Dai Mubai leads everyone to the courtyard, where a muscular man with brown skin, around 50 years old, is sitting in the middle of the field.
"Mubai, why are there so many people in the fourth test?"
"Teacher Zhao, it's because they are all above level 25. And one of them is a Spirit Sect."
"What did you say? A Spirit Sect?! Someone among them has already reached the Spirit Sect level?!"
Dai Mubai nods, confirming Zhao Wuji's statement. After a moment, Zhao Wuji suddenly laughs with excitement.
"Hahaha! We will become legends! The first academy to accept the youngest Spirit Sect in this continent!"
His fortress-like body finally stands up. Although he is not tall, he looks imposing. His clothing does not hide his muscular build, and his expression is full of arrogance.
"I will personally handle the fourth test!"
"Teacher Zhao, isn't this unfair? Shouldn't this be my responsibility?" Dai Mubai pouts upon hearing Zhao Wuji's decision. If it were just Su Fan, he would be happy, but his fiancée is also taking the test, making him uneasy.
"Hmph! Nonsense, a few days ago, you got beaten up by someone. You have disgraced Shrek Academy. That's why I will restore Shrek's reputation."
'Restoring reputation by bullying others? Are you sure you're a teacher and not a bandit?'
Su Fan can only sigh at the bandit-like behavior of Shrek Academy's teachers. Each teacher seems no different from bandits, making him worried that Xiao Wu might eventually act like one too.
'If not for Shrek being the best academy to hide Xiao Wu's identity, I might have already cursed this place as a bandit academy.'
Zhao Wuji takes an incense stick and lights it with a pinch of his fingers.
"I will give you one incense stick's time to think of your strategy. I will also give you one incense stick's time to endure against me. If you need any information about me, you can ask that kid, Mubai."
With that, he sits down again. Dai Mubai can only smile bitterly and walks toward the others.
"I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to personally handle the test. You can only hope to pass."
Although Tang San looks exhausted, the pressure from Zhao Wuji makes him fully alert.
"Brother Dai, what level is Teacher Zhao?"
"Teacher Zhao is the vice headmaster of Shrek Academy. Martial Spirit: Vigorous Vajra Bear. Level: 76 Soul Sage."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong suddenly remembers something.
"Is he Fudo Ming Wang Zhao Wuji?"
"You know Teacher Zhao?"
"I heard from the elders in my family that he became a fugitive from the Spirit Hall and disappeared for ten years. I didn't expect him to come here to teach!"
Dai Mubai nods at Ning Rongrong's explanation and continues sharing what he knows about Zhao Wuji.
"That's all I know about Teacher Zhao. Now, you should introduce yourselves to each other."
They all look at each other for a moment. Finally, Su Fan decides to introduce himself first.
"Su Fan, Martial Spirit: Kusanagi Sword, Level 42. Power Attack Soul Master."
"Xiao Wu, Martial Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit, Level 29. Agility Attack Soul Master."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Martial Spirit: Hell Cat, Level 27. Agility Attack Soul Master."
"Ning Rongrong, Martial Spirit: Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Level 26. Support System Soul Master."
"You're from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect?!"
Hearing this, Tang San looks at Ning Rongrong in shock. He never expected the girl in front of him to be from one of the top three sects, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect. He clearly remembers Yu Xiaogang's assessment—this is the strongest support-type martial spirit on the continent.
"I am the eldest daughter and heir of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Sect!"
Ning Rongrong humbly admits her background and identity while secretly glancing at Su Fan. Seeing that he isn't surprised, she feels slightly disappointed but continues explaining.
"My two soul rings can increase your strength and speed by 30%."
"30%?"
Zhu Zhuqing is quite surprised by this power boost. Xiao Wu remains silent since she dislikes how Ning Rongrong constantly teases Su Fan.
Unfortunately, this ability only works fully on those below level 30 since Ning Rongrong herself is only level 26. If she uses her ability on Su Fan, the boost might only be around 8% due to the large level gap, so Su Fan doesn't put too much hope in her ability.
"Tang San, you make the plan."
Like Sasuke in his own story, Su Fan has a simple personality and dislikes unnecessary talk, so he leaves the planning to Tang San. Tang San simply nods even though he's really tired.
Tang San takes some stones from his storage and uses them to explain his strategy. Everyone gathers closely to listen while Su Fan stands nearby, listening as well.
After a while, once the strategy is finalized, Dai Mubai approaches Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher Zhao, we're ready to begin."
Zhao Wuji stands up and signals the start of the test. The five of them immediately take their positions according to the plan and show their martial soul and soul ring. Su Fan, standing at the front, activates his three-tomoe Sharingan and starts by throwing four shurikens, each aiming at Zhao Wuji's eyes, mouth, and groin.
Although the shuriken cannot pierce Zhao Wuji's groin, but the eye and mouth still give a threat to him because he's still not activated his martial soul so he instinctively dodges them.
Swish!
"You brat—"
Smack!
Before he can finish speaking, Su Fan is already in front of him, delivering an uppercut. Zhao Wuji counters by swinging at Su Fan's face, but Su Fan effortlessly dodges and lands a punch right on Zhao Wuji's cheek.
Smack!
Smack!
Punch after punch, Su Fan attacks Zhao Wuji. His red eyes move wildly, reading every one of Zhao Wuji's movements. Zhao Wuji tries to strike back, but none of his attacks land, making him increasingly frustrated.
'This brat! Why is he so hard to hit?!'
Soon, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu join the fight, attacking Zhao Wuji at close range. However, their attacks do not hurt him as much as Su Fan's.
Because of this, Zhao Wuji focuses all his attention on Su Fan and ignores Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing continues attack on him.
Tang San and Ning Rongrong watch as Su Fan fights Zhao Wuji beautifully in close combat. Tang San never imagined he would witness such a satisfying melee battle. Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong watches the battle with sparkling eyes. The handsome side of Su Fan is fully displayed on this battle. Dai Mubai on the other side look at the battle with awe. He couldn't believe there's someone that can beat Zhao Wuji in close combat even though he's not using his martial soul. But he still find the fight quite incredible not to mention Su Fan is still leapfroging against Zhao Wuji.
"ENOUGH!!!"
Reaching his limit, Zhao Wuji slams the ground with great force, creating a shockwave that sends Su Fan, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu flying.
To Be Continued...