Chapter 64: Battle Against Zhao Wuji
The trial officially began.
At the back of the group, Ning Rongrong quietly summoned the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Her lips parted softly as she began her chant:
"Nine treasures turn and shine of glass. Of the nine treasures, the first is—Strength."
The pagoda rotated elegantly, and her first spirit ring lit up. Three beams of light fell upon Luo Ling, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Nine treasures turn and shine of glass. Of the nine treasures, the second is—Speed."
The second ring glowed, sending another trio of light beams to the same three.
"Nine treasures turn and shine of glass. Of the nine treasures, the third is—Soul."
The third ring flared, pouring a final wave of radiance over them.
In the distance, Tang San looked somewhat dazed. Luo Ling, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing were all buffed; only he was left out.
Ning Rongrong noticed his awkward expression and smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, with my current strength, I can only assist three people at once."
Tang San's mouth twitched, but he didn't complain. It made sense—his Blue Silver Grass played mostly a supporting role anyway, so he wasn't priority material.
Meanwhile, Luo Ling and the others felt their strength surge under the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda's amplification.
"The Seven Treasures—no, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda," Zhao Wuji muttered in awe from across the field. "It truly deserves the name of the greatest auxiliary Martial Soul in the world."
The moment he finished speaking, he charged straight toward Ning Rongrong.
In a team fight, the support was always the highest priority target—especially when that support possessed the Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda.
Seeing this, Tang San's heart sank. His teacher had also warned him—if you ever face someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, take them out first.
He quickly whipped out Blue Silver Grass, trying to pull Ning Rongrong out of danger.
But before he could, Luo Ling moved.
He raised his black scythe and pointed it at Ning Rongrong. A deep crimson wave of energy shot toward her.
The illusionary first spirit ring at his feet lit up.
An instant later, Ning Rongrong vanished completely.
First Soul Skill: Ghost Concealment!
This ability, from the Soul of Desire, could be applied not only to himself but also to allies.
"Teacher Zhao, why don't you play with us instead?" Luo Ling's calm voice echoed lightly.
Zhao Wuji's massive body swiped forward, but his hands grasped only air. It took him a moment to realize what had just happened.
The girl had completely disappeared—no trace, no flicker of aura.
Everyone was stunned. Even Tang San's Blue Silver Grass paused midair.
"That's your soul skill? Invisibility?" Zhao Wuji asked, baffled. He had never seen such a strange ability.
Luo Ling didn't respond—he swung his scythe and charged.
"You're an assault-type soul master. What's a stealth skill doing in your arsenal?" Zhao Wuji grumbled, blocking lazily.
But before he could finish, the scythe slashed down at his arm.
At first, Zhao Wuji didn't care. This was just a forty-sixth-rank Soul Sect. He was a Soul Saint—one who specialized in defense, no less.
Yet the moment the blade met his skin, his confidence shattered.
A sharp, burning pain spread through his arm, his vision swimming slightly.
He instantly unleashed his Martial Soul.
Seven rings—two yellow, two purple, three black—rose from beneath his feet as his body ballooned to over two and a half meters, coated in a layer of brown bear fur.
"You brat… your Martial Soul carries corrosion? And—mental poison?"
He stared at the black mark now etching itself across his arm, his expression dark.
To think that in a spar with a mere Soul Sect, he'd actually come off worse from the very first exchange.
Luo Ling smiled faintly. His Shadow Scythe had no mental attack—it carried a hallucinogenic toxin. The difference mattered. Even with Zhao Wuji's near immunity to psychic harm, poisons that affected the flesh were another story.
Dai Mubai's jaw dropped. He knew Zhao Wuji's power better than anyone. Even at full strength, he wouldn't leave a scratch—but Luo Ling managed it in one clean strike.
"Impressive! Seems I'll have to take you seriously," Zhao Wuji roared and lunged forward again.
He was fast—yet Tang San acted at once. Blue Silver Grass shot out, wrapping around Zhao Wuji in binding vines.
At the same time, another vine reached toward Luo Ling—trying to pull him back out of danger.
Luo Ling sidestepped easily.
"Focus on protecting them," he said quietly. The Desire's Soul Garment activated.
The fabricated second spirit ring glowed, a shadowy cloak forming around his figure.
His speed and power skyrocketed. In the blink of an eye, he vanished, reappearing behind Zhao Wuji just as the older man swung his massive palm.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing used the opening to strike.
Xiao Wu leapt high, using Tang San's vine as leverage to flip through the air—her kick blazing toward Zhao Wuji's jaw at incredible speed.
For a moment, the scene almost resembled a hero's pose—a masked rider turned into a delicate girl mid-kick.
At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing blurred forward in a flash of afterimages, claws glowing with icy brilliance.
Second Soul Skill: Ghostly Hundred Claws.
Dozens of razor-sharp slashes erupted in rapid succession.
Their speed was impressive—but their attacks lacked real force. Against Zhao Wuji, it was like scratching iron.
He grinned grimly as both attacks closed in.
With a metallic boom, golden light burst from his body.
First Soul Skill of the Vigorous Vajra Bear: Immovable Vajra Body!
A deafening roar followed as a wave of invisible pressure exploded outward.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were thrown back instantly.
Zhu Zhuqing cried out, coughing blood midair before losing consciousness.
Dai Mubai rushed forward to catch her—but before he could, a shadow blurred past.
Luo Ling appeared first, cradling Zhu Zhuqing gently in his arms.
Dai Mubai froze, hand still suspended midair.
Luo Ling ignored him, his fourth spirit ring glowing faintly.
Fourth Soul Skill: Displacement Phantom.
He flickered out of sight and reappeared beneath Xiao Wu—catching her too before she hit the ground.
Still conscious, Xiao Wu stared up at him blankly, confusion and heat blooming on her cheeks.
Even Zhao Wuji paused mid-swing, rubbing his forehead. "Kid, you really are tender-hearted, huh? Saving both girls at once?"
Luo Ling chuckled lightly. "Of course. I'm a gentleman."
He cast a careless glance at Tang San and Dai Mubai. Both stood rigid, expressions twitching with silent rage—green fields growing wildly across their metaphorical foreheads.
Xiao Wu struggled back to her feet. She wasn't seriously hurt, though her stance wobbled.
"Hey, hey, you should sit out for now," Luo Ling said, tapping her gently on the head. "Didn't I tell you not to use your charm skill?"
Her eyes flashed red with reluctance, but he continued sternly: "His Martial Soul is the Vigorous Vajra Bear—extremely resistant to charm. Fail to entrance him, and the backlash could cripple you. Understood?"
Finally, Xiao Wu pouted and stepped aside, unwilling but compliant.
Luo Ling sighed. "Honestly, what a troublesome little bunny."
(END CHAPTER)
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