"Tang San, you'll control the whole battlefield with the Blue Silver Grass. Use your full strength and poison!" Xiao Tian instructed. "Also, Xiao Wu, your second soul skill is forbidden—your level gap is too big, it will backfire."
Xiao Tian gave Tang San a meaningful look before turning serious with Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai looked confused. "Xiao Tian, are you sure you want to use poison on Teacher Zhao? Tang San is only a Soul Master. A Soul Master's poison won't affect a Soul Saint."
Tang San hesitated but agreed, understanding Xiao Tian's intention. The human-faced demon spider's poison was potent; despite the strength gap, it could still harm Zhao Wuji.
They quickly devised a plan: Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing attacked from both flanks, Tang San controlled the battlefield's center, and Xiao Tian, with the strongest combat power, confronted Zhao Wuji head-on.
Dai Mubai frowned. "Xiao Tian, are you sure about a frontal fight? You're strong, but the gap with Teacher Zhao is too big."
Xiao Tian smiled silently. A large gap? Perfect! He wanted a fierce battle—aware Zhao Wuji was only testing them, unlikely to reveal his true power.
"Oh, Ning Rongrong, be alert at battle start. Teacher Zhao will target you first thanks to your Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul," Xiao Tian casually warned.
"Got it. I'll be careful—you all protect me, right?" Ning Rongrong smiled.
"Protect you? Difficult. The strength gap's huge. Even if Tang San's Blue Silver Grass reaches you in time, it might break under a Soul Saint's pressure. Besides, Tang San will join the attack later, so don't rely only on him. Stay vigilant!"
Ning Rongrong's smile froze. She sensed more in Xiao Tian's words but focused on the imminent test.
When Xiao Tian and the others signaled readiness, Zhao Wuji lit incense and stuck it in the ground.
Xiao Tian seized the moment to form a three-one-one formation.
"Open martial spirit!"
At his command, all five revealed martial spirits and spirit rings.
Zhao Wuji gawked at Xiao Tian's soul ring setup.
"Damn! Three purple soul rings!?"
Before he could ask, Xiao Tian dashed forward, sword in hand.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing swiftly attacked from the sides.
Ning Rongrong saw the perfect moment and spoke while holding her Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda.
"The Seven Treasures boost strength and speed!"
The buffs covered Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Tian.
Feeling the enhancements, Xiao Tian sighed inwardly—worthy of being the world's top auxiliary weapon spirit, with a 30% boost!
They increased their speed, launching attacks landing on Zhao Wuji's neck and waist, though causing no visible damage.
Xiao Tian knew Zhao Wuji had a soul power shield cloaking his skin.
He raised his third soul ring.
"The third soul skill, Sword Heart Blood Slash!"
In an instant, the transparent sword energy around Fifteen turned blood red.
Xiao Tian struck Zhao Wuji's chest!
Zhao Wuji's calm vanished; his experience warned him the soul skill was extraordinary!
He clenched fists to block—but it was useless!
A sharp pain hit his forearm; blood slowly oozed.
In moments, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass pulled Xiao Tian and the others back to safety.
"What kind of soul skill ignores my defense like that?" Zhao Wuji asked in shock.
Dai Mubai and the onlookers shared the surprise.
Xiao Tian smiled, "That's my third soul skill. It ignores defense and causes bleeding. Teacher Zhao, your wound's small but can stop real bleeding—haha!"
Xiao Tian was pleased overall, though the skill required direct touch—sword energy alone wouldn't work. Every powerful soul skill had limits; he understood that well.
"Hahaha, not bad! I didn't expect freshmen quality this year to be so high—this little monster, and even someone from Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"
"I was careless earlier, but your third skill should be close-range only, right? Very useful against equals, but you're far from equal to me now!"
Xiao Tian was slightly stunned. Zhao Wuji's sharp insight surprised him—his martial soul was intelligent!
Tang San and friends' initial optimism faded; much battle lay ahead.
"The second soul skill, powerful Vajra Palm!"
Zhao Wuji's hands morphed into bear paws as he charged fiercely.
Tang San thought, "This is bad," setting blue silver grass continuously to block—ineffectively.
"Tang San!" He gritted his teeth, using blue silver grass to shield Ning Rongrong, tossing her near Xiao Tian.
Using Ghost Shadow, Tang San dodged Zhao's attack; eight spider legs sprouted behind him, fitted with soul bones and eight spider spears!
He knew holding back meant defeat; only one-tenth of incense time remained!
With Eight Spider Lance's full body boost, Tang San's confidence soared.
He unleashed Xuanyu Hand, Controlling Cranes, Capturing Dragons, and other Tang Sect skills on Zhao Wuji.
"Xiao Wu, Zhu Qing, your attacks won't harm Teacher Zhao. Guard Ning Rongrong! I'll support Tang San."
Though reluctant, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing agreed—it was best.
"External soul bone? Flanders must be thrilled—business booming this year!"
P.S.: Brothers, about which academy to go to next—I suggest Chihuo.
I don't want to break up Tianshui Dance Troupe or give up Ning Rongrong for Wuhun Hall.
I want Yu Xiaogang to first soothe Liu Erlong's grudge~~
About Chihuo, my idea is Huo Wu and Ning Rongrong could fuse rings; Xiao Tian could learn it too.
If a team has three fused rings, I think we can achieve something great. Hehe
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