Chapter 39: Zhu Zhuqing's Resentment
After announcing the rules, Zhao Wuji looked at the three of them and said, "I hope you understand that trying to find loopholes won't work. Also, let me remind you there is no way any of you can block my attacks alone. Your only chance of success is through teamwork and coordination."
"Teacher Zhao, isn't this a bit too much?" Dai Mubai hesitated.
Zhao Wuji glared at him. "What's wrong with it? The Headmaster isn't here, and in the academy, I have the final say. If I say it's fine, then it's fine. Enough talking I'm lighting the incense. You don't have much time, so prepare yourselves. Oh, and Mubai, you can tell them about my abilities so they at least know what they're up against."
With that, he pulled a stick of incense out of nowhere, flicked his fingers to light it instantly, and inserted it firmly into the ground. The incense burned steadily without the slightest tremor.
Having done this, Zhao Wuji casually sat back in his chair and closed his eyes again, as if he had gone back to sleep.
The three newcomers, unaware of the true nature of this test, felt no particular unease. However, Dai Mubai looked extremely serious as he motioned for them to come closer.
"Listen," he said gravely, "I won't be able to help you with this. I never expected Teacher Zhao to personally take action."
"Why? Is he really that strong?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Dai Mubai gave her a strange look before nodding. "Yes. Teacher Zhao is a level 76 Soul Sage. His martial soul is a Beast Spirit a Battle Soul Sage. He's the vice headmaster of this academy, second only to Headmaster Flender in overall strength."
The three immediately stiffened.
A Soul Sage!
This was a high ranking soul master someone who could single handedly slaughter thousands on a battlefield. Facing such an opponent, their chances of survival seemed nonexistent.
"This is just ridiculous!" Ning Rongrong protested. "A level 76 Soul Sage bullying three soul masters barely above level 20? Even if we team up, we wouldn't last a single round!"
Dai Mubai sighed helplessly. "Originally, I was supposed to be your opponent. As long as you could last one incense stick against me, you would pass. But for some reason, Teacher Zhao decided to personally take over today."
"Don't worry, though," he reassured them. "This is only a test. Teacher Zhao will probably go easy on you. He won't attack with full force."
"That doesn't sound very convincing," Ning Rongrong muttered.
"Either way," Dai Mubai continued, "you need a plan. Let me quickly explain Teacher Zhao's abilities so you have a fighting chance. Otherwise, forget lasting one incense stick you won't even survive the first wave of attacks."
The three nodded solemnly.
They knew this was no joke.
"Teacher Zhao's martial soul is the Vigorous Vajra Bear an incredibly powerful beast spirit. His entire body has no weaknesses. His defensive power is so terrifying that even soul masters of the same rank struggle to break through it. His only slight disadvantage is that he isn't very fast… but given the massive gap between your soul power levels, don't expect to be able to outrun him."
Dai Mubai's expression grew even more serious. "Teacher Zhao's greatest strengths are his attack power and defense. In the academy, he's known as the Immovable King. Honestly, even if I joined you, we might still not last an incense stick against him. Your only hope is that he holds back during his attacks."
"So he's the infamous Zhao Wuji, the Immovable King?" Ning Rongrong was shocked. "I heard he had a conflict with Spirit Hall years ago. Sixteen bishops surrounded him, yet he still broke through their siege and escaped. And back then, he was only around level 60. Now that he's even stronger…"
Dai Mubai nodded silently. "I've never seen Teacher Zhao go all out before. But I can tell you this his seven soul rings consist of two hundred year rings, two thousand year rings, and three ten thousand year rings. Every one of them enhances either his attack or defense. You should have a pretty good idea of how terrifying he is by now."
He exhaled and looked at them. "Now, introduce yourselves and your abilities. We need to come up with a strategy if you want to stand any chance at all."
Tang San spoke first. "My name is Lan Wu. My martial soul is Golden Patterned Grass, and I'm a level 32 Control type Battle Soul Master."
Ning Rongrong followed. "Ning Rongrong, martial soul Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, level 26 Support type Soul Master."
"Zhu Zhuqing, martial soul Netherworld Spirit Cat, level 27 Agility type Battle Soul Master," she said coolly.
"Wait… what? Ning Rongrong? Zhu Zhuqing?" Tang San was stunned.
He stared at them, his mind racing back to the future video he had seen.
After closely examining their faces, he realized although they looked a little younger than in the video, these two were undoubtedly the same people.
They were the ones who had humiliated him in battle…
And more importantly, they were the reason his father lost his limbs.
His greatest enemies.
"Wait a minute…" Tang San narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhu Zhuqing. "Isn't your martial soul Dark Demon Evil God Cat?"
"If we're about to fight together, hiding your true abilities is only going to hurt us."
Zhu Zhuqing met his gaze without flinching. "I'm not hiding anything," she replied calmly. "I don't know why my future martial soul changed… but right now, I have not met that person."
Maybe… I never will.
She sighed silently, a deep bitterness in her heart.
Ever since the future was exposed, everything had changed.
Nothing was certain anymore.
Could she still become the disciple of that man?
Zhu Zhuqing felt pessimistic about it.
"So… you haven't met him yet." Tang San muttered.
At that moment, a cold, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
After all
He held grudges.
In the future, Zhu Zhuqing had humiliated him in the Soul Arena.
Later, because of her, his father was crippled.
She was the reason his family suffered.
Even if it hadn't happened yet, even if this was just a different version of the future…
He had seen it with his own eyes.
And that was enough.
Tang San never forgot or forgave.
People liked to think of him as a righteous gentleman, but they were wrong.
A man who practiced hidden weapons and assassination techniques was never a saint.
And he never intended to be one.
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