Simultaneously, Xiao Wu performed a backflip mid-air, straightening her body as she prepared to unleash her full strength.
But just as she was about to strike, her body suddenly froze—her movement abruptly halted by Zhao Wou-ki's overwhelming presence.
Seizing the opening, Zhu Zhuqing immediately launched a rapid assault at Zhao Wou-ki's vital points.
Xiao Wu, noticing Zhu Zhuqing's intent, twisted her body mid-air, coiling around Zhao Wou-ki's left ankle like a serpent. She aimed to crush his joints with every ounce of strength.
Zhu Zhuqing, as an agility-type Soul Master, struck with lightning speed from unpredictable angles, each claw and palm targeting Zhao Wou-ki's vulnerabilities. Her timing was impeccable—it coincided precisely with the moment Zhao Wou-ki had freed himself from Tang San's Blue Silver Grass binding. At this point, his momentum from the flip had dissipated, and his old strength had waned just enough to create a narrow window.
Yet the difference in power was too vast. Zhao Wou-ki's Mighty Vajra Bear martial soul was practically a living fortress. Zhu Zhuqing's strike, no matter how precise, felt like hitting solid steel. Her full-force attack barely tore through his clothing.
Xiao Wu, adjusting quickly, targeted Zhao Wou-ki's left foot and the back of his knee with all her might. But again, the difference in strength was insurmountable—she couldn't even budge his leg.
Xiao Wu's expression tightened. Her soft techniques were masterful at deflecting greater force, but against a power-based Soul Master like Zhao Wou-ki, finesse alone wasn't enough.
Meanwhile, Tang San faced his own challenge. Zhao Wou-ki's brute force shattered the Blue Silver Grass restraining him, leaving Tang San momentarily pale from the recoil.
But he didn't retreat. Advancing steadily, he activated his second spirit skill, Parasitism, restraining Zhao Wou-ki as the latter prepared to unleash raw power. Tang San's control of the battlefield was precise and methodical.
Using Zhao Wou-ki's brief restraint, Tang San closed in. Zhu Zhuqing, undeterred by her earlier failure, moved simultaneously, her twin claws slashing toward his throat and ear—striking at the smallest gaps in his defenses.
Zhao Wou-ki, observing the coordinated assault, allowed himself a faint smile. These little monsters are sharper than I expected. He prepared to counter Tang San's advance, pushing his chest forward to meet the attack head-on.
But Tang San had anticipated this. As his fist became a palm, he activated the Crane Controlling Dragon Capturing technique. A subtle yet irresistible force emanated from his palm, drawing Zhao Wou-ki off balance.
Seizing the moment, Tang San's right foot kicked Zhao Wou-ki's toes, further destabilizing him. Even a Soul Saint of his caliber couldn't maintain perfect balance.
"Up!" Tang San shouted.
With a powerful effort, he lifted Zhao Wou-ki—still in Martial Soul Possession—off the ground.
Xiao Wu saw her chance. She wrapped her legs around Zhao Wou-ki's waist and grabbed his ankles, activating her Waist Bow skill. Spinning him three times, she slammed him headfirst toward the earth.
Just as he was about to strike, the thick Blue Silver Grass guiding Xiao Wu's movements steadied her, allowing her to spring off and land safely on Tang San's shoulder, panting but poised.
Zhao Wou-ki's head buried into the ground with a deafening roar, the force of the coordinated assault leaving him momentarily humiliated.
Xiao Wu's voice trembled slightly. "Tang San… did we go too far?" She knew the destructive potential of their combined attack—against a Soul Master of his level, it could have been catastrophic.
Tang San shook his head. "It's fine. Teacher Zhao hasn't even used his Soul Skills yet."
He glanced at the incense stick in the ground; only a third had burned. Their first attempt had been everything they could muster, enhanced by Ning Rongrong's support.
Tang San began retracting the Blue Silver Grass from Zhao Wou-ki, unwilling to risk his Martial Soul being damaged again.
Zhao Wou-ki, frustrated but composed, braced himself against the ground, pulling his head free. He hadn't expected to be forced into Martial Soul Possession by four Level 20+ Soul Masters—an undignified sight for a level 76 Soul Saint.
"Blundering fools…" he muttered irritably, brushing dirt from his head. "I can't take it easy. Du Feng, Dai Mubai, are you laughing? I'll give you a proper lesson tomorrow."
Du Feng and Dai Mubai, having watched the spectacle, had been silently enjoying the rare sight of Zhao Wou-ki losing face. That pleasure vanished instantly when he noticed them, their grins replaced with wary expressions. After all, the brutal discipline they learned from Zhao Wou-ki had just backfired on him—and they knew all too well how ruthless his "practical lessons" could be.