Lin Xiao's Heaven-Defying Insight and Underhanded Tactics

"Teacher Zhao, we've finished discussing it."

Lin Xiao stepped forward.

As the commander and captain, he had to speak for the team.

Tang San?

For now, Lin Xiao would leave him as a tool—or simply make him invisible—and do everything he could to diminish the boy's presence.

"Good, good. Then get ready."

Zhao Wuji took out an incense stick and flicked it away. It began burning the moment it struck the ground.

"Begin!"

The instant he spoke, Ning Rongrong retreated and activated both her Soul Skills.

"Seven Treasures Have Names: First, Strength! Second, Speed!"

Two Yellow Soul Rings rose around the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Rays of colored light shot out and landed on Lin Xiao and the other three.

The moment the light touched them, each felt strength flood their body. The Soul Power within them surged like a river brought to a boil.

At the same time, their bodies felt almost weightless, light beyond belief.

With a support Soul Master bolstering her, Zhu Zhuqing charged first, sweeping in from the left.

Lin Xiao and Xiao Wu rushed forward too, while Tang San used a Soul Skill from the rear.

Thick Blue Silver Grass vines erupted from underground, lunging toward Zhao Wuji one after another.

At the sight of their coordination, Zhao Wuji burst out laughing.

"Not bad, not bad. You work together well enough."

With that, he dropped into a half crouch and slammed both fists into the ground.

Boom! The earth shuddered violently, and a wave of yellow-brown force rolled across its surface toward Lin Xiao's team.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu reacted at once, leaping into the air.

Zhu Zhuqing then darted in from the side, skimming past the shockwave.

Tang San and Lin Xiao jumped almost simultaneously as Tang San's Blue Silver Grass vines coiled toward Zhao Wuji.

"Xiao Wu!"

At Lin Xiao's shout, Xiao Wu understood and kept charging Zhao Wuji.

Lin Xiao extended a hand, and the Immortal Execution Sword appeared in his grip.

By the time the sword appeared, he had landed directly in the shockwave's path.

"Strike!"

He swung the Immortal Execution Sword forward. A blade of condensed Soul Power whistled out and cut the shockwave short.

Surprise flashed in Zhao Wuji's eyes.

The boy had awakened his Martial Soul only days ago, yet he could already unleash a slash like that.

It was astonishing.

What remarkable insight!

While Zhao Wuji was thinking, Zhu Zhuqing and the others reached him.

But before they could strike, he activated his Soul Skill.

"Gravity Enhancement!"

In an instant, those who had been light as swallows felt their bodies grow heavy. Their feet seemed to sink into a mire.

Every movement became a struggle!

"Tang San, seal him off with Blue Silver Grass! Xiao Wu, attack from above! Zhu Zhuqing, circle behind him!"

At Lin Xiao's command, all three moved immediately.

Tang San hated taking orders from Lin Xiao, but he wanted even less to lose his chance to enter the academy.

Otherwise, he would have no way to answer to his teacher.

As he activated his first Soul Skill, masses of Blue Silver Grass sprang at Zhao Wuji from every direction, nearly cutting off every escape route.

Xiao Wu leaped up and raced over the Blue Silver Grass toward him.

Under cover of the vines, Zhu Zhuqing swiftly circled behind Zhao Wuji.

Lin Xiao seized the opening and charged straight in, activating Full Attribute Amplification.

A ring of white light flashed. Everyone except Zhao Wuji felt every one of their attributes double in an instant.

What kind of Soul Skill is this?

Tang San was stunned.

It didn't seem to be Ning Rongrong's Soul Skill.

Then whose was it?

Could it be Lin Xiao's?

No. That guy had no Soul Ring, so he shouldn't have a Soul Skill.

Then Tang San remembered the Self-Created Soul Skill Lin Xiao had mentioned.

Did he really create a Soul Skill in just three days?

And its amplification was even more terrifying than that of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!

But wasn't he a Power Attack System Soul Master?

Unbelievable. Utterly unbelievable.

With Lin Xiao's Full Attribute Amplification supporting her, Zhu Zhuqing moved even faster. She was little more than a blur.

She slipped straight through a tiny gap in the Blue Silver Grass.

"Hell Stab!"

Her Soul Skill took hold, and her speed surged as she drove toward Zhao Wuji's back.

But...

Her attack was swift, yet it left no mark on Zhao Wuji.

He made no move to retaliate. He merely stood there with his arms folded, looking supremely confident.

And his body really was that tough.

"Zhu Zhuqing, target his weak spots! Eyes, nostrils, ears, below the belt!"

Zhao Wuji's face turned green.

"You little brat. You're done playing fair, are you?"

His brow twitched hard.

His physical defenses were formidable, but even he couldn't shrug off blows to those places.

If that Hell Stab had struck his eye, he would be a blind bear by now.

Lin Xiao was ruthless.

"Tang San, bring the Blue Silver Grass up under Teacher Zhao's feet. Only on one side—throw him off balance."

Lin Xiao issued another order.

Zhao Wuji could no longer hold back.

"Damn it! You little brat are too underhanded. I'm taking you out first."

What respectable Soul Master fought like this?

A wicked cultivator. He had to be a wicked cultivator!

Who would have thought Lin Xiao, with only level-twenty Soul Power, was the greatest threat here?

If Zhao Wuji let him keep commanding, he might end up thoroughly embarrassed.

So Lin Xiao had to go first!

Tang San did as Lin Xiao ordered. Though Zhao Wuji was on guard, he still lost his balance.

Tang San, however, hoped Zhao Wuji would take Lin Xiao down first.

Then command of the team would fall to him.

If he led the other three until the incense stick burned out, he would be the best of them all.

He might even cement his position as captain.

Despite losing his balance, Zhao Wuji did not panic. He quickly recovered and charged straight at Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes at the sight.

Zhao Wuji had set his sights on him. He had probably pushed the man too far.

Fine. I'll take one hit and see what happens.

With that thought, he charged Zhao Wuji head-on.

The move made Zhao Wuji pause for a moment.

Then he grinned.

"Hahaha! Good lad. Take a punch from me!"

He raised his hand and threw a punch.

It carried tremendous weight. Though he had put little Soul Power into it, its pressure was crushing.

Lin Xiao brought his sword down to meet it.

Clang!!!

The impact nearly knocked the Immortal Execution Sword from Lin Xiao's hand.

He managed to hold on, its edge pressing firmly against Zhao Wuji's fist.

Zhao Wuji froze.

Looking closer, he saw blood on his knuckles.

Lin Xiao's Martial Soul had broken through his defenses that easily?

Was this a joke?

No. It wasn't merely the Martial Soul—it was sword energy!

A faint layer of Soul Power flowed over the Immortal Execution Sword.

At the instant of impact, it had compressed into sword energy and pierced his defenses.

The boy's insight was too heaven-defying!

He was a swordsmanship prodigy beyond any doubt.

"Zhu Zhuqing, gouge out his eyes!"

Lin Xiao's shout rang out. The next instant, Zhu Zhuqing appeared before Zhao Wuji, her claws stabbing toward his eyes.

She had clearly been ready for it.

"Tang San, ram the Blue Silver Grass up his backside!"