Warm Jade in Her Embrace

Dai Mubai mourned Zhao Wuji in silence for half a second, then answered without hesitation, "All right, Teacher Zhao."

Zhao Wuji immediately turned to the four of them. "My test is very simple. As long as the four of you can last one incense stick's worth of time against me, even if only one of you makes it to the end, you'll have passed."

"However, let me make this clear beforehand: don't think about trying anything clever in front of me. It'll be pointless. You have one incense stick's worth of time to discuss your tactics."

"Mubai, tell them about my strengths and weaknesses so they can prepare."

With that, Zhao Wuji continued sitting where he was, closing his eyes to rest.

Dai Mubai turned around and waved to them, lowering his voice. "Come closer."

The four gathered around him, each wearing a different expression.

Dai Mubai sighed helplessly. "Originally, the fourth test was for you to last one incense stick's worth of time against me. But Teacher Zhao suddenly decided to enter the fight himself... You can only pray for the best now."

Xiao Wu smiled. "Teacher Zhao isn't a Soul Emperor like the teacher at the entrance, is he?"

Dai Mubai shook his head. "He isn't a Soul Emperor. He's a Soul Sage. Teacher Zhao's nickname is the Immovable Bright King. He's a level-76 assault-type Battle Soul Sage, and his Martial Soul is the Vajra Vajra Bear. He has no weaknesses, and his attack power is terrifyingly strong."

Everyone's eyes widened at those words.

Ning Rongrong was astonished. "He... He's the Immovable Bright King, Zhao Wuji?! The Immovable Bright King who broke through the encirclement of sixteen Soul Emperors of the same rank by himself more than a decade ago?"

Everyone grew even more solemn at that. In Suotuo City, a Soul Sage was already among the top experts.

"That's right, it's him." Dai Mubai nodded. "All right, all right, we don't have much time left. I've already told you about Teacher Zhao's strength. Now, the four of you should explain your own abilities and figure out how to deal with him and survive this incense stick's worth of time."

The group gathered together and announced their Martial Souls and abilities.

Tang San spoke first. "My name is Tang San. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass, and I'm a level-29 control-type Battle Soul Master."

Xiao Wu hurriedly spoke as well. "My name is Xiao Wu. My Martial Soul is Rabbit, and I'm a level-29 assault-type Battle Soul Master."

Next was Ning Rongrong. "My name is Ning Rongrong. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, and I'm a level-26 support-type Tool Soul Master."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke coldly as well. "Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Soul is Hell Spirit Cat, and I'm a level-27 agility-type Battle Soul Master."

They began discussing their tactics. Dai Mubai watched silently from the side.

Before long, their discussion ended, and everyone summoned their Martial Souls and Soul Rings.

When he saw Ning Rongrong summon the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, Zhao Wuji across from them was also exceptionally surprised.

"The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda? It seems I underestimated you a little. Once you're ready, let's begin."

Zhao Wuji took out an incense stick and directly used his Soul Power to light it before sticking it into the ground.

The battle began.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu launched a probing attack first, but Zhao Wuji quickly knocked them back.

Ning Rongrong activated her support enhancement. "Seven Treasures Famous, first enhancement: Strength; second enhancement: Speed."

The Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda radiated six beams of light, which swiftly merged into Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu.

The three immediately felt a warm current surge through them. Their strength and speed both soared by at least thirty percent!

Dai Mubai, watching from the side, couldn't help feeling stirred. "Although the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda has a flaw and can only obtain seven Soul Rings at most, it's still known as the continent's number-one support Tool Martial Soul... It truly lives up to its reputation."

Such direct and terrifying enhancement—and as the number of Soul Rings increased, the enhancement ratio of every skill would increase as well. It was simply far too overpowered.

Dai Mubai's gaze lingered for a moment on Ning Rongrong's slender back before he subconsciously glanced toward Zhu Zhuqing, a thought flashing through his mind.

If a Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Soul Master provided continuous enhancement, combined with the Martial Soul Fusion Skill "Hell White Tiger"...

Just imagining that scene makes me excited.

"Although they say a friend's wife is off-limits, she isn't a 'wife' yet, is she?" Dai Mubai calculated inwardly, a wicked smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "Little Ao, I'm sorry!"

He had to get Ning Rongrong. Dai Mubai made up his mind.

The only problem was that the three old men behind her wouldn't be easy to deal with!

Elsewhere, the battle continued.

Seeing Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing's probing attacks return without success, Tang San launched Motherly Entangling. Dozens of vines instantly wrapped around Zhao Wuji's limbs.

However, Zhao Wuji's entire body trembled. With nothing more than the natural contraction of his muscles, he shattered the Blue Silver Vines wrapped around him inch by inch.

"That's all you've got?" Zhao Wuji grinned ferociously. He didn't hurry to attack, clearly wanting to play with them a little longer.

Xiao Wu let out a delicate shout and closed in like a bolt of pink lightning. She unleashed Waist Bow, intending to flip the iron-tower-like Zhao Wuji over.

But the moment her hands touched Zhao Wuji's waist, she felt as though she had touched an immovable mountain!

Zhao Wuji reached out with his other hand. His large hand clamped around Xiao Wu's ankle like an iron vise and lifted her upside down.

Xiao Wu flipped through the air, her scorpion braid whipping toward Zhao Wuji's neck, but he easily tore it away with his other hand.

"That wouldn't even be enough to tickle me." Zhao Wuji laughed loudly and casually flung Xiao Wu away.

"Second Soul Skill, Nether Hundred Claws!"

Zhu Zhuqing took the opportunity to attack, her catlike claws raking toward Zhao Wuji's back and targeting his vitals.

Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. A faint golden light suddenly surfaced over his body, and the Vajra Vajra Bear Martial Soul possessed him!

Even with the full force of her claws, she could only tear Zhao Wuji's clothes. She couldn't injure him in the slightest.

"Good speed, but too little force." Zhao Wuji offered his assessment calmly and struck backward with one palm.

Zhu Zhuqing had no time to dodge. Her entire body flew backward like a kite with a severed string, her face instantly paling. She had already fallen into a brief unconsciousness while still in midair.

Outside the battle ring, Dai Mubai, who had been waiting for this moment, reacted with lightning speed. His figure flashed, and he caught her securely in his arms.

Warm jade filled his embrace. Beneath the tight black leather, her body was supple and resilient, carrying a faint, cool fragrance.

Dai Mubai lowered his head and saw Zhu Zhuqing's eyes tightly shut. A trace of pain remained on her pale, lovely face, and several strands of black hair clung to her cheek. She looked heartbreakingly pitiful.

Dai Mubai's heart tightened slightly. Before he could take a closer look, another change occurred inside the battle ring.

Xiao Wu struggled to her feet. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing knocked away while Tang San's Blue Silver Grass was completely useless, a resolute glint flashed through her eyes.

Her second Soul Ring lit up again. "Second Soul Skill, Charm!"

Her eyes transformed into two pink whirlpools, and a mental shock struck directly at Zhao Wuji.

But Xiao Wu seemed to have forgotten that Zhao Wuji was a level-76 Soul Sage. How could the sheer strength of his spiritual power be shaken by a two-ring Soul Grandmaster like her?

The moment Xiao Wu's Charm touched Zhao Wuji's sea of consciousness, it was subconsciously rebuffed by Zhao Wuji.

In the blink of an eye, Xiao Wu was struck as if by lightning. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her eyes rapidly dimming as her delicate body collapsed backward.

"Xiao Wu!"

Tang San charged out like a madman and caught Xiao Wu. His eyes instantly bulged with fury. "I once swore that I wouldn't let you suffer even the slightest injury. I'll make anyone who hurts you pay the price!"