So basically... you're useless

Seeing Xiao Wu fume with anger, Wu Lan couldn't help but laugh softly.That smile on his face made both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing freeze.

For a brief moment, the world quieted.

Xiao Wu blinked in a daze. Zhu Zhuqing stared unconsciously, her heartbeat skipping.

"Brother, that trash even tricked you," Xiao Wu finally snapped. "Why are you laughing?"

Her voice trembled, not just with frustration, but with a sense of injustice.She wasn't just angry for herself... but for Wu Lan.

Wu Lan turned to her and smiled faintly."Rabbit, it's alright. I came here already knowing this academy wasn't anything special."

Xiao Wu frowned. "Why, Brother?"

Zhu Zhuqing also looked toward him, curiosity flickering in her cold eyes.

Wu Lan's expression turned serious.

"Rabbit... think about our strength," he said quietly.

"If we suddenly joined a famous sect or powerful academy, we would create too much attention. A big sect or faction would either try to recruit us, or silence us."

His voice was calm but heavy.

"Before we grow enough to protect ourselves, we need to stay low. Hidden.That's why we came here. Shrek is unknown. Small. Forgotten by most."

Both girls paused. They finally understood.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Wu Lan again, this time, not as an ally or classmate...But as someone she could trust.

With someone like him, she thought, she would be safe.

Just then, Wu Lan turned to her directly.

Zhu Zhuqing's heart skipped. Her fingers curled lightly, breath unsteady.

"You were the first to realize the academy's flaws with just a clue," Wu Lan said softly."Which means... you've experienced things like this before. Manipulation. Hidden schemes."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her eyes.

"You must have had a hard life," he continued gently. "But that's behind you now. You're free from it."

He raised his hand slowly, and patted her head.

"So smile more. You're beautiful when you smile."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened. Her body froze.

A warmth she hadn't felt in years spread through her chest.

Her cold exterior cracked slightly. She didn't speak, but her lips curved, just a little.

Watching this, Xiao Wu puffed her cheeks again.

"Brother..." she grumbled, stepping closer.

She leaned in, clearly unhappy with how gentle he was being.

"Brother, stop praising her..." she muttered.

Wu Lan turned to her and smiled warmly. "Jealous again?"

Xiao Wu huffed and clung to his arm. "Not jealous. I just don't want you to get tricked by a cold-faced cat."

That finally made Zhu Zhuqing glance at her, eyes flashing slightly, but she didn't respond.

Wu Lan chuckled again.

Just then, Tang San arrived, finally finished with his test.

Wu Lan gave him a calm nod. "Let's go."

The group walked together through the campus until they found Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and a boy with short brown hair and a crafty grin waiting by a large tree.

"You're finally here," Dai Mubai said. "Let me introduce one of the students. Oscar."

The boy raised his hand lazily and said,"Hey, everyone. I'm Oscar. Support-type, food system soul master."

The group followed him through the narrow path beside the dorms until they reached a large, open courtyard.

At the center stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a rough beard and thick arms crossed over his chest. His aura was heavy, like a mountain pressing down on them.

"Teacher Zhao, I brought people to undergo the final test," Dai Mubai said respectfully.

Zhao Wuji looked at the five of them and raised an eyebrow."Did so many pass this year?"

"Teacher Zhao, we have four people above level 25, so they were exempted from the second and third tests," Dai Mubai replied.

"I am Zhao Wuji. Since many of you were exempted from the previous tests, let me play with you. The final test will not be easy. You will have to hold on for half an hour under my hand. I'll give you half an hour to discuss strategies," Zhao Wuji said bluntly.

Dai Mubai was shocked. "Teacher Zhao, this is not good..."

"When the dean isn't here, I am the leader. I make the decisions," Zhao Wuji cut him off."Tell them my strengths and characteristics."

With that, he tossed an incense stick to the ground and sat in a chair.

"Okay, Teacher Zhao," Dai Mubai said obediently. He turned to the group."I didn't expect Teacher Zhao would do it personally. Normally, you would face me instead."

"What is there to be afraid of? Even if he's a Soul Emperor, with five of us, we can survive half an hour easily," Xiao Wu said confidently, glancing at Wu Lan.She knew how strong her brother truly was. He could defeat a Soul Emperor with a single punch.

"No... he's not a Soul Emperor," Dai Mubai said slowly. "He's a Soul Saint. Level 76."

"Soul Saint?" All four of them exclaimed.

"Yes. His Martial Spirit is the Vigorous Vajra Bear. His characteristics are immense strength and unbreakable defense," Dai Mubai continued."You wouldn't be able to take even one attack at full strength. I think the teacher will be testing your cooperation."

As he spoke, Ning Rongrong stepped forward and offered more details based on what she knew of Zhao Wuji.

After the explanation, Dai Mubai said,"I've never seen Teacher Zhao use his full strength. So... pray for yourselves. And take time to get to know each other."

Hearing that, Tang San stepped forward.

"I am Tang San. My Martial Spirit is Blue Silver Grass. I'm level 21. Control-type."

Next, Ning Rongrong said,"I'm Ning Rongrong. My Martial Spirit is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I'm level 26. Support."

Then Zhu Zhuqing stepped up."Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Spirit is the Hell Spirit Cat. I'm level 27. Attack-type."

Lastly, Wu Lan said slowly,"I'm a healer with no combat power, so I'll just stand on the side."

Xiao Wu blinked, speechless.

Brother started pretending again...No combat power? She remembered clearly: he killed a Soul Emperor with one punch.Whoever believed he was weak would surely suffer.

But before she could say anything

"Hmph," Ning Rongrong sneered, arms crossed. "So basically... you're useless."

The air went quiet.

Wu Lan didn't respond. He just turned his head and smiled faintly.

But Xiao Wu's expression turned dark immediately.

"What did you say?"

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes also narrowed sharply. For once, her coldness held a hint of anger as she stared at Ning Rongrong.

Her hand clenched slightly, ready to attack.