"Begin. As long as the three of you can hold out against me for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, you pass the test."
Though Zhao Wuji had already mentally accepted Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong as Shrek Academy students, formalities had to be observed. This was also a chance to assess their spirit abilities and combat experience.
Xu Yunhan, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai watched from a distance.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong had already discussed their strategy.
"Seven Treasures Glorious, first: Power, second: Speed!"
Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda shimmered as two yellow hundred-year spirit rings appeared around her.
She activated two spirit abilities in succession, enhancing Xiao Wu's strength and agility.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was a tool-type spirit, requiring external manifestation to use its abilities—and it was purely support-based.
With her newfound power and speed, Xiao Wu immediately dashed toward Zhao Wuji.
Tang San stood protectively in front of Ning Rongrong, his right hand pressed against the ground as strands of Blue Silver Grass burrowed into the soil.
A yellow hundred-year spirit ring flashed briefly around him as he activated his ability.
"First Spirit Ability: Entanglement!"
Vines of Blue Silver Grass erupted around Zhao Wuji, coiling around him like serpents.
"A Blue Silver Grass spirit?"
Zhao Wuji was stunned. "Impossible! Blue Silver Grass is a trash spirit. How could it have innate full soul power?"
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were equally shocked.
They hadn't known Tang San's spirit was Blue Silver Grass.
"Blue Silver Grass?" Oscar muttered in confusion.
Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "Uh... I think so?"
Dai Mubai frowned. "Strange. It definitely looks like Blue Silver Grass."
Oscar shook his head. "No way. How can a trash spirit like Blue Silver Grass produce innate full soul power?"
He turned to Xu Yunhan. "Boss, what do you think?"
Xu Yunhan, of course, knew the truth—Tang San's spirit was originally Blue Silver Grass, requiring a bloodline awakening to evolve into the Blue Silver Emperor.
Historical records from ten thousand years later had mentioned as much.
"It is Blue Silver Grass,"
Zhu Zhuqing's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of secret?"
Ma Hongjun frowned. "What could possibly be special about Blue Silver Grass?"
Xu Yunhan glanced at them. "Perhaps Blue Silver Grass can evolve into a higher-quality spirit, and he hasn't fully awakened it yet. Or... maybe he has another spirit altogether."
The group was stunned.
Oscar blinked. "Boss, are you saying Tang San might have two spirits? That can't be right. Don't soul masters only have one?"
Ma Hongjun nodded vigorously. "Yeah! How can someone have two spirits at once?"
Dai Mubai, however, had heard rumors of twin spirits—though no documented cases of one reaching full maturity existed.
Given his strained relationship with Xu Yunhan and the others, he kept silent.
Zhu Zhuqing, too, had some knowledge. "I've heard of twin spirits, but there's no clear historical record of them."
The possibility of twin spirits clearly fascinated them more.
"Twin spirits actually exist?"
"Tang San has twin spirits?"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun found it unbelievable.
"Twin spirits—almost certainly," Xu Yunhan said, offering no further explanation.
In his view, twin spirits were nothing special. Triple spirits existed too.
Two spirits in one person!
The group's expressions turned solemn as they refocused on Tang San, who had become the center of attention.
The battle continued.
Tang San controlled the field while Xiao Wu launched attacks.
"The strength and durability of his Blue Silver Grass far surpass the ordinary kind!"
Zhao Wuji grew increasingly puzzled but couldn't figure out why.
He had suppressed his cultivation to the level of a Great Soul Master, matching Tang San and Xiao Wu.
But Zhao Wuji's spirit was the Mighty Titan Bear—offense and defense in one, both exceptionally powerful.
As a result, neither Tang San nor Xiao Wu could deal any real damage to him.
Even if they hit him freely, they couldn't make a dent.
"His defense is ridiculous."
Tang San sighed helplessly. Since they couldn't hurt Zhao Wuji, their only option was to stall for time.
But Zhao Wuji, after standing still for a while, decided to move.
With a roar, he shattered all the Blue Silver Grass entangling him and sent Xiao Wu flying with a shockwave.
Xiao Wu flipped midair, using her natural flexibility to land gracefully and avoid crashing.
She rejoined Tang San. "Xiao San, he's like a tortoise shell—way too tough. What do we do?"
Tang San smiled bitterly. "No choice but to drag it out. Hopefully, Teacher Zhao won't be too harsh on us."
Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement. "The Mighty Titan Bear excels in both attack and defense. With only one of us attacking, we can't break through. Stalling is our only option."
Xiao Wu clenched her fists.
The three adjusted their strategy.
"Just standing around won't cut it."
Zhao Wuji cracked his knuckles, ready to teach these prodigies a lesson in humility.
"First rule of combat: protect your support soul master."
He charged straight at Ning Rongrong.
"Ning Rongrong, watch out!"
Tang San reacted instantly, but the Blue Silver Grass vines binding Zhao Wuji were obliterated the moment they touched him.
Xiao Wu leaped onto Zhao Wuji's back, using her signature spirit ability to strike.
But Zhao Wuji merely flexed his shoulders, sending her hurtling backward.
This time, Xiao Wu couldn't stabilize her landing. She crashed hard onto the ground, visibly injured.
Tang San's eyes flashed with anger and concern.
"Second Spirit Ability: Parasite!"
Blue Silver Grass vines sprouted from Zhao Wuji's body, rooting into the ground and momentarily immobilizing him.
Zhao Wuji erupted with soul power, shredding the vines apart.
He closed the distance and slammed a fist into the ground, sending Tang San and Ning Rongrong flying with the shockwave.
Tang San used his Mysterious Heaven Skill to stabilize himself midair, landing safely.
Ning Rongrong wasn't so lucky. She hit the ground hard, groaning in pain as she struggled to get up.
"Isn't Teacher Zhao going a bit too far?"
Oscar winced, his heart aching for Ning Rongrong.
Ma Hongjun sighed. "When Teacher Zhao gets excited, he loses control. If he actually defeats all three of them, it'll be embarrassing."
Dai Mubai, seizing the chance to curry favor, shouted, "Teacher Zhao, show some restraint!"
"I know, brat. Don't need you to remind me."
Zhao Wuji scowled, though inwardly, he was sweating.
"Xiao San, are you okay?"
Xiao Wu limped over to Tang San.
Tang San shook his head. "What about you?"
"I'll manage." Xiao Wu glanced at Ning Rongrong. "I'll check on her. She looks hurt pretty bad."
She helped Ning Rongrong to her feet and guided her to sit aside.
"Ning Rongrong, stay here. Leave the rest to me and Xiao San." Xiao Wu's competitive spirit burned fiercely.
Ning Rongrong, disheveled and furious, nodded weakly. "Be careful."
She seethed inwardly. In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, no one dared harm me !
Zhao Wuji, now feeling guilty, gave them time to recover without pressing the attack.
Xu Yunhan silently applauded Zhao Wuji. If only I could be the one beating Tang San up.
Note: So far this story is published up to Chapter 30 on my , go check it out.
Give me all your power stones