No Chance for Tang San to Show Off

They arrived at the site of the final test.

Zhao Wuji explained the rules, which were much as Lin Xiao remembered.

They only had to last against him for the time it took an incense stick to burn.

Tang San hasn't gotten the sheet metal yet, so he doesn't have the Dragon Whisker Needle.

If things play out like they did in the original story, how will he turn the tables?

Lin Xiao thought back to the original story.

This was the first time Tang San had truly stepped into the spotlight.

It was also the fight that won everyone's recognition of his Hidden Weapon skills.

But Lin Xiao had his own opinion about how that recognition came about.

There was no denying that Hidden Weapons could be powerful.

But a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster breaking through the defenses of a Soul Saint above level seventy with the so-called Dragon Whisker Needle?

That was stretching things.

Even if the Dragon Whisker Needle specialized in piercing protective energy, it still depended on who wielded it.

Otherwise, could a level-thirty or level-forty Soul Master pick one up and pierce a Titled Douluo's defenses too?

An ordinary person could easily push an embroidery needle through cloth.

But could that same person push it through a wooden board?

Obviously not.

The gulf between a Soul Grandmaster and a Soul Saint was as vast as a chasm.

All things considered, that fight had been set up to let the protagonist show off by force.

So the question was, should he stand by and watch Tang San steal the show?

Or should he put on a display of his own?

He now had three Soul Skills, and their overall power was impressive.

They also counted as Self-Created Soul Skills, making them powers he could use right now.

If he joined the fight, he should be able to make a real difference.

While he was considering it, the system's voice sounded again.

[Ding! Quest issued: A real man should shine before the crowd. In the upcoming test, outshine Tang San and become the core of the team. Quest reward upon completion: Heaven-Gifted First Soul Ring and Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation Domain!]

Another quest?

Lin Xiao's eyes lit up.

This system knows exactly what I want!

He had only just thought of stealing Tang San's thunder, and a system quest had appeared.

The system really was a Tang San hater. It was out in the open now.

In that case, there was nothing to hesitate over.

He had to become the core of the team. He absolutely could not give Tang San a chance to show off!

"You little brats, talk it over among yourselves first."

Zhao Wuji burst out laughing.

Heaven had truly smiled on them this year, sending several promising seedlings their way.

If they all joined the academy, it would be a tremendous windfall.

The academy had gone years without taking in a student.

And now five had arrived at once!

Lin Xiao stood out most of all, with Innate Soul Power at level twenty.

Even across the entire Douluo Continent, that made him a monstrous talent.

At least, Zhao Wuji had never heard of anyone elsewhere with level-twenty Innate Soul Power.

With Lin Xiao's talent, a little cultivation would surely make him a top-tier powerhouse one day.

Tang San took one look at the situation and prepared to speak.

He needed to seize the initiative, direct the others in battle, and make sure they lasted until the incense burned out.

He also needed to find a way to draw Xiao Wu's attention back to him.

Otherwise, she might drift further and further away.

The thought filled him with a fierce sense of crisis.

But before he could speak, Lin Ye beat him to it.

"I gathered plenty of information while I was in Heaven Dou City."

"Teacher Zhao's name is Zhao Wuji, and he's known as the Immovable Wisdom King..."

After briefly introducing Zhao Wuji, he got to the heart of the matter.

"Lasting until an incense stick burns out against Teacher Zhao won't be easy. I suggest we first learn one another's Soul Power Levels and Martial Souls. Then we can draw up a detailed strategy."

Tang San's face darkened.

That was exactly what he had wanted to say!

He had meant to become the core of the team and take command.

But now that Lin Xiao had said it first, command might well fall into his hands instead.

The thought was so frustrating Tang San could have coughed blood.

Damn this mouth of mine. Why couldn't I have spoken faster?

"I'll start. I'm Lin Xiao, a level-twenty Power Attack System Soul Master. I don't have a Soul Ring yet."

"But I've worked out a few Self-Created Soul Skills over the past few days."

"My Martial Soul is the Four Swords of Zhu Xian. Its attack power is strong, so I'm suited to a frontal assault."

Xiao Wu glanced around and said, "I'm Xiao Wu, a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. My Martial Soul is a rabbit, and I'm in the Power Attack System."

"Tang San, level-twenty-nine Control System Soul Grandmaster. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass."

"Ning Rongrong, Support System Tool Soul Master. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and my Soul Power Level is twenty-six."

"Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. I'm a level-twenty-seven Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

With the introductions done, they had a basic understanding of one another's abilities.

Tang San rejoiced inwardly. Now it was his turn!

If he drew up a complete strategy, he could surely lead the team into Shrek.

A standout performance would make him their leader.

But just as he opened his mouth, Lin Xiao beat him to it again.

"Now that we know what everyone can do, I'll lay out a battle plan."

"Ning Rongrong is a Support System Soul Master. In a fight between Soul Masters, support types are often targeted first."

"So I suggest Ning Rongrong fall back the moment the fight begins and use her support Soul Skills."

"Zhu Zhuqing is an Agility Attack System Soul Master. She's fast and can harass him from the flank."

"Tang San is a Control System Soul Master. I saw him fight at the hotel, so he can use Blue Silver Grass to tie Teacher Zhao down while looking for an opening."

"Xiao Wu and I are both in the Power Attack System. We can charge him head-on and seize the initiative."

The others looked at one another when they heard the plan.

It sounded thorough.

It made use of everyone's strengths.

"This test isn't just about our strength. It's also about how well we work together."

"So I hope we can all give it our best."

Lin Xiao spoke earnestly.

Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly and said with a grin, "No problem. I didn't know you were so clever, Lin Xiao. You take command in the fight."

Ning Rongrong added, "The plan is well thought out. It should work."

Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment, then said, "A team needs a strategist. It's an important role!"

They were all acknowledging Lin Xiao's ability.

Tang San was so furious his lungs nearly burst.

He could have come up with that plan too.

Lin Xiao had simply said it first.

That bastard was no ordinary person.

Perhaps he had some ulterior motive for approaching them!

Lin Xiao noticed the change in Tang San's expression and savored it.

The system wanted him to become the core of the team, so he had to stay one step ahead.

First, he would become their commander and take control.

Then he would show what he could do in the test.

His three Soul Skills ought to produce some surprising results.

"You little brats, finished talking yet?"

Zhao Wuji grinned broadly from across the field.

The little runts had been huddled there whispering away.

But no matter how thorough their plan was, they could not last until the incense burned out.

The gap in Soul Power Levels was simply too vast.

No plan could bridge it.