Zhao Wuji's speed suddenly surged, closing the distance to Tang San in what seemed like a single step. His massive hand rose as his second Soul Ring simultaneously flared. With a hearty laugh, the palm, infused by the ring's power, instantly turned gold and doubled in size as he brought it slamming down toward Tang San.
Xiao Wu was still in Tang San's arms. Naturally, he couldn't let her block the blow for him. He hastily pulled her aside, but this simple action cost him his chance to dodge.
However, at that very moment, Xiao Wu's second Soul Ring lit up. Her eyes abruptly turned blood-red, staring straight at Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji felt a sudden wave of dizziness wash over his mind. Startled, the downward strike of his palm naturally slowed, and his Soul Power weakened considerably. A golden light shone from his eyes. "Good, a confusion-type Soul Skill."
As Xiao Wu's red gaze clashed with Zhao Wuji's golden light, she didn't even make a sound before collapsing unconscious in Tang San's arms. Blood trickled from both her nose and mouth.
Tang San almost instinctively seized this momentary respite. His feet executing the Ghost Shadow Phantom Trail, he swiftly retreated beyond the range of Zhao Wuji's attack.
Zhao Wuji hadn't truly followed through with the strike; he had no intention of hurting these children.
"Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu!" Tang San called out anxiously, urgently channeling Mysterious Heaven Skill energy into her body. But Xiao Wu remained utterly unresponsive.
Zhao Wuji didn't press the attack again. He stood there and said, "She's fine. Though the confusion-type Soul Skill's effect is potent, her Soul Power is far too low compared to mine. Suffering a backlash from her own Soul Power was the inevitable result. Just like the poison on your Blue Silver Grass has no effect on me. Let her sleep for the night; she'll recover when she wakes up tomorrow."
Turning his gaze to Ning Rongrong, Zhao Wuji smiled. "I don't need to continue, do I? Little girl from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. You've lost. You four are simply too weak. You couldn't even withstand a single incense stick's time. This is the gap in real strength."
Holding Xiao Wu, soft as cotton, Tang San slowly raised his head. His dark eyes were devoid of any emotion, yet profoundly deep.
He turned around with Xiao Wu and walked over to Ning Rongrong. "Could I trouble you to look after Xiao Wu for a little while?"
Ning Rongrong paused briefly, then dismissed her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul and took Xiao Wu into her arms. Although her Martial Soul was supportive in nature, all Soul Masters possessed Soul Power, making their bodies far stronger than ordinary people. Holding a girl like Xiao Wu was no burden.
Having handed Xiao Wu over, Tang San turned and walked toward Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji blinked. "What, you still want to continue? I'm afraid you couldn't even withstand a single attack from me. My second Soul Ring skill, the Vigorous Vajra Palm, isn't so easily blocked."
Zhao Wuji certainly wouldn't refuse these four children admission to Shrek Academy just because the incense hadn't finished burning. Quite the opposite, actually. The strength they had displayed greatly delighted him. Not only was each of them strong in their own way, but they had also coordinated with remarkable tacit understanding despite never having trained together before. Their future potential was limitless. Compared to the academy's current three students, they were only stronger.
The reason he had spoken harshly at the end was because he didn't want these children to develop arrogance due to their own talents. In the past, Shrek Academy had seen cases where excessive pride led to sluggish progress in strength. Zhao Wuji had no intention of letting these fine seeds stray down the wrong path. He just hadn't expected Tang San to actually walk back; this courage alone greatly impressed Zhao Wuji.
Tang San shook his head. "I don't wish to continue the current examination with you."
Zhao Wuji looked somewhat disappointed. "So, you're admitting defeat?"
Tang San shook his head again. "No. I hope we can have a serious fight. Everything starts over. Please light another incense stick. If I can hold out for one incense stick's time, then please allow all four of us to enter Shrek Academy together."
Zhao Wuji regarded Tang San with an ambiguous smile. "And what if you fail? Don't forget, just now the four of you attacked together, and you still lost."
Tang San could make decisions for himself, and perhaps even for Xiao Wu, but he could not decide for the other two. He turned to look at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing's dislocated arm had been reset by Dai Mubai, and she was conscious again, though her breathing remained weak. Although she didn't want to remain in Dai Mubai's arms, she currently lacked the strength to stand.
Ning Rongrong offered Tang San a slight smile. "Tang San, we are comrades. My father taught me from a young age never to abandon comrades. The worst that happens is we all leave together; we've already failed the test anyway. The academies in the capital certainly won't refuse us."
Tang San looked toward Zhu Zhuqing. She seemed to lack the strength to speak, but she propped herself up with effort and gave Tang San a single nod.
Although they had only met for the first time today, the trust of his companions seemed to grant Tang San unparalleled strength. He turned back to face Zhao Wuji once more. "If I am defeated, then we will leave together."
Zhao Wuji looked at these children before him, growing fonder of them the longer he observed. He burst into hearty laughter. "Good, good! Then let me see what other hidden strength you have to withstand my attack. As you wish."
A third incense stick was lit and planted in the ground nearby.
Tang San stood with his feet in a neutral stance, his entire body's power slowly converging. At this point, he had no intention of hiding his true strength anymore. Xiao Wu being injured and falling unconscious had intensely stung his emotions, filling him with self-reproach. As a brother who had failed to protect his sister, if he couldn't seek justice for her, how could he deserve the title of brother at all?
(End of Chapter)