Zhao Wuji was unable to fully attack Ning Rongrong in the face of the coordinated assault from Tang San and the others. Especially with Ning Rongrong protected by Yang Xiong, she could swiftly dodge Zhao Wuji's long-range attacks and avoid harm.
However, judging from Zhao Wuji's demeanor, he hadn't even summoned his martial spirit or soul rings throughout the entire battle, it was clear he was simply stretching his limbs and not taking them seriously.
Even when Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing struck directly at Zhao Wuji's head, he remained completely unaffected, not even flinching.
Tang San clearly understood that if they wanted to win, they had to attack relentlessly. If Zhao Wuji managed to take Ning Rongrong down, their side would be in much greater trouble. Ning Rongrong was currently boosting their strength and speed by thirty percent.
From the ground, countless Blue Silver Grass vines surged forward, attempting to entangle Zhao Wuji's entire body. This was Tang San's first soul skill: Binding.
Meanwhile, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing continued their desperate assault, but even with soul skills, they couldn't penetrate Zhao Wuji's defenses.
At this moment, Zhao Wuji suddenly laughed loudly. "You little monsters are quite interesting, but unfortunately, you're lacking in strength."
A terrifying power surged from his body, and a golden glow surrounded him. He resembled a mighty Vajra Bear. In an instant, all the Blue Silver Grass vines were blasted away, and even Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were thrown off.
Originally standing under 1.7 meters tall, Zhao Wuji now appeared over 2.5 meters, like a giant or a massive bear.
Tang San quickly caught Xiao Wu in his arms, while Dai Mubai leapt forward to catch the falling Zhu Zhuqing.
To everyone's surprise, Zhao Wuji, now resembling a great bear, suddenly charged toward Ning Rongrong and Yang Xiong, clearly intending to take out the support first.
Seeing Zhao Wuji's powerful charge, Yang Xiong shoved Ning Rongrong aside and formed a blue energy sphere in his hand, striking directly at Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji's massive bear paw slammed down, colliding with Yang Xiong's spiral sphere. Yang Xiong was sent flying several meters back.
Surprisingly, Zhao Wuji also took a step back for the first time. His originally thick right hand even showed signs of charring.
Zhao Wuji looked at his hand with a hint of surprise. "A self-created soul skill? Looks like you've got some tricks, kid. But still too weak."
Now seemingly more serious, Zhao Wuji gave up on targeting Ning Rongrong and turned his attention to Yang Xiong, preparing to take him down first.
Just as Zhao Wuji swung his fist, Yang Xiong suddenly vanished and reappeared behind him with another glowing blue sphere in hand.
As a Soul Sage, Zhao Wuji reacted quickly. Since his right hand was already mid-attack, he used his left elbow to block Yang Xiong.
But Yang Xiong had been waiting for this. He disappeared again, reappearing to Zhao Wuji's side, this time, very close.
Zhao Wuji, experienced and powerful, smirked coldly and lunged sideways. Yang Xiong's spiral sphere hit his chest, but it was absorbed by a thick layer of soul power. Zhao Wuji's full body slammed into him like a massive bear.
Yang Xiong felt like he'd collided with something harder than granite. He was knocked back over ten meters, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
"Not bad, kid. You're stronger than I expected."
Seeing Yang Xiong taking on Zhao Wuji alone, Xiao Wu and Tang San rushed over again. Tang San unleashed more Blue Silver Grass, which sprouted from Zhao Wuji's body, this was his second soul skill: Parasite.
Zhao Wuji roared, "You brats think this little power can harm me? You're underestimating a Soul Sage."
The bear-like man released immense energy from his palms, shattering the Blue Silver Grass. His massive hands struck Xiao Wu and Tang San, sending them flying. Xiao Wu, trying to shield Tang San, took most of the damage.
Despite all this, only two-thirds of the incense stick had burned.
Zhu Zhuqing, previously thrown away, broke free from Dai Mubai's grasp and quickly returned to the fight.
As time slipped away, Zhao Wuji grew frustrated. Being stalled by a bunch of kids was humiliating. He activated his first soul skill: Immovable King Body. A golden aura enveloped him, and everyone nearby was knocked back by a shockwave.
At this moment, Xiao Wu's eyes emitted a pink glow, her second soul skill: Charm.
But she had chosen the wrong opponent. This spiritual attack might work on peers, but Zhao Wuji's soul power and mental strength far surpassed hers. In an instant, Xiao Wu was hit by backlash, collapsing to the ground and vomiting blood.
Tang San's face twisted with fury and pain as he held the unconscious Xiao Wu.
Zhao Wuji calmly looked at the group. "The little girl will be fine. Charm-type skills are effective, but you have to choose the right opponent. If your target's soul power is too high, you'll suffer backlash. She just needs a night of rest."
"Just like your Blue Silver Grass, yes, it's poisonous, but with my defense and soul power, it has no effect."
By now, the incense stick was nearly burnt out.
Zhao Wuji looked at Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong. "You two from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan really surprised me. Especially you, boy. You're stronger than I expected. You've passed the test."
Before he could say more, Tang San had already brought Xiao Wu to Ning Rongrong. "Please take care of her."
The trial was over. Ning Rongrong withdrew her martial spirit and held the unconscious Xiao Wu in her arms.
Tang San then walked up to Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, I want to challenge you again. Please light another incense stick. I will take the test alone."
Zhao Wuji had some reservations, but seeing how talented these kids were, and perhaps a bit too proud, he agreed.
Yang Xiong, standing nearby, was speechless. Tang San was clearly too obsessed with being strong, or maybe too extreme. Soul master battles were never gentle. Xiao Wu's injury was partly Zhao Wuji's doing, but mostly her own fault for underestimating the opponent.
Yang Xiong carefully observed the upcoming fight between Zhao Wuji and Tang San.
Tang San went all out. He unleashed a wide variety of hidden weapons. His eyes turned purple, and his hands pale white, signs of his Purple Demon Eye and Mysterious Jade Hands. He also used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and Controlling Crane Catching Dragon.
He launched wave after wave of hidden weapons targeting Zhao Wuji's vital points: willow leaf blades, flying locust stones, coin darts, bone-piercing nails, one after another. Toward the end, he used powerful crossbow bolts coated in poison. His final weapon was a small black hammer, clearly the legendary Clear Sky Hammer.
In the end, despite all this, both sides were badly injured. Tang San was knocked unconscious. Zhao Wuji looked battered, at least on the surface. He had taken a direct hit from the Clear Sky Hammer and a poisoned bolt to the face.
Yang Xiong watched the battlefield, speechless. Was it really this hard for a Soul Sage to deal with a Grandmaster-level opponent? Was all this necessary for a simple entrance exam?
He couldn't help but feel sorry for Zhao Wuji. A dignified Soul Sage being humiliated by a kid.
Among the Shrek Academy members, the only one Yang Xiong had a good impression of was Zhao Wuji. Mainly because Zhao Wuji was someone who stepped up when things got serious. No matter how strong the opponent, he didn't back down. He wasn't particularly close to any of the students, and they weren't master and disciple.
After some rest, Zhao Wuji instructed Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong to escort Xiao Wu and Tang San back to their dorms.
He suddenly remembered something and turned to Yang Xiong. "Kid, you took quite a few heavy hits from me just now. Are you alright?"
Yang Xiong smiled. "Do I look like something's wrong, Teacher Zhao?"
Zhao Wuji was speechless. He muttered under his breath, "That's not right. That last attack of mine was unrestrained. Even a Soul Elder should've been seriously injured. What kind of monster is this kid?"
Now that this part is still in the free content period, details about Shrek won't be described too thoroughly. Many events will be glossed over quickly.
Looking back, Tang San was sometimes too extreme, especially when it came to Xiao Wu. That was the root of many of his future decisions.
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