"So what's your plan now?" Zhu Zhuqing asked.
Qin Ye calmly analyzed the situation. "From what I've observed, Teacher Zhao Wuji is most likely a strength-focused Battle Soul Master who lacks agility and control. In other words, as long as we can keep him occupied, we have a chance of lasting until an incense stick burns out."
"I'm an agility-type Soul Master, so let me draw Teacher Zhao's attacks," Zhu Zhuqing volunteered.
"My Martial Soul can boost Zhu Zhuqing's strength and speed by around thirty percent. Keeping that up for the duration of an incense stick won't be a problem at all," Ning Rongrong guaranteed, patting her chest.
"Right. I'll use Heart Demon Interference to disrupt Teacher Zhao's attacks, and step in to take over from you when necessary, Zhu Zhuqing. Since none of us knows how Teacher Zhao fights yet, you must be careful."
"All right, understood," Zhu Zhuqing answered crisply.
Qin Ye let out a breath. Working with someone as decisive as Zhu Zhuqing really put him at ease, sparing him plenty of unnecessary trouble during their discussion.
Of course, Qin Ye knew the effects of Zhao Wuji's Soul Skills. He simply had no intention of revealing that information, so he could appear a little more normal.
If Zhao Wuji locked onto Zhu Zhuqing, Qin Ye had his own way of helping her break free.
"Are you done discussing? Time's up," Zhao Wuji urged impatiently from the square.
"That's our general plan, then. We'll each adapt as things develop." Qin Ye and the others had little time and could only draw up this preliminary plan.
"All right," Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong said in unison.
"Teacher Zhao, we're ready." Qin Ye made an OK gesture at Zhao Wuji.
"Good. What about you two?" Zhao Wuji turned toward Tang San and Xiao Wu with a smug smile.
He had already seen that Tang San had no intention of cooperating. Zhao Wuji loved teaching little monsters who refused to heed advice a lesson.
"We're ready too."
"Good." Zhao Wuji clapped his hands. "Then I declare the assessment begun."
Whoosh!
Zhao Wuji planted another incense stick in the ground, marking the start of the fourth assessment.
"Seven Treasures Turn, Glazed Pagoda Appears!" Ning Rongrong was the first to release her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul. The exquisite, jade-like seven-story pagoda radiated dazzling, rosy light, looking exceedingly noble.
"Seven Treasures Have Names, First: Strength."
Ning Rongrong's first Soul Ring rose, and two beams of colored light shot out from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda simultaneously, enveloping Qin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhao Wuji looked at Ning Rongrong in surprise. "Well, well, we've even got someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect this year. Excellent, excellent. Flender will definitely be excited when he hears."
"Seven Treasures Have Names, Second: Speed."
Another three beams of colored light flew out, landing on Qin Ye and Zhu Zhuqing.
Feeling the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement, Qin Ye clenched his fists hard. "What a powerful boost. You really do live up to being the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess."
"Hmph, little monsters, I won't be holding back now." Zhao Wuji lowered his body.
"Second Soul Skill, Great Strength Vajra Palm!"
Qin Ye's pupils instantly widened. "No, we have to interrupt him!"
Zhao Wuji had opened with an area-of-effect Soul Skill. His target was definitely Ning Rongrong, who was providing the enhancements. If Zhao Wuji disrupted the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's boosts, there was no telling whether Qin Ye and the others would even be able to break through his defenses afterward.
"Heart Demon Possession." Qin Ye fixed his eerie eyes on Zhao Wuji, and the Heart Demon Power instantly surged into Zhao Wuji's body.
Bzz.
Even Zhao Wuji's formidable Mental Power wavered under the heart demon's interference, interrupting his Soul Skill.
Qin Ye was not having an easy time either. Because of the enormous gap in their Mental Power, he could only draw out the heart demon within Zhao Wuji step by step. If he moved too quickly, he risked a backlash.
Damn it, if only I had a Soul Master with strong Mental Power to serve as a stepping stone. As long as my Mental Power gets a temporary boost, I could take Zhao Wuji down in an instant, Qin Ye thought.
"Impressive, kid. You actually interrupted my Soul Skill," Zhao Wuji praised Qin Ye. "But I wonder how you're going to stop my fists."
Seeing that he could not unleash his charged Soul Skill, Zhao Wuji immediately turned his attention to Qin Ye. Once he dealt with him and then defeated Ning Rongrong, these little youngsters would be all but doomed to lose.
"Hah!" Zhao Wuji pushed off with his legs and lunged at Qin Ye.
"Brother San, let's hurry and help." Xiao Wu was about to rush over as she spoke.
"You're not going," Tang San snapped coldly.
"What? But Brother San, we're taking an assessment. If we don't go and they get hurt..." Xiao Wu tried to argue, only for Tang San to shoot her a stern look.
"I said you're not going. Xiao Wu, are you going to defy me?" Tang San demanded viciously.
"I... Brother San, you're not like this. What's happened to you?" Tears welled in Xiao Wu's eyes. "You were never like this."
"That's none of your concern." Tang San turned away, staring at Zhao Wuji as he charged toward Qin Ye. "As long as he kills him, I'll recover. Don't concern yourself with anything else." Without realizing it, Tang San had voiced his innermost thoughts as well.
"What?" Xiao Wu covered her mouth in shock, her eyes filled with disbelief.
She felt as though Tang San had become a different person-cold-blooded, heartless, selfish, and intensely controlling.
Was the Tang San before her really still the Brother San she knew?
"Zhu Zhuqing, it's up to you!" Qin Ye shouted.
"Understood. First Soul Skill, Hell Stab."
Zhu Zhuqing attacked Zhao Wuji from the flank, sharp claws sprouting from her fingertips. She moved like a nimble cat in the night, so fast she left afterimages.
"You actually dare approach me of your own accord? Heh, aren't you underestimating me a little too much?" Seven Soul Rings appeared around Zhao Wuji, and the aura of a Soul Saint abruptly descended.
Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
A Soul Saint with a top-tier soul ring configuration!
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened as she stared at the sight in disbelief. Never could she have imagined that Zhao Wuji was a mighty Soul Saint!
"First Soul Skill, Immovable Bright King Body."
Zhao Wuji unleashed his instantaneous Soul Skill, leaving even Qin Ye unable to interfere.
Dazzling golden light flashed from Zhao Wuji's body, enveloping the area within three meters of him. Zhu Zhuqing was about to charge straight into it.
No, I've fallen for his trap, Zhu Zhuqing thought, but she could no longer stop herself. Unless someone acted at that moment to draw Zhao Wuji's attention, there was no way she could evade his next attack.
Watching from the sidelines, Xiao Wu was frantic. As Zhu Zhuqing was about to enter the golden light's range, Xiao Wu finally could not stay put any longer.
A moment later, ignoring Tang San's attempts to stop her, Xiao Wu shot forward and attacked Zhao Wuji from another direction.
"First Soul Skill, Waist Bow."
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