"They're the ones!"
Tang Wutong understood at once. Those two had made their move.
It had to be one of their Soul Skills, but how could it have such a heaven-defying effect?
At least you know what's good for you...
She gave a quiet snort in her heart, though the corners of her mouth curled up despite herself.
With her god's-eye view to guide her, she twisted her body in midair, dodging the Soul-Extinguishing Spear at an inconceivable angle.
She didn't dare waste a moment. Her wings beat hard, and she turned to put some distance between herself and Yang Wushuang.
"She actually dodged?"
Yang Wushuang gave a soft exclamation, surprise flashing in his eyes.
He hadn't used his full strength, but even an ordinary Agility-type Soul Elder would have struggled to avoid that thrust.
"Let's see you dodge this one..."
He looked up at Tang Wutong as she tried to flee, put more force into his attack, and sent the Soul-Extinguishing Spear streaking out once more like a black dragon.
This time, it was even faster!
Roar!
The black wyrm roared. The spearhead tore through the air with a piercing shriek.
Tang Wutong's beautiful eyes narrowed.
That cool sensation welled up again. The Soul-Extinguishing Spear's trajectory, even the direction Yang Wushuang would put his strength into next, appeared clearly in her perception.
She darted about, beating her radiant wings as she traced elegant arcs through the air, trying to repeat her earlier trick.
But this time, the spear followed her like a shadow.
No matter how she changed direction, that streak of black stayed within three feet of her back. She couldn't shake it or dodge it.
"Damn it!"
Tang Wutong gritted her teeth, her pink-and-blue eyes full of frustration.
Too slow!
Her reaction speed was too slow!
Even though she could track the spear's trajectory, her body couldn't keep up with her thoughts.
With the black spearhead rapidly swelling in her vision, she had no choice but to fold her wings and brace herself for the blow.
Bang!
The spear slammed into her radiant wings with a dull boom.
Tang Wutong instantly lost her balance. The world spun before her eyes, and she was sent flying backward like a butterfly with a broken wing.
"Still short on experience."
Yang Wushuang shook his head slightly and strode forward, his spear dragging along the ground and throwing up sparks.
They'd been told to work together as a team of three, yet she was arrogant enough to face a Soul Emperor like him alone.
He'd have to teach this youngster a lesson.
But just as he prepared to press his advantage, a sharp cry rang out from above.
"First Soul Skill, Cauldron Tremor!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Three Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldrons, gleaming with golden light, dropped from the sky.
Two descended on either side of Yang Wushuang, their bodies spinning as they crashed down on him with the force of Mount Tai!
At the same time, the last cauldron whistled toward Tang Wutong. Its mouth gaped open and swallowed her whole.
Then all three cauldrons rang out in unison!
Vmmm—
A violent tremor rippled across the arena in layer upon layer, visible golden rings sweeping out in every direction.
Yang Wushuang, rushing after her, took the shock head-on. A piercing buzz filled his ears, and his pursuit came to an abrupt halt.
In that brief pause, the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron carrying Tang Wutong had already risen into the air and returned to the sky.
"Hiss! Now that's interesting."
Yang Wushuang shook his dizzy head, rubbed his temples, and looked up with a smile.
That butterfly girl was a bit of a loner, but the other two had still stepped in to save her. At least their character passed muster.
Meanwhile, the chief examiner, watching from the other side, stared with keen interest at the figure wheeling through the sky.
It was a huge blue bird, wrapped in wind and lightning, with a wingspan of over two meters. Every flap of its wings sent tiny crackles of electricity hissing through the air.
Two people stood on the blue bird's back. The examiner had watched Jiang Yi release this Soul Beast with his own eyes.
"His Martial Soul lets him control Soul Beasts? And his Second Soul Ring is a thousand years old... This year's going to be lively!"
The chief examiner smiled.
Controlling Soul Beasts was rare, but hardly unheard of. One of this year's students had a Treasure Tome Martial Soul with a similar ability.
There were far too many unexpected little fellows among the new students this year.
The young master of the White Tiger Duke's household, the young master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the young master of the Clear Sky Sect... and now this boy.
"Wonder if Dean Xian would be interested in this."
The chief examiner stroked his chin, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Things conjured by Martial Souls were almost always real, and a Martial Soul capable of subduing Soul Beasts was probably a variant of some kind of Soul Tool.
Maybe he could improve it?
Everyone had seen how the academy's higher-ups had been directing resources toward the Soul Engineer Academy in recent years.
Just as he was making plans, the three cauldrons in the sky came together again and slowly floated back to Xiao Xiao's side.
"So this is what flying feels like? This is awesome—!"
Xiao Xiao clutched Jiang Yi's clothes with one hand and controlled the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron with the other.
Her big, doe-like eyes were full of both fear and excitement as she looked around. Her ponytail whipped back and forth in the wind.
I can fly too—!
Clang!
Just then, the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron beside them suddenly clanged.
Someone shoved the lid open from inside. A disheveled figure emerged, reeling with dizziness, her pink-and-blue hair a tangled mess.
"You—ugh!"
Tang Wutong was about to speak when a wave of nausea suddenly rose from her stomach. She clamped a hand over her mouth, nearly throwing up on the spot.
The cauldron's ringing had echoed and reverberated inside it, and she'd really gotten a bellyful of that.
Her head was still buzzing, her mind full of that clanging vibration, with stars flashing before her eyes.
"Sorry about that~"
Xiao Xiao scratched her head and stuck out her tongue at Tang Wutong, looking a little embarrassed.
"My control's not great yet! Hehe!"
She still couldn't control the three cauldrons separately.
Either they all rang, or they all swayed!
"..."
Tang Wutong opened her mouth, wanting to lose her temper, but she couldn't think of anyone to blame.
After all, Xiao Xiao had saved her.
She was proud and looked down on these country bumpkins from Douluo Continent, but she wasn't ungrateful.
"Fine! Next time, don't shut me inside a cauldron... No, there won't be a next time."
Tang Wutong pouted, but in the end, she let it go.
She shook her head, gripped the rim of the cauldron with both hands, and jumped out with a little push.
Her radiant wings spread behind her, and a hazy, multicolored glow once again enveloped her graceful figure, making her look breathtaking.
"Hey, that Soul Skill just now—was that yours?"
As she smoothed out her rumpled long skirt, Tang Wutong turned her gaze to Jiang Yi beside Xiao Xiao.
Jiang Yi stood with his hands behind his back on the Gale Thunder Falcon's back, a palm-sized white silkworm perched on his shoulder.
He controls Soul Beasts?
Tang Wutong was surprised, but she kept her expression calm.
He's got something going for him...
She gave Jiang Yi another careful look and realized he did have a distinctive air about him.
Maybe he could just barely qualify as my servant!
She blinked. A strange thought had suddenly popped into her mind, and she startled herself.
Pah, pah, pah! What am I thinking?
"I'm not called 'hey.' My name's Jiang Yi!"
Jiang Yi shot her a glance.
This girl needs a little discipline from the Master Ball too. You audacious Soul Beast, I can tell at a glance you're not human!
Going undercover at Shrek Academy? Looks like she needs a thorough investigation.
"Got it, Hey~"
The corners of Tang Wutong's mouth lifted, and a hint of playfulness slipped into her voice.
Then she impatiently waved a hand, fixed her gaze on Yang Wushuang below, and rolled up her sleeves.
"Enough talking! Let me borrow your Soul Skill again!"
She'd only been careless before. This time, with Jiang Yi's Spirit Detection backing her up, she'd descend from the heavens like a king!
But Jiang Yi looked at her with disdain, then silently pointed down at Yang Wushuang.
"Didn't you notice?"
Tang Wutong: ???
Before you continue