"Okay, everyone's here." Du Feng and Dai Mubai stopped at a small clearing, leading Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to a quiet spot. There, a middle-aged man in his fifties lounged in a rocking chair, basking lazily in the sun, eyes half-closed as if napping.
"Teacher Zhao, don't sleep! Mu Bai and I are here to bring the new students for the assessment," Dai Mubai called out.
The man stirred, opening his hazy, sleepy eyes. "Oh? Are there any who can reach my level this year? Really… four of them?" Zao Wou-ki's interest piqued instantly.
Dai Mubai nodded. "Yes, and all four are exempt from the second and third levels."
Zao Wou-ki sat up with a thud, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Level twenty-five and above… excellent. Looks like this year's students are exceptional. I am here for the final stage. Pass my test, and you can officially join Shrek Academy."
He looked at Tang San and the others with a small smile. "My name is Zao Wou-ki. Since you're exempt from stages two and three, I'll personally deal with you today. I'll give you one incense stick's worth of time to observe each other and plan your strategy. And let me remind you: don't think about opportunism—within this distance, no one can dodge my attacks. Cooperation is your only way to survive this assessment. Hold the incense in your hand if you want to pass—it won't protect you beyond that."
Du Feng muttered under his breath, barely holding back a laugh, "Teacher Zhao, shouldn't this stage be meant for me or Dai Mubai? You're giving them a chance to live?"
Zao Wou-ki's eyes snapped open. "What's wrong? The dean isn't here, so I have the final say. I do as I please!" He lifted a finger and waved toward Du Feng. "Light the incense. You'll introduce them properly—I won't make it easy for them to get eliminated."
Du Feng sighed inwardly. Looks like today, Zao Wou-ki is going to get hammered twice. I wanted to warn him, but that tiger-like face… no persuasion will work. Fine, let him wait for his comeuppance later.
With that, Zao Wou-ki pulled a single incense stick from his cuff, rubbed it between two fingers, and set it firmly into the ground. Then, lying back in his chair, he pretended to nap again.
Du Feng chuckled. The king of thirteen, pretending to sleep… I'm not even mad. Let him enjoy his false kingliness before the slap comes.
Tang San and the others, unaware of the danger, looked around curiously. Dai Mubai's expression, however, was serious. "Come closer. Let me introduce you to him properly."
The four students formed a circle around Dai Mubai and Du Feng.
Dai Mubai spoke solemnly. "Alright, I can't sugarcoat this. Teacher Zhao taking action personally… it's serious business."
Du Feng, standing to the side, couldn't resist muttering, "I can see everything. I'm a prophet."
Xiao Wu, sensing the tension, asked, "Why so nervous? He's not a Soul Emperor again, right?"
Du Feng hurriedly replied, "Of course not—Teacher Zhao is not a Soul Emperor."
Xiao Wu's smile returned slightly. "Even so, we're near level thirty. But one stick of incense in a Soul King's hands… we can't just walk through this. Why are you all so tense?"
Dai Mubai glared at Xiao Wu. "Du Feng said he's not a Soul Emperor. Do you think he's a Soul King? Teacher Zhao is a Soul Saint. If he were easy, I wouldn't even be standing here."
Du Feng elaborated. "Teacher Zhao is a seventy-sixth-level Soul Saint. His martial soul is a Vajra Bear—immensely powerful and durable. He's earned the nickname 'Immovable Ming King.' Within the academy, only the dean surpasses his strength, and he serves as vice principal."
Dai Mubai added, "He got that title because, as a Soul Emperor, he broke through the siege of sixteen Soul Emperors from the Wuhun Hall—alive. You need to know this: the first wave of his attack can easily annihilate you if you're unprepared."
Tang San and Xiao Wu's eyes widened. Soul Saint. The very existence that could dictate the outcome of a battle single-handedly. And now, they were asked to hold a stick of incense under his hands. This wasn't a joke.
Xiao Wu's earlier smile vanished, replaced by unease.
Du Feng continued, "Enough worrying. Listen carefully. You must discuss countermeasures, or Teacher Zhao will flatten you."
He explained further. "His martial soul, the Vajra Bear, is almost impervious. Even a Soul Master of equal level struggles to break through its defense—that's why he survived the sixteen Soul Emperors. His speed isn't exceptional, but his soul power far surpasses yours. Even if we—me and Dai Mubai—join the fight, we couldn't survive more than a few seconds if he goes all out. Now, it's up to your teamwork to get through the assessment."
Ning Rongrong gasped. "He's the Immovable Ming King? I'd heard of his fame during the Soul Emperor era… I didn't expect him to be at Shrek Academy as a teacher now, and even stronger as a Soul Saint!"
Dai Mubai nodded. "Count your blessings. I've never seen him unleash his full strength, and even then…"
Du Feng added, "Teacher Zhao has two yellow, two purple, and three black soul rings—the optimal ratio. All of his soul skills increase either defense or attack. You can imagine the nightmare that is."
Dai Mubai finished, "Now, introduce yourselves—name, martial soul, soul power level, and abilities. You'll need to strategize together. Du Feng and I cannot advise you here. This is your challenge."