Chapter 7. Trial at the Gates of Shrek
After successfully passing the first stage, the group of seven — Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai (now acting as an observer), Ning Rongrong, Ye Chen, and a few other applicants — was led to an open training ground behind the village. There, the second examiner awaited: a short, stocky man in his middle years with rough features and a short beard. His name was Zhao Wuji, and within Shrek he was known as the "Unmoving King" — a Soul Saint at level 76.
Zhao Wuji stood with arms crossed over his chest, surveying the newcomers with a faint smirk. Seven soul rings slowly revolved around him — yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black — clearly announcing that the applicants faced a genuine Soul Saint.
"So these are the 'geniuses' who passed the age and soul power tests?" he rumbled in a deep voice. "Fine. I am Zhao Wuji. Today I will personally determine whether you are worthy of becoming students of Shrek. The rules are simple: all of you together against me. If you can last for the duration of one incense stick, you pass. If not — you fail. Begin."
Dai Mubai stepped aside, yielding the field to the teacher. The group exchanged glances. Tang San quickly assessed the situation and spoke in a low voice:
"He is far too powerful. We must cooperate. I will handle control and ranged attacks. Xiao Wu — close combat. Zhu Zhuqing — speed and surprise strikes. Ning Rongrong, Ye Chen — support. Our goal is to survive the time limit, not to defeat him outright."
Ning Rongrong nodded and summoned her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The seven tiers glowed with soft multicolored light. Ye Chen placed the Nephrite Hat on his head; it settled obediently, emitting a faint emerald radiance.
Zhao Wuji snorted.
"Come on, little ones."
The battle began instantly.
Xiao Wu moved first. Her legs turned into pink blurs — the technique "Charming Rabbit." She launched a series of rapid kicks aimed at Zhao Wuji's legs, but the teacher did not even dodge. He simply activated his first soul ring and released a powerful shockwave — "Vajra Shockwave." Xiao Wu was flung backward, though she rolled gracefully and landed on her feet.
Tang San immediately followed with a volley of hidden weapons — "Tang Sect Hidden Weapon: Butterfly Sting." Several fine needles shot toward Zhao Wuji from different angles.
The teacher smirked and waved his hand. His fourth soul ring flashed purple, and a sphere of gravitational pressure enveloped him — "Gravity Crush." The needles slowed in mid-air and dropped harmlessly to the ground.
"Not bad," Zhao Wuji muttered. "But still too weak."
Zhu Zhuqing appeared behind him in the next instant — her Hell Civet agility allowing her to close the distance unnoticed. Her claws flashed, aiming for his back. Yet Zhao Wuji spun with inhuman speed and caught her wrist in one hand.
"Too slow, girl."
He was about to throw her aside when Ning Rongrong intervened.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile: Strength!" she called out.
The first tier of her pagoda blazed red. A thin crimson thread connected to Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Zhu Zhuqing simultaneously. Their strength increased by twenty percent. Xiao Wu broke free from Zhao Wuji's grip and delivered a powerful kick to his abdomen — this time the impact forced him to take a single step back.
"Support amplification of twenty percent?" Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow. "Interesting…"
Ye Chen did not remain idle. He activated "Green Light" from his first ring — a pillar of nephrite radiance enveloped his body, doubling all physical attributes. Then he invoked "Green Dragon Transformation" from the second ring — emerald scales of energy covered his skin, defense rising by two hundred percent, strength by three hundred.
He charged forward and struck Zhao Wuji's chest with a direct fist. The air hummed from the force. The teacher blocked with his forearm, yet he was pushed back two full steps.
"Not bad, boy…" Zhao Wuji rubbed his arm. "Thirtieth level, yet you hit like a fortieth."
Ning Rongrong continued her support:
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile: Speed!"
The second tier glowed orange. Another thread of light linked the allies — increasing their speed by twenty percent. Attacks became sharper, dodges more precise.
Zhao Wuji laughed aloud.
"You really are monsters. But I have not yet begun to fight seriously."
He activated his fourth ring — "Vajra Hell Press." A massive illusory mouth of energy appeared above the ground, attempting to swallow the entire group. Tang San shouted:
"Everyone, back!"
They retreated, but the mouth was enormous. At that precise moment, the wind from the skill and Ning Rongrong's enhanced speed caused her skirt to lift sharply, rising well above her knees and briefly revealing the smooth skin of her thighs and the edge of delicate white lace undergarments.
Zhao Wuji froze for a heartbeat. His gaze involuntarily dropped downward. His eyes widened slightly.
"Uh…" was all he managed.
Ning Rongrong realized what had happened in an instant. Her face flushed a deep crimson. She let out a small cry, hurriedly pressed both hands to her skirt, and yanked it down.
"Don't look!" she squeaked and darted behind Ye Chen's back, hiding herself completely behind his taller frame.
Ye Chen instinctively stepped forward, shielding her with his body. His expression remained calm, yet inside something stirred — a mixture of sharp jealousy and an odd, unwelcome thrill. The Nephrite Hat on his head trembled faintly, as though savoring the fleeting emotion.
Zhao Wuji cleared his throat and averted his eyes.
"Ahem… continue."
But the moment had been lost. Tang San seized the teacher's momentary distraction. He launched a dense barrage — "Butterfly Sting" combined with "Tang Sect: Heavenly Rain of Needles." Dozens of needles flew in intricate patterns, forming an inescapable net.
Zhao Wuji attempted to block with "Gravity Crush," but the needles were too fast and too cunning. Several struck true — embedding shallowly in his shoulders and legs. Not lethal, yet enough to disrupt his focus.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing attacked simultaneously. Xiao Wu delivered a flurry of kicks to the lower body; Zhu Zhuqing struck at the upper. Ye Chen added a devastating punch, now empowered by "Green Armor" from his third ring — all attributes multiplied fivefold. The blow landed with thunderous force.
Zhao Wuji was hurled backward, crashing into the wooden fence behind him. The fence splintered.
He rose, dusted himself off, and… laughed heartily.
"Enough. Time is up. One incense stick has burned."
Everyone froze. Tang San lowered his arms. Xiao Wu wiped sweat from her brow. Zhu Zhuqing watched the teacher with cold composure.
Zhao Wuji approached, studying each of them in turn.
"You pass. All seven of you. Especially you two," he nodded toward Ning Rongrong and Ye Chen. "Twenty percent amplification to strength and speed at twelve years old — that is already elite level. And you, boy with the green hat… your physical power and defense are no joke. I have seen many talents, but you… you truly are monsters."
Ning Rongrong remained hidden behind Ye Chen's back, her cheeks still burning. Ye Chen gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It is alright," he said quietly.
She nodded but did not step out from behind him.
Zhao Wuji snorted.
"Fine. Follow me inside. Flender is waiting. And girl… next time, watch your skirt. This is no place for distractions."
He turned and strode toward the gates. The group followed.
Tang San walked beside Ye Chen and spoke softly:
"Your hat… it enhances physical strength?"
Ye Chen nodded.
"Yes. And more besides."
Tang San regarded him thoughtfully.
"Interesting. It seems we will have much to learn from one another."
Ye Chen offered a faint smile. He could feel the Nephrite Hat pulsing quietly within him — as though anticipating future events, future alliances… and future betrayals.
Ning Rongrong, still blushing, clung tightly to his sleeve. She knew that beside him, nothing could harm her.
Yet deep within, Ye Chen already understood: this battle was merely the beginning. And the true price of power might prove far higher than either of them was prepared to pay.