Chapter 113 Xiao Wu: I really want to get close to Huo Yuhao.
Following the winding path deeper into Shrek Academy, Huo Yuhao, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai soon arrived at a wide-open space. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled patterns on the ground, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
At this moment, Huo Yuhao and his group naturally split into three teams. The first team consisted of Huo Yuhao, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
The second group consisted of Tang San and Xiao Wu.
The third team consisted of only Dai Mubai. As a senior member of Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai should have been the team leader leading everyone in the assessment. However, to Dai Mubai's embarrassment, Tang San and Huo Yuhao were more familiar with Shrek Academy than he was; they came to Shrek Academy as if they were in their own home, which was quite awkward.
Before long, the group arrived at an open space. Huo Yuhao stopped and looked across the open space at a burly middle-aged man of about fifty years old who was sitting in a chair with his eyes closed, resting.
This man had a resolute appearance, giving off an aura of authority without needing to be angry. This man was none other than the Immovable King, Zhao Wuji. The Immovable King Zhao Wuji can be considered one of the earliest teachers at Shrek Academy, and a statue of Zhao Wuji stands in the square of Shrek Academy ten thousand years later.
"Teacher Zhao, I've brought a group to conduct the fourth round of assessments."
Just as Huo Yuhao was pondering, Dai Mubai slowly walked towards Zhao Wuji.
Upon hearing Dai Mubai's words, Zhao Wuji immediately opened his eyes. When he saw Huo Yuhao, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, he widened his eyes in surprise: "Hmm? There are five people coming to the fourth level this year? This is truly a rare occurrence." His voice carried a hint of disbelief; clearly, such a situation was uncommon in his teaching career.
Dai Mubai slowly walked over and whispered something in Zhao Wuji's ear.
Then, Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up, and he stood up from his chair, staring intently at Huo Yuhao.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai raised his head smugly. He had deliberately exaggerated Huo Yuhao's situation to Zhao Wuji. He described Huo Yuhao as a rebellious troublemaker who relied on his high talent, was arrogant and lawless, with the aim of having Zhao Wuji curb Huo Yuhao's arrogance.
While Zhao Wuji was staring at Huo Yuhao, Huo Yuhao was also calmly observing Zhao Wuji. He noticed that Zhao Wuji was not tall and had an ordinary appearance, but his features were very rugged, perfectly matching his title of Immovable King.
Like most strength-type Soul Masters, he was extremely robust, with broad shoulders like city walls, giving him an indestructible appearance. His waist and thighs were very thick, especially the muscles on his thighs, which exuded power from a distance. Although he had a smile on his face, the oppressive aura emanating from him did not diminish in the slightest, as if he could unleash astonishing power at any moment.
"All five of them are above level twenty-five, which is truly impressive and outstanding!" Zhao Wuji's voice was full of praise.
"Moreover, there are even geniuses at the Soul Master and Soul Grandmaster levels. These are truly the two most outstanding Soul Masters I have ever seen. This is your final test. As long as you pass my test, you will be qualified to officially join the Shrek Academy family. However, I must tell you that my test is by no means easy. Practical experience is indispensable for every Soul Master. What I will be testing is your strength in this area."
While making these remarks, Zhao Wuji kept his gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao.
"My name is Zhao Wuji. Since the five of you have all been exempted from the second and third tests based on your strength, I will personally accompany you in a practical exercise. Now, I will give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to get to know each other and discuss tactics. After that, the real test will begin."
"The test is simple: the five of you must work together to withstand my attack for the duration of an incense stick burning. If even one of you can last until the end, you will all pass."
"I want you to understand that you shouldn't try to find shortcuts, because no one can escape this test area by speed alone. Also, I can tell you in advance that no one can withstand my attack on their own. Only through coordination and cooperation can you succeed in this test."
Even after learning that Tang San was a high-level Soul Master and Huo Yuhao had reached the level of a high-level Soul Grandmaster, Zhao Wuji's assessment criteria remained unchanged. Perhaps this was the absolute confidence he possessed as the Immovable King.
In Zhao Wuji's eyes, there was no difference between Soul Masters below level 70, whether they were Soul Emperors or Soul Kings. Zhao Wuji, at the Soul Emperor level, could fight against more than a dozen Soul Emperors simultaneously, which was extremely rare in the Soul Master world. Now, at level 76, Zhao Wuji was among the top Soul Saints, let alone a group of children.
Upon hearing Zhao Wuji's words, Zhu Zhuqing frowned. This teacher seemed far too arrogant. After all, Zhu Zhuqing knew Huo Yuhao's strength; he could instantly annihilate a group of Soul Master level experts, a feat almost unmatched among his peers. Was this Teacher Zhao simply confident in his abilities or simply overconfident and underestimating his opponent? She was filled with doubt and a touch of worry.
Just then, Ning Rongrong, who was standing to the side, suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Zhao Wuji, could it be that this person is Zhao Wuji, the Immovable King who disappeared from Douluo Continent for ten years?"
"Ten years ago, he was already a Soul Emperor-level expert, capable of fighting against more than a dozen Soul Emperors single-handedly, which caused a huge sensation at the time. Now, ten years later, he is probably a Soul Saint-level expert!" Ning Rongrong's voice was filled with surprise.
Seeing Ning Rongrong's somewhat surprised expression, Dai Mubai said with a smug look, "To tell you the truth, Teacher Zhao is none other than Immovable King Zhao Wuji, whose strength is already at the level of a Soul Saint of level seventy-six."
Dai Mubai's voice was filled with pride and arrogance, as if Zhao Wuji's strength was his own. He turned to Huo Yuhao and said provocatively, "Huo Yuhao, aren't you very arrogant? I'd like to see what you have left to be arrogant about in front of Teacher Zhao!" His eyes were full of provocation and anticipation, as if he could already see Huo Yuhao being brutally beaten by Zhao Wuji.
Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Xiao Wu couldn't help but move closer to Huo Yuhao. Her bright eyes shone with seriousness as she whispered to him, "You're Huo Yuhao, right? We should still cooperate later. After all, you heard that Zhao Wuji is a Soul Saint-level expert, very difficult to deal with."
Xiao Wu's words revealed a hint of worry, but also an indescribable sense of closeness. She herself felt strange, wondering why seeing Huo Yuhao brought her a special feeling of comfort, as if there was some inexplicable fate between them that made her want to get closer to him.
However, Tang Xiaosan seemed quite unfriendly to Huo Yuhao, so Xiao Wu didn't get too close to him either.
Tang San noticed Xiao Wu taking the initiative to approach Huo Yuhao, and his brows furrowed slightly involuntarily. He then slowly walked towards them, stood in front of Xiao Wu, and said to Huo Yuhao, "Xiao Wu is right. We may need to cooperate later. Without using those powers, we are indeed no match for Zhao Wuji at the moment."
Tang San knew that although his strength had significantly improved compared to his previous life, he still struggled greatly against an opponent like Zhao Wuji. After all, Zhao Wuji, in his Martial Soul True Form state, dared to go toe-to-toe with the Titan Giant Ape. Tang San knew he couldn't match such a formidable opponent without using divine power.
He speculated that Huo Yuhao's situation was similar to his own; although powerful, he still needed to be cautious when facing a strong opponent like Zhao Wuji. Despite the deep-seated hatred between Tang San and Huo Yuhao, neither would easily seek revenge before they both became gods.
Therefore, Tang San believed that rather than being adversaries now, it was better to cooperate and face their formidable enemy together. After all, cooperation would give them a better chance of winning against Zhao Wuji, and personal grudges could be put aside for the time being.
Huo Yuhao nodded, not refuting Tang San's words. After all, Huo Yuhao had also come with the intention of plundering the fortune, and he didn't want to reveal his strength at this time. He knew clearly that if he showed too much hostility towards Tang San and exposed his strength, it would only arouse Tang San's vigilance, and might even attract the attention of Tang San's father, Tang Hao.
Therefore, before becoming a god, let Tang San's life remain in his possession for now.
The two, each with their own agenda, temporarily joined forces to devise a plan. While concealing their true intentions, they outwardly displayed a tacit cooperative attitude.
After the group finished their discussion, Zhao Wuji stood up from his chair and stretched slightly. A series of crackling sounds emanated from his body. He grinned and said, "Judging from your expressions, you've probably figured it out. So, let's begin!"
(End of chapter)