Dai Mubai nodded. "Teacher Zhao indeed isn't a Soul Emperor, but a level seventy-six Soul Saint, with a Beast Martial Soul-a Power Attack System Battle Soul Saint! He's Shrek Academy's vice dean, second only to the dean in overall strength."
Xiao Wu was frightened by the string of titles Dai Mubai rattled off and couldn't help swallowing. The others' expressions looked somewhat strained as well.
Ning Yuhao had already known Zhao Wuji's cultivation level beforehand, so he wasn't surprised. But hearing Dai Mubai rattle off that long string of titles like a list of dishes, he could barely hold back his laughter. He patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder. "Mubai, there isn't room for that many people here."
"Huh?" Dai Mubai clearly didn't understand why Ning Yuhao would say that. "There's quite a lot of space here."
He thought Ning Yuhao might find it a little too cramped with everyone gathered together like this, so he stretched his hands out from the middle. "Everyone, spread out a little. No need to stand so close."
"What are we going to do?! Level seventy-six? How is that possible? He looks much younger than the teacher at the gate." Recovering from her shock, Xiao Wu sounded somewhat incredulous.
Dai Mubai rather enjoyed everyone's shocked expressions and Xiao Wu's incredulous tone. After all, this showed their recognition of Shrek Academy's strength. Having stayed here for so long, he already felt a sense of belonging. After all, everyone here was talented and spoke so nicely. He absolutely loved it here, all right.
"Age doesn't prove anything. They say Spirit Hall's current Supreme Pontiff is even younger than Teacher Zhao and the others, but is already a Titled Douluo. The world of geniuses can't be measured by common sense."
After Dai Mubai finished his last sentence, everyone turned their eyes toward Ning Yuhao in unison.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were only shocked by his Soul Ring configuration, but Ning Rongrong and the others who knew Ning Yuhao well were even more shocked.
After all, aside from his Soul Ring configuration, Ning Yuhao was already a level thirty-eight Soul Elder. Dai Mubai, who was three years older, was only level thirty-seven, and Ning Yuhao had also spent a great deal of time studying theory. He could be called accomplished in both scholarly and martial pursuits. "Geniuses can't be measured by common sense" seemed more like a true portrait of Ning Yuhao.
Dai Mubai sighed. "Actually, the fourth trial was originally supposed to pit you against me. You only needed to last one minute against me, but who knows what wire got crossed in his head? He actually wants to take you on himself."
Ning Rongrong's eyes darted around. "Say, could it be that Teacher Zhao realized you couldn't beat Xiao Hao, so he decided to do it himself?"
Dai Mubai wasn't happy with that. "Hey! You can't put it that way. Sure, Yuhao is one level higher than me, but I'm still a Power Attack System Battle Soul Master, no matter what. If we really fought, the outcome would be hard to say."
"The incense is almost burned out." Just as Dai Mubai was about to keep boasting, Zhu Zhuqing's chilly voice rang out.
Indeed, the incense wouldn't wait for anyone. A little less than half of it had already burned away.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai grew serious and spoke quickly. "Teacher Zhao's Martial Soul is the great strength vajra bear. Its defense is incredibly terrifying. Although speed isn't his strong suit, with such an enormous level gap, it'll still be hard to move faster than him. Also, Teacher Zhao's seven Soul Rings are two yellow, two purple, and three black, and all seven enhance attack and defense. He's known as the 'Immovable Wisdom King,' so you should focus on lasting through this one minute. After all, if you actually attack, even an ordinary Soul King would have a hard time breaking through Teacher Zhao's defenses."
Ning Rongrong exclaimed, "The Immovable Wisdom King?! I never thought he'd be here. Back then, he had a feud with Spirit Hall and actually forced his way out of an encirclement of sixteen bishops."
Dai Mubai nodded. "All right, discuss your tactics."
Then he added, "Safety first. If you really can't pass, I'll personally speak to the dean when he gets back. Don't worry."
Then Dai Mubai gestured for Tang San, who stood to his left, to introduce himself first.
But Ning Rongrong spoke up ahead of him. "Out of the five of us, only Xiao Hao is a Soul Elder, so our tactics should definitely be built around him, right?"
None of the others objected.
Ning Yuhao nodded, then stepped forward and said, "We've known each other for a long time. You two can tell me about your Martial Souls, and I'll assign our roles."
Tang San nodded. "My name is Tang San. My plant Beast Martial Soul is blue silver grass. I'm a level twenty-nine Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
Seeing Tang San speak, Xiao Wu followed suit. "My name is Xiao Wu, with Wu meaning dance. My animal Beast Martial Soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit. I'm a level twenty-nine Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."
Since Tang San and Xiao Wu had both given their names, the others could hardly refrain from introducing themselves. Otherwise, it would be somewhat discourteous.
"My name is Ning Rongrong. My Tool Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm a level twenty-eight support-type Tool Soul Master."
"My name is Zhu Zhuqing. My animal Beast Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat. I'm a level twenty-nine Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."
Last came Ning Yuhao. "My name is Ning Yuhao. My Tool Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm a level thirty-eight summoning-type Soul Master."
Despite having prepared themselves, Tang San and Xiao Wu still drew in a breath of cold air when they heard Ning Yuhao personally state his level thirty-eight cultivation. They had thought he was only two or three levels above them, never imagining that he was actually a high-level Soul Elder, about to break through to Soul Ancestor.
Tang San asked in surprise, "Both your Martial Souls are the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Are you both from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Ning Yuhao and Ning Rongrong both nodded. Only direct-line disciples of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could possess the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The sect was far too famous, and its pagoda was also the number-one support-type Tool Martial Soul. There was simply no hiding it, nor any need to.
"Then why do you have different roles?" Xiao Wu spotted the crucial point.
"My Martial Soul is mutated. It's a little different from Sister Rongrong's, so my role is different too."
Then Ning Yuhao clapped his hands. Once everyone's eyes turned toward him, he said, "Right now, we have two agility attack types, one support type, one control type, and one summoning type."
"When we start, I'll handle the main attack. Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu, you can wait for an opening and give it a try. If your attacks can hurt him, attack. If they can't, give up decisively, conserve your Soul Power, and keep moving. Run separately. As long as we can hold out for one minute, we all win."
"Sister Rongrong, put your buffs on my summoned beast first. Don't worry about anyone else for now. If I'm defeated, put the buffs straight onto Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, and try to help them hold out longer."
Only then did Ning Yuhao look at Tang San. "Could you describe roughly how strong your control abilities are?"