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Zhao Wuji, impatient by nature, grew restless and shouted loudly, "Are you ready yet?"
The four exchanged glances, then Tang San stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Please guide us."
Zhao Wuji pulled out an incense stick, lit it, and planted it a short distance away.
"Your task is to endure my attacks for the duration of this incense stick. If you succeed, you pass."
The four wore serious expressions, not daring to underestimate the challenge. They took their positions and began a protracted battle with Zhao Wuji.
Though they didn't think there would be any real danger—after all, either they were favored students or had powerful backers—defeating a Soul Sage was still a far-fetched idea.
Tang San once again unleashed his signature entangling vines, but Zhao Wuji stood unmoving, enduring the concentrated assault from the two youngsters.
"Eight Treasures are renowned: first is Strength, second is Speed."
The moment Ning Rongrong summoned her martial soul, its dazzling brilliance captured everyone's attention.
Zhao Wují, well-versed in the world, muttered under his breath, "Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda? No… Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda?!"
Among the crowd, no one was unfamiliar with the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda, one of the top three sects' martial souls. But this one clearly wasn't the defective version rumored to cap at level 79.
Seeing the astonished gazes of the onlookers, Ning Rongrong proudly pouted.
Even Ye Wen, hidden in the shadows, was somewhat surprised. He had assumed the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect was too incompetent to achieve such a breakthrough, but it seemed they had quietly been preparing this trump card.
Still, an auxiliary-type soul master was just that—an auxiliary.
Battle armor was king!
However, such a prized treasure of the sect wouldn't be casually revealed without significant protection. The hidden guards must be formidable.
Given that Tang Hao could be lurking nearby, Ye Wen dared not recklessly scan the area with his divine senses, lest he accidentally brush against the consciousness of the Asura God.
Driven by curiosity, Ye Wen began scanning the surrounding strong individuals.
Unsurprisingly, once Ye Wen activated his divine senses, the nearby powerhouses were exposed. Two super Douluo-level experts, each at least level 95, were present—quite the show of respect for this tiny Shrek Academy.
One of them radiated unstable energy—it was undoubtedly Tang Hao. Ye Wen quickly withdrew his scan from that direction with disdain.
The other was a middle-aged man with white hair and eyebrows. Though he emitted no aura, he gave off the impression of a sword standing tall.
"Sword Douluo Chen Xin—no surprise there.
After all, given the indulgent personalities of the two Title Douluo who doted on Ning Rongrong, it was only natural they'd come personally. Once the Eight Treasures Glazed Pagoda was revealed, hostile forces wouldn't hesitate to send out Soul Battle Lord-level assassins.
But Ning Fengzhi's hand must have played a role here.
The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect had long lacked significant deterrence, spending years dealing with internal power struggles. Their two Title Douluo had remained low-profile until recently when they began gaining prominence.
Still, there were always some overconfident soul masters itching for a fight. This time, it was likely both to set an example and to correct Ning Rongrong's unruly behavior."
At this moment, Zhao Wuji snapped back to reality, realizing the exam was still ongoing. Clearing his throat, he said,
"What are you spacing out for? Continue."
"First Soul Skill—Soft, Fragrant, and Tender Candy Beans.
Second Soul Skill—Cute and Crunchy Candy Beans."
The former reduced damage, while the latter restored injuries—the effects depended on the gap between their levels.
"First Soul Skill—Entangle!"
"First Soul Skill—Boiling Blood!
Second Soul Skill—Charged Strike!"
The waterworks flowed more than Naruto's tears.
In the original story, at least three people were attacking, but now two auxiliary soul masters were merely spectating.
Perhaps growing impatient, Zhao Wuji unleashed his soul power, breaking free from Tang San's restraints and flinging Li Jingliu aside.
"Haven't you eaten? Your attacks feel like tickling me. Put some effort into it!"
Tang San and the others continued to struggle, but Zhao Wuji wasn't exerting himself—he was simply toying with them.
A half-hour battle fueled by incense was far beyond what these novice soul masters could sustain. After a flurry of moves, they were already exhausted.
However, Zhao Wuji didn't declare the four's failure.
After all, the main goal of this test wasn't combat strength—what chance did Grand Soul Masters stand against a Soul Sage? It was child's play.
"You've done well.
Facing a stronger opponent and still daring to attack shows potential as good soul master candidates. Your techniques are a bit rough, but you've passed the test.
Mubai, take them to arrange their dorms. I'm going back for a nap—their massage earlier was quite nice. Hahaha."
With that, Zhao Wuji strode away confidently.
Watching his arrogant figure disappear, Ye Wen shook his head and looked at him with pity.
Though Zhao Wuji had held back, Tang San still ended up coughing blood. Tonight would be unpleasant for him.
The purpose of this visit was fulfilled, but encountering Sword Douluo gave Ye Wen an interesting idea.
As expected, Zhao Wuji, planning to enjoy the night, suddenly heard a voice in his ear.
"Zhao Wuji, come here."
Startled but not cowed, Zhao Wuji followed the sound.
The technique of transmitting sound directly into the ear was difficult even for Soul Sages to master. The speaker was at least a Soul Battle Lord.
But Zhao Wuji relied on his top-tier martial soul, the Mighty Golden Bear, which granted him cross-level combat abilities. Moreover, he had allies at Shrek Academy.
He wondered if this was an old grudge coming to haunt him.
Arriving at the location, he saw a figure as burly as himself, clad in a tattered cloak, who asked gravely, "Who are you?"
Tang Hao cracked his wrists and replied, "Just a parent avenging their child."
Though Zhao Wuji appeared rugged, he was perceptive.
His mind flashed back to the four students who enrolled today—two were kids he had watched grow up, leaving only Tang San and Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong was unharmed, so this person must be connected to Tang San.
"Elder, it was just an exam earlier, and I held back. Your son wasn't hurt—why bother?"
Zhao Wuji tried to explain, as the oppressive aura before him grew increasingly terrifying—this was no ordinary Soul Battle Lord's pressure.
"Enough talk. You hit my kid; now I'll hit you.
I won't bully you—I won't use my martial soul. Just endure my fists for the duration of an incense stick."
Zhao Wuji felt humiliated. Even if the opponent was stronger, was this necessary?
The sharp-eyed Flender flew over, observing the tense standoff from a safe distance. Bowing respectfully, he asked, "May I ask who you are? If Lao Zhao has offended you, I'll apologize on his behalf."
Eat when you can, drink when you can, and know when to bow down—this was Flender's life philosophy.
Tang Hao, however, was in no mood for small talk. He summoned his soul rings.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red—
At the sight of this vivid soul ring configuration, the two veteran soul masters immediately recognized Tang Hao's identity.
After all, a hundred-thousand-year soul ring was unparalleled in this era.
What followed was an inhumane beating.
Zhao Wuji's face swelled like a pig's, bruised and purple, looking utterly pitiful.
Tang Hao's anger finally subsided. Turning around with a sense of loneliness, he addressed Flender, "Little San is in your care." With that, he vanished.
Only then did Flender dare approach, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
Limping slightly due to his broken leg, he moved awkwardly.
Zhao Wuji glared at Flender bitterly, "You're heartless."
Flender retorted, "Be grateful you're still alive after hitting the son of a Title Douluo. Stop complaining.
Come on, I'll take you back to heal your wounds. You need to change your ways, or one day you'll end up dead somewhere."
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