460. How Is This Possible

“Haha! A true monster indeed. Bring it on!”

Zhao Wuji showed no panic as he crouched, his body covered in brown fur. His height expanded to 2.5 meters, and his muscles bulged prominently.

As Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu's attacks landed, Zhao Wuji slammed his fists into the ground and tilted his head.

Xiao Wu's downward kick struck his shoulder as if hitting solid granite. She frowned slightly and immediately retreated.

Her soft skills struggled significantly against a Soul Master with abilities that granted near-immunity to physical strikes.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing’s Ghost Shadow Thrust was momentarily disrupted by the shockwave from Zhao Wuji’s ground strike.

“Heh.”

Zhao Wuji let out a strange laugh and immediately threw a punch.

Zhu Zhuqing crouched low, effortlessly dodging the blow. She used her footwork to maneuver behind him and once again aimed a thrust at his back.

Tang San, however, remained rooted in place, one hand on his waist, seemingly preparing for something.

Xiao Wu landed on the ground, glaring furiously at Tang San.

“Tang San! What are you doing just standing there? Shoot him already!”

“Do you want me to deal with you later, Tang San?”

With that, Xiao Wu charged forward again.

“Hey! If you keep standing there, I won’t waste my soul power on you!”

Ning Rongrong frowned as she stared at Tang San’s back, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

Control-type Soul Masters rarely fought in close combat. How could he be this hesitant?

Even Dai Mubai was puzzled as he watched Tang San.

“I’m waiting for the right opportunity,” Tang San weakly explained as he pulled out a Spine Piercing Needle.

“Seriously? Aren’t you supposed to be a control-type Soul Master? Who’s creating opportunities for whom here?”

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes and scoffed.

“I-I’ll shoot now!”

Tang San, unable to explain himself further, acted. A cold gleam shot out as the Spine Piercing Needle flew straight for Zhao Wuji’s eyes.

“Heh! So you’re playing dirty, huh?”

Zhao Wuji easily swatted the needle away and glanced at Tang San.

If this was his level, then perhaps he wasn’t Shrek material after all.

This is it?

Ning Rongrong stood there, dumbfounded.

“Hey, are you even a Soul Master? Throwing random stuff around—what kind of skill is that?”

Tang San’s face darkened as he stepped forward, using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to throw several Coin Darts at Zhao Wuji from the side.

“What’s with this guy?”

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips, a trace of contempt in her eyes.

“Third Soul Skill: Ghostly Slash!”

Zhu Zhuqing, positioned diagonally across from Tang San, frowned as she raised her hand and slashed downward.

The bold Xiao Wu saw the coordinated attacks against Zhao Wuji and activated her second soul ring.

Her eyes glowed red as she used her Charm ability, intending to cause a brief daze.

But as soon as she made eye contact with Zhao Wuji, she suffered backlash and let out a muffled groan.

“Ah!”

“Xiao Wu!”

Tang San’s eyes widened, and he cried out in alarm.

Zhao Wuji was briefly stunned but quickly recovered, his body glowing with golden light.

“First Soul Skill: Unmovable King’s Body!”

Golden light exploded outward, deflecting the Coin Darts and Ghostly Slash. Xiao Wu was sent flying into the air.

“Xiao Wu!”

Tang San shouted again, but Zhu Zhuqing used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step to rescue Xiao Wu and retreated to Ning Rongrong’s side.

Seeing Xiao Wu unconscious and bleeding from her nose and mouth, Zhu Zhuqing remembered Qian Renxue’s warning and angrily snapped:

“Tang San! When do you plan on using your soul skills?”

Controlling enemies should have been Tang San’s job as a control-type Soul Master.

“I…”

Tang San looked at the unconscious Xiao Wu and was at a loss for words. He clenched his fists, feeling a deep frustration toward his Blue Silver Grass martial soul.

His soul skills were nothing but a hindrance!

If the others started laughing at him… what would he do then?

“Don’t worry, she’s just unconscious from backlash. She’ll wake up after a nap,” Zhao Wuji said, casually rotating his shoulders to reassure them.

He looked at Tang San with thinly veiled contempt.

Zhu Zhuqing breathed a sigh of relief. She handed Xiao Wu over to Ning Rongrong and softly said:
“Ning Rongrong, please take care of her.”

“Got it!”

Ning Rongrong took Xiao Wu and carefully wiped the blood from her face.

Zhu Zhuqing then stood protectively in front of them.

“Hmm?”

Ning Rongrong suddenly froze, noticing Xiao Wu’s nose twitching. She couldn’t help but poke her delicate nose.

Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, trying to suppress her laughter. She quickly turned her face toward the ground.

“…”

Ning Rongrong was confused.

What’s going on?

“Shh! Don’t say anything. I’ll treat you to a big meal later, okay?”

Xiao Wu buried her face in Ning Rongrong’s arms, whispering softly. She hadn’t used her full strength earlier, and most of her injuries were fake.

She knew Tang San’s personality all too well!

There was no need for her to act. Tang San would take the beating himself.

“You—”

Ning Rongrong was about to say something when Zhao Wuji’s booming voice echoed nearby.

“Kid, being at level 25 is impressive, but if this is all you can do, Shrek Academy might not be for you.”

It was obvious.

Zhao Wuji’s words were telling Tang San outright: you’re not qualified!

Even though he had said earlier that as long as someone could stay standing, they’d pass the test, Tang San’s performance was far too lackluster.

Tang San’s face darkened as he tightly clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with purple light.

“Well then, I’ll trouble Teacher Zhao to guide me further!”



Ning Rongrong raised her gaze to look at Zhu Zhuqing and the others, positioned in a triangular formation.

She was slightly surprised at Tang San’s courage.

Zhu Zhuqing squinted her eyes slightly. Purple Demon Eye… so, he’s a thief.

Tang San glanced at Xiao Wu, his eyes full of guilt.

He spoke seriously, “Zhu Zhuqing, you don’t need to act in the next round. Leave it to me!”

“Oh? Fine, I’ll be your backup.”

Zhu Zhuqing thought briefly and nodded in agreement.

Ning Rongrong was momentarily dazed, finally understanding why Xiao Wu pretended to be injured.

For some reason, she silently chose not to speak up.

A slight smile played on Xiao Wu’s lips. What a fool!

“Xiao Wu, I’ll make it up to you!” Tang San promised solemnly before quickly discussing strategies with Zhao Wuji and Zhu Zhuqing.

The plan was simple: Zhu Zhuqing would cover him, while Tang San focused on the offensive.

Zhu Zhuqing was also curious to see just how skilled Tang San was with hidden weapons.

Moments later, the test resumed.

Carrying the burden of Xiao Wu’s supposed injuries, Tang San’s eyes turned fierce.

At this point, only one-third of the incense stick had burned.

With Purple Demon Eye and Mysterious Jade Hand activated, Tang San held nothing back.

He unleashed an array of hidden weapons: Spine Piercing Needles, Willow Leaf Knives, Coin Darts, and Flying Locust Stones, all targeting Zhao Wuji’s vital points—carotid artery, ears, eyes, neck, and groin—each strike aimed precisely without overlap.

Unfortunately, Tang San’s low soul power limited his strength. No matter how accurate his throws were, they couldn’t break through Zhao Wuji’s defenses.

Dai Mubai swallowed nervously. Thank goodness Tang San didn’t target me with those.

“Bah! Third Soul Skill: Gravity Domain!”

Zhao Wuji spat out the poison from the flower-crossbow bolt Tang San had launched earlier. His third soul ring lit up, and a gravity field engulfed the area, reducing the power of Tang San’s hidden weapons.

“You brat! Using poison on me? Fourth Soul Skill: Tracking Position!”

A purple soul ring locked onto Tang San, instantly closing the distance between him and Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji’s Titan Palm struck out, shattering Tang San’s Zhuge Crossbow into pieces.

“Not good!”

“Ugh!”

Tang San took the hit head-on, coughing up blood as he was sent flying. Hidden weapons spilled from his body as he crashed heavily to the ground, nearly losing his ability to fight.

He was far weaker than he had been at this stage in his original timeline.

A soul master with no functioning soul skills!

At this point, only two-thirds of the incense stick had burned.

Xiao Wu almost couldn’t contain herself from leaping up in frustration!

Seeing Tang San struggling to even get up, Zhu Zhuqing finally decided to intervene.

Swoosh!

“What was that?!”

Zhao Wuji retracted his hand, which had been reaching for Tang San, as a silver arrow whizzed past his ear.

Startled, he tilted his head to dodge.

Thud!

The silver arrow struck a large tree next to Dai Mubai, piercing straight through.

“Holy crap!”

Dai Mubai jumped back in fright, his heart pounding.

Cold sweat dripped down Zhao Wuji’s forehead. If that arrow had hit him, he might have lost an ear!

“A soul tool crossbow?!”

Ning Rongrong’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was now certain—Zhu Zhuqing must be connected to Qian Renxue!

“What is that?”

Tang San, lying on the ground, stared in shock at the crossbow in Zhu Zhuqing’s hand.

It was even more powerful than his Zhuge Crossbow.

Clack!

Suddenly, Tang San noticed a pair of boots in front of him.

He looked up to see Zhu Zhuqing—or rather, one of her clones!

“A Thousand and One Nights!”

Seven cold voices rang out simultaneously.

Hearing the familiar name, Tang San’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“What the hell?! Another porcupine?!”

Zhao Wuji no longer dared to underestimate them.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhu Zhuqing’s six clones had spread out, each carrying a large pouch filled with hidden weapons.

They all simultaneously unleashed their payload on Zhao Wuji.

A Thousand and One Nights—though Zhu Zhuqing’s technique wasn’t perfect, her clones made up for her shortcomings!

Tang San stared blankly at Zhu Zhuqing’s hidden weapon techniques, as if he were dreaming.

How is this possible? Someone in this world actually knows how to use Tang Sect hidden weapons?!

Golden threads seemed to flash before Tang San’s eyes, followed by Zhao Wuji’s anguished screams.

As he watched the blood well up from Zhao Wuji’s wounds, Tang San finally understood why Zhu Zhuqing refused to sell her crystal board to him.

She not only knew what it was but also knew how to use Dragon Beard Needles.

“No… no way!”

Tang San shook his head frantically.

How could someone in this world know the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record? Did the Tang Sect come here as well?!