During that brief moment of distraction, Xiao Wu retreated swiftly, her figure blurring as she leapt away from danger.
Tang San didn't hesitate.
His hand slipped into his soul guide, and in the next instant, a cluster of nearly invisible golden threads appeared between his fingers.
Dragon Beard Needles.
They had been refined from Plate Crystal Gold,
'Luckily… no one bought it,' Tang San thought calmly.'Even in this timeline.'
Many things had changed in this world, Yet Plate Crystal Gold had been left untouched, waiting for him.
He didn't know that somewhere in the shadows, someone had deliberately allowed it to remain unsold, watching quietly as Tang San acquired it to fulfill a different, far greater purpose.
Tang San flicked his wrist.
The Dragon Beard Needles shot forward silently, nearly impossible to detect.
They struck Zhao Wuji's face—and instantly curled and twisted, burrowing deep into his facial muscles.
"ARRRGH!!!"
Zhao Wuji roared in agony, clutching his face as blood seeped from thin, terrifyingly precise wounds.
Rage exploded from him.
"Brat… you're courting death!"
A massive aura surged outward as he finally possessed his martial soul.
Dark golden fur burst from his body, muscles swelling grotesquely as the image of a colossal bear overlapped with his figure.
Vigorous Vajra Bear.
Without hesitation, he roared:
"Third Soul Skill—Gravity Increase!"
The air around him distorted violently.
The gravity within the clearing multiplied tenfold, pressing down on everything in range.
Zhao Wuji sneered through clenched teeth.
"Let's see how long you little thugs can move now!"
In his mind, he cursed furiously.
'What did that little punk throw at my face?!It pierced straight into my muscles—if I hadn't closed my eyelids in time, my eyes would've been ruined!'
The Dragon Beard Needles had lodged themselves deep, and the pain made it impossible for him to fully open his eyes.
Tang San remained calm.
He circled the battlefield lightly, awayfrom the range of gravity with his footwork .
Reaching into his soul guide again, he produced dozens of sharpened metal shrapnels.
After his battle with Eve, Tang San had learned well.
He always prepared.Hidden weapons were only useful if they were plentiful.
Keeping a safe distance, Tang San flicked his fingers repeatedly.
Squelch!Squelch!
The metal shards slammed into Zhao Wuji's massive body.
They couldn't pierce his thick hide while his martial soul was active—but they left bloody surface wounds, scattering shallow cuts across his arms and torso.
The damage was minimal. However, the humiliation was not.
Zhao Wuji trembled with fury.
"ENOUGH!!!"
A deeper, more violent aura erupted from him.
"Sixth Soul Skill—Strength Enhancement!"
His muscles expanded even further, veins bulging as his physical strength skyrocketed to terrifying levels. Each step he took cracked the ground beneath his feet.
Despite the Dragon Beard Needles embedded in his eyelids, Zhao Wuji forced his eyes open, blood trickling down his face.
His gaze locked onto Tang San's position.
'That little punk… He's using some kind of strange movement technique.'
Zhao Wuji snarled inwardly.
'If I want to catch him, I'll have to use my eyes—even if it costs me!'
Barely able to see through blood and pain, Zhao Wuji still charged forward, his massive body moving with frightening momentum. Each step shattered the ground, gravel flying as if struck by a falling boulder.
His intent was simple— grab that little punk and beat him up.
However, just as he would finish his charge, Dai Mubai's clear voice rang out across the clearing.
"Vice Dean!"
"The incense stick… has already burned out."
Zhao Wuji's steps halted abruptly.
His raised fist trembled in midair before slowly clenching.
Tang San, who had been calmly calculating from which direction the next shrapnel should be thrown—allowed himself a small, satisfied smile.
He walked a few steps forward and said evenly,
"Vice Dean, if you wish to be freed from the excruciating pain…"
Zhao Wuji's head snapped toward him.
"You need to supply soul power into the needles. Doing so will straighten them."
After delivering his "advice," Tang San turned away unhurriedly, as if the matter was already settled.
He walked toward Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, who were already celebrating their hard-earned victory.
Zhao Wuji hesitated only for a moment.
Gritting his teeth, he circulated soul power toward his face.
The Dragon Beard Needles responded immediately, by straightening.
And in doing so, pierced even deeper into his flesh.
"ARRRGHH!!"
Zhao Wuji roared again, veins bulging on his forehead as blood streamed freely.
His heart burned with frustration and resentment.
'This bastard…! I was only testing them…!'
He had never imagined that a mere group of twelve-year-olds could push him into such an embarrassing state.
A grudge, small but sharp, lodged itself firmly in his heart.
----
Concealed within the shadows of the forest canopy—Tang Hao watched everything unfold.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were cold.
'Vice Dean of Shrek Academy, huh.'
He snorted softly.
'Someone who enjoys bullying juniors needs to be taught a proper lesson.'
Poor Zhao Wuji had no idea that even though he hadn't truly injured anyone—
A Titled Douluo had already marked him for a beating.
----
Meanwhile, Tang San chatted casually with Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai, discussing the next stage of the admission process.
Laughter echoed lightly, the tension of battle finally fading.
Tang San didn't notice it now.
He didn't realize that a fifth person should have been standing here.
It would only be many days later, when the academy life had already begun, that a troubling realization would dawn on him—
Zhu Zhuqing may never arrive at Shrek Academy.