Douluo Dalu: I Can Become Stronger by Pitfalling Yu Xiaogang

"That was before. I'm talking about now," Zhang Tianyu said.

"I see." Dai Mubai and Tang San nodded. "That makes some sense."

Then Dai Mubai said, "Come on, I'll take you through the exam. No need to stand in line."

Tang San said, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

"Don't worry, I'm not playing favorites. This is treatment you've earned," Dai Mubai said as he led them toward the front of the line.

Dai Mubai walked over to Lu Qibin, whispered a few words in his ear, then pointed at Tang San and Xiao Wu.

Lu Qibin's eyes lit up. "Alright, hurry up and take them straight to the fourth test. If they pass, admit them directly!"

Dai Mubai returned to Tang San and Xiao Wu and was about to lead them deeper into the academy, but the candidates waiting in line were unhappy.

One male candidate said, "Teacher, what's going on? Why can they skip straight to the fourth test while we have to pass each stage one by one?"

Lu Qibin said calmly, "If your Soul Power exceeds level twenty-five, you can also go directly to the fourth test without wasting time here. But your tested Soul Power is only level twenty-one, so you must pass every stage."

The candidate asked doubtfully, "Their Soul Power is above level twenty-five? That's impossible! We're only twelve. How could anyone have such high Soul Power?"

Everyone standing here was a young person with Soul Power above level twenty-one and no older than thirteen. In their former junior academies, people like them had undoubtedly been gifted geniuses adored by all.

Yet after coming to Shrek Academy, they had run into obstacle after obstacle. It was inevitable that their moods would change somewhat.

Dai Mubai snorted. "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't. When I entered the academy, my Soul Power was already level twenty-five. Tianyu, show them your Soul Power."

As he spoke, he picked up a white crystal from the table and tossed it to Zhang Tianyu.

Zhang Tianyu caught the crystal. "Are you sure?"

He remembered the book saying that testing crystals came in different colors depending on their grade. This white crystal was used to test Soul Power below level thirty. If Soul Power exceeded level thirty, it would directly burst the crystal.

Shrek Academy was so poor. Was it really appropriate for him to burst one of their white crystals the moment he arrived?

"I'm sure," Dai Mubai said. "It's fine. It's just a crystal. I'll pay for it. Go on and let them see!"

"Alright."

Zhang Tianyu injected Soul Power into it. Before everyone's eyes—bang!

The crystal exploded on the spot!

Every candidate was dumbfounded!

"Level thirty!"

"It's actually above level thirty?!"

"A Soul Elder so young? How is that possible?!"

"My God! What did I just see?"

"Teachers and classmates all said I was a genius. If I'm a genius, then what is this Soul Elder in front of me?!"

Lu Qibin stared unblinkingly at Zhang Tianyu, deeply satisfied—ecstatically satisfied!

A truly terrifying little monster had come this year!

Dai Mubai picked up another crystal ball and tossed it to Tang San. Amid everyone's shocked gazes, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong tested their Soul Power in turn. All of them were above level twenty-five.

"Are you convinced now?" Dai Mubai asked coldly.

All the candidates shut their mouths, thoroughly convinced!

In a world where strength reigned supreme, everything else was empty. Only strength could truly make people willingly shut up!

Not only were those candidates completely convinced, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were also staring at Zhang Tianyu without blinking, their beautiful eyes gleaming.

Handsome, strong, and astonishingly talented. Was it really too much to look at him a few more times?

On the way to the fourth test, they began chatting. Ning Rongrong was the first to ask Zhang Tianyu, "Your Soul Power is really level thirty-eight?"

Zhang Tianyu nodded.

Zhu Zhuqing froze.

Level thirty-eight?

She knew Zhang Tianyu's Soul Power had exceeded level thirty, but she had not expected him to be so close to level forty!

Though both were above level thirty, level thirty-one and level thirty-eight were completely different concepts!

"Wow, how did you cultivate? You're so young, but your Soul Power is so high?" Ning Rongrong asked in amazement.

"Maybe it's because my Martial Soul is rather special," Zhang Tianyu said. "My Martial Soul is a Mutated Martial Soul."

"So that's it." Everyone revealed enlightened expressions.

When in doubt, blame the Mutated Martial Soul.

No matter how strange or bizarre something was, once it was said to be a Mutated Martial Soul, everything could be explained.

Because to this day, no one had been able to fully understand Mutated Martial Souls.

Dai Mubai said, "Do you know the condition for graduating from the academy?"

"What is it?" everyone immediately asked.

"Reach level forty," Dai Mubai said with a smile.

Everyone looked at Zhang Tianyu.

"Alright then, how about I enroll today and graduate tomorrow, setting the record for the fastest graduation?"

"I actually don't think that's impossible," Dai Mubai said. "When you sparred with me the day before yesterday, you were clearly only level thirty-six. How did you become level thirty-eight today?"

Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing froze. That had happened? He leveled up that quickly?!

"After fighting you, I gained quite a few insights. That understanding of battle allowed me to rise another two levels."

Everyone: ...

What was a peerless genius? What was an unparalleled monster?

This was it!

Damn it, leveling up just from fighting was completely absurd!

"Notice: Mission received [Cossack Bloodline]. Mission objective: Defeat Great Vajra Bear Zhao Wuji. Mission reward: Soul Power increases by 2 levels, Reward Points +10. Failure penalty: Close Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's mission lines."

You're That Big Shot?!

As they chatted while walking, they soon arrived at the location of the fourth test.

Zhao Wuji, powerfully built but rather short, was already waiting there.

"Teacher Zhao, I've brought people for the fourth test," Dai Mubai said respectfully.

"Hm? Five people actually made it to the fourth test this year?" Zhao Wuji turned to look at them, his face full of surprise, as though he had encountered something unbelievable.

Dai Mubai said, "Not only did all five of them reach the fourth test, they also skipped the second and third tests."

"All five are above level twenty-five. Not bad, very good! Looks like there are quite a few little monsters this year!" Zhao Wuji paused, his gaze sweeping over the five of them. "I heard one of you is a Soul Elder? Who is it? Step forward and let me see."

Everyone looked at Zhang Tianyu, and Zhang Tianyu stepped forward.

"Mm! Not bad, not bad! You look spirited too!" Zhao Wuji was clearly delighted. "Show me your Martial Soul and Soul Rings first!"

Huangquan appeared, followed by three Soul Rings.

Zhao Wuji immediately burst into laughter. "Good! Excellent! This year has truly set many records! Not only has the number of admissions set a record, even the number of students enrolled at the same time may set a record. And I think there'll also be a record for the fastest graduation! Hahahahaha!"

Zhao Wuji was obviously thrilled. His booming laughter made the tiles on nearby buildings tremble and rattle.

After laughing, Zhao Wuji calmed himself. "Kid, what's your name?"

"Zhang Tianyu."

Zhao Wuji nodded. "By normal convention, a genius student like you would basically be admitted directly without taking the test."

Everyone froze, then immediately looked at Zhang Tianyu with envy. Direct admission without testing—how wonderful!

Dai Mubai also smiled and nodded. Zhang Tianyu's strength truly qualified him for direct admission. At least, Dai Mubai was completely convinced.

But Zhang Tianyu was unwilling. "No! We can't do that. It has to be fair!"

If I'm admitted without testing, I won't be able to complete the mission!

Everyone froze again. Huh? He was refusing direct admission?

Zhao Wuji's expression shifted slightly as well, and his eyes revealed considerable approval. "Well said! I happen to like doing things the opposite way. The more of a genius student you are, the more seriously I want to test you! You understand that, don't you?"

"I understand. I completely understand," Zhang Tianyu said. Damn it, stop talking and start already!

Zhao Wuji laughed. "Very good! This is the final test. Once you pass my trial, you'll officially become members of Shrek Academy. However, my test is not so easy to pass. Actual combat experience is something every Soul Master must possess. What I'll be assessing is your ability in that regard."

"My name is Zhao Wuji. Since all five of you skipped the second and third tests, I'll personally have some fun with you. I'll give you one incense stick's worth of time to get acquainted and discuss your strategy. Once the incense burns, the test begins.

The test is for the five of you to join forces and withstand my attacks for one incense stick's worth of time. As long as even one of you lasts until the end, all of you will pass."

Dai Mubai froze. "Huh? Teacher Zhao, this... this doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

"What's inappropriate about it?" Zhao Wuji asked. "Can you do it?"

Dai Mubai: ...

Though a man could not say he couldn't, this time he really couldn't.

He could not even beat Zhang Tianyu. He had lost one hundred thousand and his dignity—his dignity!

So fine, it was perfectly reasonable for Teacher Zhao to step in.

Zhao Wuji flicked his hand, planting an incense stick into the ground. Then he sat down in a chair and leisurely closed his eyes to rest.

Dai Mubai called the five of them aside and briefly introduced Zhao Wuji's level and strength.

Upon hearing that Old Zhao was a level seventy-six strength-type battle Soul Saint, everyone except Zhang Tianyu was dumbfounded.

A Soul Saint? Damn, how were they supposed to fight that?

But when they saw Zhang Tianyu's calm expression, they quickly calmed down as well.

A Soul Saint was awesome, but they had a big shot on their side too!

They introduced their Martial Souls, abilities, and strengths to one another. Ning Rongrong still drew everyone's attention, and Dai Mubai then said, "The few of you make a good combination. Discuss your own strategy next."

They looked at Zhang Tianyu. Tang San said, "Tianyu, you're the strongest here. Do you have a plan?"

Zhang Tianyu thought there was nothing to discuss; wasn't it all obvious? "I'll take the main attack from the front. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, restrain him from the flanks. A San, control the field from the rear. Focus on controlling him and protect Ning Rongrong at the same time. Ning Rongrong will stay in the back and buff us. That'll do."

"Alright, we'll do that." Everyone nodded.

Zhang Tianyu was speechless. Anyone could have come up with such a basic strategy.

"Have you finished discussing?" Zhao Wuji's voice came over.

They took their positions and faced him. "Yes."

Zhao Wuji flicked his hand again, planting another incense stick into the ground. The spar officially began.

A level seventy-six Soul Saint was no pushover. Zhang Tianyu had to complete the mission, so he had to go all out. He spread his hands, and Huangquan appeared.

At that moment, Huangquan resembled an opened gate to the underworld. The instant it appeared, a chilling wind howled through the field, the temperature plummeted, and faint Wailing Ghosts echoed in everyone's ears, sending goosebumps over their bodies. Even the previously clear sky began gathering dark clouds.

Zhang Tianyu's appearance also shifted into that bewitching style.

At that moment, everyone looked at Zhang Tianyu with shocked expressions, especially Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji blanked out for a moment. "So it was you?"

"Huh? What do you mean, me?"

Ning Rongrong said, "That powerful, sinister aura that suddenly appeared while we were waiting in line for the first test!"

Zhang Tianyu suddenly understood.

Xiao Wu and Tang San smiled, spreading their hands and shrugging.

Dai Mubai continued, "At the time, we thought another super expert had appeared nearby. Who would have thought it was you? I fought you before, yet I never knew your Martial Soul could have such a terrifying aura."

Zhao Wuji laughed. "I was nervous for quite a while. So you're that 'expert'!"

"Uh... at the time, the teacher at the entrance suddenly summoned his Martial Soul to intimidate everyone, and then my Martial Soul came out of control. Fortunately, I reacted quickly..."

"Alright, no need to explain," Zhao Wuji said. "The stronger you are, the happier I am! Begin!"