Zhao Wuji's Punching Bag

Tang San wore a confident expression, but inside, he was bitterly regretting this.

From Zhao Wuji's expression, it was obvious he intended to take this test seriously.

Tang San wasn't so arrogant as to think he could go toe-to-toe with a Soul Sage who excelled in both strength and defense.

"Looks like I'll have to use Hidden Weapons."

Across from Tang San, Zhao Wuji was indeed on his guard.

"If even a Level 33 Support Soul Master is this formidable, then this Level 38 Control System brat who came with her must have something special about him too."

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have asked to take the test alone."

"I, Zhao, had better take this seriously. I can't afford to lose face again."

Inside the Broom Shop, Lu Xian successfully received Ning Rongrong's test reward.

[Wish Level D. Executor Ning Rongrong completed 50%.]

[Reward: 360 days of cultivation, 180 years added to Soul Ring age.]

[Holy War Physique strength increased by 20%.]

Looking at the generous reward, Lu Xian shook his head regretfully.

Once again, the generous rewards for a Level D wish had been confirmed. It was just a pity that Ning Rongrong hadn't reached 100% completion.

Still, for a Soul Elder, managing to leave Zhao Wuji with minor injuries was already impressive.

After deducting the portion of the reward that belonged to him, Lu Xian didn't hesitate to distribute the rest.

The three girls who had helped Xiao Wu get Zhu Zhuqing to her feet and moved her aside all fixed their gazes on the two people in the arena.

They were all curious to see what gave Tang San the nerve to claim he could face Zhao Wuji alone.

Having just arrived a hundred meters away, Ning Rongrong heard the notification in her mind, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up.

"Battle God's twentieth trial, The Little Supporter Strikes Back: 50% completion."

"Target assessed as lightly injured."

"Reward: 120 days of cultivation. All Soul Rings increased in age by 20 years."

"Reward: Constitution strengthened by 10%."

The Soul Power generated by 120 days of cultivation directly raised Ning Rongrong to Level 34, closing the gap between her and Xiao Wu.

What delighted her even more was that her constitution, already superior to that of Soul Masters at the same level, had been strengthened once again.

"Ning Rongrong, what are you smiling about?"

"N-nothing. I was just wondering how Tang San would do."

"By the way, you came with Tang San. He must be pretty strong, right?"

At that, Xiao Wu curled her lip disdainfully. She didn't know whether he was strong, but he sure knew how to stir up trouble.

"He's definitely stronger than that Lecherous Tiger, but I don't know exactly how strong."

"I'm telling you, once we're at the academy, you'd better stay away from him. Otherwise, something bad is sure to happen."

"Hm?"

Hearing Little Rabbit's warning, Ning Rongrong immediately gave her a knowing smile.

"Are you worried I'll steal Tang San from you?"

"Tch. Take him if you want. I'm not stopping you. Just don't blame me for not warning you later."

Little Rabbit had meant well, only to get teased. She glared at Ning Rongrong in a flash of anger, which only made Ning Rongrong more suspicious.

Why did Xiao Wu seem to hate Tang San so much?

As they spoke, Tang San and Zhao Wuji had already begun their match.

Knowing he was at a disadvantage, Tang San decided to seize the initiative.

"Third Soul Skill: Blue Silver Bamboo Dragonfly."

Zhao Wuji was slightly taken aback by Tang San's Soul Ring Configuration. A child with such good talent, yet all three Soul Rings were only a hundred years old.

Tang San's teacher ought to go smash his head against a wall and die!

Tang San pressed the propeller formed from Blue Silver Grass against the crown of his head.

It spun, and Tang San quickly rose into the air.

"A flying Soul Skill!"

Tang San was pleased by the astonishment on everyone's faces. It proved that his third Soul Skill really was special.

At the very least, it gave him control of the air, making it easier to use his Hidden Weapons.

But before he could enjoy it for long, a ring of earthy-yellow light spread out beneath Zhao Wuji's feet, and Tang San suddenly felt his body grow incredibly heavy.

The hundred-year Blue Silver Bamboo Dragonfly stopped spinning when it no longer had enough power. Tang San slowly drifted back down to the ground.

Tang San and Zhao Wuji stared at each other for a long moment. Then Tang San hurriedly retreated, stepping through Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

"Well, would you look at that. All show and no substance!"

Zhao Wuji had meant to use Gravity Enhancement to slow Tang San's flight, but he hadn't expected to shut down his engine completely.

His opinion of Tang San sank lower and lower. This was a genius held back by an incompetent teacher.

Just as Zhao Wuji was about to chase after him and reassert the dignity of a Soul Sage, countless Blue Silver Grass stalks suddenly shot up beneath his feet, binding him into a dumpling.

"Now that's more like it. But your Blue Silver Grass doesn't seem very tough!"

The Immovable Wisdom King Body activated once more, and the Blue Silver Grass binding Zhao Wuji quickly snapped apart. Hoping to salvage his dignity, Zhao Wuji lunged at Tang San.

Having already retreated to a safe distance, Tang San swiftly transformed into a Thousand Hand Monster.

Willow Leaf Darts, Sleeve Arrows, Dragon Whisker Needles—he hurled them all at Zhao Wuji as if they cost nothing.

Before Zhao Wuji could even work out what Tang San was throwing at him, he felt pain flare up in several places on his body.

"Well, I'll be! He's a little bee, stinging people!"

Fortunately, with the Immovable Wisdom King Body activated, Zhao Wuji's defense was astonishing. Ordinary Hidden Weapons couldn't pierce it.

Only the Dragon Whisker Needles he had acquired from Flender could hurt him.

Getting injured in front of a group of children again made Zhao Wuji feel thoroughly humiliated.

With Gravity Enhancement and Position Tracking activated at the same time, Tang San found it almost impossible to keep up his hit-and-run tactics.

His usually effective Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was difficult to use to its full potential.

Furious, Tang San hurled several Dragon Whisker Needles straight at Zhao Wuji's eyes.

But Zhao Wuji had been watching Tang San closely this time and wasn't about to fall for it again. He quickly raised his left hand to shield his eyes.

At the same time, he used Vajra Palm to strike at Tang San, guided by Position Tracking.

The pain across the back of his hand enraged Zhao Wuji so much that he forgot to hold back. His palm landed squarely on Tang San's face.

Tang San gave everyone present a demonstration of a "ninety-degree neck turn."

A few teeth, taking matters into their own hands, fled his mouth and dropped to the ground.

Looking at Tang San, who was seeing stars and briefly unconscious, Zhao Wuji's lips curled into a cruel grin.

"You wanted a one-on-one, man-to-man showdown? Then take this!"

"Smack!"

Another slap landed on Tang San's face, giving him the knockout buff just as he was about to wake up.

That still wasn't enough to sate Zhao Wuji. His hands blurred as he unleashed a flurry of slaps, each one landing squarely on Tang San's face.

As he hit him, Zhao Wuji muttered under his breath.

"Still want to sting people, you little hedgehog?"

"Still want to take the test alone?"

The loud slaps echoed through the village. Dai Mubai and the others turned their eyes away, unable to watch.

Only Xiao Wu clenched her fists in secret, cheering him on in her heart.

Xiao Wu had been bottling up her anger the whole way here, but she was too afraid of bringing bad luck upon herself to take revenge on Tang San.

Now Zhao Wuji was her hired muscle, giving her a good outlet for all that pent-up rage.

Though he was enjoying the beating, Zhao Wuji knew that a child this talented was exactly Flender's type.

So he had no intention of failing him.

Once Tang San's head looked twice its normal size, Zhao Wuji stopped at last.

He clapped his hands and said:

"You pass, kid."

"Oscar, come over and give him a sausage."

"Mubai, show the little monsters to their dormitory."

"Yes!"

After giving his instructions, Zhao Wuji brushed the dust off himself and headed back into the building. Several spots on his body were still aching, but he couldn't bring himself to check his injuries in front of the students.