Chapter 38: I think we should each handle our own control and just stay out of each other's way
"So he's the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji. He disappeared from the continent for ten years. I never imagined he'd be teaching at Shrek Academy," Ning Rongrong said in surprise.
Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Rongrong, have you heard that title before?"
Ning Rongrong nodded and explained to Zhu Zhuqing, "Mm-hmm. Back then, the Immovable Wisdom King, Zhao Wuji, had a feud with Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall wanted to punish him, but he forced his way out of an encirclement by sixteen Soul Emperor-level bishops. The matter was eventually left unresolved."
Dai Mubai spread his hands helplessly. "Exactly. There's nothing I can do to help, either. All I can do is wish you luck. Introduce yourselves first, give your names and abilities, and see how you should work together to best withstand Teacher Zhao's test."
Tang San nodded, stepped forward, and spoke first. "My name is Tang San. Tool Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass. Rank twenty-nine Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
Seeing Tang San speak, Xiao Wu went second. "Xiao Wu. Beast Martial Soul: rabbit. Rank twenty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Then Ning Rongrong spoke. "My name is Ning Rongrong. Tool Martial Soul: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Rank thirty-one Auxiliary System Tool Soul Master."
"What? A Soul Elder?"
After hearing Ning Rongrong's introduction, almost everyone's eyes focused on her.
"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder-haven't you broken the record for the youngest Soul Elder on the continent? And that Martial Soul... are you from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" Tang San asked in surprise.
Ning Rongrong put on a modest air and waved a hand. "A twelve-year-old Soul Elder is only so-so. I don't think it's all that rare."
Then Zhu Zhuqing continued, "Zhu Zhuqing. Beast Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat. Rank twenty-seven Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."
Jun Yi was last. He took a long saber from his Storage Soul Tool, rested it on his shoulder, and said, "Jun Yi. Martial Soul: Op-Op Fruit. Rank thirty-two Control System Soul Master."
Jun Yi's introduction was very brief, not as detailed as the others', because he did not know exactly what type his Martial Soul belonged to, either, so he simply said less.
Another Soul Elder. It looks like Shrek Academy really is a gathering place for monsters. Teacher was right-this academy really does suit me, Tang San!
After hearing Jun Yi's introduction, Tang San silently marveled to himself.
Then Tang San stepped forward and said to the others, "Fortunately, we don't have too much overlap in Soul Master types. We have two Control System Soul Masters. How about this: Ning Rongrong will support us from the rear, and Xiao Wu will handle the main assault. I'll take primary control, restraining Teacher Zhao Wuji while helping Xiao Wu attack head-on. Jun Yi, work with me from the side. Zhu Zhuqing, sorry for the trouble, but please use your speed to keep him occupied from the flank."
Tang San arranged everyone like a team captain. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong both nodded. Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Ning Rongrong and Jun Yi before finally giving a slight nod as well, agreeing to his suggestion.
"Since everyone agrees, let's do as I said," Tang San said confidently.
"I don't really agree," Jun Yi said, shaking his head.
"Hm? Is there something wrong with my arrangements?" Tang San asked in return. He believed that, having studied some Soul Master battle strategies under Grandmaster, although he was far from a professional, he knew more than enough to deal with Zhao Wuji before them.
Jun Yi smiled calmly. "I think we should each handle our own control and just stay out of each other's way."
Tang San frowned slightly, puzzled. He vaguely sensed that the boy before him seemed hostile toward him, but he could not explain exactly why.
"Then let's do as you say. We'll each handle our own control and stay out of each other's way."
Tang San did not continue arguing with Jun Yi. He understood that a genius like Jun Yi had his own pride, and it was perfectly normal for him to be unwilling to cooperate with others. Naturally, Tang San would not press his warm face against a cold backside and invite discomfort. After all, he had his own pride, too!
Hearing this, Jun Yi smiled, then walked aside to wait for the incense stick to burn out. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing followed him.
Tang San's guess was correct. Jun Yi did indeed feel some aversion toward him, so when he heard that he was supposed to support Tang San, he refused outright. After all, who was he, Jun Yi? Tang San had no right to order him around.
But, plainly speaking, Jun Yi was simply holding a double standard. Because he disliked Tang San, he instinctively felt that everything Tang San said and did was pretentious, which was why he felt this way. Had it been anyone else, Jun Yi probably would have agreed long ago.
"It looks like you've finished discussing things. Perfect. Let's begin."
Seeing that all five had spread out, Zhao Wuji stood up again, clasped his hands together, and loosened his wrists. A series of teeth-grating cracks rang out from his bones, and the invisible pressure immediately intensified.
Another incense stick appeared in Zhao Wuji's hand. Before he could light it, Ning Rongrong had already made the first move.
"Seven treasures turn forth, revealing glazed tile." Dazzling, seven-colored light immediately poured from her body. A seven-colored pagoda over a foot tall appeared in her right palm, and three Soul Rings-yellow, yellow, and purple-rose from beneath her feet.
"First: Strength. Second: Speed. Third: Soul."
Several streams of colored light flew from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and settled upon Jun Yi, Tang San, and the others. Everyone silently marveled. It truly deserved to be the number one Auxiliary System Martial Soul. With their speed, strength, and Soul Power all increased by forty percent, they immediately gained confidence.
"ROOM."
At the same time, Jun Yi turned his left palm downward. A transparent blue space instantly enveloped everyone, directly covering more than half the grounds.
"What's this?" Xiao Wu looked curiously at the space and asked in confusion.
"Getting distracted during a fight isn't a good thing, you know."
Zhao Wuji's voice rang out. He moved, but rather than charging toward them, he bent his knees into a half squat and smashed both fists into the ground at once.
"This is bad."
Tang San gave a low cry. The moment Zhao Wuji launched his attack, he understood that his target was Ning Rongrong. Grandmaster had once instructed him that if the opposing side had a Soul Master with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, he had to take them out first.
Tang San hurriedly summoned his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. The blue vines rushed toward Ning Rongrong at the same time as Zhao Wuji, but to everyone's surprise, there was no trace of nervousness on her face, as though she did not fear Zhao Wuji's attack at all.
"ROOM."
In an instant, Ning Rongrong vanished before Tang San and Zhao Wuji, replaced by a small pebble. The Blue Silver Grass Tang San had intended to wrap around Ning Rongrong caught nothing and was torn apart by Zhao Wuji's imposing presence.
"What happened? How did she suddenly disappear?"
Zhao Wuji stood where Ning Rongrong had just been, his face full of confusion, while Ning Rongrong had already appeared farther back, roughly twenty meters away from him.
Just then, a girl's voice rang out. "Teacher Zhao, getting distracted during a fight isn't a good thing, you know."
Xiao Wu appeared before Zhao Wuji, sweeping past the tremors. Tang San leaped almost simultaneously with her, even reaching nearly the same height.
"Xiao Wu, go!"
Although Tang San did not know what had happened, he still kept pace with Xiao Wu, raising both hands before his chest and pushing forward.
The tips of Xiao Wu's feet tapped Tang San's palms. Borrowing the force of his push, she abruptly shot like an arrow toward Zhao Wuji below.
Zhao Wuji did not move at all, allowing Xiao Wu to attack. She locked her legs around the major arteries on either side of his neck and twisted her slender body with all her strength, spinning in midair.
At the same time, Tang San used his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul to bind Zhao Wuji's lower body. The vines tightened fiercely, abruptly releasing a potent paralytic toxin.
Meanwhile, the vines surging from the ground pushed Zhao Wuji's body upward, lifting his feet off the ground and sending him flying...
(End of chapter)