Numb.
Zhao Wuji was completely numb.
He never expected that this kid's martial soul could mutate to such an extent.
If he remembered correctly, wasn't this guy just a Great Soul Master?
How could it be this outrageous?!
It was dazzling!
Just as he was still trying to figure things out, a sharp pain suddenly shot across his face—and at the same time, a scorpion braid wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Teacher Zhao, please stay focused!!"
Amid a tiger's roar, Dai Mubai slashed with his claws and yelled angrily, attacking Zhao Wuji head-on. Two beams of brilliant light shone from his body, instantly boosting both his speed and strength.
High above, Ning Rongrong's pretty face was flushed red. The pagoda in her hand sparkled continuously, releasing beams of radiant light that rained downwards.
"You little bastards—do you need me to teach you personally?!"
Zhao Wuji bellowed, and his first yellow soul ring lit up. A dazzling golden light exploded from his body, and everyone—Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and even Dai Mubai—was sent flying backward!
First Soul Skill: Immovable King's Body
Before Zhao Wuji could even catch his breath, a burning pain suddenly spread across his face.
Only then did he realize that a massive pillar of fire, over two meters wide, was hurtling toward him.
"Damn it—is this Phoenix Fire??!!"
His expression twisted. Zhao Wuji cursed and rapidly retreated.
Sure, he could block it—but his fur couldn't withstand this temperature!
Too much hair made him vulnerable to fire, and this wasn't a joke.
But just as he tried to retreat, Dai Mubai and the others launched another wave of attacks, preventing him from falling back.
"You people just won't stop, huh?!"
With a roar, Zhao Wuji's second soul ring activated. His hands transformed into giant bear paws, and he swatted Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu away like flies, one to each side.
As for Dai Mubai, who was charging straight at him—Zhao Wuji had no intention of backing off.
Taking a tiger paw to the face was still better than getting roasted alive by that phoenix fire!
"Teacher Zhao, I'm here to help!"
At that moment, Blue Silver Grass suddenly appeared, entangling Dai Mubai mid-charge. Though it snapped repeatedly under strain, it still managed to delay him.
Boom!
Zhao Wuji took the opportunity and slapped Dai Mubai flying.
"Good job, kid."
He offered a half-hearted compliment, but his face had already darkened.
This was only the beginning of the test, and he had already been forced to use two soul skills.
What's more, Tang San—the one who gave him the most trouble last time—was now fighting on his side.
Yet somehow, the pressure this time was even worse.
"Damn that Hongjun kid!!"
Zhao Wuji's expression suddenly changed again. Although he had just dodged the pillar of fire, it split mid-air into several smaller phoenixes, each trailing fiery tails as they homed in on him.
"You're telling me this thing can track too?!"
Zhao Wuji let out a miserable groan and scrambled backward.
As he evaded, Tang San was exposed under everyone's gaze.
"Mr. Zhao, I'm here."
Tang San awkwardly raised his hand in greeting, only to find that Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu had silently surrounded him.
"Let's deal with this traitor first."
Zhu Zhuqing extended her claw blades. Her cat-like pupils narrowed, and her expression was icy cold.
"Damn it—you tricked me."
Dai Mubai rubbed his waist and glared at Tang San. If it weren't for this kid, he would've had a perfect shot at Zhao Wuji.
"Tang San, I'm really disappointed in you."
Xiao Wu's beautiful eyes were slightly red and puffy. She clenched her fists and stared at him, furious.
"Xiao Wu—"
Tang San opened his mouth, wanting to explain, but his face suddenly shifted. His figure blurred into motion.
Ghost Shadow Steps!
Three claw marks slashed through the spot where he had just been.
Zhu Zhuqing's alluring figure emerged from the shadows, flicking dust off her hands in frustration.
"You"
Before Tang San could respond, Dai Mubai punched him fiercely. In a panic, Tang San crossed his arms to block.
Bang!
He was sent flying.
Mid-air, a scorpion braid wrapped tightly around his neck.
Tang San's eyes widened. "Xiao Wu, stop!"
But Xiao Wu didn't want to hear it. With a twist of her slim waist and long legs, she spun and hurled Tang San with force.
She held back slightly, though—he landed on a grassy patch.
The scuffle ended quickly.
Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji—who had been running from phoenix flames for half a day—suddenly snapped back to his senses.
Damn it, I'm a Soul Saint!
Is there anything more humiliating than getting chased around by a Great Soul Master's soul skill?
"Bastard!"
Zhao Wuji turned around, slapped the last flame away, endured the searing pain on his hand, and activated his third soul ring.
His finger pointed to the sky.
"Get down here!"
Hum—!
Invisible waves of force spread out, flattening and bending the surrounding wheat. The ground cracked under the pressure. Dai Mubai and the others, rushing in to help, suddenly felt like they were sinking in mud.
Third Soul Skill: Gravity Control!
But the youth in the sky had clearly been waiting for this. The moment Zhao Wuji raised his hand, he shot upward.
Beautiful flaming feathers drifted down from the sky and landed on Zhao Wuji's stunned face.
"Damn it—how is he this fast?!"
How was this even fair?
Ma Hongjun, having secured control of the air, was essentially untouchable—and his speed was absolutely ridiculous.
What, was he supposed to go all out—using even his fourth and fifth soul skills or his martial soul's true body—just to deal with a few Great Soul Masters and Soul Masters?
That would be beyond embarrassing.
If word got out, the entire academy would laugh at him.
Even now, Zhao Wuji still found it hard to believe.
This wasn't just a martial soul mutation—it was a complete transformation!
This kid was far more troublesome than that spiky-haired Tang San.
"Nope. I'm done."
Zhao Wuji waved his hand dismissively and withdrew from his martial soul's possessed state.
This had been a slap to the face.
There were ways to counter Tang San's hidden weapons. As long as he stayed alert, they weren't that hard to dodge.
But Hongjun in the sky? That flaming heat was just insane, and the temperature was off the charts.
His palm was still scorched black!
Shaking his head, Zhao Wuji began walking back toward the academy.
He planned to ask Flander for compensation for medical expenses.
This time, he really took a loss.
"It feels so good… so good! Is this what flying feels like? Woohoo!!"
Oscar collapsed onto the ground. His legs were still wobbly, but he was shouting in pure joy.
As for why the red-haired boy was holding Ning Rong Rong's waist and carrying him by the hand, he wisely did not ask.
Some questions were best left unanswered—asking might hurt someone's feelings.
"This is really strange… I feel like Teacher Zhao did it on purpose."
Xiao Wu looked at Zhao Wuji's retreating back suspiciously, then glanced sideways at Tang San, who was limping toward them.
"I think so too."
Ning Rongrong's cheeks were still slightly red. She held herself back from reminiscing about the sensation of flight, but couldn't help sneaking glances at the red-haired youth.
"Let's just ask the dean when we get back."
Ma Hongjun glanced at Dai Mubai, who still looked slightly guilty, and smiled faintly.
"I'm sure he'll explain everything."