Chapter Sixty-Eight: Shrouded in the Shadow of Shrek

At the very first clash, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were rendered unable to fight by Xiao Yu, leaving the remaining five Shrek monsters visibly shaken. Xiao Yu’s gaze swept across the field, finally settling on Ma Hongjun, the one with the mohawk.

“First soul skill: Phoenix Fire Line!”

“Second soul skill: Bathing Phoenix in Fire!”

Sensing Xiao Yu’s hostile gaze, Ma Hongjun panicked and, without a second thought, unleashed both his first and second soul skills on Xiao Yu in a flurry.

“Your flames are far weaker than I imagined!” Xiao Yu channeled his soul power to protect himself, the violet-red flames unable to get close to his body at all. Ma Hongjun’s Evil Fire Phoenix contained too many impurities. Though stronger than ordinary fire, among Xiao Yu’s teammates alone, there were three soul masters with fire attributes. Not to mention Ikki, whose Fire Phoenix Martial Soul was the ultimate flame, even Cang Mo’s fire was superior to Ma Hongjun’s, barely edged out only by Huo Wu, who could control the entire battlefield with her flames.

Over the past few years, Xiao Yu had sparred with these teammates countless times; such paltry evil fire was no longer worth his concern.

As Ma Hongjun spewed fire, he suddenly saw a blur before his eyes. Xiao Yu, dressed in black, appeared right before him. Before Ma Hongjun could react, Xiao Yu’s fist crashed into his chubby face, launching him like a cannonball and leaving a large crater where he landed.

“That’s enough! Stop!” An angry voice rang out, and a tall figure appeared in front of the Shrek Seven Devils—none other than Zhao Wuji.

Zhao Wuji’s expression was stormy, as if water might drip from his face. He had never expected that his pride and joy, his monstrous students, would be so utterly helpless before their opponent. The key was that Xiao Yu’s movements were too fast; in just a few seconds—before Zhao Wuji could even react—three of his students lay defeated. If he had hesitated any longer, the remaining four would likely have met the same fate as Dai Mubai and the others.

With Zhao Wuji’s appearance, the four remaining students breathed a sigh of relief. Tang San withdrew his hand from the Twenty-Four Bridge Moonlit Night pouch, his gaze playful as he watched Xiao Yu not far away. He didn’t believe that, as a Soul Sage, Zhao Wuji wouldn’t be able to handle Xiao Yu.

“You’re a bold one, daring to harm students of Shrek Academy!” Zhao Wuji glanced at the three fallen students. Zhu Zhuqing was in decent shape, but Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were curled up on the ground, groaning in pain, clearly badly injured. Zhao Wuji glared furiously at Xiao Yu. “It was just a spar. Was it really necessary to go so far?”

“I didn’t even use my Martial Soul. If they can’t even take a single punch from me, they have only themselves to blame for being so useless!” Xiao Yu sneered. “In the end, it’s your academy that’s lacking. The students you train don’t have any real skill!”

“How dare you insult Shrek Academy!” Zhao Wuji was instantly enraged, his eyes filled with menace as he glared fiercely at Xiao Yu. “Looks like I’ll have to teach you a lesson about how to behave in the real world!”

Two yellow, two purple, and three black soul rings rose from his body. Possessed by the Vigorous Vajra Bear, Zhao Wuji’s face was cold as he spoke. “Apologize to my students now, or don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“Teacher Zhao, give him a good beating!” Xiao Wu cheered excitedly from behind, making Ning Rongrong, who stood beside her, roll her eyes in exasperation. A Soul Sage nearing fifty bullying a young man not yet twenty—if word got out, wouldn’t that be a joke? Yet Xiao Wu was not only unashamed but proud of it.

“I’d like to see exactly how you plan to be ‘unforgiving’!” At this moment, another voice rang out, equally filled with anger. Hui Huo, dressed in black, stepped in front of Xiao Yu. Staring disdainfully at Zhao Wuji, whose Martial Soul was already activated, he said, “A man your age bullying the young—isn’t that shameful?”

Zhao Wuji, known as a natural-born troublemaker, showed no hint of shame at Hui Huo’s rebuke. Instead, he grew even more arrogant. “So, you must be this kid’s mentor? Then I’m not bullying the young anymore. Let’s settle this with our strength!”

“As if I’d be afraid of you!” Hui Huo snorted. The Bennu Bird Martial Soul, wreathed in black flames, slowly appeared, shining even brighter beneath the night sky. Two yellow, two purple, and four black soul rings gleamed, making the once-arrogant Shrek students falter. Xiao Wu hurriedly withdrew her Martial Soul, pursing her lips and doing her best to hide her presence.

“Seventh Soul Skill: Vigorous Vajra Bear True Body.”

Facing a formidable Soul Douluo, Zhao Wuji didn’t hesitate. He immediately activated his Martial Soul true form, transforming in an instant into a giant bear five or six meters tall. Swinging both massive arms, he unleashed the Vigorous Vajra Palm at Hui Huo with all his might.

“Overestimating yourself!” Hui Huo snorted coldly. He was no ordinary Soul Douluo now, but a pseudo-Title Douluo at level ninety. Facing Zhao Wuji, who had already gone all out, Hui Huo didn’t even use his Martial Soul true form. He simply activated his sixth soul skill: Corona Gale.

Countless gales, laced with terrifying black flames, surged toward Zhao Wuji. Zhao Wuji hurriedly halted his charge, crossing his arms before him in an X to block, relying on his powerful physique to withstand the attack.

But the gap in their cultivation was too great, and Hui Huo’s Martial Soul far surpassed Zhao Wuji's in quality. As the howling wind swept through, Zhao Wuji’s massive body was sent flying, leaving a deep crater in the ground just like Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. Many parts of him were scorched by Hui Huo’s black flames, leaving him in a miserable state.

“Teacher Zhao!”

Only now did Tang San and the others finally react. Tang San and Oscar, the two unharmed boys, rushed over in three quick strides, helping Zhao Wuji up from the crater. Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong followed closely behind. Oscar quickly conjured a large sausage with his first soul skill and handed it to Zhao Wuji, who took it and began devouring it greedily.

Hui Huo made no move to stop Zhao Wuji from eating the sausage. Even if Zhao Wuji recovered, what difference would it make? He could be defeated again with a single move. Besides, how much could a Grandmaster’s first soul skill really restore him?

Zhao Wuji understood this as well. After swallowing the sausage in a few big bites, he took a deep breath and looked at Hui Huo. “This time, it was my fault for not recognizing the strength before me. Do as you will with me, but please, don’t make things difficult for my students. They’re still young, and they have a long road ahead.”

Though Zhao Wuji had a reputation as a troublemaker, with plenty of faults, he cared deeply for his students—just like Flender. In truth, one could say he was fiercely protective. No matter right or wrong, he would always stand with his students.