An idea struck Zhao Wuji, and he continued, "The fact that you made it here shows you have decent talent. It looks like I'll have to assess you personally. I hope you can pass my assessment."
The new students all seemed casual about it, but Dai Mubai's expression changed dramatically.
Hearing Teacher Zhao say this, Dai Mubai hurriedly spoke up. "Teacher Zhao, isn't that a little inappropriate? The dean assigned me to assess the new students."
Zhao Wuji glared at Dai Mubai. "What's inappropriate about it? The dean isn't here, so I'm the highest authority in the academy. The assessment will be whatever I say it is."
Then Zhao Wuji turned to the four of them. "My assessment is very simple. As long as the four of you can last against me for one incense stick's worth of time, even if only one of you holds out to the end, you'll all pass."
"But let me make this clear beforehand: don't think about using clever tricks against me. Tricks are meaningless before me. Now, I'll give you one incense stick's worth of time to discuss your tactics."
With that, Zhao Wuji remained seated where he was and closed his eyes to rest. Dai Mubai hurriedly gathered the four together, his expression grave.
Once they had gathered, Dai Mubai looked somewhat solemn. "Originally, I was supposed to conduct the final assessment. I never expected Teacher Zhao to decide to do it himself. Now you're in trouble."
Xiao Wu laughed. "This Teacher Zhao wouldn't happen to be a Soul Emperor like the teacher at the entrance, would he?"
Dai Mubai shook his head. "Not a Soul Emperor, but a Soul Saint. Teacher Zhao is nicknamed the Immovable Wisdom King. He's a level seventy-six Power Attack System Battle Soul Saint, and his Martial Soul is the Great Strength Vajra Bear. He has no weak points anywhere on his body, and his attack power is incredibly formidable."
Everyone's eyes widened at these words.
The girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect exclaimed in surprise, "He's actually Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Wisdom King? More than ten years ago, Zhao Wuji had a conflict with Spirit Hall.
"To deal with him, Spirit Hall sent sixteen bishops to surround and attack him, but he forcibly fought his way out. You should know that Spirit Hall's bishops are all Soul Emperors above level sixty, and Zhao Wuji was only a Soul Emperor himself back then."
Everyone grew even more solemn upon hearing this. Clearly, Soul Saints were experts even across the entire Soul Master World, and as a Soul Saint, Zhao Wuji should at least rank among the top few experts in Suotuo City.
Tang San said, "Let's first tell each other about our strengths and see how we can deal with Teacher Zhao and last through this incense stick."
Everyone gathered around and stated their Martial Souls and abilities.
Tang San spoke first. "My name is Tang San. My Martial Soul is Blue Silver Grass. I'm a level twenty-nine Control-Type Battle Spirit Master."
Xiao Wu hurriedly spoke as well. "My name is Xiao Wu. My Martial Soul is a rabbit. I'm a level twenty-nine Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Next came the girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. "My name is Ning Rongrong. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm a level twenty-six support-type Tool Soul Master."
Zhu Zhuqing also spoke coldly. "Zhu Zhuqing. Martial Soul: Hell Spirit Cat. Level twenty-seven Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."
The group then began discussing their tactics.
Standing some distance away, Tang Feng kept watching their surroundings. He vaguely sensed an extremely powerful presence nearby and guessed that it might be Tang Hao.
Before long, the battle began. When everyone summoned their Martial Souls and Soul Rings, especially when Ning Rongrong summoned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Zhao Wuji opposite them was also exceptionally surprised.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. It seems I've underestimated you a little. Start whenever you're ready."
Zhao Wuji took out an incense stick, lit it directly with his Soul Power, and planted it in the ground.
Ning Rongrong was the first to provide support. "Seven Treasures Have Names, First: Strength, Second: Speed."
Six beams of light shone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and swiftly merged into the other three.
Tang San activated his first Soul Skill, "Blue Silver Entanglement!" Dozens of thick vines instantly coiled around Zhao Wuji's limbs.
Zhao Wuji activated Martial Soul Possession. His first Soul Ring suddenly lit up, and his first Soul Skill, "Immovable Bright King Body," activated, his muscles bulging as though cast from steel.
Zhao Wuji, who had originally stood less than 1.7 meters tall, now exceeded 2.5 meters, resembling a giant-or an enormous bear.
Zhao Wuji shook his entire body. The mere natural contraction of his muscles shattered the Blue Silver Grass wrapped around him inch by inch, and the scraps of vine fluttered down like shredded paper.
"Is that all you've got?" Zhao Wuji bared his teeth in a savage grin, his voice rumbling like muffled thunder. He was in no hurry to attack; he merely wanted to test these children's abilities.
Xiao Wu gave a sharp cry and darted close like a streak of pink lightning. With her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul possessing her, she pushed her Waist Bow to its limit, trying to topple the iron tower that was Zhao Wuji.
But the moment her hands touched Zhao Wuji's waist, she felt as though she were trying to move not a human body, but an actual mountain. Zhao Wuji did not budge an inch!
Zhao Wuji swept his hand back, his large hand clamping around Xiao Wu's ankle like an iron vise, and lifted her upside down. Xiao Wu flipped in midair, her scorpion braid winding toward Zhao Wuji's neck, only for him to easily pull it away with his other hand.
"Not even enough to scratch an itch." Zhao Wuji laughed and casually flung Xiao Wu toward the ground.
Zhu Zhuqing seized the opportunity to strike from the shadows, driving her Nether Civet Martial Soul to its utmost. Her cat claws tore through the air with a shrill whistle as she viciously raked at Zhao Wuji's back over his heart. Yet when her claw tips touched that layer of bear fur, it was like scratching thousand-year-old profound iron. Sparks flew, but she could not even leave a white mark.
"Good speed, but too little force," Zhao remarked leisurely, striking back with his palm.
Zhu Zhuqing flew backward like a kite with its string cut, thrown out of the battle area. Her face was pale, blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and she briefly lost consciousness. Dai Mubai caught her outside the battle area.
Tang Feng came over to the two of them and fed Zhu Zhuqing a Soul Recovery Pill. Only then did she slowly regain consciousness. She pulled free of Dai Mubai's hands and moved to the other side, with Tang Feng between them.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai felt an urge to kill Tang Feng. Sensing Dai Mubai's hostility, Tang Feng put on an innocent expression and thought, I didn't do anything!
At that moment, Xiao Wu climbed to her feet, a trace of ruthlessness flashing through her eyes. "It's always been me, Sister Xiao Wu, bullying others. Today, I'll make you pay!" Her second Soul Ring suddenly blazed,
"Second Soul Skill, Charm!"
Xiao Wu's eyes became two pools of swirling pink, and a mental assault struck straight at Zhao Wuji.
But Zhao Wuji was a Soul Saint. How could a two-ring Soul Master attack his spiritual power? The moment Xiao Wu's Charm touched Zhao Wuji's sea of consciousness, it rebounded.
In a single instant, Xiao Wu suffered a backlash of spiritual power and collapsed unconscious on the ground, even coughing up blood.
"Xiao Wu!!!" Tang San's eyes instantly widened as though their corners would split. He held Xiao Wu, looking deeply distressed.
Seeing Xiao Wu unconscious with blood flowing from her mouth, Tang San clenched his fists. "Xiao Wu, I'll make whoever hurt you pay!"
Zhao Wuji looked at them and said calmly, "This little girl is fine. Bewitching Soul Skills may be highly effective, but you still have to choose the right opponent. If your opponent's Soul Power level is too high, it's easy to suffer a backlash. She'll be fine after a night's rest."
"It's just like your Blue Silver Grass. Although it carries poison, given my defense and Soul Power, it has absolutely no effect on me."
By now, the incense stick had almost burned out.
Zhao Wuji looked at Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong. "Little one from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and that young lady, your abilities exceeded my expectations. I'll count this as a pass for you."
But before Zhao Wuji could say anything else, Tang San had already brought Xiao Wu to Ning Rongrong. "Ning Rongrong, sorry for the trouble, but please help me look after Xiao Wu."
Tang San had once sworn never to let Xiao Wu suffer the slightest harm. After entrusting Xiao Wu to Ning Rongrong, he walked up to Zhao Wuji with bloodshot eyes, his bearing as though he wanted to kill him.
Tang San said coldly, "Teacher Zhao, I want to challenge you again. Please light another incense stick. I'll take your assessment alone for one incense stick's worth of time."
Off to the side, Tang Feng was somewhat speechless. Tang San was far too determined to win-or rather, far too extreme. In battles between Soul Masters, Soul Skills had no eyes to begin with. Zhao Wuji was half the reason Xiao Wu had been injured this time; more of it was because she had underestimated her opponent.
Besides, it's only a minor injury. Why does it feel like Xiao Wu is already dead? I wonder how heartbroken you'd be if she really died?
Zhao Wuji was also somewhat baffled by Tang San's confidence, which seemed to come from nowhere. Wasn't he being a little too ignorant of the heights of heaven and the depths of earth? His playful streak stirred, and he accepted Tang San's challenge.
Another incense stick was planted in the ground, and the battle began anew. Tang San instantly went berserk, exploiting Zhao Wuji's underestimation of him to launch the first attack.
He used his first Soul Skill, "Blue Silver Entanglement," to restrict Zhao Wuji's movements, but Zhao Wuji's immense strength allowed him to tear through the Blue Silver Grass with ease.