"Heh, good kid!" A wide grin spread across Zhao Wuji's face. "You youngsters have no martial ethics, do you? Resorting to a sneak attack right from the start?"
Huo Feng's preemptive strike had genuinely caught him by surprise. But unfortunately for the boy, sneak attacks were useless when faced with an absolute gap in strength.
"First Spirit Skill: Sword-Breaking Slash!"
Just as Zhao Wuji finished speaking, Huo Feng closed the distance. The dark blue Thunder Sword sliced through the air, leaving a trail of crackling electric sparks in its wake.
Ding!
The sharp sound of metal striking something impossibly hard echoed across the field. Zhao Wuji had simply raised his muscular arms to block his head, yet it was more than enough. The force of the impact sent Huo Feng flying backward. He tucked into a neat somersault in mid-air before landing gracefully on his feet, his sword arm buzzing from the shock. Shaking his aching wrist, Huo Feng sighed internally. Zhao Wuji's defensive power was truly on another level. He had put all his strength into that swing, but hitting the man's arm felt like striking a solid steel plate. The Thunder Sword hadn't even left a scratch, and the chain lightning that sparked from the blade had no effect at all.
"Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda."
At that moment, a clear voice came from the back of the group. Ning Rongrong spun gracefully as a brilliant, multicolored light burst from her body. The radiant light gathered in her right hand, coalescing into a beautiful, seven-colored pagoda that was just over a foot tall. It shimmered with a noble and precious aura. As she held it, two yellow Spirit Rings rose from beneath her feet, spiraling slowly up her body.
"Seven Treasures are known, the first: Strength!"
Ning Rongrong lightly tapped the pagoda with her finger. Her first Spirit Ring glowed brightly and enveloped the treasure. Instantly, three rays of colored light shot out, landing precisely on Huo Feng, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing. A solid, warm power seemed to descend from the heavens, flowing into every muscle and sinew in their bodies.
"Is that the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda?" Zhao Wuji's bored expression was replaced with genuine surprise. "Hahaha! To think we actually managed to recruit a student from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan this year!"
Ignoring his comment, Ning Rongrong continued her support. "Seven Treasures are known, the second: Speed!"
Three more rays of colored light floated out and merged with the trio. Huo Feng immediately felt his body become lighter, his movements quicker and more agile. Ning Rongrong had just used her first two spirit skills, increasing their strength and speed by a full thirty percent. The continent's number one auxiliary-type Martial Soul was just as terrifying as the legends claimed.
Swish!
Empowered by the buffs, Huo Feng's grip on his sword tightened. The second Spirit Ring at his feet suddenly flared with light, swirling up to wrap around the Thunder Sword. Under everyone's astonished gaze, the weapon's dark blue color vanished, replaced by a deep, scarlet red. A raging fire erupted along the blade, emitting such intense heat that the very air around it began to warp and shimmer.
It was the second form of his Martial Soul: the Fiery Sword!
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened in amazement. This was the first time he had ever seen a Martial Soul that could completely change its form and attribute. Now, he was getting truly excited. With Ning Rongrong's support fueling him, Huo Feng charged forward once more.
"Second Spirit Skill: Blazing Fire!"
He swung the Fiery Sword, unleashing three waves of flame-infused sword energy that shot directly toward Zhao Wuji. At the same time, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing broke off to the left and right, launching their own coordinated attacks.
"Now this is getting interesting." The corners of Zhao Wuji's mouth curved up. He dropped into a half-kneel, his arm muscles bulging as thick veins popped out.
BANG!
He slammed his terrifying fists into the ground. Following a heavy, muffled sound, the earth itself began to shake violently. A moment later, the ground rippled like a wave, surging outward toward the four students. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, with their incredible agility, reacted instantly. They leaped high into the air, easily avoiding the shockwave. Huo Feng, who was leading the charge, was too close to dodge. The earthen wave crashed into him, knocking him back nearly five meters before he could regain his footing.
Sizzle!
At the same time, the three waves of fiery sword energy struck Zhao Wuji. He stood his ground, unmoving, allowing the flames to burn harmlessly against his body with a relaxed expression. After a few seconds, however, his expression suddenly changed.
"You little brat!" he cursed loudly. "You actually burned off my eyebrows!"
Huo Feng's second spirit skill still hadn't caused any real damage, but due to Zhao Wuji's carelessness, both of his eyebrows were now gone, and his face was smudged with soot. He looked utterly ridiculous.
Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Wu, still in the air, curled into a ball and shot down toward the distracted Spirit Saint. In the blink of an eye, she was directly above him. With a soft 'thump,' she landed firmly on his broad shoulders. Her feet twisted inward, and with a powerful rotation of her body, she used his own weight against him.
The next second, the burly Zhao Wuji was lifted completely off the ground. As Xiao Wu flipped backward, he was pulled along with her, spinning through the air. Realizing what was happening, his face changed. His body suddenly swelled, and his already outrageous muscles doubled in size. His height shot up by a full meter as he finally activated his Martial Soul.
Seven dazzling Spirit Rings erupted from under his feet. Two yellow, two purple, and three black rings of terrifying power spiraled up his body. He was a Spirit Saint!
Even so, Xiao Wu clung tightly to his neck, her flexible body slithering over his shoulders like a snake, refusing to let go.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
While Zhao Wuji's attention was focused entirely on Xiao Wu, a series of rapid, crisp sounds came from behind him. It was Zhu Zhuqing. As an agility-type Spirit Master, her movements were so fast and silent that she had closed the distance without him even noticing. After activating her Martial Soul, her eyes now glowed in two different colors, and her hands had become razor-sharp claws that aimed for his vital points. Zhao Wuji was clearly overwhelmed, caught between two attackers.
Just then, a black shadow flashed past. In the blink of an eye, Huo Feng appeared behind the massive Spirit Saint. Zhu Zhuqing, who was still attacking, couldn't help but tremble slightly as a look of deep admiration appeared in her eyes. Huo Feng's speed was shocking. How could an attack-type Spirit Master be even faster than her, an agility-type?
No one saw the long, fiery sword in Huo Feng's hand transform. It was now a short, dagger-like sword, as black as ink.
Third Spirit Skill: A Thought of Gods and Demons! Dark Attribute: Shadow Strike!
Huo Feng aimed for Zhao Wuji's lower back and stabbed forward with everything he had. At the exact same moment, his free hand successfully made contact with Zhao Wuji's skin.
"AH—!"
Zhao Wuji, who had been smiling cockily just moments before, suddenly froze. A sharp, searing pain shot through his kidney, and he couldn't stop himself from letting out a pained scream.
[Ding!] [Host has made physical contact with Zhao Wuji!] [Does the host choose to sacrifice?]
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