong will support us. Feng Xinglie and Xiao Wu will lead the attack, while I'll control Teacher Zhao's attacks and limit his movements as much as possible, while also supporting Xiao Wu in a direct assault. Zhu Zhuqing, please flank him and use your speed to keep him occupied. Does anyone have any objections?"

Tang San quickly came up with a plan almost identical to the one in the original story. Everyone agreed with the proposal—everyone except Feng Xinglie.

"Feng Xinglie, do you have a different idea?"

Seeing Feng Xinglie raise his hand to voice an opinion, Tang San felt a little displeased, but still asked him.

"You're not seriously planning to go toe-to-toe with Zhao Wuji, are you?"

"Why not?"

Looking at the Protagonist Group, whose faces said this was only natural, Feng Xinglie sighed.

"Everyone, first we need to accept one fact: no matter how much Zhao Wuji holds back, there's no way we can beat him with our current strength."

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Feng Xinglie continued.

"Second, our goal is to last a stick of incense. So here's the question: against an enemy we can't possibly defeat, there's no need to face him head-on, is there? This is a village, with plenty of buildings and woods. Once the test begins, we have Ning Rongrong boost us, then each of us runs off in a different direction and hides. As long as one of us hasn't been knocked down, we all pass. Zhao Wuji is a Power Attack System Soul Master, not an Agility Attack System one. Even if he can take us out with a single punch, he can't catch all of us at once. By the time he's caught two or three people, the rest of us will have run off and hidden somewhere he can't find us. Wouldn't dragging things out until time runs out give us a better chance than charging at a Soul Sage all at once?"

They were dumbfounded.

Everyone looked at everyone else. It was true that no one had thought of that approach, and they had to admit it gave them a better chance of success. After a moment, Zhu Zhuqing was the first to step over beside Feng Xinglie, making her position clear. But Xiao Wu, who was naturally fond of a fight, couldn't sit still and objected.

"Isn't that cheating? How can we pass the test without even fighting?"

"But the rules don't forbid it. Our only goal is to last a stick of incense. Do you really think we'd have a better chance fighting a Soul Sage?"

Xiao Wu was good at fighting, but she wasn't nearly as good with words. Those few sentences had her stomping her feet in frustration.

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

Faced with Xiao Wu's pleading, Tang San naturally had no resistance. Still, Feng Xinglie's suggestion had clearly tempted him.

"Xiao Wu, of course I'm on your side. It's just..."

"Good!"

Before Tang San could finish, Xiao Wu cut him off. Her rabbit ears bobbed proudly as she planted her hands on her hips and began lecturing them, imitating Feng Xinglie's scolding of her the day before.

"Besides, this is Monster Academy! We're monsters! How can monsters be afraid of a challenge? How can we run away without even fighting?"

Seeing that Xiao Wu insisted on fighting, Feng Xinglie felt a headache coming on. He'd known Xiao Wu was willful, but he hadn't expected her to kick up a fuss at such a critical moment.