"Enough, stop chatting. What's there to talk about? Once you get past me, you can take your time chatting."
Zhao Wuji rose from his chair. He wasn't tall and had an ordinary appearance, but he looked incredibly sturdy.
Despite his unimpressive height, he gave off a sense of imposing strength.
His broad shoulders were like city walls, while the muscles his coat couldn't conceal seemed to have been forged from steel, creating an intense feeling of oppression!
"My name is Zhao Wuji, and I'm the teacher testing you in the fourth trial."
"The test is simple. I'll give you the time it takes an incense stick to burn to get to know one another and arrange your tactics. Then, you'll have to last that long against me. As long as one of you holds out until the end, you'll pass."
After saying that, he glanced at Dai Mubai and continued.
"I'm a straightforward man, so I'll admit it. I really am planning to help Xiao Bai teach that brat named Su Ge a lesson."
"Although he lost because his skills were inferior, he's still a student of Shrek Academy. And although our Shrek Academy is a little poor, we absolutely protect our own!"
Hearing Zhao Wuji's words, everyone was surprised that he had stated it so bluntly, and they were also somewhat confused.
"Then, Teacher Zhao, what if we're also students of Shrek Academy? Would you still choose to attack us?"
Ning Rongrong voiced her question at that moment, perfectly following up on Zhao Wuji's words.
"You said 'if.' If you were also students of Shrek Academy, then it would be healthy competition between students, and we teachers naturally wouldn't interfere."
"But you aren't students of Shrek Academy yet. Since you aren't, I have a reason to make a move."
"Xiao Bai, go tell them about my strengths and characteristics so they can prepare themselves."
After Zhao Wuji finished speaking, he somehow produced an incense stick. He rubbed his finger across its tip, lighting it, then flicked it into the ground.
After doing all that, he sat back down in his chair, closed his eyes, and continued sleeping.
This speech not only perfectly gave Dai Mubai an excuse, but also displayed the image of an academy that protected its own.
If they heard that at another academy, it would certainly draw bad reviews. But within one's own academy, it was absolutely a reassuring virtue that made every student feel at ease!
Although Dai Mubai looked somewhat embarrassed, his skin was thick enough. He paced over to stand in front of everyone.
"Next, I'll tell you all the information I know. But don't worry. Although Teacher Zhao put it that way, he won't actually go all out against you."
At his words, Su Ge wore an amused smile. Xiao Wu looked indignant, and Zhu Zhuqing could barely conceal the disgust in her eyes. Only Ning Rongrong looked delighted to watch the commotion, while Tang San smiled and nodded along supportively.
"Teacher Zhao is a level-76 Battle Soul Saint with a beast Martial Soul. He's the academy's vice dean, and his Martial Soul is a Vajra Bear, a powerful beast Martial Soul."
"He has no weaknesses anywhere on his body, and his defense is terrifying..."
As Dai Mubai explained, Ning Rongrong seemed to recall something and immediately added the information she knew from the soul master world.
Their words gradually fleshed out Zhao Wuji's image and made everyone understand how terrifying his strength truly was!
Su Ge had known this information long ago, so he didn't have much of a reaction—at least, not until it was time for introductions.
"I'll go first. My name is Xiao Wu. My beast Martial Soul is a rabbit, and I'm a level-34 assault-type Battle Soul Master."
Xiao Wu spoke first, and Tang San followed right after.
"My name is Tang San. My tool Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and I'm a level-33 control-type Battle Soul Master."
The two had broken through to the Soul Elder realm. Aside from working harder than they had in the original story, they also had more time to cultivate—and the pressure Su Ge placed on them.
After they finished introducing themselves, the others were surprised that they had broken through to the Soul Elder realm so quickly, but they promptly introduced themselves as well.
"Ning Rongrong. My tool Martial Soul is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and I'm a level-26 support-type Tool Soul Master."
"Zhu Zhuqing. My beast Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat, and I'm a level-27 agility-type Battle Soul Master."
After the two involved parties introduced themselves, Dai Mubai realized that the two people who hadn't made a move back then were also not to be underestimated.
But at that moment, he was even more curious about Su Ge, who was clearly the leader of the three. Just how strong was he?
And it wasn't only Dai Mubai. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, and even Tang San and Xiao Wu, were all looking at Su Ge with curiosity in their eyes.
That was because Su Ge had never revealed his exact strength to them. They only knew that he had broken through the Soul Elder realm long ago.
They didn't even know anything about his Soul Rings.
Judging from Su Ge's strength, as well as the fact that he never needed to release his Martial Soul when sparring with them, his Soul Ring configuration had clearly been kept hidden. It would probably exceed everyone's imagination!
"Since you're all so curious, there's actually no need to keep it hidden anymore."
Su Ge looked at the curious gazes around him and smiled faintly.
"Su Ge. My beast Martial Soul is a Golden-Haired Lion Mastiff, and I'm a level-44 assault-type Battle Soul Ancestor."
"..."
As soon as his voice fell, everyone around him stood frozen in place. They didn't even have the mind to ask about Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda anymore.
They stared at Su Ge as though he were a monster. People had always called them monsters, but today, they had finally seen what a true monster was!
"No wonder... No wonder you never told us whenever we asked. No wonder we could never beat you whenever we sparred with you!"
Xiao Wu was the first to recover. Her small face was tinged with anger.
The others also gradually came to their senses. Dai Mubai looked at Su Ge with a defeated expression. Only now had he finally glimpsed the tip of Su Ge's terrifying iceberg.
Twelve years old, level 44. Even if he had possessed Innate Full Soul Power, counting from the moment his Martial Soul awakened, increasing by five levels a year still wouldn't have been enough!
After Zhu Zhuqing recovered, a different look finally appeared in her eyes as she gazed at Su Ge. She had originally thought he was merely interesting, but now, it seemed that he might be able to help her become stronger!
Tang San looked at Su Ge with a bitter smile at the corners of his mouth. No wonder—no wonder he had used every method at his disposal, yet couldn't do anything to Su Ge even with hidden weapons. Had the difference in strength already grown so vast that even hidden weapons couldn't make up for it?
Only Ning Rongrong's eyes seemed to shine. She stared at Su Ge without the slightest attempt to hide it, as though she had discovered something particularly interesting—or perhaps a priceless treasure. She simply couldn't look away.
Seeing everyone's varied expressions, Su Ge had expected this reaction. But even though he had already planned to spar with Zhao Wuji, he still had to put on an act.
"Rather than being surprised about this, we should discuss our tactics first."
After all, becoming this shocked over such a small matter was getting ahead of themselves.
Of course, Su Ge didn't say that last part aloud.
Before you continue