Chapter 196.
Upon hearing this, Wang Feng couldn't help but think to himself, Xiao San was still sharp. Although his seven-second performance impressed many, he remained focused on the battle's nuances.
Tang San's questions prompted everyone to revisit the recent skirmish, stirring up a lingering suspicion within them.
Could it have been a staged bout?
"This is because of their martial souls," Wang Feng remarked with a smile. "Most martial souls have some inherent weaknesses. Take your Blue Silver Grass, for instance, it used to be highly vulnerable to fire."
"And the martial souls of these two power attack type soul masters are burrowing creatures, the Gopher and the Weasel, creatures deeply associated with the earth. They dread being separated from the ground, especially when executing high-speed aerial maneuvers. Once they are engaged or taken to mid air, they lose control of their bodies because of natural diadvantage. Mastering this vulnerability... renders their attacks ineffective."
"Unless they acquire soul rings from flying beasts or soul beasts that possess flight capabilities."
Tang San found Wang Feng's explanation startling.
"So that's how it is!" The realization dawned on everyone.
As the two battles concluded, everyone made plans to depart and rest, gearing up for the battles to come the next day.
From starting from tomorrow, and every day thereafter, more than twenty teams would face off against each other, with over a dozen battles unfolding each day.
This relentless cycle would persist for a month.
"Rongrong!"
Before the group could step out of the Great Fighting Soul Arena's doors, they spotted Ning Fengzhi standing outside with grace.
"Father!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes brightened as she hurried over.
"Why didn't you participate today?" Ning Fengzhi inquired, gently patting Ning Rongrong's head.
Despite being almost 1.7 meters tall, Ning Rongrong was just fourteen, still considerably shorter than Ning Fengzhi.
Ning Fengzhi, a quintessential mature figure, stood at about the same height as Wang Feng of about 1.9 m.
"The master advised us to conserve our strength, so only the third brother and his team are on the court," Ning Rongrong explained hastily, "By the way, I haven't introduced my friend to you yet. You came in such a hurry last time..."
She tugged Ning Fengzhi's arm.
For this special guest, who had delivered a speech at the competition's opening ceremony and sat beside Emperor Xue Ye, it was the first time everyone had seen him up close, apart from Tang San and Wang Feng.
"These are our four substitutes, all elite members of our academy," Ning Rongrong pointed to Tai Long, Jiang Zhu, Huang Yuan and Jing Ling as she introduced them.
Ning Fengzhi greeted the four with a smile, his gaze resting on Tai Long. "You're the grandson of the Tai Tan, I believe I saw you last time I visited."
Tai Long smiled sheepishly, recalling the previous encounter.
Ning Fengzhi had encountered the other three before, and he could also discern their strength from their demeanor.
"Now, let me introduce you to the others!" Ning Rongrong gestured towards Tang San and the others. "I won't talk about the third brother. This is Dai Mubai, also called Boss Dai! He's the eldest of the Seven Shrek! He's level 45, and only 17 years old this year!"
Dai Mubai hadn't been present during Ning Fengzhi's previous visit due to venturing outside to obtain his fourth soul ring.
"Your martial soul is the Evil Eye White Tiger, isn't it?" Ning Fengzhi remarked with a smile. "Truly a remarkable talent to achieve such feats at seventeen."
Dai Mubai was surprised, realizing that Ning Fengzhi, at his level, likely discerned his royal lineage of the Star Luo Empire during the recent battle. Such individuals possessed extraordinary insight and knowledge
"Thank you, Uncle Ning, for the compliment..." Dai Mubai chuckled modestly. "I'm nothing special."
Ning Fengzhi laughed heartily.
"These two are Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing," Ning Rongrong pointed to them with a chuckle, "They're my closest friends in the academy! Both of them possess incredibly powerful martial souls. Especially Zhu Qing, her Moon Elf is my kryptonite. It's the most formidable martial soul in our team, and she's stunningly beautiful! Xiao Wu is no different, her martial soul is adorable yet very formidable. But at night, neither of us nor the third brother can match Zhuqing in strength!"
Tang San nodded in agreement, understanding that Zhu Zhuqing's power increased by 50% at night, making her unbeatable for the seven of them.
"Moon Elf?" Ning Fengzhi was surprised, never having heard of it before. Unless it was a new or mutant martial soul! Rongrong's tone suggested it was indeed a powerful martial soul.
"They won't join the sect. Dad, don't bother trying to recruit them," Ning Rongrong chuckled. "Xiao Wu is only with the third brother. Wherever he goes, she goes..."
Xiao Wu blushed and shot Ning Rongrong a glare.
"As for Zhuqing... she doesn't like feeling constrained," Ning Rongrong glanced subtly at Wang Feng.
Ning Fengzhi coughed awkwardly. Did this mischievous girl have to be so upfront? When did he express any intention of recruiting them?
"You can try to recruit the fatty and Oscar though," Ning Rongrong pointed to Ma Hongjun. "His name is Ma Hongjun, a Phoenix martial soul attack system soul master. And this is Oscar, his martial soul is the Sausage, he is a food-type auxiliary soul master...."
Ma Hongjun grinned, "Uncle Ning, if you have another daughter as beautiful as Rongrong, I'll join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect. I'm not asking for much."
Oscar chuckled, "I'll pass... I plan to travel the mainland and share my culinary arts with food enthusiasts!"
The fatty was straightforward, while Oscar had his own aspirations.
Wang Feng silently noted that there were still some discrepancies with the characters in his memory. Yet, he couldn't help but feel amused by Oscar's enthusiastic approach regarding travelling...
Ning Fengzhi smiled and remarked, "I do not have another daughter, however, there are quite a few beautiful girls in my sect... Your martial soul and soul power are among the best I've ever seen in the Heaven Dou Empire... Truly worthy of being from the Shrek Academy."
It was the truth.
Based on his extensive experience, the martial soul prowess, soul power, and talents exhibited by these seven individuals were exceedingly rare.
The Phoenix martial soul, belonged to the top-tier beast martial soul on the continent, showcased the exceptional potential of the young fatty, surpassing even those cultivated by prestigious factions.
And as for Oscar, the rarity of his food-type soul master was unparalleled.
At just sixteen years old, at forty-one level with food-type martial soul, Oscar represented a level of genius Ning Fengzhi had never witnessed in someone so young.
"Is there another one?" Ning Fengzhi glanced at Wang Feng teasingly. "Why didn't you introduce them?"
"I won't introduce you," Ning Rongrong blushed slightly and hesitated, "You haven't seen him before."
Despite her shyness, Ning Rongrong mustered the courage to continue, "His name is Wang Feng... our team's captain, and his martial soul is Chaos Green Lotus. He's currently at level 45, and is eight months older than me."
Ning Fengzhi was astonished.
Level 45?
Had this kid advanced five levels in just half a year?
He vividly recalled that when he visited Shrek Academy six months ago, Wang Feng was only at level 40!
This rate of his progress was unsettlingly rapid! Even with intensive training, such advancement seemed implausible. Unless... Wang Feng's fourth soul ring was exceptionally potent, catapulting him several levels upon its acquisition!
Ning Fengzhi pondered this possibility instantly.
What a remarkable young man!
Observing Wang Feng closely, Ning Fengzhi's admiration only grew.
Wang Feng smiled and stood up, "It's been half a year already, Uncle Ning. Don't be a stranger, alright?"
"Of course, of course!" Ning Fengzhi chuckled, "You're truly remarkable. Half a year ago, you were at level 40, and now you're at level 45. That's extraordinary progress. No wonder Rongrong speaks highly of you."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" Ning Rongrong was both embarrassed and indignant, hastily tugging at Ning Fengzhi's sleeve, "Who's even thinking about him!"
Ning Fengzhi chuckled but said nothing, inwardly noting the dynamics among the group. In his heart, he acknowledged Tang San as the most exceptional in terms of talent and status, while Wang Feng, despite his seemingly ordinary demeanor and background, exuded an air of mystery and uniqueness.
"I have to agree with that," Wang Feng nodded, seeming rather pleased with the compliment. "Uncle Ning, you're absolutely right. I am quite extraordinary."
Silence fell over the group as they looked over at him in speechlessness.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease, wondering if he had underestimated this seemingly unassuming youth during their initial encounter.
"Why didn't you participate earlier?" Ning Fengzhi inquired once more.
"The opposition was too formidable, they wouldn't stand a chance if I took the field," Wang Feng admitted, his cheeks tinged with a flush of embarrassment.
Ning Fengzhi laughed again, finding Wang Feng's honesty and self-awareness rather endearing.
This kid is truly intriguing, no wonder Rongrong is so captivated by him.
As a mature man, Ning Fengzhi recognized that besides talent, a thick skin was crucial in winning over the hearts of young women.
"Well, even though you emerged victorious today, don't let it go to your head," Ning Fengzhi advised with a playful smile.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the group, "Did you see Jiu Yikai from the Purple Star team? That person will be your rival! Xiaofeng, I'll call you that. Your strength, I fear, may not match up to this Jiu Yikai. You need to be extremely cautious."
Wang Feng nodded, acknowledging Ning Fengzhi's assessment. He truly couldn't compare himself to anyone else.
The others grew more solemn.
"Tang San, come here, I need to discuss something with you," Ning Fengzhi called out.
After exchanging a few words with everyone, Ning Fengzhi turned to Tang San, "I need to speak with you privately."
...….
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