Xiao Wu's Heart Skipped Another Beat

Zhao Wuji rose to his feet. His broad shoulders were like a city wall, and at two meters tall, he forced everyone else to look up at him.

Simply standing there, he exuded an immense sense of oppression.

His gaze swept over the group, his expression calm. Only when it landed on Tang San did it linger for a moment; he raised an eyebrow, his look strange.

Tang San naturally noticed. He clenched his fists but could not lash out,

because he could not beat him.

"My name is Zhao Wuji. I am the vice dean of Shrek Academy and the examiner for the final, fourth round. As long as you pass my combat test, you will officially become members of Shrek Academy."

"Now, I will give you one incense stick's time to get acquainted and discuss things. Once the incense burns out, the test begins. The test is to join forces and withstand my attacks for one incense stick's time. As long as one of you lasts until the end, all of you will pass."

With that, Zhao Wuji lit an incense stick and flicked it casually, planting it firmly in the ground.

Dai Mubai's expression changed. He hesitated before saying, "Teacher Zhao, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Zhao Wuji glared at him. "Inappropriate? What's inappropriate? The dean isn't here, so what I say goes!"

Having said that, he lay back in his chair and continued sleeping.

Seeing that there was no way around it, Dai Mubai could only gather Lu Shi and the others together. "Originally, I was supposed to oversee the fourth round. I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to decide to do this on a whim."

With a serious expression, he said, "You all experienced Teacher Li Yusong's pressure at the entrance. You should understand how formidable he is, right?"

"Teacher Li Yusong is a level-sixty Soul Emperor, immensely powerful. Teacher Zhao, meanwhile, is a level-seventy-six Soul Saint!"

The moment those words came out, everyone except Lu Shi was shocked.

"His Martial Soul is a beast-type Martial Soul, the Vigorous Vajra Bear. He is a battle Soul Saint, and his overall strength is second only to our dean."

"The Vigorous Vajra Bear!?" Ning Rongrong cried out. "Could he be the Unmoving Bright King Zhao Wuji, who disappeared from the continent ten years ago!?"

She then explained that ten years ago, Zhao Wuji had broken through the encirclement of sixteen Spirit Hall bishops. Those bishops had all been experts above level sixty, while Zhao Wuji himself had only been level sixty at the time.

Now that he had reached level seventy-six, he would only be stronger!

Dai Mubai nodded. "Among Teacher Zhao's seven Soul Rings, two are hundred-year, two are thousand-year, and three are ten-thousand-year. Every single one enhances either attack or defense."

"All right, that is all the information I can give you."

Amid the silence, Lu Shi spoke first. "There isn't much time. Let's get to know each other first. I'll start. Lu Shi, Martial Soul: a ball. Level-thirty-three assault-type battle Soul Master..."

What? What was he talking about?

None of the others understood.

What did a twelve-year-old level-thirty-three assault-type battle Soul Master mean? And his Martial Soul was a ball? How was that supposed to attack?

Seeing their confusion, he raised a hand and summoned his Poké Ball. "I can control lightning and fire, and I can strengthen myself. My attacks work at both range and close quarters."

That only left them more confused. Even Ning Rongrong, the well-informed young lady, could not understand.

Left with no choice, Lu Shi could only explain in greater detail.

The others were deeply shaken. No matter how hard they racked their brains, they could not figure out what connection the two had.

However, there was no time for them to dwell on their confusion.

Zhu Zhuqing followed up. "Zhu Zhuqing. Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat. Level-twenty-seven agility-type battle Soul Master."

"My name is Tang San. Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Level-twenty-nine control-type battle Soul Master."

"..."

"You're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ning Rongrong stuck out her soft pink tongue and said to Tang San, "Stop staring. I'm no different from ordinary people. I ran away from home. Let's pass the assessment first."

She looked every bit the obedient good girl, exceedingly heart-stirring.

After the introductions, Lu Shi analyzed the situation. "We can't possibly defeat him. We can only stall for time."

"I'll handle the frontal assault. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu will keep him occupied, and you need to coordinate well with Tang San. Ning Rongrong will provide support. Remember to protect yourselves."

"And," he said, looking at Xiao Wu and especially warning her, "Xiao Wu, under no circumstances should you use your Charm Soul Skill. You haven't reached level thirty yet, so your spiritual power is weak. The gap between your spiritual power and a Soul Saint's is beyond anything you can imagine. The moment you use it, you'll definitely suffer backlash. At best, you'll faint. At worst, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"Absolutely do not use it!"

Xiao Wu's large, haggard eyes blinked, and her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Is Lu Shi... worried about me...

Wasn't he with Zhu Zhuqing...

Xiao Wu's gaze darted away. Not knowing how to answer, she could only give a weak hum.

Her heart immediately warmed.

Her mood improved considerably, and her watery eyes regained some of their sparkle.

Tang San saw it all, and his heart lurched as he inwardly cried out in alarm.

No... no... no! This isn't right!

Xiao Wu, you should hate him. Hate Lu Shi!

In this world, I'm the only one who treats you best!

The others had no way of noticing Tang San's inner turmoil. They spread out and readied their formation.

Lu Shi stood at the very front, Tang San to his side. Behind them were Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, with Ning Rongrong at the rear.

Zhao Wuji stood up, relit an incense stick, and planted it in the ground. He clasped his hands together and rolled his wrists, producing a rapid series of bone-cracking sounds that made teeth ache. The invisible pressure immediately grew several degrees stronger.

"Haha!"

He laughed heartily, the veins at his temples throbbing with excitement as he shouted,

"Begin!"

Before his words had even faded, Ning Rongrong summoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. "Seven treasures turn, glazed light shines."

Brilliant seven-colored light burst from her body and swiftly gathered in her right hand. When the glow faded, a seven-colored treasure pagoda over a foot tall had appeared.

It was translucent like glazed glass, gleaming with flowing colors.

"Seven treasures have names. First: strength!"

"Second: speed!"

Eight beams of light shot from the first and second levels of the Glazed Tile Pagoda, merging into the bodies of the four fighters.

A thirty percent boost to speed and strength!

In an instant, their combat strength soared.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda truly deserved its title as the number one support Martial Soul in the world.

Zhao Wuji was startled. What was someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doing at Shrek?

Forget it, it was none of his business anyway.

Still, that old ghost Flender would definitely be thrilled this time.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

His eyes widened. He bent his knees halfway, clenched both fists, and smashed them down at the ground simultaneously.

With a muffled boom, the earth shuddered violently. A ring of earthen-yellow waves surged toward Ning Rongrong along with the ground's vibrations.

It was common knowledge among Soul Masters that whenever a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was on the battlefield, it had to be dealt with first.

Because the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's support abilities were simply too outrageous.

It provided a ten percent increase to base attributes, with an additional ten percent boost for every extra Soul Ring.

Having a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Master was equivalent to nearly doubling one's combat strength!

However, Lu Shi had mentioned before the battle that Ning Rongrong would be targeted. Already prepared, she flashed aside and dodged.

Xiao Wu pounced forward, activating Martial Soul Possession.

Seeing Xiao Wu rush at him, Zhao Wuji instead smiled. He remained where he was, hands clasped behind his back, looking as though he would let Xiao Wu attack him freely.

Two muffled impacts rang out at once. Xiao Wu stepped on his shoulders, but Zhao Wuji's body did not even sway. "Little girl, it seems..."

Before he could finish, he saw Zhu Zhuqing charge in as well, fiercely attacking his side.

"You think two people are enough to..."

Once again, he did not finish speaking. Zhao Wuji suddenly felt his whole body tighten.

On the other side, Tang San summoned Blue Silver Grass, and two yellow Soul Rings lit up behind him.