Soul Land: I Am the True Grandmaster

Chapter 190: The "Fair and Just" Tang Da Hammer

Zhao Wuji, growing impatient, shouted loudly, "Are you ready?" The four candidates exchanged glances before Tang San stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Please advise us."

Zhao Wuji pulled out an incense stick, lighting it and placing it a short distance away. "Your task is to withstand my attacks for as long as it takes this incense to burn. If you manage that, you pass."

The four of them adopted serious expressions, taking their stances and preparing for the tug of war with Zhao Wuji. Although none of them expected true danger, given their connections or strong backgrounds, the idea of defeating a Spirit Saint still felt like a far off dream.

Tang San led the assault, activating his skill Binding Vines, wrapping Zhao Wuji in an attempt to pin him down. But Zhao Wuji stood rooted to the spot, completely unphased, letting the attacks roll over him like water off a duck's back.

"Eight Treasures has a name, the first is 'Strength,' the second is 'Speed!'" Ning Rongrong summoned her spirit, and the sight of her dazzling Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Zhao Wuji's eyes widened with recognition. "Seven Treasures Glazed Tile? No... an Eight Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"

Even among those gathered, nearly everyone knew of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, one of the upper three sects. But this pagoda before him was no ordinary version capped at level 79. The attention of all the onlookers sharpened, while Ning Rongrong wore a smug, proud smile.

Hidden nearby, Ye Wen was also surprised. He'd half expected the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan to be too conservative to successfully create this upgraded version. Still, as remarkable as an auxiliary spirit master might be, nothing could beat the power of battle armor.

Given the Eight Treasures Pagoda's importance, Ye Wen mused, Ning Rongrong had to be surrounded by unseen guards of considerable strength. But with Tang Hao lurking in the area, he avoided using his divine sense too recklessly, lest it brush against the hidden force of the God of Shura.

As Ye Wen carefully scanned the surrounding area with his divine sense, the other powerful presences in hiding quickly revealed themselves two Super Douluo of at least level 95 or above. This small affair at Shrek Academy had certainly drawn a high profile audience.

One presence felt erratic and somewhat unstable, undoubtedly Tang Hao. Ye Wen didn't linger in that direction, instead focusing on the other figure, a middle aged man with striking white hair and brows who radiated the energy of a poised blade, though he hadn't unleashed any power.

"Sword Douluo, Chen Xin," Ye Wen murmured. "No surprise. Given how the two Douluo from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan dote on Ning Rongrong, it's only natural they'd personally see to her safety. If she reveals the Eight Treasures Pagoda, their enemies might gladly send high level assassins to kill her. No doubt Ning Fengzhi has his hand in this too using this as a warning to dissuade others from threatening the clan and to teach Ning Rongrong a lesson in humility."

Meanwhile, Zhao Wuji remembered they were in the middle of an exam and coughed loudly. "What's with the dazing? Continue!"

"First soul skill: Soft, Sweet Healing Bean."

"Second soul skill: Crispy, Sweet Power Bean."

Shao Tiantian's skills granted her team both slight damage reduction and a limited healing effect, depending on their level difference with Zhao Wuji.

"First soul skill: Binding Vines!"

"First soul skill: Blood Boil!"

"Second soul skill: Charged Strike!"

The battle felt like one long display of filler moves, Zhao Wuji's tolerance for theatrics stretching even further than expected.

The original exam at least saw three students actively participating in the fight, but now two of them, both auxiliary spirit masters, were practically just spectating. Growing bored, Zhao Wuji flexed his soul power, shrugging off Tang San's restraints and tossing Li Jingliu into the air.

"Come on, are you even trying? That was nothing but a tickle show me some real spirit!" Zhao Wuji taunted, visibly amused.

Tang San and his group continued to put up a valiant effort, but Zhao Wuji was barely exerting himself, merely indulging in this extended sparring match for fun. With a single stick of incense lasting nearly half an hour, it wasn't long before the young spirit masters were running on empty.

Zhao Wuji, however, seemed content to pass them anyway. After all, his purpose wasn't to test combat prowess seriously at level 72, fighting younger spirit masters was hardly challenging.

"Not bad! You've got guts, daring to attack a stronger opponent. Good spirit master potential, though you're all a bit clumsy. You pass. Dai Mubai, get them set up in the dorms. I'm off for a nap; their scratching did me wonders!" Zhao Wuji laughed as he strode off.

Watching Zhao Wuji swagger away, Ye Wen shook his head in exasperation, throwing a sympathetic glance his way. Though Zhao Wuji had gone easy on Tang San, he'd still made the boy cough up blood; there'd be a price to pay later that evening.

With his observations complete, Ye Wen's mind turned to an idea involving Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.

As he anticipated, that night, just as Zhao Wuji was preparing to head out for some relaxation, a voice sounded beside him.

"Zhao Wuji, come here."

Zhao Wuji froze, his skin crawling, though he refused to show fear. He followed the voice cautiously. Only high level spirit masters could transmit sound directly like this, and the speaker was at least a Spirit Douluo.

Still, with his top level spirit, the Vigorous Vajra Bear, Zhao Wuji had faith in his own cross level combat skills. Plus, he had allies here at Shrek Academy. Nonetheless, a nagging thought emerged was this an old enemy coming to settle a score?

Arriving at the spot, Zhao Wuji saw a figure just as burly as himself, wearing a ragged cloak. The man's voice was deep as he asked, "Who are you?"

Stretching his wrist, Tang Hao replied calmly, "Just a father here to stand up for his kid."

Despite Zhao Wuji's rough appearance, he had a careful mind. Thinking back to the new students who'd enrolled today, he knew that two of them were kids he had personally watched grow up. That left only Tang San and Ning Rongrong as possibilities. Since Ning Rongrong was unharmed, the man before him had to be related to Tang San.

"Senior, it was just an entrance exam during the day. I even held back I didn't really injure your son. Is this really necessary?" Zhao Wuji tried to explain, noting how the man's aura grew more imposing by the second. The pressure was overwhelming, way beyond the level of a typical Spirit Douluo.

"Enough talk. You hit my kid, now you get to face me." Tang Hao's tone was absolute. "I'll keep it fair: I won't use my spirit. All you have to do is endure one incense stick's worth of time under my fists."

Zhao Wuji bristled at the insult. Even if this person was stronger, did he really need to be so demeaning?

Sensing the tension, Flender flew in, landing a bit of a distance away. Bowing respectfully, he asked, "May I know who I am addressing? If Zhao has done something wrong, I'll apologize on his behalf."

It was one of Flender's key survival rules: when in doubt, don't hesitate to back down. After all, this was clearly a figure far out of their league.

But Tang Hao didn't waste time with further explanations, summoning his spirit rings directly.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red

The distinctive combination of spirit rings, especially the one hundred thousand year red ring, was unmistakable. The two old hands in the spirit master world instantly realized who he was. Tang Hao was the only person in this era with such a legendary spirit ring lineup.

What followed was an absolute thrashing. Zhao Wuji's face was swollen and purple, unrecognizable as it took on the likeness of a pig's head. His injuries looked brutal, but Tang Hao finally seemed satisfied, the anger in his eyes receding.

Turning to Flender, Tang Hao said, "I'll leave Xiao San in your care." And with that, he vanished into the night.

It was only after he left that Flender dared to approach, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. The pain in his leg forced him to limp, each step a reminder of his injury.

Zhao Wuji, swollen and battered, looked at Flender with a resentful glare. "So much for loyalty."

Flender sighed. "You should count yourself lucky that the father of a titled Douluo's son didn't kill you on the spot. Quit complaining. Get up, I'll take you back for some treatment. You really need to change that temper of yours, or one day you'll find yourself paying a steeper price."

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