"I'm Xiao Wu. So… do you think we know each other or not?"
Lin Jie hadn't expected her to recognize him this quickly. Tang San didn't recognize me, but this little rabbit did?
"Hello, Xiao Wu. Long time no see, haha," Lin Jie said with a chuckle.
Tang San turned his head and asked Xiao Wu gently, "Xiao Wu, you know him?"
She looked at Tang San, then at Lin Jie again."San-ge, did you forget Lin Jie already?"
Tang San thought for a moment and finally remembered. Right… back when we were little, there was a kid named Lin Jie who came to join the academy. He wanted to become a disciple of the master but was rejected, and left not long after.
At this moment, Lin Jie smiled and greeted him."Brother Tang San, it really has been a long time."
"So it is Brother Lin Jie. Indeed, long time no see," Tang San replied with a light smile.
Dai Mubai, watching the exchange, was slightly surprised."You guys know each other?"
"Lin Jie and I went to the same academy as kids. He left shortly after," Tang San explained.
"Ah, I see," Dai Mubai nodded.
Xiao Wu looked at Lin Jie, her gaze sharp and playful."Didn't think I'd run into you here, hmph~"
Lin Jie grinned mischievously."Yeah, who would've thought I'd see Sister Xiao Wu here?"
Seeing the smirk on Lin Jie's face, Xiao Wu raised her fist. "Hmph! We'll settle our score later."
"What score?" Tang San asked, confused.
"Nothing!" Xiao Wu said, brushing it off.
Soon after, the group arrived at the site of the fourth trial.
Dai Mubai stopped and said, "This is the fourth assessment area."
Lin Jie and the others stood on a large open field—about the size of two football fields. In the middle, a middle-aged man around fifty was dozing off in a tilted wooden chair.
Lin Jie looked at the man—short but stocky. Must be the Immovable King, Zhao Wuji.
Dai Mubai walked up and said respectfully, "Teacher Zhao, I've brought the candidates for the fourth test."
Zhao Wuji opened his sleepy eyes and looked at the group with mild surprise."Not bad. Five made it to the fourth trial this year."
Here comes the classic plot again, Lin Jie mentally groaned.
Dai Mubai added, "Teacher Zhao, these five didn't take the second or third trial. They were directly promoted here."
Zhao Wuji sprang up from his chair, clearly stunned.
He wasn't tall—around 1.65 meters—but was exceptionally muscular. His face was plain, marked by several red splotches that made him look somewhat intimidating. Despite his short stature, his frame gave off a sense of formidable strength.
Zhao Wuji said with a laugh, "Five over Rank 25? Not bad. Quite the little monsters this year. I bet Flender will be thrilled, haha."
He looked at everyone and continued, "I am your final examiner. If you pass my test, you'll officially become students of Shrek Academy."
"My trial assesses your real combat ability. This won't be easy."
Lin Jie snorted mentally. Can't wait to see your face when Tang Hao comes to beat you into a pig's head tomorrow.
Speaking of which… Lin Jie activated his [Mind Net] to scan several kilometers around.
As expected, he detected a powerful presence well hidden nearby. That must be Tang Hao.
In a forest not far away, a disheveled, middle-aged man in his forties frowned.Strange… why do I feel like I'm being watched? There shouldn't be any strong Soul Masters around here. Better go check on Little San.
In a flash, he disappeared from the spot.
Back at the training ground, Zhao Wuji smiled craftily as he stepped forward."I'm Zhao Wuji. Since you five skipped two trials, let me personally test your actual combat skills."
He paused for effect, then said, "I'll give you one stick of incense to prepare. Your task is simple—survive against me for the duration of that incense. If any of you lasts until it burns out, you all pass."
He added sternly, "Teamwork is your only chance. Don't try to cut corners."
Lin Jie's eyes twitched. So basically, 'come at me all at once or you won't last a minute.'
You can insult Tang San and the others, but you're looking down on me too? Heh, I'm going to enjoy slapping your face.
Dai Mubai hesitated. "Teacher Zhao, is this… appropriate? I'm supposed to conduct the fourth trial."
Zhao Wuji glared at him. "What's inappropriate about it? The principal isn't here. I'm the highest authority. I say it's fine, so it's fine."
He turned to the five students. "I'm lighting the incense. Use your time wisely. Mubai, tell them about my strengths and weaknesses. At least give them a fighting chance."
He pulled out a stick of incense, lit it with a flick of his finger, and planted it firmly in the ground.
Then he returned to his tilted chair and casually lay back down, eyes closed.
Dai Mubai, looking serious, turned to everyone. "Come closer. Let me tell you what we're dealing with."
Tang San and Xiao Wu moved in. Lin Jie followed, muttering, What's the point of planning? Let's just start fighting already.
Fine, he admitted—he probably couldn't take Zhao Wuji on by himself right now. But hey, complaining is free.
Dai Mubai sighed and clapped Tang San's shoulder. "I won't be helping you guys this time. You're on your own."
Tang San looked solemn but said nothing.
Xiao Wu asked, "Wait, is he like that Spirit Emperor at the gate?"
"No," Dai Mubai shook his head. "He's not a Spirit Emperor."
"Then what are we afraid of?" Xiao Wu puffed out her chest. "There's five of us and only one of him."
She turned and asked Lin Jie, "What's your rank?"
Lin Jie smiled. "Nothing impressive—just a humble Rank 32 Soul Elder."
"What?! You're a Soul Elder?!" Xiao Wu gasped.
Tang San's eyes also widened. No way. He was only born with Rank 4 innate soul power, and now he's stronger than me?
"You're really a Soul Elder?" Xiao Wu asked again.
"Would I lie to you?" Lin Jie replied.
That word—lie—triggered something in Xiao Wu. She remembered how he'd tricked her as a child.
She glared at him and raised a fist. "You better not be lying to me again, hmph!"
Lin Jie leaned closer to Zhu Zhuqing and whispered, "Don't push yourself too hard. He's stronger than he looks."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded softly.
Dai Mubai resumed his explanation. "Although Teacher Zhao isn't a Spirit Emperor, he's a Spirit Sage—Rank 76. His Martial Soul is a powerful Beast-type: the Vigorous Vajra Bear."
"He has immense strength and defense. At Shrek, he's known as the Immovable King."
Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, and Ning Rongrong all looked stunned. Seventy-six?
To them, a Soul Sage was an unstoppable force.
Xiao Wu blinked in disbelief. "Really? But he looks younger than the guy at the gate."
"Age doesn't determine strength," Dai Mubai replied.
At this point, Lin Jie interrupted, "Enough questions. The incense is nearly burnt out. Just tell us his abilities."
Dai Mubai looked irritated but complied. "Like I said, his Martial Soul is the Vigorous Vajra Bear—a powerhouse Beast Soul with overwhelming strength and defense."
"He's practically immune to frontal attacks."
"Alright, got it," Lin Jie interrupted again on purpose, watching Dai Mubai's expression darken.
Yeah, I'm just doing it to piss you off. What of it?