Ning Rongrong's Blow

However, when Yang Xiong found Zhao Wuji, he could not help but almost laugh.

Zhao Wuji looked utterly miserable at the moment. His face was bruised and swollen, and he appeared to be injured. Yet those were only external wounds—clearly, whoever had done this had simply wanted to teach Zhao Wuji a lesson.

Yang Xiong was speechless. It had only been a simple entrance examination; how had it escalated into an older man bullying the young? Moreover, Zhao Wuji had obviously held back from beginning to end. He had merely wanted to test the strength of the newly admitted students.

Zhao Wuji seemed somewhat embarrassed, though he was also a little irritated. "Yang Xiong, isn't today your first day at the academy? What are you looking for me for?"

Yang Xiong quickly said, "Teacher Zhao, I heard you're in charge of the academy's combat training. I wanted to receive your guidance."

Zhao Wuji said somewhat angrily, "Flender should have told you to get yourselves into peak condition. Tonight will be your first class, and you'll be going through combat then as well."

Yang Xiong smiled. "Soul Masters of the same level can no longer put much pressure on me. I want to challenge stronger opponents, especially experts like you, Teacher Zhao."

Zhao Wuji said, "You'd better think this through. I'm not in a very good mood today and feel like venting. If I fail to hold back, I might injure you. Then tonight's class could become troublesome for you."

Yang Xiong nodded. "Don't worry, Teacher Zhao. I won't delay the academy's classes. Besides, I more or less know what tonight's class will be about."

Zhao Wuji considered it carefully. "Fine. I happen to want a fight myself, and you've delivered yourself right to me. Don't blame me for not showing mercy."

After discussing it, the two headed to the Back Mountain Training Ground for a battle.

Even though Yang Xiong gave it his all throughout the fight, facing a Soul Saint like Zhao Wuji meant he was almost completely suppressed from start to finish. By the time his Soul Power and stamina were entirely depleted, his body was covered in wounds. He looked thoroughly miserable, and even his clothes had been torn to tatters.

Zhao Wuji felt a little reluctant to go on. "That's enough training for today. Do you want me to call someone to treat you?"

Yang Xiong slumped onto the ground. "Thank you, Teacher Zhao. My body and martial soul are rather special, and I have medicine for healing. It shouldn't affect tonight's class."

After saying that, Yang Xiong took out some medicinal herbs from his Soul Tool and swallowed them. Sure enough, his injuries eased somewhat.

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "You really are a little monster. Your combat ability is excellent in every aspect. You're just too young, and your Soul Power Level is too low."

Yang Xiong said, "Teacher Zhao, could I ask you to guide me every day from now on?"

Zhao Wuji was puzzled. "Wasn't today's beating enough for you? You should know that if I accidentally fail to control my strength, you could end up crippled."

Yang Xiong smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Teacher Zhao. I have quite a few restorative herbs on me, so I shouldn't suffer any serious injuries. Besides, my martial soul is special. I can only grow stronger through constant battle."

"Of course, I made things difficult for you just now, Teacher Zhao. Let me treat you to a meal at a restaurant later."

Zhao Wuji shook his head. "Providing combat instruction to students is my job at Shrek Academy and my duty. Shrek Academy forbids teachers and students from having financial dealings with one another, so there's no need for a meal."

"But you little monster are rather strange. Everyone else is meditating in their dormitories, so why do you place more importance on training your physique? Aren't you afraid your Soul Power will fall behind in the future?"

Yang Xiong said, "Thank you for your concern, Teacher Zhao. This is my own cultivation method. It's only natural that it differs somewhat from everyone else's."

Zhao Wuji let out a sigh and left.

Watching Zhao Wuji's departing figure, Yang Xiong felt that Zhao Wuji was becoming more and more endearing. He truly was a man of genuine temperament, and someone rare who pursued no personal gain.

After Zhao Wuji left, Yang Xiong found a nearby water source. He then took out a specially made iron barrel from his Soul Tool and immersed himself in a Medicinal Bath.

After every battle, especially after being injured, the Medicinal Bath was far more effective. Yang Xiong could even feel his body growing stronger.

Given Yang Xiong's current physical condition, he could recover quickly even without a Medicinal Bath. However, the bath seemed to stimulate his body further, especially his martial soul.

When Yang Xiong changed into clean clothes and returned to the dormitory, Tang San was still sitting on his bed meditating, while Oscar had yet to return.

Tang San's nose was clearly very sensitive. "Yang Xiong, why do I smell medicinal herbs on you? And what happened to your injuries? Did you get into a conflict with someone?"

Yang Xiong smiled. "My injuries are nothing. I got them when I asked Teacher Zhao to train me in combat just now. They should heal soon."

"As for the scent of medicinal herbs, I have a habit of taking a Medicinal Bath after every battle. You don't need to worry."

Although Tang San looked curious after hearing this, they had only just met and were not familiar with one another. He simply closed his eyes and continued cultivating.

Yang Xiong returned to his own bed and began meditating.

Night soon arrived, and everyone gathered at the training ground once more.

However, Flender's expression did not seem very pleasant. "Oscar, Ning Rongrong, have you finished running twenty laps?"

Oscar said, "Dean, I finished."

Flender snorted coldly. "I asked both of you. Ning Rongrong, did you finish as well?"

Ning Rongrong seemed rather unconcerned. "The distance was too far, and I was too hungry. I couldn't keep going."

Flender's face was filled with coldness. "So you went to Suotuo City by yourself, wandered around the commercial district for a few laps, and only returned just now."

Ning Rongrong became somewhat angry as well. "You were spying on me?"

Flender laughed in fury. "As the dean, I must be aware of every one of your safety. Yet you left the academy without permission and failed to complete the task assigned by the academy. You simply do not deserve to be an outstanding Soul Master. If this were a battlefield, you would have been dealt with under military law long ago."

Ning Rongrong said, "This is only a school, not a military camp. Besides, these are just minor matters."

Flender nodded. "They may indeed be minor matters in your eyes, but in mine, academy rules stand above all else. You have two choices now: pack your things and leave, or prove that you have the determination to stay."

Yang Xiong, standing nearby, also looked at Ning Rongrong's face. But he truly hoped that Ning Rongrong would turn around and leave, so that he could leave this place too.

Ning Rongrong seemed extraordinarily angry. "You want me to leave? Flender, who do you think you are? You're nothing more than a mere Soul Saint."

Everyone around them was immediately shocked upon hearing this. Even Dai Mubai's expression became extremely grave. A Soul Saint was indeed considered an expert in the world of Soul Masters.

Flender instead appeared exceptionally calm. "That's right, I am indeed only a minor Soul Master, far inferior to your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. But you are only a Soul Grandmaster right now. Even if you are the most talented disciple in the history of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, the gap between us is still far too great. What Soul Masters compare is not influence, but Soul Power. Since you look down on this place, then please leave."

Flender seemed to glance over the crowd, especially at Yang Xiong. "Shrek Academy does not care about having one more student. Anyone who violates academy rules may leave."

Ning Rongrong was so furious that her whole body trembled slightly. "Flender, how dare you! In all my life, you're the first person who's dared to speak to me like that."

Flender gave a sinister smile. "Why wouldn't I dare? Shrek Academy is my territory. Even the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect cannot interfere. Your father can't bear to discipline you, but I have no such hesitation. In my eyes, any student here is stronger than you, yet you have a powerful Martial Soul and only bring shame upon it."

Ning Rongrong snapped angrily, "You say they're all stronger than me. How are they stronger than me?"

Flender smiled. "Dai Mubai broke through to Soul Elder at thirteen. He has the top-tier White Tiger Beast Martial Soul. Are you confident you can break through to Soul Elder before thirteen? Even if you were faster than him, his combat experience far surpasses yours."

"Tang San and Xiao Wu were already level twenty-nine at twelve, one level higher than your soul power. In terms of resources and cultivation environment, the two of them were far inferior to you."

"As for the others, what I see is that they are all striving to become stronger. Even if their soul power is lower than yours now, surpassing you in the future will be effortless."

Ning Rongrong was still unconvinced. "What about Oscar and Yang Xiong? Are they stronger than me too?"

Flender said, "Then you are greatly mistaken. In terms of talent, Oscar surpasses even Mubai. Have you ever seen a Food Type Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power?"

"As for Yang Xiong, although his soul power is lower than yours, his combat strength and physical qualities are likely the strongest among all of you—perhaps even stronger than Mubai's. Moreover, his Martial Soul is unusual. He may carve out an entirely new path in the world of Soul Masters."

The people around them were equally astonished by this, and all began looking toward Yang Xiong. Dai Mubai and Tang San especially were both extremely confident in their own combat strength.

At that moment, Ning Rongrong seemed unable to bear the blow any longer and actually ran back toward the dormitory in tears.

After watching Ning Rongrong leave, Yang Xiong quickly spoke up. "Dean, I'll go check on Rongrong. Please wait a moment."

Single for two lifetimes—it was about time he found a girlfriend.