With a flash of blue-white lightning, Lin Jie dashed forward at astonishing speed, appearing directly in front of Zhao Wuji. Lightning crackled in his palm as he called out:
"Watch yourself!"
Zhao Wuji blinked in surprise—he hadn't expected the kid to warn him. Still, with that little soul power, did he really think he could hurt a Soul Sage?
"Come on, then!" Zhao Wuji roared.
Lightning surged in Lin Jie's hand, condensing into a blade-like aura that buzzed through the air. Faintly, the cries of a thousand birds seemed to echo across the battlefield.
Chidori.
It had been some time since Lin Jie last used this soul skill. He wanted to see—could it injure a Soul Sage like Zhao Wuji?
Pushing his speed even further, Lin Jie moved so fast he left afterimages hanging in the air.
On the sidelines, Tang San narrowed his eyes.
So fast… I wonder how it compares to Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track?
Even Xiao Wu, still recovering from her earlier injuries, was stunned. This jerk who once stole a kiss from me—his speed's actually on par with Zhu Zhuqing?
Dai Mubai gave a disdainful snort.
Lin Jie's hand, wrapped in flickering lightning, thrust directly toward Zhao Wuji's chest.
Zhao Wuji realized he couldn't dodge in time and quickly shifted his body sideways, activating Immovable Body.
Lin Jie couldn't pull back in time, so he shifted the thrust slightly—striking Zhao Wuji's back instead of his chest.
Zzzzzzt! A sharp screech like metal scraping metal rang out.
Lin Jie's mastery of Chidori was absolute. He had poured his full strength into the blow, enhanced further by Lightning Step Mode. When he pulled back, his hand was bleeding slightly.
But it wasn't his blood.
It was Zhao Wuji's.
Yes, Zhao Wuji had been wounded.
He had underestimated his opponent and paid for it.
Zhao Wuji reached behind him and touched his back. Pulling back his hand, he saw streaks of blood—his face darkened.
"You little brat... now you've really made me angry!"
Everyone watching was stunned. Zhao Wuji—the Unmovable King—was actually injured?
Lin Jie smirked. "I did warn you, didn't I?"
Zhao Wuji glared, no longer in the mood for words.
"Third Soul Skill: Gravity Crush!"
Let's see how fast you are now, boy.
Lin Jie felt the pressure immediately—his body felt like it had doubled in weight. But this wasn't nearly enough to stop him.
He'd been training with weighted gear for years—heavy bracers, lead-soled boots, weighted vests—all custom-made by blacksmiths in Heaven Dou City. Even when not cultivating, he kept them on. Only through constant resistance could he become truly strong.
With a sidestep, Lin Jie disappeared again. Speed was his weapon, and Zhao Wuji's size gave him the edge in maneuverability.
But even so, his movements were noticeably slower now.
"You think you can run forever?" Zhao Wuji sneered, sweeping a massive hand like a fan at him.
Lin Jie dropped low, knees bent, and ducked just in time. The wind from Zhao Wuji's palm howled overhead.
"Damn, kid, you're slipperier than a rat!" Zhao Wuji mocked.
With a stomp, he shattered the ground like a spiderweb and lunged forward. His enormous fist shot toward Lin Jie's chest.
Lin Jie hadn't expected such speed from a man that size. Guess I underestimated you too...
Unable to dodge, Lin Jie crossed his arms in front of him—Boom!—and was sent flying.
He crashed through the air but twisted mid-fall, channeling strength into his waist. He flipped in the air and landed on his feet.
A thin trickle of blood dripped from his lips. He raised his hand, thumbed the blood away with a smirk, and flexed his numb fingers.
Damn, that punch packed a wallop.
Zhao Wuji, watching Lin Jie stand up like it was nothing, was silently impressed.
This year's batch isn't bad. To take one of my punches head-on and still get up—Flender's going to be thrilled.
Lin Jie approached again, wiped the blood from his lip, and said simply:
"Again."
The battle resumed. For the next dozen exchanges, Lin Jie relied on agility to dodge and counter, using every bit of speed he had to keep ahead of Zhao Wuji's raw power. The surrounding ground was in ruins.
So this is my current level... Lin Jie thought. Still a gap... but not too far.
Just as Zhao Wuji was about to activate his fourth soul skill, Tang San suddenly shouted:
"Time's up! Half an incense stick!"
Lin Jie glanced back—the incense was indeed burned out.
Zhao Wuji halted, clicking his tongue.
Though their fight had been long, neither had taken serious damage—most of Lin Jie's strategy had been dodging and conserving stamina. Only his soul power was heavily depleted.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened as he walked toward Dai Mubai.
"Mubai, get these five settled into their dorms. School starts tomorrow."
With that, Zhao Wuji turned and walked off, face thunderous.
After all, being a Rank 76 Soul Sage and still getting held up for half an incense stick by a bunch of juniors—some only in the twenties—was more than a little embarrassing. Even if he hadn't used his full strength, the optics weren't great.
As Lin Jie turned back toward the others, he noticed Ning Rongrong staring at him with wide eyes. So were Xiao Wu and even Tang San.
Why are they looking at me like that?
"…What?" he asked, feeling his skin crawl.
"Wow!" Ning Rongrong squealed. "You're amazing! How did you get so strong? Seriously, that was incredible!"
Xiao Wu huffed quietly and turned away, but she didn't argue.
Zhu Zhuqing had finally woken up. Her gaze toward Lin Jie now carried a rare softness.
He walked over. "You feeling better?"
Just as Tang San was about to answer, Ning Rongrong jumped in:
"She's fine now! Tang San already fixed her dislocated arms."
Lin Jie gave a slight nod to Tang San. "Thanks."
Dai Mubai cut in at that moment, his tone clipped. "Come on. I'll take you to your dorms."
As he turned to help Zhu Zhuqing, Lin Jie was faster—scooping her into his arms before Dai Mubai could even react.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say anything. She struggled a little, out of formality, but Lin Jie simply held her tighter.
And so, she let him.
Lin Jie carried her forward, only to stop when he realized Dai Mubai had frozen in place.
He looked over and saw Dai Mubai's fists clenched, eyes dark with barely restrained fury.
Behind him, Ning Rongrong chirped, "Why'd you stop? Weren't you showing us the way?"
Dai Mubai glanced back at Zhu Zhuqing nestled in Lin Jie's arms. She hadn't objected. His fists clenched tighter, but he said nothing and marched forward.
As Lin Jie followed, Zhu Zhuqing shifted a little in his arms.
"Too tight?" he teased with a smile.
She didn't respond—just went still again.
Ning Rongrong, walking beside them, shot a glance at Zhu Zhuqing and then at Lin Jie. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and she smiled subtly—How interesting…
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, skipped along ahead like she hadn't just been in battle, chatting away with Tang San.
Eventually, they reached the dorms.
More accurately, a cluster of modest wooden cottages—simple, rustic, but cozy.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong shared a room. Zhu Zhuqing's room was nearby.
Lin Jie carried Zhu Zhuqing in, then came back out shortly after.
Not that he didn't want to stay—but Zhu Zhuqing had recovered enough to push him out, and with people outside, the timing just wasn't right.
Soon, Dai Mubai took Tang San to his room, then returned to show Lin Jie his.
As they reached Lin Jie's door, Dai Mubai turned and said in a low voice:
"Zhu Zhuqing isn't someone you should mess with. You'd do well to keep your distance."