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"Whoa, four people actually made it to the final stage this year? Not bad at all."
Zhao Wuji's voice boomed across the grounds before he even appeared, startling Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai saw him and frowned. "Teacher Zhao, wasn't I supposed to handle the final test this year?"
"You? Let's not and say we did," Zhao Wuji said, shaking his head as he glanced at the dark circles under Dai Mubai's eyes. "Have you looked at yourself? Just look at the drained state you're in."
He didn't bother lowering his voice, so Tang San's group heard every word. Though only twelve, they were all mature enough to understand what "drained" implied. Just yesterday, Tang San and Xiao Wu had seen Dai Mubai leading a pair of twin girls into a hotel; they knew exactly what had happened. Ning Rongrong, the little devil, smirked knowingly. Zhu Zhuqing's brow furrowed, her eyes filled with disgust. She had risked everything to escape the Star Luo Empire, only to find the fiancé she sought had degenerated into this.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's expression, Dai Mubai's fists tightened. He glared at Zhao Wuji, but the power gap between them was too vast for him to even muster a proper retort. Besides, he could feel it himself—the soreness in his back and knees, his sallow complexion, the dark circles. They were all classic symptoms of overexertion, and he couldn't deny it. The number of nights he'd spent out since joining Shrek was too many to count.
Zhao Wuji ignored him, lit an incense stick, and addressed the four candidates. "The four of you will attack me together. If you can last until this incense stick burns out, you pass."
Just then, a street-loafer-like figure swaggered over. "Yo, Old Zhao, busy?" Lan Minghua said, taking a large swig of Maotai from his flask.
Zhao Wuji was surprised. "Huazai! What are you doing here? Not training Oscar?"
"That handsome kid trained until he passed out. He's sleeping it off right now." Lan Minghua chatted casually with Zhao Wuji, ignoring everyone else.
Dai Mubai sneered, not even trying to hide his contempt. "Passed out? More like cried himself to sleep. You think I don't know what he's like?"
Actually, you really don't.
Xiao Wu's face scrunched up, and she instinctively hid behind Tang San. She felt a threatening aura from this newcomer. Tang San, thinking Lan Minghua's scruffy appearance was making Xiao Wu uncomfortable, shot him an unfriendly glare. He then pointed and asked Dai Mubai, "Boss Dai, is he a teacher here too?"
"Yeah. The Dean hired him yesterday. Honestly, his appearance is a disgrace to Shrek's name." Knowing Lan Minghua was powerful, Dai Mubai only dared to mutter his insults.
"How strong is he? Compared to Teacher Zhao?" Tang San pressed. Xiao Wu grew tense, terrified this man might be a Soul Douluo who could see through her disguise as a 100,000-year-old spirit beast. Ning Rongrong leaned in, curious about Shrek's faculty. Zhu Zhuqing remained impassive, her only focus on getting stronger.
Though he disliked the man, Dai Mubai relayed what he knew. "According to Teacher Zhao, he's at least a Soul Sage, probably on par with the Dean."
Xiao Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Ning Rongrong's mouth fell open in shock—Shrek had at least three Soul Sages! Zhu Zhuqing remained unmoved.
While they were sizing him up, Lan Minghua was doing the same to them. He had already activated his system's talent scanner, and their scores appeared in his vision.
[Tang San: Talent Score 95. Martial Souls: Blue Silver Grass (Emperor), Clear Sky Hammer.]
[Xiao Wu: Talent Score 92. Martial Soul: Soft Boned Rabbit (100,000-year Spirit Beast Manifestation).]
[Dai Mubai: Talent Score 85. Martial Soul: Evil-Eye White Tiger.]
[Ning Rongrong: Talent Score 83. Martial Soul: Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagoda.]
[Zhu Zhuqing: Talent Score 82. Martial Soul: Netherworld Civet.]
Lan Minghua stroked his stubble. About what I expected. All above 80, but only Tang San and Xiao Wu broke 90. Ma Hongjun's score was likely similar to Dai Mubai's. It made sense. Without the aid of immortal herbs, only Tang San and Oscar stood a real chance of achieving godhood. Ning Rongrong's Seven-Treasure Glazed Pagoda needed the Qiluo Tulip to evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda, without which she would be stuck at the Soul Sage level for life. Zhu Zhuqing's Netherworld Civet wasn't a top-tier martial soul; its main value was its fusion skill with the Evil-Eye White Tiger. Tang San's twin martial souls and Xiao Wu's spirit beast origin naturally gave them higher potential.
The system's ratings were quite fair. However, even though they all had high scores, Lan Minghua felt no urge to take them all as disciples. He had three criteria: a good feeling, good character, and good talent. Of the four here, only Zhu Zhuqing currently met all three conditions.
Noticing Lan Minghua's interest, Zhao Wuji decided to push things along, eager to see the man's power for himself. "Huazai, how about you take this final test for me? It'd be a good chance to see what you can do."
"Me?" Lan Minghua replied softly. "Aren't you afraid I'll disqualify them all?"
Zhao Wuji leaned in close. "Go all out," he whispered. "Just don't kill them. These geniuses need their pride knocked down a peg, or they'll be impossible to teach. The result won't affect their admission."
"Fine. I'll take this calamity off your hands. Just remember you owe me drinks for it!"
Lan Minghua's odd phrasing left Zhao Wuji momentarily confused. Calamity? What calamity? Still, he slapped his chest and promised, "Deal! Drinks are on me tonight; we won't go home sober."
"Thanks, boss! You're too generous!" Lan Minghua saluted Zhao Wuji, then shot an almost imperceptible glance toward a dark, hidden corner. Zhao Wuji might be afraid of you, Tang Hao, but I'm not. If you dare to come looking for trouble tonight, we'll see whose fists are harder.
Hidden in the shadows, Tang Hao suddenly felt a chill. Why do I have a bad feeling? Did Spirit Hall find me? He quickly dismissed the thought. He was confident in his concealment skills. Brushing it off, he refocused his attention, eager to see how much Tang San had grown in six years.
Tang San and the others were stunned. What happened to Teacher Zhao? How are we supposed to fight a Soul Sage we know nothing about?! This is impossible!
"What are you staring at?" Zhao Wuji barked. "It's the same whether it's me or Huazai. If you've finished discussing, then let's begin!"
Without giving them a chance to object, he lit the incense and tossed it to the ground.
Lan Minghua stood in the center of the field, holding his wine flask in one hand and rubbing his belly with the other, looking completely exposed. He glanced at the four of them.
"Come on, then. I'm on a tight schedule."
(End of Chapter)