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Li Luochen led the group to the second and third checkpoints.
"Director Shao, Director Lu, these individuals have soul power levels above twenty-five. I'll take them directly to the fourth checkpoint."
Li Luochen addressed the teachers overseeing the second and third checkpoints.
Lu Qibin and Shao Xin glanced at the four unfamiliar faces behind Li Luochen, their expressions revealing a hint of surprise. Reaching the fourth checkpoint directly meant their soul power exceeded level twenty-five.
Seeing four new faces behind Li Luochen indicated that this year's batch included four "little monsters"—the largest number Shrek Academy had ever recruited in one go.
Li Luochen then continued leading them toward the fourth checkpoint.
"We're here."
Li Luochen stopped. They had arrived at another clearing, smaller than the second checkpoint, measuring only about two hundred square meters. A middle-aged man in his fifties was sitting on a chair, dozing off.
"Principal Zhao, I've brought candidates for the fourth checkpoint evaluation."
"Hmm? There are candidates for the fourth checkpoint this year? And there are four of them?"
Zhao Wuji opened his sleepy eyes, surprised as he looked at the four young men and women before him, as if he had encountered something extraordinary.
"Not only did these four reach the fourth checkpoint, but they also skipped the second and third tests entirely."
Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up, and he stood up from his chair.
"All four are above level twenty-five. Not bad, not bad. It seems we have quite a few little monsters this year. This is the final checkpoint. If you pass my test, you will officially become members of Shrek Academy.
However, my test isn't easy to pass. Practical combat experience is essential for every soul master. What I'm evaluating is your ability in this area.
My name is Zhao Wuji. Since all four of you bypassed the second and third checkpoints, I'll personally spar with you. I'll give you the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn to get to know each other and strategize.
After that, the test begins. The task is for the four of you to work together to withstand my attacks for the duration of one stick of incense. If even one person can last until the end, you all pass.
Let me make this clear: don't try any tricks. No one can escape this range with speed alone. Also, I'll remind you that no single person can withstand my attacks by themselves. Coordination and teamwork are your only chances of success."
Li Luochen said nothing about Zhao Wuji's eagerness. Zhao Wuji had been itching for a fight; there were few in the academy who could match him in direct combat.
Both Li Luochen and Dugu Yan could easily defeat Zhao Wuji, even when fighting below their usual level. Flender, with his flight-based agility system, could kite him endlessly, leaving Zhao Wuji frustrated. Dai Tianxing completely outclassed him, and fighting him would only result in humiliation.
Now, Zhao Wuji simply wanted to vent some frustration by bullying weaker opponents. After all, bullying novices had its own unique charm. Once these little monsters grew stronger, he wouldn't have the chance to do so anymore. He might as well enjoy it while he could.
"Enough talk. Principal Zhao's spirit is the Mighty Golden Bear, a powerful beast-type spirit. His entire body is without weakness, and his defense is terrifying. Even soul masters of the same level would find it nearly impossible to break through his defenses and harm him.
Although speed isn't Principal Zhao's forte, the gap in soul power between you and him is too great for you to outpace him in that regard either.
Principal Zhao's greatest strengths are his offensive power and defense. In the soul master world, he's known as the Immovable Bright King. The four of you should pray for the best. Oh, and since this is a soul battle, you're not allowed to use anything outside of your spirits."
Li Luochen spoke with a serious expression.
Tang San felt a pang in his heart. Hidden weapons weren't part of his spirit, so using them would be considered cheating. Yet most of his strength came from hidden weapons, making this restriction incredibly frustrating.
Ning Rongrong, the short-haired beauty, suddenly gasped.
"He's actually Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Bright King! He disappeared from the continent for ten years—I never expected him to be teaching at Shrek Academy.
Back then, Zhao Wuji had a conflict with the Spirit Hall. When the Spirit Hall tried to punish him, he broke through an ambush of sixteen bishops. Afterward, the matter was dropped.
The bishops of the Spirit Hall are at least level sixty Soul Emperors. At that time, Zhao Wuji was probably only in his sixties. Now, he must be even stronger."
"That's right. Principal Zhao is now an eighty-four-level Battle Soul Douluo. Pray for the best, you four. Xiao Ao, Hongjun, Dai Mubai, let's step aside and watch the show."
Li Luo Chen signaled, and the four of them moved to the sidelines to observe.
Tang San was the first to introduce himself. "I'm Tang San. My spirit is the Blue Silver Grass, a tool-type spirit. I'm a level twenty-nine control-type battle soul master."
"I'm Xiao Wu. My spirit is the Rabbit, a beast-type spirit. I'm a level twenty-nine power-type battle soul master."
"I'm Ning Rongrong. My spirit is the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Tower, a tool-type spirit. I'm a level twenty-six auxiliary-type tool soul master."
"I'm Zhu Zhuqing. My spirit is the Netherworld Spirit Cat, a beast-type spirit. I'm a level twenty-seven agility-type battle soul master."
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At the Rest Area
"Big Brother Chen, isn't she from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Shouldn't she be at the Tian Dou Imperial Academy? Why is she here?"
Oscar asked, feeling as though love at first sight had struck him. Ning Rongrong seemed to have a special effect on him. Though both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were beautiful, Oscar wasn't particularly interested in them. But Ning Rongrong made his heart race uncontrollably.
"Not only that, but she's likely the favored daughter of Sect Leader Ning Fengzhi. Offending her means offending the entire Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Do you know the sect's rules, Xiao Ao?"
Li Luochen shared what he knew, casually dropping a hint.
"Rules? What rules?" Despite being knowledgeable, Oscar's expertise mostly came from hard training, so he was unaware of certain things.
"The main disciples of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect usually pair with battle soul masters. As auxiliary soul masters, they need a battle soul master to protect them. However, you're different. You might just give them a wake-up call. Once you hit level fifty, you'll soar."
Li Luochen chuckled. Oscar was already a genuine battle soul master, and his White Jade Arm Sword was no joke—it could even catch Ma Hongjun off guard.
If his fifth and sixth spirit rings were from the Silver Wing Beast and Mirror Image Beast, Oscar's combat power would skyrocket.
The thought alone was terrifying.
On the battlefield, within such a short time, Tang San and the others could only rely on simple tactics. As for how effective they'd be, only actual combat would tell.
In any case, they had never faced such a powerful opponent before. Only through battle could they gauge the extent of his strength.
"Have you finished discussing your strategy?"
Zhao Wuji's booming voice rang out. The four turned to see that the incense stick on the ground had almost burned down to its end.
Tang San and the others formed their battle array, ready to face the challenge.
Zhao Wuji stood up again, cracking his knuckles and wrists. A series of bone-popping sounds filled the air, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere.
Zhao Wuji produced another stick of incense, but before he could light it, Ning Rong Rong took the initiative.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile-!"
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