You Pass!

He had one technique for overcoming a stronger opponent that he had yet to master. It was the exact opposite of Aiki, which targeted human physiological responses. This technique, Void Path, had been developed to target the flaws of the human body.

If you asked Tang San what the most potent poison in the world was, he would naturally answer, "Tang Sect poison." But if you asked Feng Xinglie, he would say, "Air"—something essential to every person's survival, something everyone had to breathe in every day.

The air we breathed every day contained 21% oxygen. If we inhaled air with less oxygen than that, our bodily functions would rapidly deteriorate. But if the oxygen content dropped to 6%, just one breath would be enough to make a person lose consciousness. Feng Xinglie could create a vacuum in his palm with an oxygen content below 6%. All he had to do was cover Zhao Wuji's mouth and nose with his palm, and he would win in a single breath. This had nothing to do with the level of one's Soul Power. It was an attack aimed at a physiological weakness. No human could resist it, not even a Titled Douluo. Ghost Douluo had already tested this move as an experimental subject, and hadn't been able to resist it in the slightest.

"Under normal circumstances, there's no way I could put my palm on Zhao Wuji's face. Maybe I have a chance now, but... should I really use it?"

The move was powerful, but even if Zhao Wuji went easy on him, defeating a Soul Sage in an instant would be far too eye-catching. After thinking it over, he decided to use a gentler approach and placed his palm against Zhao Wuji's lower abdomen.

"Wait! What's this kid trying to do?"

Zhao Wuji was startled. Feeling the suction coming from Feng Xinglie's palm, he sensed a hint of danger. This was another application of Void Path: using the vacuum created in the palm to destroy objects. The inventor of the technique had once shattered bulletproof glass capable of withstanding a rocket-propelled grenade as easily as ordinary glass. Zhao Wuji didn't know what Feng Xinglie was up to, but years of combat experience told him not to take chances.

"First Soul Skill: Immovable Wisdom King Body!"

Zhao Wuji erupted with power once more, forcing Feng Xinglie back. Feng Xinglie could only sigh in regret. He had still underestimated a Soul Sage's battle instincts.

By now, there was little time left for the test, and impatience flashed across Zhao Wuji's face. He glanced at the incense stick, which was nearly burned down, and prepared to end the fight quickly and teach these Little Monsters a lesson.

"Fourth Soul Skill: Position Tracking."

This time, the ring that lit up was a purple Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Ning Rongrong and the others couldn't help crying out in alarm.

"A Thousand-Year Soul Skill? Get out of the way!"

But after hearing their shouts, Feng Xinglie could only smile bitterly. Dodge? How was he supposed to dodge this move?

"You're Feng Xinglie, right? You had fun beating me up just now, didn't you? This time, I'm coming in close. Be careful not to die!"

As soon as Zhao Wuji finished speaking, he charged over at an unbelievable speed. Feng Xinglie knew he'd already been locked on and had no way to dodge. He hardened his resolve, used Falling Leaf Crazy Foot, and threw all his strength into leaping skyward. Zhao Wuji followed, making a ninety-degree turn under the effect of his Soul Skill.

"Third Soul Skill: Heart Pump Overpressure!"

Feng Xinglie went all in, curling his legs in midair and gathering strength once more. He gauged the distance, waited until Zhao Wuji came within range, then launched a mutually destructive attack. A single, violent heartbeat made his body, strengthened by long-term use of Whale Rubber, cry out in protest. Feng Xinglie didn't dare let his guard down. The instant the power surged through him, he canceled his Third Soul Skill and thrust both legs out with all his might.

As the saying went, "When you strike down from above, you don't need to burn a candle."

Faced with the feet coming down from the sky, Zhao Wuji could only raise his arms to block. After all, Position Tracking meant he had no choice but to take the hit. Unfortunately, he braced himself for the same strength Feng Xinglie had shown before. The instant fist and foot collided, his pupils shrank.

"Wait! Where did all that strength come from?"

But it was too late. Falling Leaf Crazy Foot pressed down on Zhao Wuji's arms and planted both feet on his face. With nothing to push off from, his body soared into the air, then came crashing down like a meteor, smashing a huge crater into the flat ground. The violent impact made all of Shrek Academy tremble.

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey... He got the better of me again. But how does this kid seem to know the ins and outs of my Soul Skills?"

Zhao Wuji climbed out of the crater, dusting himself off and grumbling. He looked battered, but the damage he'd taken was limited. After rolling his aching neck, he looked toward Feng Xinglie, who had finally bled off the force with several rolls and made it back to his feet.

"Teacher Zhao, the incense has burned out. The test is over!"

Seeing the two of them face off once again, Ning Rongrong hurriedly called out. Everyone turned to look. The incense stick planted in the ground had burned down to the end.

"Kid, where'd you learn those strange techniques of yours?"

Seeing that the test was over, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to end his Martial Soul Possession and leave his combat stance, though he was still reluctant to stop. He secretly decided that once Feng Xinglie enrolled, he would put him through the wringer.

"Heh, so the Immovable Wisdom King spared my life because he wanted to know who taught me?"

Feng Xinglie sneered.

At that, Zhao Wuji's old face reddened. Only then did he realize that he'd let his strength get away from him. He waved his hands repeatedly, afraid that this Little Monster might storm off and refuse to enroll.

"Of course not! Your teacher just wanted to see your potential. Congratulations, all of you passed the test. Mubai, take them to rest. Classes start tomorrow."

Without waiting for anyone to reply, Zhao Wuji sprang away from the courtyard.

"That was a close one. I can't believe you held out... Feng Xinglie?"

Now that the test was over, Ning Rongrong patted her chest and teased him. But Feng Xinglie remained standing where he was until Zhao Wuji had disappeared from sight. Then he dropped heavily to the ground. He clamped both hands around his ankle, and with a sharp crack, Feng Xinglie let out a long breath.

"Sigh... My bones are out of place. Zhao Wuji really hits hard."

He took out the Great Sausage Oscar had made for recovery earlier and wolfed down every last one. Feeling warm Soul Power gradually repair his body, he staggered back to his feet.

"You really are something. Who fights like that? Going toe-to-toe with a Soul Sage."

"Couldn't be helped. The minority has to obey the majority, after all."

Meeting Feng Xinglie's resentful gaze, Ning Rongrong turned her head and looked away. But Xiao Wu and Tang San had no such reservations. They bounced over and gave Feng Xinglie a hearty slap on the shoulder.

"Not bad, Xiao Lie. After that performance, you've earned the right to be Sister Xiao Wu's sidekick."

"Maybe another time. I'm going to get some rest."

Feng Xinglie knocked Xiao Wu's hand away, then turned to look at Dai Mubai, signaling for him to lead the way to the dormitory. Zhu Zhuqing also supported Feng Xinglie, much to Dai Mubai's jealous dismay. But he had no choice but to obey Zhao Wuji's instructions and take everyone to the dormitory, looking thoroughly unwilling as he did so. After picking a room, Feng Xinglie ignored everyone else, flopped facedown onto the bed, and fell asleep.