Preparing for War

Once Zhu Zhuqing finished her self-introduction, the conversation naturally veered off course.

"Are you all really twelve years old?"

Ning Rongrong remained quite relaxed; she didn't believe any spirit master academy would turn her away, regardless of which one she chose to attend.

"Of course, I don't mean to doubt your ages, it's just that you all are so..."

Ning Rongrong placed a hand on top of her head, making a gesture to compare heights.

In truth, Ning Rongrong's own height of 1.6 meters was quite respectable for a girl, and Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside her, was roughly the same height. Of course, compared to the others, they were thoroughly crushed.

But the three across from her were all over 1.7 meters tall; Xiao Wu in particular made her feel like she only reached the girl's chin.

"Oh, this? Jiu said that eating well, sleeping well, and exercising a lot is the key to growing well. That's all there is to it." Xiao Wu had no intention of showing off; once she finished, she looked at Jiang Jiu, seeking praise.

"Need to exercise a lot? Then forget it." Ning Rongrong didn't even bother to feign her usual diligence.

When it came to their attitude toward cultivation, Ning Rongrong and the past Xiao Wu were cut from the same cloth—they would slack off whenever possible. The only difference was that Xiao Wu actually enjoyed exercise, while Ning Rongrong did absolutely nothing to train beyond playing pranks on others.

"It mostly comes down to genetics, including the influence of one's martial spirit." Jiang Jiu patted Xiao Wu's small head; what she said was perfectly reasonable.

"Ah, I forgot about that. Hehe."

"Is that so? By the way, you all seem to have a very close relationship."

"Mm, we came from the same primary spirit master academy and spent six years together."

"Which primary spirit master academy is that impressive?"

No one paid any attention to the wide-eyed Ning Rongrong. Xiao Wu, triggered by the mention of "six years," leaned against Jiang Jiu's shoulder with a sweet smile on her face.

Ning Rongrong felt an indescribable sense of wrongness, though she couldn't quite put her finger on where it was coming from.

"Ahem, I think you'd better take this seriously. Teacher Zhao is a level 76 beast martial spirit battle spirit saint."

Seizing the opportunity, Oscar cleared his throat and interjected.

Once such explosive information was dropped, everyone's gaze naturally shifted toward him.

"Level 76? You want us to fight a spirit master of that rank? You're joking, right?" Ning Rongrong was instantly unsettled.

Her initial expectation had been five people against one spirit emperor. With her buffs and Xiao Wu as a spirit grandmaster, if the teacher held back a little, the outcome wouldn't be too unsightly.

But a beast martial spirit spirit saint? Even if he held back, they would only be asking for a beating.

Although she could still get into the academy, Ning Rongrong wanted to be admitted with elegance!

"I heard just now that he's the vice dean. Does that mean the academy dean is a spirit douluo?" Xiao Wu's focus was elsewhere.

"You'll know once the stick of incense burns out. Teacher Zhao isn't the type to joke around." Oscar first dismissed Ning Rongrong's shock before answering Xiao Wu's question.

"Dean Flender is currently level 78, but given his age, the probability of him becoming a spirit douluo in a few years is quite high. Teacher Zhao is about the same."

In front of these future juniors, Oscar still liked to brag about Shrek Academy. With so many pretty junior sisters around, it would be a pity to let any of them slip away.

Xiao Wu felt relieved.

By the time that Shrek dean became a spirit douluo, she and Jiu would have likely already graduated. Even if that man were lucky enough to reach the rank within six years, the worst-case scenario was simply taking Jiu and running away the moment they heard he had hit level 80.

"Right, and another thing—I am not some middle-aged uncle!"

"I am Oscar, a level 29 tool martial spirit master. My martial spirit is a sausage, and I'm fourteen. If you can pass Teacher Zhao's assessment, I'll be your future senior."

Oscar delivered what he considered a very cool self-introduction, but the effect was mediocre at best.

"Are you really not thirty-four? Though, your martial spirit is quite decent."

Oscar inexplicably felt Ning Rongrong's disdain.

"Hey, I'm the one providing you with intelligence!"

"Then thank you, Senior." Ning Rongrong said dismissively.

Jiang Jiu glanced at Tang San, who understood the hint and began to soothe Oscar's wounded ego while simultaneously fishing for more information.

Tang San didn't talk much, but he was capable of effective communication when necessary.

"Is his martial spirit the Vajra Bear?" Tang San frowned.

He knew of this martial spirit; its defensive power was terrifying, and its attack power was no weakness either. Especially given the massive gap in spirit power between them and Zhao Wuji, none of them could withstand a single palm strike.

The smallest gap between them was likely speed. They would have to rely on their numbers and speed to create some sort of decent result.

Thanks to Yu Xiaogang's long-term education, Tang San subconsciously adopted the mindset of a control-type spirit master, analyzing the upcoming battle as a team effort.

Moreover, he had just received a hint from Jiang Jiu.

"San, how should we fight? You tell us."

Ning Rongrong blinked. Was the tactical arrangement being left to this Blue Silver Grass spirit master named Tang San?

However, considering he seemed to be the only control-type spirit master here, she could understand.

"Since this is our first time fighting together, shall we each perform our own duties?" Tang San's words were short and clear.

"Sure." Ning Rongrong agreed.

Performing their own duties meant doing exactly what their respective roles required.

As a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda soul master, what tactical maneuvers could she possibly perform other than standing in place to cast and maintain her buffing soul skills?

If danger arose, it would be the responsibility of the soul masters tasked with protecting her.

Zhu Zhuqing also nodded silently; this was the first time she had voiced her own opinion.

She was naturally a woman of few words, and had no one specifically asked her a question, she would have remained silent indefinitely.

"So that means Jiang Jiu and I will be the main attackers?"

"Hmm, come to think of it, it's always been Jiang Jiu and me sparring; this seems to be the first time we're facing an enemy together!"

Xiao Wu became excited all of a sudden.

With the potential crisis of a Soul Douluo removed, Xiao Wu treated the upcoming assessment as an enjoyable experience, as if the Soul Saint rank she had just heard about were a lie.

Tang San was no less eager; even he, usually so steady, had eyes that brightened with anticipation.

Watching these newcomers seemingly ignite with fighting spirit, Oscar couldn't help but call them monsters in his heart.

No, wait—the person you're about to fight is a Soul Saint, and the very same Teacher Zhao who once took on a dozen opponents of the same rank at once. How can you even muster up the courage for this?

"Your eyes look quite good."

At some point, Zhao Wuji had also looked over, holding an incense stick in his hand to track the time for the assessment.

"You should be done discussing by now, right?"

Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Oscar retreated very consciously, then jogged over to where Teacher Li Yusong and the others were standing.

He was still quite intimidated by Zhao Wuji, and only felt a sense of security while staying beside the two Soul Emperor teachers.

"We can begin." Xiao Wu and Tang San both turned their gazes toward Jiang Jiu, and Jiang Jiu nodded.

Ning Rongrong gave a cunning smile, and without waiting for Zhao Wuji to officially light the incense, she immediately activated her martial soul.