Battle Against Zhao Wuji!

The group arrived at a broad field inside Shrek Academy!

A middle-aged man was sitting there, dozing off.

He was not tall, around 1.7 meters, but the explosive muscles covering his body made him impossible to underestimate! His physique was many times stronger than Lin Song's. He was built like a powerhouse! Thick eyebrows framed his face beneath closely cropped hair. At a glance, he looked like a Soul Master who specialized in body cultivation!

Dai Mubai stepped forward and coughed lightly. "Teacher Zhao, I've brought the new students! They're here for your assessment!"

This Teacher Zhao was Shrek Academy's second Soul Saint, the Immovable Bright King, Zhao Wuji!

Hearing the voice, Zhao Wuji cracked open his eyes, stretched, and yawned.

"Oh? These are this year's new students? Quite a few. More than in previous years—seven, in fact!"

"All right, I won't waste words. Since you've made it this far, your talent must be exceptional!"

"Let me introduce myself. I'm a level 76 Soul Saint! My Martial Soul is the Great Strength Vajra Bear!" As he spoke, Zhao Wuji released his Martial Soul.

"Next, I'll test you in groups. Two groups, to be precise!"

"All right, which one of you is Yang Que?" Zhao Wuji called out.

Everyone turned to look at Yang Que. He had a vague idea of what was coming and stepped forward.

"I am!"

"Good! A fine prospect. Li Yusong told me you're exceptionally talented, and that old miser Flender told me to give you special attention! So you'll be tested alone, while the other six will be tested together!" Zhao Wuji said, folding his arms across his chest.

"Isn't... isn't that a little inappropriate?" Zhu Zhuqing said from the side. She was clearly worried about Yang Que's safety.

"Yes, Teacher Zhao. Isn't that a bit too harsh?" Dai Mubai added.

"Hah! Take it up with the headmaster. That old fellow told me to do this. Of course, if you had his talent, I'd give you a chance to be tested alone too!" Zhao Wuji said without expression.

"Uh..." The whole field fell silent. Everyone looked grave. A solo test would be no small challenge!

Still, they could hardly object. Yang Que had released his Martial Soul and Soul Rings just moments ago, stunning them all. They had nothing to say about his talent except that they were amazed and impressed. A separate test for him made sense!

Yang Que went over and took Zhu Zhuqing's hand. "You know what I'm capable of. Don't worry. A little test like this won't stop me!"

Everyone broke into a cold sweat. Brother, you do realize he's a Soul Saint? And that won't stop you?

Zhao Wuji gave a cold chuckle. The little brat looks down on me, does he? He'll be crying soon enough!

"Mm. I understand." Zhu Zhuqing nodded softly and stepped aside.

Seeing that no one objected, Zhao Wuji announced, "All right, I'll test the six of you first! I'm changing the test a little. If even one of you can withstand the pressure of level 35 Soul Power from me for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, all of you pass!" He took out an incense stick, lit it, and planted it nearby.

"What? Level 35? Teacher Zhao, that's against the rules, isn't it?" Dai Mubai spoke up.

"Enough nonsense. Which of us is the teacher?" Zhao Wuji snapped.

Dai Mubai immediately shut his mouth. Fine, do as you please. I'm not the one who'll get punished!

"All right. You have five minutes to discuss how you'll withstand my pressure," Zhao Wuji said.

Everyone fell silent. Changing the test on the spot? Wasn't that a little ridiculous?

But with all six of us working together, withstanding Soul Power pressure shouldn't be too hard, should it? Tang San thought.

"Brother San, Soul Power pressure won't give us any chance to coordinate!" Xiao Wu said worriedly.

"That's right, Tang San. I train my body, so I'll be fine. It's you weaklings who might have trouble!" Lin Song said.

Tang San was speechless.

So was everyone else.

"Who are you calling a weakling, baldy?" Dan Moyou demanded, unwilling to let that pass.

"Aren't you? Oh, except for the monster Yang Que, of course!" Lin Song looked at the others with disdain, but when Yang Que glanced his way, he shrank back. Forget it. I can't afford to provoke him!

"Pfft! Hahaha! So much for that, baldy!" the others laughed.

Lin Song's face flushed crimson. His attempt to show off had backfired, and he looked thoroughly miserable.

Tang San cleared his throat. "We don't need much of a strategy, but we should arrange ourselves. Those with strong physiques, defensive Martial Souls, or Soul Power above level 30 should stand in front. Those below level 30 should stand behind them. That should let us hold out. I'm a special case, so I'll stand in the front row too!"

Tang San lived up to his role as the story's protagonist. Even with the fourth test changed, he quickly came up with a plan!

"Teacher Zhao, we're ready!" Tang San said.

Behind him, the others released their Martial Souls, all manner of forms appearing at once! Soul Rings slowly rose beneath their feet, all in standard configurations. There were even Thousand-Year Soul Rings!

With their strength and lineup, they could have crushed White Deer Academy, the team Yang Que had fought before! Though they would not have done it as cleanly as he had.

"Oh? Ready already? You still have two minutes. Don't want to drag it out? It counts toward the time, you know!" Zhao Wuji sounded surprised.

"No need!" they answered in unison.

"Good! Monster students should act like monsters. You're starting to show it!"

"Then let's begin!" Zhao Wuji declared.

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful wave of Soul Power pressure bore down on Tang San and the others!

Boom!

Enormous pressure struck them at once. Zhu Zhuqing, Lin Song, Dan Moyou, Tang San, and the others in the front row sank ankle-deep into the dirt, pain showing on their faces!

Those in the second row suffered less, since the people in front had taken the brunt of the pressure, but they still struggled!

"What's wrong, little brats? Can't withstand a mere level 25 pressure? And you want to enter Shrek Academy?" Zhao Wuji sneered.

What? That was only level 25? Tang San and the others were horrified!

Yang Que watched them struggle from the side, deep in thought.

A Soul Saint really is a Soul Saint. It isn't just the gap in levels; the difference in the quality of their Soul Power matters even more! If a Titled Douluo pressured a Soul Saint with level 70 Soul Power, the Soul Saint couldn't withstand it either! And right now, the gap is equivalent to forty levels. The fact that they haven't been crushed is impressive enough!

My arrival has changed the story enormously. Not only has the test changed, but the scene where Tang Shan stood up for Xiao Wu is gone too. Even sects like the Body Sect and the Pill Sect have appeared. Things are getting more and more interesting!

"Is that all? Perhaps I expected too much of you! Want me to lower the difficulty? How about we call it level 30?" Zhao Wuji asked, feigning disappointment.

"No need! Teacher Zhao, raise it! We can still hold on!" Tang San said firmly.

"Good! At least you've got some spirit!" Zhao Wuji laughed and instantly increased the pressure.

This time, it rose straight to level 30!

Boom!

"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!" Blood spilled from everyone's mouths!

Only Lin Song showed no sign of bleeding. A Soul Master who trained his body truly lived up to the name. His physical strength was formidable!

Everyone's face was deathly pale, but they kept struggling to hold on, even as they swayed on the verge of collapse!

Ten minutes later, the first person finally fell.

It was Ning Rongrong!

Her vision went black, and waves of dizziness swept over her. Even so, she forced her injured body to use a Soul Skill!

First Soul Skill: One Day of Renown, Strength!

The five others were instantly strengthened, increasing their resistance to the pressure!

But Ning Rongrong had exhausted her strength and fainted!

Seeing her collapse, Dai Mubai called out, "Teacher Zhao!"

Zhao Wuji panicked for a moment, but quickly composed himself. "What are you shouting for? Drag her out. As long as she's alive, she'll be fine!"

Everyone looked grave. He still wasn't stopping?

In truth, Zhao Wuji felt rather proud. By his own standard, the six of them would pass if they could withstand his level 25 Soul Power pressure for one incense stick. But to stir their fighting spirit and sense of teamwork, he had raised it by a full ten levels! He wanted to see how much potential and teamwork they could bring out!

Ning Rongrong was only a support-type Soul Master. Holding out for so long had already been remarkable!

The test continued!

Another five minutes passed!

Xiao Wu finally reached her limit. "Brother San! I can't hold on!"

Tang San immediately shouted to Dai Mubai, "Dai Mubai, carry Xiao Wu out!"

Dai Mubai swiftly caught Xiao Wu and took her out of the pressure's range!

Although Xiao Wu was safely out, Tang San suffered a backlash after losing focus!

"Pfft!" Tang San spat out a mouthful of blood!

Damn it! I refuse to believe I can't last one incense stick! Mysterious Heaven Skill! Endless Renewal! Tang San roared inwardly.

"Brother San!" Xiao Wu watched Tang San's face twist in pain, her heart aching for him.

"Don't disturb him now. His nerves are stretched to the limit!" Dai Mubai stopped her.

"..."

Another five minutes passed! Half the time of an incense stick had now elapsed!

Zhu Zhuqing was still biting her red lip and holding on. She was clearly a determined girl. Having fallen so far behind Yang Que, she wanted to push herself harder!

But in the end, she could not endure it. Her vision suddenly went black, and she fell backward!

Thump! There was no sound of her hitting the ground. Instead, she landed in a broad, warm embrace!

"Sleep. Rest for a while, and you'll be all right when you wake up," Yang Que said gently as he held her.

"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing was no longer as strong as she usually seemed. A trace of helplessness showed as she nestled deeper into Yang Que's arms!

Zhu Zhuqing was an agility-type Soul Master, after all. She did not have Tang San's endlessly replenishing Mysterious Heaven Skill or a body as powerful as Lin Song's. She had held on this long through sheer willpower! Dan Moyou was different: she was a defensive Soul Master, so naturally she could endure longer!

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's pale face, Yang Que felt an unexpected ache in his heart!

He suddenly raised his head and fixed Zhao Wuji with a sharp gaze. How dare you bully my Zhu Zhuqing! If I don't beat you until your head looks like a pig's today, my surname isn't Yang!

A chill suddenly ran down Zhao Wuji's back, followed by an inexplicable throb of unease!

He turned and saw Yang Que smiling at him!

Hiss! What's wrong with this kid? Zhao Wuji thought, his unease growing.

At the same time, Dan Moyou could no longer withstand the pressure and fell backward!

Dai Mubai reacted instantly and caught her!

The touch of her soft body set his thoughts racing, but he maintained his gentlemanly manner. "Are you all right?"

Dan Moyou blushed faintly, then regained her composure, though the flush was still clear against her pale face. "Put me down. I'll be fine after I meditate for a while!"

"Uh, all right!" Dai Mubai carried her beneath a tree and gently set her down!

Only Tang San and Lin Song remained in the field, gritting their teeth and holding on!

Both wore agonized expressions, their faces twisted and traces of blood clinging to their lips!

"Oh? These two aren't bad. I can understand that body cultivator lasting this long, but what's with the skinny kid? He has only two Soul Rings, yet he's held on for so long. He's no ordinary one either!"

"Since you can take so much, I'll turn up the heat!" Zhao Wuji said with a quiet smile.

Boom! The Soul Power pressure suddenly increased!

It had now reached level 32!

Thud! Knees struck the ground!

Both men dropped to one knee! Their Martial Souls fought desperately against the Soul Power pressure, but it was a cup of water against a cartload of firewood!

"Pfft! Pfft!" Both spat out blood, yet they still gritted their teeth and held on!

In a building nearly five hundred meters away, two people sat by a window, drinking tea as they watched the test!

One was Headmaster Flender. The other was Shrek Academy's third Soul Saint!

Shao Xin! His Martial Soul was Sugar Bean, and he was a level 71 Soul Saint!

"Headmaster, are you really going to let Zhao Wuji do as he pleases? He could damage those children's bodies!" Shao Xin said.

Flender waved a hand. "It's fine. Wuji knows his limits. Besides, this will temper their willpower and teamwork early. It's a good idea! Zhao Wuji has finally done something clever!"

"But..." Shao Xin tried to say more.

Flender cut him off with a wave. "It's fine. If they suffer a little damage, we have you, don't we? Shrek Academy accepts monsters!"

Shao Xin could only shake his head!

"Well, well! You two little brats are still holding on? Then I'll turn up the heat again!" Zhao Wuji said, raising his Soul Power another level!

The Soul Power pressure now reached level 32!

Their strength instantly drained away, and they swayed as they began to fall!

Zhao Wuji immediately withdrew his Soul Power pressure! Dai Mubai rushed behind them and caught them before they hit the ground!

After waiting for everyone to wake, Zhao Wuji said, "Is that all? Outsiders might call you monsters, but here at Shrek..." He shook his head!

In truth, Tang San and the others had far exceeded Shrek's admission standards. Zhao Wuji simply did not want them to grow arrogant!

"There's still a fifth of the incense stick left. Clearly, you failed!"

"But! You have one more chance. If Yang Que passes my test, all of you pass! You're a team, after all!" Zhao Wuji added hurriedly, afraid they might all withdraw together.

"Of course, if he manages to injure me, you pass too!" Zhao Wuji added!

What was this? A slap followed by a sweet?

"That's too hard! The six of us couldn't pass the test. How could Yang Que possibly pass it alone?" Lin Song said.

"Exactly! That's far too hard. Isn't this making things difficult for Brother Que?" Tang San added.

Everyone talked over one another, but none suggested leaving. They had come this far. Who would want to give up without succeeding?

Zhao Wuji stood there quietly, waiting!

Zhu Zhuqing had woken up by then. She gripped Yang Que tightly with both hands and shook her head!

Yang Que smiled faintly and kissed her forehead. "Trust me! Even if I can't beat him, I'll still give him a beating! No one gets to bully my Zhu Zhuqing and walk away unscathed!"

Zhu Zhuqing's face turned scarlet!

Everyone: "..."

Come on, man. At a time like this? Things are so serious, and you two are still showing off how much you love each other?

Yang Que carried Zhu Zhuqing over to the other girls and gently set her down. "Wait for me! I won't be long!"

Yang Que walked up to Zhao Wuji. "You said we all pass if I manage to hurt you, right?"

"That's right, kid! Of course, lasting through one incense stick's worth of my pressure counts too!" Zhao Wuji said.

The corner of Yang Que's mouth curved upward! His gaze suddenly turned sharp!

Boom!

A faint Blood Fiend Aura rose around Yang Que! A blood-red longsword slowly appeared, followed by three Soul Rings!

Purple, purple, black!

A battle was about to erupt...