Wu Changkong's Strength

Xu Xiaoyan looked back and spotted Leng Xue'er.

Leng Xue'er was beautiful enough to make even her gasp in admiration.

When she saw Leng Xue'er gently stroking Cheng Duoyi's head,

the gossip-loving part of her stirred again, and she grew curious about the two of them.

The others paid it no mind.

Inside the training room, Gu Yue, Tang Wuling, Xie Xie, Yun Xiao, Xu Xiaoyan, Wang Jinxi, Zhang Yangzi, and Wei Xiaofeng all looked toward Wu Changkong.

Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Tang Wuling, how should we fight Teacher Wu?"

Tang Wuling thought for a moment. "Wang Jinxi and I will attack head-on. Xie Xie, Wei Xiaofeng, and Zhang Yangzi will draw Teacher Wu's attention from the sides. Yue'er, you attack from a distance. Yun Xiao, watch for the right moment. If Teacher Wu is about to attack Yue'er, use your skill to interfere."

"Okay." Xie Xie and Yun Xiao were the first to nod in agreement.

Xie Xie gripped the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger in his hands, his eyes sharp as an eagle's. He was ready for battle.

Yun Xiao, meanwhile, clenched his fists nervously.

Wang Jinxi stretched his limbs, his eyes brimming with fighting spirit.

Zhang Yangzi and Wei Xiaofeng also circulated their Soul Power, ready to attack at any moment.

Xu Xiaoyan raised the Ice Staff in her hands. Although she wasn't much of a fighter during the day, she still wanted to do her part.

Across from them, Wu Changkong remained expressionless.

A flash of cold light appeared in his hand, and an ice-blue longsword materialized.

The entire blade gleamed like it had been carved from ten-thousand-year-old ice, radiating a bone-chilling cold. It was his Martial Soul, the Heavenly Frost Sword.

Wu Changkong had learned his lesson after suffering a loss with a wooden sword.

Against geniuses like Tang Wuling and Gu Yue, he simply couldn't achieve the desired effect without using his Martial Soul.

Tang Wuling in particular possessed strength beyond all imagination. Even he didn't dare underestimate her.

"Are you ready?" Wu Changkong's voice was cold.

"Ready!" the eight of them shouted in unison.

"Begin."

The moment Wu Changkong spoke, Tang Wuling and Wang Jinxi moved at the same time.

Tang Wuling pushed off with her feet and shot forward like a bolt of lightning.

"First Soul Skill, Bind."

She swung both hands, and countless strands of Blue Silver Grass burst through the ground, lashing toward Wu Changkong.

The strands surged with tremendous force, like little green snakes. In an instant, they sealed off the space around Wu Changkong, then attacked him.

At the same time, Wang Jinxi roared. His right arm swelled rapidly, transforming into a massive Bone Dragon Claw that radiated a heart-stirring aura of darkness.

"First Soul Skill, Bone Dragon Claw." Wang Jinxi leaped into the air.

From the sides, Xie Xie, Wei Xiaofeng, and Zhang Yangzi attacked at the same time.

Xie Xie blurred into motion, the Light Dragon Dagger and Shadow Dragon Dagger flashing with cold light.

"First Soul Skill, Light Dragon Blade, Shadow Dragon Blade!"

Two dragon-shaped blades of light and shadow shot toward Wu Changkong, one bright and one dark. They wove together, their power increasing greatly.

Wei Xiaofeng activated his second Soul Skill, doubling his speed in an instant. He became a series of green afterimages, darting around Wu Changkong as he searched for an opening to attack.

"First Soul Skill, Green Shadow Stack!"

Countless lifelike afterimages appeared across the field, making it impossible to tell which one was the real Wei Xiaofeng.

Zhang Yangzi spread the wings of the Dark Phantom Eagle behind him and flew into the air. He waved both hands, releasing a curtain of black light.

"First Soul Skill, Darkness Veil!"

The black veil rapidly spread, covering the entire battlefield. It blocked Wu Changkong's vision and weakened his perception.

In the rear, Gu Yue began her attack as well.

The two Hundred-Year Soul Rings on her body lit up, and the elements around her instantly turned violent.

"First Soul Skill, Elemental Tide."

Her connection to the elements strengthened in an instant.

Then her gaze sharpened, and she called out in a low voice,

"Second Soul Skill, Elemental Control."

Countless fireballs, ice spikes, earth spikes, and wind blades shot toward Wu Changkong all at once, sweeping over him like an Elemental Storm.

Yun Xiao stood a little farther from the others, keeping his eyes fixed on Gu Yue and ready to use Displacement to protect her. Among them, only Tang Wuling was more important than Gu Yue.

Tang Wuling was strong and didn't need his protection. Gu Yue, on the other hand, was fragile. If Wu Changkong targeted her first, she might really be eliminated.

Xu Xiaoyan also raised her Ice Staff and tried to attack, but the results weren't impressive. She could only do her best to stay out of the way...

Facing the combined assault of all eight,

Wu Changkong still didn't change his expression.

He didn't even move his feet. He only flicked his wrist, and the Heavenly Frost Sword traced an elegant arc through the air.

"First Soul Skill, Frost Mark!"

Countless icy sword traces burst from the Heavenly Frost Sword like snowflakes swirling through the sky, meeting Tang Wuling's Blue Silver Grass and Wang Jinxi's Bone Dragon Claw with unerring precision.

"Crack! Crack! Crack!"

The icy sword traces collided with the Blue Silver Grass, producing crisp snapping sounds.

The incredibly tough strands were chopped apart with ease by Frost Mark, as if they were rotten wood.

Next, the icy sword traces struck Wang Jinxi's Bone Dragon Claw.

Bone-chilling cold surged into Wang Jinxi's arm, slowing his movements.

The piercing damage from the sword traces also made him grunt. His whole body seemed on the verge of freezing solid.

Wu Changkong turned his wrist again and slashed the Heavenly Frost Sword sideways.

"Second Soul Skill, Frost Mist!"

A cloud of white mist poured from the Heavenly Frost Sword, rapidly spreading until it covered the entire battlefield.

Visibility in the mist was extremely poor, and everyone's perception was greatly weakened.

Xie Xie's Light Dragon Blade and Shadow Dragon Blade vanished into the mist like stones sinking into the sea, without a sound.

Wei Xiaofeng's afterimages grew indistinct in the mist, and he lost track of Wu Changkong as well.

Zhang Yangzi's Darkness Veil and the Frost Mist overlapped, plunging the battlefield into even deeper gloom. He couldn't even see what was happening below.

Gu Yue's elemental attacks were also affected by the Frost Mist. Their power dropped sharply, and most of them missed.

"Not good!"

Tang Wuling was startled. She realized she'd made a mistake.

She had underestimated the strength of a three-ringed Wu Changkong, as well as the power of the Heavenly Frost Sword's Soul Skills.

Just then, a cold voice came from within the mist. "Your coordination is too clumsy, riddled with openings."

Before his words had even faded, an ice-blue figure appeared behind Xie Xie like a ghost.

Alarm bells rang in Xie Xie's mind. He hurriedly turned to block, but it was already too late.

Wu Changkong lightly tapped Xie Xie's shoulder with the tip of the Heavenly Frost Sword.

Bone-chilling cold invaded Xie Xie's body, freezing him from head to toe and leaving him unable to move.

"Xie Xie, eliminated." Wu Changkong's cold voice rang out.

An unwilling look appeared on Xie Xie's face, but he could only leave the battlefield in defeat.

After taking care of Xie Xie, Wu Changkong vanished into the mist once more.

The next second, he appeared beside Wei Xiaofeng.

Wei Xiaofeng paled with shock and hurriedly activated Green Shadow Speed to escape.

But the Frost Mist had already slowed him down considerably.

Wu Changkong swept the Heavenly Frost Sword through the air, sending a Frost Mark toward Wei Xiaofeng.

Wei Xiaofeng tried desperately to dodge, but the Frost Mark still struck his leg, freezing it instantly. He fell to the ground.

"Wei Xiaofeng, eliminated."

Next, Wu Changkong turned his attention to Zhang Yangzi in the air.

He tapped the ground with his toes and soared upward.

Countless icy sword traces shot toward Zhang Yangzi.

Zhang Yangzi hurriedly beat his wings to dodge, while releasing Shadow Clones to distract Wu Changkong.

But Wu Changkong's Frost Marks were too numerous and too precise.

"Pfft!"

One struck Zhang Yangzi's wing. The bone-chilling cold stiffened it instantly, leaving him unable to flap.

Zhang Yangzi cried out and plummeted from the air, crashing heavily to the ground.

"Zhang Yangzi, eliminated."

In just a few seconds, Wu Changkong had taken out all three members harassing him from the sides.

Tang Wuling and Wang Jinxi stared in shock, their hearts filled with disbelief.

Gu Yue also realized how serious the situation was. She increased her Soul Power output and controlled the elements even more furiously.

A massive wall of water appeared in front of Wu Changkong, trying to block his advance.

At the same time, countless earth spikes rose from the ground, thrusting toward his feet.

But Wu Changkong only snorted. He swept the Heavenly Frost Sword through the air, releasing a fierce sword aura that split the water wall in two.

Then he tapped the ground and dodged the earth spikes, his figure flashing toward Tang Wuling.

"Not good!"

Tang Wuling was startled and hurriedly activated her second Soul Skill.

"Second Soul Skill, Blue Silver Spike Array!"

Countless strands of Blue Silver Grass thrust up from the ground, forming a dense forest that jabbed toward Wu Changkong.

The Blue Silver Grass carried a paralyzing effect. Anyone struck by it would temporarily lose the ability to move.

But Wu Changkong was too fast.

He weaved through the Blue Silver Spike Array as casually as if he were strolling through a courtyard.

Not a single strand of Blue Silver Grass could touch the hem of his clothes.

Wu Changkong released Frost Mist again.

This time the mist was even thicker, and Tang Wuling lost sight of him completely.

As Tang Wuling warily looked around,

a chill suddenly came from behind her.

Tang Wuling was horrified and hurriedly turned around.

At the same time, she circulated all her Soul Power and punched toward her rear.

But Wu Changkong's figure flickered like a ghost, dodging Tang Wuling's punch rather than meeting it head-on.

Then the hilt of the Heavenly Frost Sword lightly tapped Tang Wuling in the back.

"Pfft!"

Tang Wuling felt a powerful force slam into her, while bone-chilling cold invaded her body and caused her Soul Power to seize up instantly.

She staggered forward a few steps and fell to the ground.

"Tang Wuling, eliminated." Wu Changkong's voice remained cold.

Tang Wuling lay on the ground, her fists clenched tight.

After taking care of Tang Wuling, Wu Changkong turned his attention to Wang Jinxi.

Wang Jinxi looked into Wu Changkong's cold eyes, fear filling his heart. Still, he summoned his courage, activated Bone Dragon Claw again, and charged at Wu Changkong.

"Second Soul Skill, Bone Soul Transformation!"

Wang Jinxi transformed his right arm into a spiritual form, hoping to become immune to Wu Changkong's physical attacks.

But Wu Changkong only snorted. He swept the Heavenly Frost Sword, sending a Frost Mark toward Wang Jinxi's left leg.

Wang Jinxi's left leg froze instantly.

He lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Wu Changkong stepped forward and pointed the Heavenly Frost Sword at his throat.

"Wang Jinxi, eliminated."

Now only Gu Yue, Yun Xiao, and Xu Xiaoyan remained on the battlefield.

Gu Yue watched Wu Changkong walk toward her step by step.

She formed a hand seal, and the Soul Rings on her body shone brightly.

A massive wall of fire appeared in front of Wu Changkong.

At the same time, countless ice spikes shot toward him from all directions.

Wu Changkong didn't change his expression. The Heavenly Frost Sword spun in front of him, forming an ice-blue curtain of blades.

The curtain blocked all the fireballs and ice spikes, turning them into clouds of water vapor and ice fragments.

Wu Changkong released Frost Mist again, sending it rolling toward Gu Yue.

Gu Yue was startled and hurriedly retreated.

At the same time, she controlled the wind element, trying to blow away the Frost Mist.

Just then, Wu Changkong suddenly burst out of the mist and lunged at Gu Yue.

"Yun Xiao!" Gu Yue shouted.

Yun Xiao was already prepared.

His gaze sharpened, and he called out in a low voice, "First Soul Skill, Displacement!"

A flash of white light passed, and Yun Xiao and Gu Yue instantly switched places.

Wu Changkong's Heavenly Frost Sword struck Yun Xiao's shoulder.

Yun Xiao was instantly frozen by the cold, unable to move.

"Yun Xiao, eliminated," Wu Changkong said calmly.

Now, only Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan remained on the battlefield.

Xu Xiaoyan stared at Wu Changkong, trembling all over with fear. She could barely keep hold of the Ice Staff in her hands.

Her fighting ability was already weak in the daytime. Now, she had no power to fight back at all.

Gu Yue took a deep breath, stepped in front of Xu Xiaoyan, and launched an attack.

Wu Changkong easily dodged Gu Yue's attack.

With a flash, he appeared right in front of her.

The Heavenly Frost Sword tapped lightly, striking Gu Yue on the wrist.

"Gu Yue, out."

At last, Wu Changkong turned to Xu Xiaoyan.

Terrified, Xu Xiaoyan shut her eyes and raised both hands in surrender.

"Teacher Wu, I give up!"

Wu Changkong put away the Heavenly Frost Sword, and the Frost Mist gradually faded.

He looked at the eight dejected students and said expressionlessly, "That's enough training for today. Think carefully about why you lost so badly."

With that, Wu Changkong turned and left the training ground.

The eight watched Wu Changkong's retreating figure, their hearts full of frustration.

They had thought their teamwork was already good, but before Wu Changkong, they were utterly helpless.

Cheng Duoyi and Leng Xue'er walked over.

Cheng Duoyi looked at everyone and said with a smile, "It's all right. For your first fight against Teacher Wu, you did quite well. Teacher Wu is a Soul Master from Shrek Inner Court. There's no shame in losing to him."

Tang Wuling raised her head and looked at Cheng Duoyi, her eyes full of determination. "Brother Yi'er, I'll work hard. Next time, I'll be able to hold out longer!"

Xie Xie, Wang Jinxi, and the others also vowed to train even harder.

Seeing everyone fired up with fighting spirit, Cheng Duoyi nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Keep it up."

Over the next half month,

under Wu Changkong's guidance, they underwent grueling training.

Every day, they fought Wu Changkong. Though they lost each time, their progress was obvious...