Chapter 23: Full Firepower—Beating Zhao Wuji to the Ground!

Just as Oscar was about to give up on selling his sausage,

Tang Lan stepped forward.

He grabbed a sausage, placed five copper soul coins on the cart,

And, under everyone's stunned gaze—

Took a bite.

"Ssss—"

Juicy!

"Not bad at all," Tang Lan praised.

"It replenishes soul power and stamina—very useful."

He glanced at everyone's disgusted expressions and raised a brow.

"Aside from us five new students, there are only three senior students in this academy."

"Whether it's soul master battles or team fights in the Spirit Arena, you'll all rely on Oscar, the support-type soul master."

"You'll have to eat it eventually, so what's the point of rejecting it now?"

His words stunned the group.

Oscar was moved to tears.

"Brother! You are truly my brother!"

"Finally! Someone who understands me!"

"Waaah—!"

System Notification

[Host has gained Oscar's recognition, stealing a small portion of Tang San's luck!]

[Reward: +50 Soul Ring Years!]

Oh?

Tang Lan had just been flexing a little,

But he ended up getting a reward too!

Dai Mubai's Approval

Dai Mubai nodded in admiration.

"Tang Lan, your vision is really broad!"

"I took over a year before I dared to eat his sausages."

This only proved Tang Lan's prediction correct.

The Domino Effect

Xiao Wu was the most obedient to Tang Lan.

Even though she was still annoyed,

She gritted her teeth and stepped forward.

"Fine! Give me one!"

Surprisingly—

Zhu Zhuqing was the second one to follow suit.

Without saying a word, she placed down a coin, grabbed a sausage, and swallowed it whole!

Tang Lan's brows twitched.

"Damn—who knew Zhu Zhuqing had this talent?"

"Might be worth exploring later…"

Tang San also mentally prepared himself before reluctantly eating one.

This left only Ning Rongrong,

Who stood there with pure disdain,

Completely uninterested.

This stubborn independence made her stand out even more.

Oscar had originally felt some attraction toward her—

That kind of shallow interest in a pretty girl.

But now?

Even as a natural flirt, he had no intention of chasing someone who looked down on him.

He wasn't that desperate.

His interest in Ning Rongrong faded completely.

Skipping to the Fourth Test

After leaving Oscar,

The group easily passed the second and third tests.

The second test had some minor trouble,

But the moment Xiao Wu revealed her three soul rings,

Everything came to a dead stop.

Then, they arrived at the fourth test.

Meet Zhao Wuji

As they stepped onto the field,

A large, bear-like man sniffed the air and grinned.

"Well now!"

"A Rank 26, two Rank 27s, and a Rank 31."

"Hmm?"

His nose twitched as he stopped in front of Tang Lan.

"You—"

Something felt off.

Dai Mubai Exposes the Truth

Dai Mubai sighed helplessly.

"Zhao Laoshi, I can't be the proctor this time."

Usually, this test was Dai Mubai's responsibility—

But today's participants were too absurd.

He couldn't even beat Tang Lan himself.

Zhao Wuji nodded.

"Yeah, this would be too much for you."

"Alright, I'll be the proctor."

"You get one incense stick's time to prepare."

"Survive against me for the full duration, and you pass."

"Teamwork is your only chance."

With that,

He lit a stick of incense and stood with arms crossed, striking a pose.

Dai Mubai then quickly explained the test—

And gave a rundown on Zhao Wuji's reputation.

The Legend of Zhao Wuji

"Not Moving King Zhao Wuji—Rank 76 Assault System Battle Soul Sage."

"Martial Soul: Powerful Vajra Bear."

"His body is practically unbreakable."

"When he was still a Soul Emperor, he survived an ambush from sixteen Soul Emperors of the Martial Soul Hall and fought his way out."

"In short, he's insanely strong."

"Coordinate well and try to last as long as possible."

Dai Mubai stepped back, leaving space for the fight.

The Team Looks to Tang Lan

Everyone instinctively turned toward Tang Lan.

"Dai Mubai," Ning Rongrong suddenly asked.

"Are you stepping down because of him?"

"You two knew each other before this?"

Chapter 23: Full Firepower—Beating Zhao Wuji to the Ground!

Dai Mubai looked away, his expression uneasy.

Crap!

Was his embarrassing loss about to be exposed?!

"Yeah, we fought before." Tang Lan chuckled, brushing it off.

"Not important—let's introduce ourselves first."

Dai Mubai exhaled in relief.

He shot Tang Lan a grateful look—

"Good bro, giving me some dignity!"

The Revelation—Tang Lan, Rank 40!

"I'll go first," Tang Lan said, summoning his Martial Soul.

The golden vines of his Life Soul Blue Silver Emperor unfurled,

Three soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple—glowed brightly.

"Tang Lan, 12 years old, mutated Martial Soul: Life Soul Blue Silver Emperor, Rank 40 Control System Battle Soul Master."

Zhu Zhuqing, despite already knowing, still had a sharp reaction.

"This guy's Martial Soul is mutated?!"

"And he's a twin Martial Soul wielder, meaning the other one…"

As for Ning Rongrong—

She slowly blinked, as if trying to process what she just heard.

"What the hell?"

Rank 40?!!

"Impossible!" she blurted.

"Even if Blue Silver Grass mutated, there's no way it could be trained to Rank 40! And at 12 years old?!"

Tang Lan didn't bother explaining—

He simply unleashed his overwhelming soul power.

A pressure heavier than anyone at his level should have swept over them.

"As the highest-ranked Control System Soul Master here, I will lead this battle."

"Anyone got a problem?"

Unanimous Agreement

Tang San and Xiao Wu nodded instantly.

Zhu Zhuqing, having personally fought alongside Tang Lan before,

Didn't hesitate to nod.

Ning Rongrong?

Did she even have a say?

No matter who commanded, she wouldn't be the one fighting upfront.

So, she just nodded along.

"Good."

"Now, let's do proper introductions."

Team Introductions

Xiao Wu immediately stepped up.

"Xiao Wu, Beast Martial Soul: Soft Bone Rabbit, Rank 31 Agile Attack System Battle Soul Master!"

"Tang San, Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, Rank 27 Control System Battle Soul Master."

"Zhu Zhuqing, Beast Martial Soul: Netherworld Spirit Cat, Rank 27 Agile Attack System Battle Soul Master."

The three then looked at Ning Rongrong.

Ning Rongrong, having recovered from her earlier shock,

Gave Tang Lan a deep look before speaking.

"Ning Rongrong, Martial Soul: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Rank 26 Support System Soul Master."

"I can enhance strength and speed by 30%."

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances.

No wonder she acted like a princess—

She was a princess.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's young lady.

"I ran away from home, too." Ning Rongrong shrugged.

"Let's just focus on passing this test first."

Tang Lan nodded.

Guns Enter the Battle

He retrieved a Python Revolver from his Blue Silver King storage and handed it to Xiao Wu.

"Xiao Wu, teach Ning Rongrong how to use this."

It was a rare opportunity to let the "princess" test out modern firepower.

Xiao Wu huffed, but still took the revolver.

She also handed her own revolver to Ning Rongrong.

Zhu Zhuqing's Question

Suddenly, Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward.

"That technique of yours… can you use it?"

She was clearly referring to his second Martial Soul.

Tang Lan hadn't mentioned his Twin Martial Souls during introductions.

She was probing without being direct.

Tang Lan considered it.

Zhao Wuji had seen all sorts of things—

Even if he changed the shape of the Thunderflame Clear Sky Hammer,

Once he used Clear Sky techniques, it could still be recognized.

But—

Tang Hao was lurking nearby.

He'd probably drop in on Zhao Wuji later for a "chat."

So, there was no need to worry about exposure.

Besides—

These people were his future teammates.

There was no point in hiding it from them.

Most importantly…

He wanted to pass this test in one go,

And not give Tang San a chance to show off his hidden weapons.

So—

He shook his head.

"This fight… I'm going all out."

"I won't be able to focus on guiding you mid-battle."

"Instead of splitting my attention for a mere boost, I'd rather concentrate on fighting."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and stepped back.

Tactical Formation

Once Ning Rongrong finished learning the revolver mechanics,

Tang Lan began strategizing.

The five of them spread out into formation—

Tang Lan and Tang San at the front,

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing flanking,

Ning Rongrong protected in the back.

Zhao Wuji Smirks

Zhao Wuji opened his eyes.

"Oh? Starting already?"

Tang Lan smiled.

"We seek your guidance, Teacher Zhao."

"If we are disrespectful in battle, please forgive us."

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily.

"Hahaha!"

"So what if you're Rank 40?"

"What can a 12-year-old do against me?"

"Come at me with all you've got!"

So confident.

Hope you'll still be laughing in a moment.

Tang Lan raised his hand.

"Attack!"

(End of Chapter)