"Teacher Zhao, this isn't really appropriate," Dai Mubai said hesitantly.
Zhao Wuji glared at him. "What's not appropriate about it? The Dean isn't here — I'm the highest authority in the academy. If I say it's fine, it's fine. Now, I'm going to light the incense. You don't have much time, so get ready. Xiao Bai, you can tell them about my abilities and strengths so they have something to work with."
After finishing his sentence, he produced an incense stick from somewhere, pinched the tip between his fingers, and ignited it directly. With a flick, the stick was thrust into the ground, not so much as trembling.
Having done that, Zhao Wuji settled back into his chair, closed his eyes, and went back to sleep.
Tang San and the other three didn't feel anything particularly unusual about the testing method proposed by Teacher Zhao. It was Dai Mubai who wore a grave expression as he said to the four of them, "Come here for a moment."
The four gathered around him.
Dai Mubai said solemnly, "I can't help you this time. I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to take personal action."
Xiao Wu laughed. "Don't tell me this Teacher Zhao is the same rank as the teacher at the entrance — a Soul Emperor?"
Dai Mubai shook his head. "No."
Xiao Wu grinned. "Then there's nothing to worry about. The four of us are all close to level thirty. Four against one — as long as the gap in strength isn't too extreme, surely we can hold out for one stick of incense?"
Dai Mubai looked at her with an expression that suggested he was staring at an idiot. "If you think Teacher Zhao's attacks are that easy to block, you're gravely mistaken. Teacher Zhao isn't a level-sixty Soul Emperor — he's a level seventy-six Soul Saint. Beast Martial Soul, Battle Soul Saint. He's the vice principal of the academy, and his overall strength is second only to the Dean."
Tang San's pupils contracted almost in unison with the others'. Level seventy-six? In their experience, let alone the three of them who hadn't even reached level thirty, a Soul Saint-level master could move freely even against an army of ten thousand.
Xiao Wu said in disbelief, "He's level seventy-six? But he looks much younger than the teacher at the entrance."
Dai Mubai said flatly, "Age has never been the measure of anything. We're running short on time, so let me quickly tell you about Teacher Zhao's strengths, and then you have to decide on a strategy to counter him immediately. Otherwise, forget one stick of incense — if you can withstand his first wave of attacks, that'll be impressive enough."
Tang San and the others turned somber. Facing a level seventy-six Soul Saint was no joke.
Sacred Soul Village, where Tang San had grown up, was said to have once been home to a Soul Saint — but that was only legend. The Soul Saint before them now was painfully real, and he was about to serve as their examiner.
Dai Mubai said with a bitter smile, "Originally, Teacher Zhao was only supposed to proctor the fourth trial. Your opponent was supposed to be me. As long as you could hold out for one stick of incense against me, you'd pass. But who knows what got into him today — he decided to take matters into his own hands."
"Teacher Zhao's Martial Soul is the Vigorous Vajra Bear, a powerful Beast Martial Soul. His body has no weak points whatsoever, and his defensive capabilities are absolutely terrifying. Even a Soul Master at the same level as him would struggle to break through his defenses and deal any real damage. Speed isn't Teacher Zhao's forte, but given the massive gap in Soul Power between you, there's no way you'll be faster than him either. His greatest strengths are offensive power and defense. Within the academy, he's known as the Immovable Bright King. Forget the four of you — even with me added to the mix, we probably couldn't block one stick of incense of his attacks. All I can hope for is that Teacher Zhao doesn't get too serious when he's attacking you."
No weaknesses. Four simple words that said everything about how formidable Zhao Wuji truly was.
The short-haired girl suddenly exclaimed, "He's actually the Immovable Bright King Zhao Wuji? He disappeared from the continent for ten years, and he's been teaching at Shrek Academy all along? Back in the day, Zhao Wuji had a falling out with Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall tried to punish him, but he fought his way out of an encirclement by sixteen bishops. After that, the whole matter was dropped. Bishops of Spirit Hall are at minimum level sixty — Soul Emperor-class masters. At the time, Zhao Wuji must have only been around level sixty-something. By now, he must be even more powerful."
Dai Mubai nodded silently. "At the very least, I've never seen Teacher Zhao fight at full power. So you'd better pray for yourselves. Of Teacher Zhao's seven Soul Rings, the first two are Hundred-Year Soul Rings, the third and fourth are Thousand-Year, and the last three are all Ten-Thousand-Year. And every single one of those seven rings grants either offensive or defensive ability. I'm sure you can imagine how terrifying that is. Now, introduce yourselves to each other — state your names and abilities, and figure out how to coordinate for the best chance of surviving Teacher Zhao's trial."
Tang San spoke first. "My name is Tang San. Tool Martial Soul, Blue Silver Grass. Level twenty-nine, Control Type Battle Soul Master."
Seeing Tang San go, Xiao Wu spoke next. "Xiao Wu. Beast Martial Soul, rabbit. Level twenty-nine, Assault Type Battle Soul Master."
The girl with the short, bobbed hair hesitated briefly before speaking. "Ning Rongrong. Tool Martial Soul, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Level twenty-six, Support Type Tool Soul Master."
The last girl, cold and aloof, spoke with characteristic detachment. "Zhu Zhuqing. Beast Martial Soul, Nether Spirit Cat. Level twenty-seven, Agility Attack Type Battle Soul Master."
Once the four had finished introducing themselves, all eyes — including Dai Mubai's — converged on one person. The one who had drawn everyone's attention was none other than the short-haired girl, Ning Rongrong.
Tang San said in surprise, "Your Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Then you must be from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a Martial Soul passed down exclusively through bloodline. In all of Soul Land, only direct descendants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan could possibly possess it.
(End of Chapter)