Gu Han and Xiao Wu walked into Shrek Academy. The surroundings were still shabby, but compared to the gate outside, at least this place looked somewhat like an academy.
There hadn't been many who made it through the first few trials to begin with, and with Gu Han and Xiao Wu—
At this moment, only Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were waiting on the open ground for the fourth trial.
Ning Rongrong curiously sized up Gu Han. The five Soul Rings he'd displayed outside had just given them a tremendous shock.
Zhu Zhuqing still wore her usual cool expression, but every now and then, she glanced over at Gu Han.
Soon, a middle-aged man who wasn't very tall but had broad shoulders and muscles all over came over, yawning.
He looked a little lazy, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp. He was none other than the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji.
"Hm? Four little monsters made it to the fourth trial this year. Not bad, not bad."
Zhao Wuji's gaze swept over the four of them and paused briefly on Gu Han. Li Yusong had clearly already told him about the situation.
But he showed no surprise, merely grinning. "I'm Zhao Wuji, your examiner for the fourth trial."
"My test is simple. You just have to hold out against me for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. I don't care what methods you use. As long as you're still standing when it's done, you pass."
He casually planted an incense stick in the ground and lit it.
"Teacher Zhao, isn't that a little unfair? You're a Soul Saint, while we..."
Ning Rongrong couldn't help speaking up. Although she was only a support-type Soul Master, she knew the gap between a Soul Saint and them all too well.
Zhao Wuji grinned.
"Don't worry. I'll suppress my Soul Power to around your level. Of course, if you think one person won't be enough, you can all come at me together."
His gaze lingered mostly on Gu Han, carrying a hint of provocation.
A thirteen-year-old Soul King had piqued his interest.
"We'll fight together," Gu Han said calmly, looking at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul was the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, which could greatly enhance their abilities.
Zhu Zhuqing was extremely fast and could draw his attention. It really was a good combination.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance, then nodded. Against a Soul Saint, working together was their only choice.
"I'm Ning Rongrong. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and I'm a twenty-sixth-level support-type tool Soul Master," Ning Rongrong introduced herself first.
"Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. I'm a twenty-seventh-level Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master." Zhu Zhuqing kept it brief.
"Xiao Wu. My Martial Soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit, and I'm a thirty-fourth-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master," Xiao Wu said with a grin. Two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring rose beneath her feet.
"Thirty-fourth level?"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing looked astonished. This lively-looking girl had even more Soul Power than they did.
"Gu Han. My Martial Soul is the Heavenly Frost Sword, and I'm a fifty-third-level Power Attack System Battle Soul Master," Gu Han said last. His five Soul Rings appeared once more, and their configuration made even Zhao Wuji grow more serious.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda? Good. Flender will be delighted."
Zhao Wuji looked at Ning Rongrong, then turned his gaze back to Gu Han. "Fifty-third level. You're the strangest little monster I've ever seen, kid. I hope you don't disappoint me."
"Seven Treasures turn, Glazed light shines. First: Strength! Second: Speed!"
Ning Rongrong reacted quickly. Her two yellow Soul Rings lit up, and four streams of colored light flowed into Gu Han, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and herself.
Their strength and speed instantly increased by thirty percent!
Zhu Zhuqing darted around to Zhao Wuji's flank, claws unsheathed as she aimed for his vitals. Xiao Wu powered up her Waist Bow and closed in as if teleporting, her long legs coiling toward Zhao Wuji's neck.
Zhao Wuji neither dodged nor evaded. His skin took on the sheen of bronze.
"Bang! Bang!" Zhu Zhuqing's claws and Xiao Wu's kick landed on him, ringing like metal striking metal, but only making him sway slightly.
"Not bad strength, but you've still got a long way to go." Zhao Wuji's large hand slapped straight at Xiao Wu.
Just then, a piercing chill descended without warning.
"First Soul Skill, Frost Blade Slash."
Gu Han moved. He swung the Heavenly Frost Sword, sending a crescent of icy-blue sword energy slashing toward Zhao Wuji's arm as it struck at Xiao Wu, carrying a bone-deep chill.
Before the sword energy even reached him, its extreme cold had already left a faint layer of frost on Zhao Wuji's arm.
Zhao Wuji's eyes narrowed. He withdrew his hand and punched toward the incoming sword energy.
"Shhk!"
The sword energy collided with the force of his punch, making a sound like shattering ice.
A layer of frost actually formed over the Soul Power on Zhao Wuji's fist. It shattered instantly, but he still felt the chill slowing his movements.
"Not bad, kid. You've got something." Zhao Wuji was delighted rather than alarmed. The third Soul Ring on his body lit up.
A powerful gravity instantly enveloped the entire area. Ning Rongrong grunted, while Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu slowed down as well.
Gu Han felt his body grow heavy too, but his Soul Power was strong, so the effect on him was smaller. His sword stance shifted, and he thrust the Heavenly Frost Sword toward the ground.
"Second Soul Skill, Ice Crystal Barrier."
A thick wall of ice burst from the ground, rising in front of Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing and blocking Zhao Wuji's view as well.
"You think this can stop me?"
Zhao Wuji laughed loudly. The fifth Soul Ring on his body lit up as he prepared to unleash an even stronger attack.
Gu Han's eyes sharpened. He knew he couldn't just defend passively. The third black Soul Ring on the Heavenly Frost Sword suddenly lit up.
"Third Soul Skill, Frost Bloom."
He slammed the Heavenly Frost Sword into the ground behind the ice wall, using the wall as his anchor.
Countless ice spikes burst from the ground beneath Zhao Wuji and spread upward, then exploded in an instant. They covered nearly all the space around him.
Zhao Wuji hadn't expected Gu Han's attack to cover such a huge area. In his haste, he actually used his Martial Soul Avatar to defend himself, forgetting for a moment that he was supposed to suppress his Soul Power.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The ice spikes kept exploding, and frigid air filled the surroundings. Ice crystals repeatedly formed over Zhao Wuji's body, only to be shattered at once.
Though they hadn't broken through his defenses, they left him looking rather disheveled and completely pinned him in place.
"Now's our chance."
With Ning Rongrong's support, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu braved the gravity and attacked again from both sides.
Gu Han also held the Heavenly Frost Sword, its tip pointed straight at Zhao Wuji as he searched for an opening to strike a decisive blow.
But before they could attack, Zhao Wuji conceded on his own. He had broken the rules himself. He was supposed to suppress his Soul Power to their level,
But he'd just used his Martial Soul Avatar, which meant he'd already lost.
Just as Gu Han and the others' trial came to an end, a commotion arose outside Shrek Academy.
"Let me in! My disciple is a genius! His Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, but he's different.
He was clearly twenty-ninth level before. Something must have gone wrong somewhere.
Before you continue