Chapter 47: Crazy Tang San

Zhao Wuji, faced with the attacks of Tang San and his two companions, clearly cannot fully assault Ning Rongrong.

Especially since Ning Rongrong is under Yang Xiong's protection, she can swiftly dodge Zhao Wuji's ranged attacks together, at least avoiding injury.

However, judging by Zhao Wuji's demeanor, he never summoned his martial soul or Soul Ring throughout, evidently just moving his limbs casually, showing no seriousness.

Moreover, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing actually struck Zhao Wuji's head directly, yet Zhao Wuji showed no reaction at all, not even a flinch.

Tang San seems fully aware that for these people to win they must keep launching successive attacks; otherwise, if Zhao Wuji truly overwhelms Ning Rongrong, the three would be even more upset without her support, knowing that Ning Rongrong boosts their strength and speed by thirty percent.

Countless Blue Silver Grass shoot up from the ground, as if to envelop Zhao Wuji's entire body—this is Tang San's First Soul Skill: Entanglement.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing fight desperately, but even though both employ soul skills, they cannot breach Zhao Wuji's defense.

At that moment, Zhao Wuji suddenly lets out a loud laugh: "A few Little Monsters are rather amusing, but unfortunately you lack strength."

Zhao Wuji radiates terrifying power, a golden aura flashing around him like a massive Vajra Bear; in an instant, all the Blue Silver Grass on his body are blasted away, and even the attacks from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing are repelled.

And Zhao Wuji, originally under 1.7 m tall, now stands over 2.5 m, like a giant—or like a massive bear.

Tang San swiftly scoops up Xiao Wu, while off‑stage Dai Mubai astonishingly grabs the falling Zhu Zhuqing.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Wuji seems to transform into a giant bear, dashing toward Ning Rongrong and Yang Xiong, evidently aiming to knock the supporting Ning Rongrong down first.

Seeing Zhao Wuji surge forward with power, Yang Xiong forcefully pushes Ning Rongrong aside, instantly forming a blue light sphere in his hand and thrusting it aggressively at Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji's massive bear paw slaps forward, colliding with Yang Xiong's Spiral Sphere; Yang Xiong is again blasted several meters away.

Surprisingly, Zhao Wuji steps back a pace—his first retreat so far—and his once robust right hand now shows a hint of charring.

Zhao Wuji glances at his right hand, a trace of surprise on his face: "Self-Created Spirit Skill? Didn't expect you, kid, to have some tricks, but still too weak."

At this moment Zhao Wuji seems eager to win, abandoning Ning Rongrong to charge at Yang Xiong, apparently intending to deal with Yang Xiong first.

But the instant Zhao Wuji swings his fist, Yang Xiong suddenly vanishes from his spot, reappearing behind Zhao Wuji, with another blue light sphere materializing in his hand.

Zhao Wuji, a true Soul Saint, reacts extremely quickly; with his right hand already attacking, he can only thrust his left elbow backward to try to block Yang Xiong's strike.

But Yang Xiong was waiting for this moment; he vanishes again, instantly teleporting to Zhao Wuji's side, extremely close to him.

Zhao Wuji, after all a Soul Saint, lets a cold smile curl at his mouth, then thrusts his whole body toward Yang Xiong. Although Yang Xiong's Spiral Sphere is lodged in Zhao Wuji's chest, a thick layer of soul power seems to coat him, and his body presses down like a massive bear.

Yang Xiong feels Zhao Wuji's body is many times harder than granite; he is slammed and flies over ten meters, a strand of fresh blood spilling from his mouth.

"Kid, you're interesting; you're far stronger than I imagined."

Seeing Yang Xiong face Zhao Wuji alone, Xiao Wu and Tang San dash over; Tang San summons countless Blue Silver Grass, and even Zhao Wuji's body sprouts countless Blue Silver Grass—this is Tang San's Second Spirit Skill: Parasite.

Zhao Wuji roars: "A few little brats think they can attack me with that little power; you've seriously underestimated this Soul Saint."

The massive Vajra Bear's twin paws unleash endless force; the Blue Silver Grass enveloping the creation cluster shatters instantly, and the giant paws strike Tang San and Xiao Wu respectively, sending both flying, with Xiao Wu bearing most of the impact while protecting Tang San.

After fighting this long, the incense stick is only three‑quarters burned.

The previously blasted Zhu Zhuqing breaks free from Dai Mubai and swiftly joins the battle.

Seeing time slip away quickly, Zhao Wuji grows irritated—this Soul Saint being restrained by a few kids is utterly embarrassing—so he unleashes his First Soul Skill: Immovable Bright King Body, emitting golden light around him, and the three nearby seem to be hit back by the impact.

At that moment, Xiao Wu, using a soft technique against Zhao Wuji, has pink light flash from her eyes—her Second Soul Skill: Charm.

But Xiao Wu clearly chose the wrong opponent; this mental attack might work against peers, yet Zhao Wuji is a Soul Saint, his spiritual power far surpasses hers.

In an instant, Xiao Wu is rebounded by the spiritual power, collapsing unconscious on the ground, even spitting blood.

Tang San's eyes flare with rage, and he looks deeply distressed while holding Xiao Wu.

Zhao Wuji slowly looks at the five: "The little girl is fine. Though a charm‑type soul skill works well, you must choose the right opponent; if the opponent's Soul Power Level is too high, the backlash is easy. She'll be fine after a night's rest."

"Just like your Blue Silver Grass—though it carries toxins, with my defense and soul power it has no effect on me at all."

At this point the incense is almost fully burned.

Zhao Wuji looks at Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong: "The two youngsters from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, your strength exceeds my expectations, especially you, kid—your power is solid. I'll consider you to have passed the assessment this time."

But before he can say more, Tang San brings Xiao Wu before Ning Rongrong: "Ning Rongrong, please look after Xiao Wu for me."

The assessment battle is over; Ning Rongrong withdraws the Qibao Liuli Pagoda Weapon Soul and cradles the unconscious Xiao Wu.

Tang San steps before Zhao Wuji: "Teacher Zhao, I wish to challenge you again; please grant another incense‑burning's worth of time, and I will face your one‑incense assessment alone."

Zhao Wuji, though somewhat hesitant, sees these kids possess talent beyond his expectations, even combat power surpassing his guess, yet they're overly proud, so he agrees to Tang San's request.

Yang Xiong, standing aside, is speechless; Tang San is being a bit too extreme, or perhaps too radical—battles among Soul Grandmasters are already soul‑skill‑driven; Xiao Wu's injuries are partly due to Zhao Wuji, but mostly because she underestimated her opponent.

Yang Xiong then carefully observes the fight between Zhao Wuji and Tang San.

Tang San truly spares no means, deploying endless hidden weapons; his eyes turn purple and his hands turn white—manifestations of Purple Extreme Demon Eye and Mysterious Jade Hand—and his attacks even employ Ghost Shadow Mirage Step and Crane Control and Dragon Capture.

In short, myriad hidden weapons target Zhao Wuji's vital points—Willow Leaf Blade, Locust Stone, Coin Dart, Bone-Piercing Nail—endless varieties, and finally numerous powerful crossbow bolts, each tinged with blue light, evidently coated with Deadly Poison; notably, Tang San's left hand summons a small hammer, clearly the Clear Sky Hammer.

Under the final barrage, especially with Tang San's concealed crossbow bolts, Zhao Wuji inadvertently gets hit—primarily struck on the head by the Clear Sky Hammer and also poisoned by the crossbow bolt's Deadly Poison.

Both sides end up severely wounded; Tang San is knocked unconscious, while Zhao Wuji appears rather pitiful, at least on the surface.

Yang Xiong watches the battlefield, speechless; does a Soul Saint really need to exert so much against a Great Soul Master, especially for a simple admission test? Is such seriousness necessary?

Throughout the process, Yang Xiong feels Zhao Wuji is somewhat pitiful—a true Soul Saint being humiliated by a child.

Among the original Shrek group, the only one who earned Yang Xiong's favor was Zhao Wuji, mainly because he truly tackles matters, indifferent even when facing powerful foes; note that his relationship with the students isn't especially close, nor is it a master‑disciple bond.

After a period of recuperation, Zhao Wuji arranges for Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong to escort Xiao Wu and Tang San back to the dormitory to rest.

At this moment he seems to recall something, hurriedly looks at Yang Xiong: "Kid, you weren't hurt by my successive heavy blows just now, were you?"

Yang Xiong smiles faintly: "Teacher Zhao, do I look like I have a problem?"

Zhao Wuji is speechless for a moment, muttering, "That shouldn't be… that last move was an unconscious attack; even a Soul Elder would be seriously injured. What kind of monster is this kid?"

 This is the free period; Shrek here won't go into excessive detail, many specifics are glossed over.

 Looking over the whole original, Tang San can be overly extreme at times, especially toward Xiao Wu; this is the root of all his later changes.

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(End of Chapter)