Dai Mubai quickly spoke up upon hearing Zhao Wuji's words: "Teacher Zhao, this doesn't seem quite right. The dean specifically assigned me to conduct the assessment for the new students."
Zhao Wuji glared at Dai Mubai. "What's not right about it? The dean isn't here. While he's away, I'm in charge. The assessment will go the way I say it will."
Then Zhao Wuji turned to look at the five students: "You five little monsters, my name is Zhao Wuji. The content of my assessment is very simple. If the five of you can hold out against me for the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, just one of you needs to last until the end, then you all pass."
"But let me make one thing clear: don't even think about using tricks in front of me. With your level of power, any such attempts would be meaningless. Also, none of you can handle me alone, so listen carefully to Mubai's advice and come up with a strategy to take me on together."
As Zhao Wuji sat back down and closed his eyes to rest, Dai Mubai quickly gathered the five students together, his expression grave.
Once they were huddled, Dai Mubai spoke seriously: "I won't be able to help you this time. I was supposed to conduct the final test, but I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to take over personally. You're in real trouble now."
Xiao Wu joked, "This Teacher Zhao isn't like the one at the gate, a Soul Emperor, right?"
Dai Mubai shook his head. "No, he's not a Soul Emperor. He's a Soul Sage. Teacher Zhao is a level 76 Power Attack System Battle Soul Sage. His spirit is the Vigorous Vajra Bear, a very powerful beast-type martial soul. He has no obvious weaknesses and extremely strong attack power. He's also the vice-dean of our academy."
"His nickname is the Immovable King. Forget just you five, even if I joined in, we might not last a stick of incense's time. You're really in for it now."
Everyone widened their eyes in shock. Even Yang Xiong's expression turned serious. If the opponent was weaker, they might manage to hold out using techniques and tricks. But a Soul Sage was a different story altogether, especially one who could control gravity.
Ning Rongrong exclaimed, "So he's the Immovable King Zhao Wuji! Over ten years ago, Zhao Wuji had a conflict with the Spirit Hall. They sent sixteen bishops to take him down, but he managed to escape. And every one of those bishops was a Soul Emperor, over level 60, while Zhao Wuji was only a Soul Emperor himself at the time."
This revelation made everyone even more solemn. A Soul Sage was considered a powerhouse even in the entire Soul Master world. In a city like Soto, he'd definitely be among the top experts.
Yang Xiong said, "Let's each briefly state our strength so we can figure out how to deal with Zhao Wuji and last through the incense time."
Everyone gathered close and started reporting their martial spirits and levels.
Tang San spoke first: "I'm Tang San, martial soul is Blue Silver Grass, level 29 Control System Battle Soul Master."
Xiao Wu followed quickly: "I'm Xiao Wu, martial soul is Rabbit, level 29 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Then Ning Rongrong: "I'm Ning Rongrong, martial soul is Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, level 28 Support System Tool Soul Master."
Zhu Zhuqing added coldly: "Zhu Zhuqing, martial soul is Nether Civet, level 27 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Master."
Finally, Yang Xiong spoke: "Yang Xiong, my martial soul is my own body. Level 26 Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."
After everyone had introduced their martial spirits and abilities, all eyes turned to Ning Rongrong and Yang Xiong. One had the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the other had a body martial soul that no one had ever heard of.
Tang San, recognizing the martial soul, asked, "Are you from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan?"
Ning Rongrong replied playfully, "Don't worry about my background. I ran away from home with Little Bear."
Dai Mubai looked at the group. "Your team composition is pretty good, two power attackers, one agility attacker, one control, and one support. You'd better discuss a solid delaying strategy."
Tang San began, "Here's the plan: Rongrong supports, Xiao Wu and Yang Xiong handle the main assault, Zhu Zhuqing provides flanking support, and I'll try to control Teacher Zhao's attacks."
The other three nodded in agreement.
Then Yang Xiong spoke up: "Wait a second. Everyone knows that support-type Soul Masters are usually the first to be targeted in battle. Shouldn't someone protect Rongrong?"
The others fell silent, clearly having overlooked that.
In fact, with Zhao Wuji's strength as a Soul Sage, defeating several Soul Masters would be a piece of cake, he might not even need to use his martial soul.
Looking at the original Shrek Seven Devils lineup, their offensive power clearly outweighed their defense. There wasn't even a single Defense System Soul Master. In a stalemate, both support members could be easily picked off.
Yang Xiong continued, "I can act as a Power Attack Soul Master or a Defense System Soul Master. The three of you surround and attack Teacher Zhao, while I protect Rongrong. That'll help buy more time."
Everyone was surprised. A soul master who could switch between offense and defense was rare in the soul master world.
Soon, the five arranged themselves: Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong in the rear, Tang San in the middle, and Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing at the front.
When they all summoned their martial souls and soul rings, Zhao Wuji was particularly surprised to see Ning Rongrong summon the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda... Looks like I underestimated you all. Let's begin when you're ready."
Zhao Wuji pulled out a stick of incense, lit it with soul power, and planted it in the ground.
Ning Rongrong began her support immediately. The pagoda released four rays of light that quickly merged into the other four.
"The Seven Treasures are known for two things, first, strength; second, speed."
The four who received the buffs instantly felt stronger and more agile, an overall boost of more than 30%.
Just as everyone was ready to act, Zhao Wuji slammed his hands into the ground. A force burst forth from beneath them.
Everyone instantly realized what Zhao Wuji was doing, he was aiming to take down their support right from the start. That move clearly used gravity control, a rare long-range technique for a strength-type Soul Master.
But Yang Xiong had already anticipated this. He pushed Ning Rongrong aside and punched the surging force head-on. The two powers clashed, and Yang Xiong was knocked back several meters.
Zhao Wuji was slightly surprised. "Oh? You've got some strength. But you're still too young."
More bursts of power erupted from the ground, all targeting Ning Rongrong.
Yang Xiong quickly grabbed her and ran, dodging the attacks as best as he could. When they couldn't dodge, he met the bursts head-on with his fists.
Meanwhile, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass sprang up from the ground, and Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing charged forward to engage Zhao Wuji directly.
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