Both he and Shrek Academy's headmaster Flandre were proud, solitary figures — and in that regard, Dai Mubai's personality was the closest match to theirs.
"You—" Ye Zhiqiu flew into a rage, no longer bothering to argue. He strode toward Zhao Wuji with aggressive momentum, clearly unwilling to let the matter rest.
Zhao Wuji turned around and addressed the seven youths who had gathered around him. "You lot are truly hopeless — couldn't even deal with one old turtle. Just wait until we get back to the academy, then I'll deal with you."
The fatty helpfully reminded him, "Teacher Zhao, that old turtle is coming."
Zhao Wuji snorted coldly. "Get back inside and go to sleep, all of you." Only after dropping those words did he turn around — just as Ye Zhiqiu, his entire body radiating a chilling aura, arrived right in front of him.
"Let's settle this with our own strength, then." Zhao Wuji wore an arrogant expression. He didn't even bother activating Martial Soul Possession. He simply raised his right hand and slapped it straight toward Ye Zhiqiu.
Ye Zhiqiu was now thoroughly enraged. He unleashed the full power of his Dark Water Freezing technique, sending a fierce wave of cold sweeping toward Zhao Wuji. At the same time, he spun his body around, using his tortoise shell to block Zhao Wuji's palm. He thought to himself, You're too arrogant — even if your Soul Power is higher than mine, if you don't even use your Martial Soul, I'll make you pay a heavy price.
Unfortunately, it wasn't Zhao Wuji who paid the price.
The Dark Water Freezing technique that had previously given Tang San and the others considerable trouble had absolutely no effect on Zhao Wuji. The very next second, Ye Zhiqiu's body was sent flying through the air as if riding a cloud by a single slap from Zhao Wuji's palm. A large swath of cracks appeared across his tortoise shell, and he flew a full ten-plus meters before crashing heavily to the ground.
Zhao Wuji tossed a look of utter disdain in Ye Zhiqiu's direction, then turned and led the Shrek Academy students toward the hotel. As he walked, he muttered to himself, "Slapping someone around without using a Martial Soul really does feel good — no wonder…"
Back when Dai Mubai and the others had been provoking Canghui Academy, Zhao Wuji had already been watching from upstairs. He had originally planned not to intervene, wanting the kids to practice their teamwork in real combat. But as he watched Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others gang up on Ye Zhiqiu, something stirred — he suddenly recalled the scene of himself being thoroughly beaten not long ago. His hands had itched, and he couldn't resist the urge to come down. He simply hadn't expected that old turtle to be so fragile — sent flying by a single slap.
Of course, Zhao Wuji understood the real reason well enough. The opponent's defensive skill came from his first Soul Ring. His final two thousand-year Soul Ring abilities hadn't even been used yet. Still, having sent Ye Zhiqiu flying with one slap, he had no desire to continue tangling with an opponent so far beneath him in strength. Right now, the feeling was rather like the one he'd had standing before that person on that other day.
Ye Zhiqiu was hauled upright with the help of numerous Canghui Academy students. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. His back felt as though an enormous mountain was pressing down on it, making it hard to breathe, and shock crept into his heart.
He knew his own defensive capabilities better than anyone. The opponent hadn't even used his Martial Soul — yet a casual palm strike had actually wounded him. Even if that opponent was a power-type Soul Master, the gap in their levels couldn't possibly be less than fifteen ranks — perhaps even more.
The moment he considered the opponent's Soul Master rank, Ye Zhiqiu couldn't help but shudder. He cast one venomous glance in the direction the Shrek Academy group had departed, then slunk away with his students in tow. Among them, the female student cast one final glance at Dai Mubai before leaving.
Oscar had facial hair. Tang San's appearance was nothing particularly remarkable. Dai Mubai's heterochromatic eyes were clearly the most attractive. As for the fatty, he was the type girls routinely overlooked entirely.
Of course, Dai Mubai hadn't noticed her. It wasn't that this White Tiger was particularly pure — he simply set his standards impossibly high. Having seen so many beauties, his taste was far beyond anything the fatty could compare to.
As they walked back, Zhao Wuji grumbled in an irritated tone, "You lot really embarrassed me. I'm noting this — once we get back, it looks like you're all getting special training."
Tang San and the others exchanged glances but didn't argue. In fact, a hint of amusement graced each of their faces. This Immovable Bright King was clearly protective — worried about them getting hurt, but unwilling to say so outright.
Soul Masters at the twentieth to thirtieth rank going up against a Soul Master at the fiftieth-something rank without falling into a disadvantage — that was already remarkably impressive. It certainly couldn't be called embarrassing. Besides, the oldest among them was only fifteen.
Zhao Wuji's gaze suddenly shifted to Ning Rongrong. "Why didn't you use your Martial Soul to support everyone just now?"
Ning Rongrong blinked her big eyes and replied, "The timing wasn't right. Nobody knows I'm a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. If I activate my Martial Soul at a critical moment, the effect will be far greater — and far more surprising."
The others cast puzzled looks at Ning Rongrong, but Tang San nodded. "The element of surprise, catching them off guard — the effect would indeed be better. If Mubai's strength and speed had suddenly increased by thirty percent while he was using the White Tiger Diamond Transformation, even that Dark Turtle Soul King would have suffered."