Chapter 21

The assessment requires you five to work together; as long as you can withstand me for the duration of a single incense stick, even if only one of you remains, you pass.

Let me remind you beforehand: don't try to cheat; you cannot escape this area by speed alone, nor can you block my attacks with individual strength alone. To pass the assessment, cooperation is your only chance.

After hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others showed no reaction, while Dai Mubai was visibly surprised.

After thinking, he still asked tentatively.

"Instructor Zhao, is this really okay? Or should I take charge?"

Withstanding Zhao Wuji, a Soul Saint, for the duration of an incense stick—just with the five of you?

That's obviously impossible!

Dai Mubai's volunteering certainly wasn't out of kindness; he believed that if Zhao Wuji took action, Luo Ye and the others would have no chance of passing the assessment.

If Zhao Wuji's momentary whim prevented Luo Ye and the others from entering Shilaike Academy, forcing them to go elsewhere, Dai Mubai would have nowhere to cry.

If Zhu Zhuqing stayed at Shilaike Academy, he still had a chance to take back his fiancée; but if he left with Luo Ye, that hat would surely be his to wear.

Yet what despaired Dai Mubai was that, in response to his request, Zhao Wuji waved his hand and said.

"That's settled then. If you're worried they won't pass the assessment, you can tell them my strengths so they can prepare."

Seeing Zhao Wuji already light the incense, Dai Mubai went numb.

Helpless, he could only put on a stiff face and walk over to Luo Ye and the others, speaking in a low voice.

"Originally, this stage's assessment was to have me fight you, but now Instructor Zhao will personally intervene—good luck."

Saying that, he glanced at Luo Ye, feeling a bit disappointed inside.

Dai Mubai had just been thinking of using the assessment to give Luo Ye a harsh lesson, to let him know yesterday was just an accident, and incidentally let Zhu Zhuqing see the gap between them.

He never expected Zhao Wuji to directly interrupt his plan, possibly even costing him the chance to reclaim Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing his demeanor like one who has lost parents, Ning Rongrong smiled.

"Is this Instructor Zhao the same level as that old man at the gate, a Soul Emperor‑level powerhouse?"

Dai Mubai shook his head: "No."

Tang San relaxed a bit upon hearing that, chuckling.

"Then it's fine. As long as our five work together and the power gap isn't too extreme, lasting the duration of an incense stick should be no problem."

Dai Mubai looked at him with the eyes of one looking at an idiot and snorted coldly.

"Instructor Zhao is not a Soul Emperor but a seventy‑sixth‑level Soul Saint! Beast Martial Soul, Battle Soul Saint!"

"His strength is only below Dean Flandre; he is the vice‑dean of Shilaike Academy."

Tang San's pupils contracted slightly as he instinctively looked toward Zhao Wuji.

A Soul Saint‑level powerhouse?

Even Xiao Wu could hardly believe it.

"He's level seventy‑six? He looks much younger than that old man at the gate."

Dai Mubai snorted lightly and said calmly.

"Age never means anything. Alright, you don't have much time; I'll now tell you about Instructor Zhao's situation. Whether you pass the assessment depends on your abilities."

Of course, I hope you can pass this examination and stay at Shilaike Academy.

By the end of his speech, Dai Mubai turned his gaze to Zhu Zhuqing; it was obvious these words were meant for her.

Unfortunately, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't be bothered to glance at him, her attention wholly on Luo Ye.

Seeing this, Dai Mubai's mouth twitched slightly, and he became even more eager to snatch Zhu Zhuqing back.

After he finished introducing Zhao Wuji's martial soul situation, Luo Ye's gaze swept over everyone and he smiled, saying.

"Let everyone introduce their martial soul and soul power, so we can coordinate later; I'll go first. Luo Ye, innate martial soul Spirit Eyes, thirty‑second rank control‑system battle soul master."

Zhu Zhuqing immediately followed: "Zhu Zhuqing, beast martial soul Nether Spirit Cat, twenty‑seventh rank agility‑attack system battle soul master."

"Tang San, tool martial soul Blue Silver Grass, twenty‑ninth rank control‑system battle soul master."

"Xiao Wu, beast martial soul Soft‑Bone Rabbit, twenty‑ninth rank strength‑attack system battle soul master."

"Ning Rongrong, tool martial soul Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, twenty‑sixth rank support‑system tool soul master."

As her words fell, everyone's eyes turned to Ning Rongrong, even Dai Mubai, who stood apart, was no exception.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? Then you must be from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect."

Tang San looked at Ning Rongrong, quite surprised.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul is an inherited martial soul; only the direct line of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect can awaken it.

Yu Xiaogang had once introduced this martial soul to him; among support‑system martial souls, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda is absolutely overwhelmingly powerful.

However, what Tang San didn't know was that his surprised gaze had already caused Ning Rongrong to misunderstand.

Thinking of what Luo Ye had written in the Diary before—that Tang San's rapid growth in his previous life was due to using her and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect—

the result was that, after Tang San became strong, he not only failed to repay her, but also killed Chen Xin and Gu Rong, and ruthlessly wiped out the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect.

Just thinking about that situation makes Ning Rongrong want to kill Tang San right now; unfortunately, Chen Xin left after sending her to Suotuo City, and, according to Luo Ye's description, she currently cannot act against Tang San.

In Ning Rongrong's view, Tang San's strong reaction now probably means he is already trying to find a way to get closer to her in order to obtain help from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect.

But in order not to let Luo Ye notice anything odd and reveal the existence of the Diary copy, she could only suppress this impulse and force out a smile, saying.

"Don't stare; I'm no different from anyone else—I snuck out from home. Let's first pass this trial before we talk."

"By the way, my soul skill grants everyone separate boosts to speed and strength, increasing them by thirty percent, and it can last the length of an incense stick without problem."

Granting speed and strength a thirty percent boost is already a very good support effect.

Especially since Ning Rongrong is currently only a two‑ring great soul master; once she becomes a Soul Saint, the boost effect will reach a terrifying eighty percent.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this exaggerated support effect that there is a limit of cultivating at most to seven‑ring Soul Saints.

Luo Ye clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention and said.

"Later, I'll trouble Xiao Wu to take the main attack, Tang San to handle control, Zhu Zhuqing to flank and restrain, and I will look for an opportunity to give him a big strike."

One of my soul skills can link everyone together, making our coordination extremely tacit; adding the auxiliary effect of Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, we are not without the strength to fight.

(End of chapter)