Chapter 46: Lord Ye...
Late at night, silence enveloped the entire Shrek Academy.
During the day's examination, aside from Tang San, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong, no one else had managed to pass the first three tests. Ironically, this was the largest enrollment Shrek Academy had seen in years.
As the vice dean, Zhao Wuji naturally had his own residence. At this moment, he was meditating alone, cultivating his soul power.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his ear.
"Zhao Wuji."
Zhao Wuji snapped out of his meditation, his expression a mix of anger and vigilance. As a high level Soul Sage, his soul power was strong enough to create a natural energy field around him, allowing him to sense even the slightest disturbance within a hundred meter radius.
But right now, he couldn't sense a single presence nearby. And yet, this voice pierced directly into his ears, as if someone were whispering right beside him.
There was no doubt whoever it was, their strength was at least equal to his.
"Who's there?"
Zhao Wuji stood up, his eyes flashing with a cold light.
In the past, his reputation in the soul master world had not been great, and he had no shortage of enemies. Over the years, he had hidden himself away at Shrek Academy, enjoying a peaceful life. He never expected that, at this moment, a formidable opponent would suddenly appear.
"Come out."
A faint yet undeniable presence locked onto Zhao Wuji.
Naturally, Zhao Wuji was not the type to back down. Without hesitation, he jumped out of his window, his soul power surging to its peak as he raced in the direction the aura was leading him.
In just a few moments, he had left Shrek Academy's grounds and arrived in a dense forest beyond the academy.
And then, the presence vanished.
"Come out! I know you're here."
Zhao Wuji's voice echoed as he called out. At the same time, he activated Martial Soul Possession, his seven soul rings shimmering around him two yellow, two purple, three black. The three ten thousand year soul rings in particular seemed especially deep and powerful.
A dark figure slowly emerged from behind a large tree.
The person was completely draped in black, even wearing a black hood, revealing only a tall and imposing frame.
Upon seeing this figure, Zhao Wuji's expression twitched violently.
Because in that instant, he recognized the man.
This was none other than Tang Hao, the man who had been mutilated in the Q&A video, his limbs severed.
Why was this bastard suddenly appearing here?!
"Seems like you already know who I am."
Seeing Zhao Wuji's reaction, Tang Hao didn't bother hiding anymore. He pulled off his black hood, revealing his unkempt, bearded face. With an air of false indifference, he spoke:
"It's rare to meet the famous 'Unmovable Ming King' in a place like this. I'm just here for a friendly spar. It's been a while since I exercised."
As he spoke, Tang Hao summoned his Clear Sky Hammer, and nine soul rings appeared yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black… red!
That ten thousand year red soul ring stood out especially.
Seeing that this man was truly the notorious Tang Hao, Zhao Wuji's heart turned ice cold.
As a Soul Sage, he knew far too well how massive the power gap was above level 60.
Even a single level difference could create a huge disparity let alone the gap between a Soul Sage (70s) and a Titled Douluo (90s).
"Lord Haotian…"
Zhao Wuji barely managed to squeeze out these words. Then, without hesitation, he bowed deeply.
"To have Your Excellency grace us with your presence… Please don't joke with me. How could I possibly be worthy of sparring with you?"
Tang Hao smirked slightly. "What's there to be unworthy of?"
"Didn't you enjoy bullying that kid during the test earlier?"
"I've come to realize bullying others actually feels quite good."
"So now, I think I'd like to try bullying you."
"Of course, you can call it me 'oppressing the weak' if you want."
Despite his casual tone, Tang Hao exuded an overwhelming pressure.
Holding his massive hammer, he took one step forward, then another, slowly closing in on Zhao Wuji.
Zhao Wuji was in a full blown panic.
By now, he fully understood
That boy named Lan Wu was clearly none other than Tang San!
As for why his appearance had changed so much, Zhao Wuji figured it must have been an effect of absorbing a powerful spirit ring something rare, but not unheard of.
But at this moment, Zhao Wuji wasn't just afraid of a beating.
The real issue was Tang Hao's identity.
A wanted fugitive.
The number one criminal of the Spirit Hall.
Now, this man was openly revealing himself.
Wasn't this… the classic setup before an assassination?!
Just as Zhao Wuji's mind was spiraling into despair, Tang Hao suddenly halted about ten meters away.
Then, he turned his head slightly and spoke into the darkness.
"Since you're here, you might as well come out."
"One or two it doesn't make a difference to me."
The moment his words fell
A figure suddenly appeared next to Zhao Wuji.
Recognizing who it was, Zhao Wuji immediately relaxed.
"Dean! This senior…"
The newcomer gestured for Zhao Wuji to stay silent. Then, under the intimidating aura, he had no choice but to release his martial soul.
A pair of massive wings extended from his back, his entire body covered in feathers. His amber eyes glowed with a hawk like sharpness.
Just like Zhao Wuji, seven soul rings hovered around him.
This man was Flender, Dean of Shrek Academy.
"Greetings, Lord Haotian."
Unlike Zhao Wuji, Flender maintained a calm demeanor as he bowed in respect.
However, Tang Hao barely even looked at him.
In that moment his expression turned serious.
His gaze swept the surroundings, his eyes filled with wariness.
As if he had sensed… something.
"Who's there?!"
With a roar, Tang Hao released his soul power, unleashing a crushing pressure.
Zhao Wuji and Flender, standing too close, felt an overwhelming suffocation.
Then
A calm voice echoed through the night.
"Quite a lively gathering here tonight."
As the words fell, a figure stepped forward.
Dressed in flowing white robes embroidered with cloud like patterns, his attire was humble yet elegant. His long black hair, half tied, cascaded down his back, lending him an air of both discipline and ease.
His face as handsome as a celestial being radiated a presence that felt almost otherworldly.
The moment he appeared
All eyes locked onto him.
"Ye… Lord Ye."
Zhao Wuji instinctively started to call his name, but quickly corrected himself.
Since Ye Cheng had not yet received an official title, he could only address him as "Lord" out of respect.
"Greetings, Lord Ye."
Flender, far calmer than Zhao Wuji, bowed respectfully. Zhao Wuji immediately followed suit.
Ye Cheng accepted their bows without hesitation.
After all, in this world weaker soul masters bowing to stronger ones was a perfectly natural order of things.
Refusing their respect would have been seen as an insult.
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