Soul Land: Full Body Martial Soul

Dai Mubai, upon hearing Zhao Wuji's declaration, quickly protested with obvious concern. "Teacher Zhao, that arrangement doesn't seem really appropriate, does it? The Dean specifically arranged for me to assess and evaluate the new students."

Zhao Wuji glared directly at Dai Mubai with unmistakable authority. "What's inappropriate about my decision? The Dean isn't currently here at the academy. I'm the highest authority present in the academy right now. I decide how the assessment will be conducted, and that's exactly how it will be done."

Immediately afterward, Zhao Wuji turned his intimidating attention toward Yang Xiong and the other four candidates. "Five little monsters, my name is Zhao Wuji. The content of my assessment is remarkably simple and straightforward. As long as the five of you can survive and last under my attacks for the time it takes an incense stick to burn completely, even if only one person manages to persist until the very end, then you will have successfully passed this assessment."

"However, let me state clearly in advance - don't even think about trying to be clever or use tricks in front of me. At the very least, with your current level of power, there's absolutely no point in attempting to be clever in my presence. Also, as individual fighters, it's completely impossible for any of you to resist me alone. So, listen carefully to Little Bai's advice and work together to analyze tactics for dealing with me."

Seeing Zhao Wuji settle back into his position and close his eyes to rest calmly, Dai Mubai quickly gathered the five candidates together, his expression displaying deep concern and seriousness.

After the group approached and huddled together, Dai Mubai's face showed genuine worry and tension. "I'm afraid I can't help you this time around. Originally, this final stage assessment was supposed to be conducted by me personally, but I didn't expect Teacher Zhao to decide he would personally evaluate you instead. Now you're all in serious trouble."

Xiao Wu smiled with apparent confidence and curiosity. "Could this Teacher Zhao possibly be a Spirit Emperor powerhouse like the teacher we encountered at the entrance gate?"

Dai Mubai shook his head gravely. "He's not merely a Spirit Emperor - he's actually a Spirit Saint. Teacher Zhao is a level seventy-six Strength Attack System Battle Spirit Saint. His martial spirit is the mighty Vajra Bear, which is considered a very powerful beast martial spirit. His entire body is virtually without any weaknesses or flaws, and his attack power is absolutely devastating. He also serves as the Vice-Dean of our academy."

"Teacher Zhao's well-known nickname throughout the spirit master world is the Immovable King. Don't even mention just the five of you - even with me added to your group, we might not be able to last for the time it takes an incense stick to burn completely. You're all in extremely serious trouble now."

Everyone's eyes widened with shock and growing apprehension upon hearing this revelation. Even Yang Xiong's typically confident expression became noticeably more serious and concerned. If their collective strength were somewhat weaker, perhaps they could rely on various clever techniques and strategies to last for the required duration. But facing a Spirit Saint was completely different from any previous challenge, especially a Spirit Saint who possessed the ability to manipulate gravity itself.

Ning Rongrong then spoke with genuine surprise and recognition. "He's actually the legendary Immovable King Zhao Wuji! More than ten years ago, Zhao Wuji had a major conflict and confrontation with the powerful Spirit Hall organization. In order to deal with him effectively, the Spirit Hall sent sixteen bishops to besiege him simultaneously, but he still managed to escape alive and relatively unharmed. You have to understand that the bishops of the Spirit Hall are all Spirit Emperors above level sixty, and at that time, Zhao Wuji was only a Spirit Emperor himself."

Everyone's expressions became even more serious and worried upon hearing this historical context. Clearly, a Spirit Saint represented a true master even within the entire spirit master world. At the very least, Zhao Wuji should be considered one of the top experts and most powerful individuals in all of Soto City.

Yang Xiong took charge of the strategic discussion. "Let's all share information about our own strengths and abilities first, then see how we can effectively deal with Zhao Wuji and figure out how to survive through the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

Everyone gathered closer together and began reporting their martial spirits and specific abilities.

Tang San took the lead and spoke clearly. "My name is Tang San, my martial spirit is Blue Silver Grass, and I am a level twenty-nine Control System Battle Spirit Master."

Xiao Wu also quickly followed with her introduction. "My name is Xiao Wu, my martial spirit is Rabbit, and I am a level twenty-nine Strength Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

Next came Ning Rongrong's turn. "My name is Ning Rongrong, my martial spirit is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and I am a level twenty-eight Auxiliary System Tool Spirit Master."

Zhu Zhuqing also spoke, though coldly and tersely. "Zhu Zhuqing, my martial spirit is Hell Civet, and I am a level twenty-seven Agility Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

Finally, Yang Xiong concluded the introductions. "Yang Xiong, my martial spirit is my own physical body, and I am a level twenty-six Strength Attack System Battle Spirit Master."

After everyone had completed reporting their martial spirits and abilities, the group's attention focused particularly on Ning Rongrong and Yang Xiong. One possessed the legendary Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial spirit, while the other claimed a body martial spirit that none of them had ever heard of before.

Tang San had obviously heard legends about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. "Are you actually from the famous Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School?"

Ning Rongrong's face displayed a mischievous and playful expression. "Don't worry about my background or family connections. Little Xiong and I both ran away from home to be here."

Dai Mubai observed the five candidates carefully. "The combination and balance of the five of you is actually quite good - two strength attackers, one agility attacker, one controller, and one supporter. You'd better discuss some effective delaying tactics and strategies."

Tang San took the initiative to propose their formation. "How about this tactical arrangement? Ning Rongrong provides crucial support from the rear, Xiao Wu and Yang Xiong take responsibility for strength attacks, Zhu Zhuqing handles flanking support and mobility, and I will attempt to control and limit Teacher Zhao's attacks."

Xiao Wu and the other three candidates nodded in agreement with this basic strategy.

Yang Xiong then spoke up with an important concern. "Wait just a moment. As everyone should know from basic battlefield tactics, support personnel are always targeted and attacked first by intelligent opponents. Doesn't anyone think we need to assign someone specifically to protect Rongrong?"

Tang San and the others were genuinely stunned upon hearing this crucial observation. They had clearly overlooked the fundamental need to protect Ning Rongrong, their essential support member.

In fact, with Zhao Wuji's overwhelming strength as a Spirit Saint, it would be relatively easy for him to defeat several Spirit Grandmasters, and he wouldn't even need to use his full martial spirit power.

Looking at the original Shrek Seven Devils formation, their lineup was obviously much stronger in offensive attack than defensive protection. There wasn't even a single defense system spirit master among them. If the two sides became locked in an extended battle, the support members would become easy and vulnerable targets.

Yang Xiong continued with his strategic analysis. "I can function as both a Strength Attack System Spirit Master and a Defense System Spirit Master. The three of you can focus on besieging Teacher Zhao directly, while I will concentrate on protecting Rongrong and providing defensive support. This approach will also help us delay time more effectively."

Everyone expressed surprise at this revelation. They hadn't expected Yang Xiong to be capable of functioning as both a Strength Attack System and a Defense System spirit master. This type of versatile spirit master was quite uncommon and rare in the spirit master world.

Soon, the five candidates arranged themselves in their battle formation. Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong positioned themselves at the back, Tang San took the middle position, and Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing moved to the front lines.

When everyone summoned their martial spirits and spirit rings, especially when Ning Rongrong summoned the magnificent Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, Zhao Wuji on the opposite side also expressed visible surprise and interest.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda - it seems I underestimated your group's potential quite a bit. Get ready and prepare yourselves. Let's begin this assessment."

Zhao Wuji produced an incense stick, ignited it directly with his spirit power, and planted it firmly in the ground to serve as their timer.

Ning Rongrong immediately took the lead in providing essential support. Four brilliant rays of light emanated from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, quickly merging into the bodies of Yang Xiong and the other three fighters.

"Seven treasures are famous, the first is strength, the second is speed."

Yang Xiong and the other three immediately felt as if they had become much more agile and nimble, while their physical strength had also increased dramatically. The overall improvement to their abilities was estimated to be over thirty percent.

Just as everyone was preparing to launch their coordinated attack, Zhao Wuji directly struck his powerful hands against the ground, as if unleashing a devastating force that erupted from the earth itself.

Everyone instantly understood what Zhao Wuji intended to accomplish. He clearly wanted to defeat their support member in the first few moments, and he had just used gravity control - a rare ranged attack capability for what was supposedly a pure strength-type spirit master.

However, Yang Xiong had anticipated this exact strategy and immediately pushed Ning Rongrong away from danger, throwing a powerful punch directly at the force erupting from the ground. The two opposing forces collided with tremendous impact, and Yang Xiong was knocked backward several meters from the sheer power.

Zhao Wuji also expressed mild surprise at this resistance. "Oh, your strength is actually not bad at all, but it's unfortunate that you're still a little too young and inexperienced."

Immediately afterward, multiple devastating forces erupted continuously from the ground in rapid succession, all clearly aimed directly at eliminating Ning Rongrong.

Yang Xiong grabbed Ning Rongrong's hand and ran quickly across the battlefield, desperately trying to avoid Zhao Wuji's relentless attacks. When evasion became impossible, he threw powerful punches to counter the erupting forces.

Tang San and the other three also sprang into action with their coordinated assault. Countless Blue Silver Grass vines flew out from the ground in complex patterns, while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing moved to restrain Zhao Wuji from the front with their direct attacks.

----------------

You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion