After Li Hanqiu spoke, the air fell silent for a long while.
Zhao Wuji froze for several seconds, then sneered, cracked his neck twice, and stepped forward.
He had always had an explosive temper. How could he tolerate a young teacher challenging him in public?
Zhao Wuji stamped both feet, and the entire Assessment Arena shook again with a dull rumble.
"Fine, Teacher Li. There's nothing I like more than trading blows with someone who has 'backbone' like you."
As he spoke, he clenched his fists, his knuckles crackling like beans bursting in a hot pan.
Li Hanqiu remained calm.
Holy Light Ao crouched beside him, his golden scales half flared, his blood and vitality blazing like fire, making the surrounding grass curl slightly.
Man and dragon stood facing Zhao Wuji just like that.
A fight was poised to erupt.
However...
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Flender darted between them, pushing outward with both hands.
"What are you doing? Huh?!
"We're all part of Shrek Academy, and you're both teachers! What kind of example are you setting, fighting in front of the students?"
Flender adjusted his pale-rimmed glasses, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
Zhao Wuji halted and gave a heavy snort. "Flender, get out of the way. Today, I'm going to get a proper taste of Teacher Li's strength!"
"Old Zhao! Take a step back, take a step back!" Flender lowered his voice. "Teacher Li just arrived. As his senior, you ought to show a little generosity."
As he spoke, he braced his back against Zhao Wuji and kept gesturing urgently at Yu Xiaogang.
Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment before jogging over and forcing a smile. "Yes, yes, Teacher Zhao, Teacher Li, we're all on the same side!
"There will be plenty of chances to spar. Plenty!"
Li Hanqiu glanced at them, an easygoing smile still resting on his lips.
Flender turned back and cupped his hands. "Teacher Li, how about this? They've passed the assessment. Starting today, Tang San and Xiao Wu are students of Shrek Academy.
"Let's leave it here for today. Everyone's had a tiring day. Another day-another day, I'll personally arrange for you two to have a proper exchange."
"Another day." Li Hanqiu repeated those words, his gaze lingering on Zhao Wuji for several seconds.
He did not press the matter and waved at Holy Light Ao. A low rumble sounded in the dragon beast's throat, and he withdrew his imposing aura as well.
Tang San stood there in a daze.
He gripped his Sleeve Arrow so tightly that his fingertips turned white. Only when Li Hanqiu walked over and patted his shoulder did he react.
"Put it away and calm yourself, Little San."
Only then did he seem to come back to life. He loosened his sleeve, lowered his head, and put his hidden weapon away.
Flender pushed Zhao Wuji away as well, and the crowd dispersed.
Yu Xiaogang followed Flender, glancing around. Once almost everyone had left, he grabbed Flender's arm and demanded anxiously:
"What were you doing back there? That was such a perfect chance! If we'd let Zhao Wuji teach him a lesson, wouldn't our plan have succeeded?"
The smile vanished from Flender's face, and he gave him a sidelong look.
"Do you really think Li Hanqiu is made of clay?"
"But we had Old Zhao! How could a Soul Saint lose to a Soul King?"
Flender pushed up his glasses. Their lenses reflected the setting sun, obscuring his expression.
"Old Zhao just finished fighting those little girls. He used up nearly forty percent of his soul power, at least! He was already far from his best.
"And didn't you see how troublesome those Little Monsters were, especially Tang San?
"As his teacher, Li Hanqiu is absolutely more than an ordinary Soul King. You could figure that out with your knees!"
Yu Xiaogang choked on his words and stammered, unable to respond. He had not considered that point. Flender continued.
"With Old Zhao's strength, victory would be certain. But it would be anything but easy. Li Hanqiu might well fight him to a standstill for a while.
"Wouldn't that just spread Li Hanqiu's reputation?
"If Old Zhao slipped up and Li Hanqiu turned the tables on him, we'd lose every scrap of face we had."
He paused and lowered his voice. "If we want to deal with him, we need to wait until Old Zhao is fully rested and choose a good day."
Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more. His gaze remained dark, clearly unhappy that Li Hanqiu would continue "flaunting his might."
That night.
Stars dotted the sky outside the window. Zhao Wuji lay in bed with his eyes closed, but sleep refused to come.
He tossed and turned, fragments of the day's battle replaying in his mind.
He remembered the setbacks he had suffered at those little girls' hands and thought of Li Hanqiu's breezily composed face. He simply could not swallow his resentment.
Above all, the sight of Li Hanqiu challenging him face-to-face at the end remained etched deep in his mind, impossible to shake.
A mere Soul King had nearly left him with no graceful way to back down.
Zhao Wuji snorted coldly, anger bottled up in his chest. It was not until midnight that his eyes finally drifted shut.
Just as he hovered between sleep and waking, a voice suddenly sounded beside his ear.
"Zhao Wuji."
The voice was exceptionally clear, as though it had floated in through the window, yet also as though it had sounded directly inside his head.
Zhao Wuji's eyes snapped open. "Soul Power Transmission! Who's there?!"
"The woods east of Shrek Academy."
"Today's battle remained undecided. Tonight, we finish it!"
Zhao Wuji jolted upright.
He whipped his head toward the window.
The window stood half open, tree shadows swaying beyond it. Not a soul was there.
He took two ragged breaths, threw off the covers, and pulled on an outer robe. With a sharp bark, he ground his teeth until they creaked.
"Li Hanqiu... What nerve. You actually dare to deliver yourself to my doorstep!"
At midnight, the forest's darkness seemed thick enough to congeal.
Zhao Wuji reached the forest's edge. Before he even entered, he spotted a figure standing with his back to him, poised and relaxed.
A young man in blue robes stood facing away from him among several old trees. Moonlight filtered through the branches and fell directly onto his shoulders.
Holy Light Ao lay coiled nearby, his golden slit pupils glowing faintly in the darkness.
"Li Hanqiu, I honestly can't tell whether you're brave or stupid," Zhao Wuji snorted.
"You couldn't sleep, Teacher Zhao, and neither could I." Li Hanqiu turned around. "Perfect. Let's settle the battle we left unfinished today."
Zhao Wuji folded his arms and grinned. "You called me out in the middle of the night over some little girl? Li Hanqiu, aren't you being a little petty?"
"She's my disciple," Li Hanqiu said evenly. "Today, you used a transmission to insult her Martial Soul and my teachings. As her teacher, I have to avenge that insult for her."
"Oh? You could actually detect my Soul Power Transmission?"
Zhao Wuji laughed, his broad back and burly frame casting an enormous shadow beneath the moonlight.
"But none of that matters now. Let's see how you plan to vent that anger. With those scrawny arms and legs, or with that giant lizard?"
"Are you afraid?"
"Bullshit!"
Zhao Wuji stepped forward, soul power surging throughout his body. Every night bird in the forest took flight in a flurry of wings.
"If you won't make a move, I'll go first."
Li Hanqiu did not answer. Five Soul Rings slowly rose beneath his feet.
Two yellow, one purple, and two black rings revolved slowly.
At the sight, Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted slightly. "Your fourth Soul Ring is a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring?"
As he spoke, every trace of contempt vanished from his eyes, leaving only battle intent braced for a formidable foe.
Li Hanqiu clasped his hands behind his back and spoke calmly. "They say the Immovable Wisdom King has a powerful physique, and his defensive Soul Skills rarely meet their match among his peers."
Then his tone shifted. He extended a little finger and said disdainfully, "Today, let me see how much of that rumor is true and how much is false."
Before you continue