Zhao Wuji suddenly felt a wave of numbness seize his body, sapping his strength momentarily. But he quickly shook it off.
At that very moment, Xiao Wu, who had just landed, planted her hands on the ground and launched into a powerful scissor kick. If it had been an ordinary person, her legs would have snapped their neck before slamming them headfirst into the ground. She had fully committed to the flip, using all her strength in this slam.
Zhao Wuji reacted just in time. With a sudden surge of soul power, he burst forth with energy, shaking Xiao Wu violently off his body.
Fortunately, Tang San was quick to react and caught the airborne Xiao Wu before she crashed into the ground.
Watching this unfold, Lin Jie's heart sank. As expected of a Soul Sage… that paralytic venom from my Thunder Net was neutralized almost instantly.
Even with Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda boosting everyone's attributes, both Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were already performing at a level equivalent to above Rank 30. And yet, Xiao Wu had still been flung away so easily. Thankfully, she didn't seem badly injured.
But Zhao Wuji wasn't done.
With a low roar, his body rapidly expanded. His already muscular frame swelled to nearly double its original size, and his height increased by a full meter. He now stood like a giant, exuding overwhelming power.
Seven dazzling soul rings rose up around him—just as Dai Mubai had described earlier: two yellow, two purple, and three black—an ideal configuration for a powerhouse.
Just then, a rapid flurry of slashes erupted behind Zhao Wuji.
It was Zhu Zhuqing's assault.
She had already darted forward at an incredible speed, living up to her reputation as an Agility-Type Battle Soul Master. Even Lin Jie was surprised at how someone with her curvaceous figure could move so fast.
More than that, Zhu Zhuqing's movements were utterly silent. No leaking soul energy, no sound of air being sliced—just pure ghost-like movement.
With her Martial Soul activated, her left eye turned emerald green, the right sapphire blue. Her long black hair flowed behind her, and a shadowy trail of afterimages followed her movements. Her feline tail whipped in the air, and her claws struck with lethal precision—aiming directly at Zhao Wuji's vital points.
She had timed her attack perfectly, right as Zhao Wuji was bursting free from Lin Jie's Thunder Net.
Had she struck just seconds earlier, her attack would've been blocked outright. But catching Zhao Wuji mid-transition gave her a fleeting opening.
Still, once Zhao Wuji fully completed his Martial Soul Possession, her claws could no longer penetrate his defenses. His body had become like iron, and her strikes could barely tear his outer garments.
At this moment, Xiao Wu had sustained minor injuries and was being supported by Tang San, who was too preoccupied to re-enter the fight.
Meanwhile, Lin Jie's hands were already crackling with lightning. With a flash, he dashed straight at Zhao Wuji.
Zhu Zhuqing had already retreated, preparing for another opening.
Lin Jie appeared before Zhao Wuji in a blink, fists clenched, launching a barrage of punches toward the towering man.
Zhao Wuji actually staggered back a few steps from the impact.
With a thunderous laugh, Zhao Wuji said,
"Not bad, kid! You actually managed to push me back a bit. Good, very good!"
Lin Jie frowned inwardly. Push you back? I should've punched your smug face instead. You arrogant brute.
At that moment, Tang San acted.
His Blue Silver Grass rapidly extended, coiling tightly around Zhao Wuji's limbs. At the same time, Xiao Wu leapt high into the air, spinning gracefully before launching a powerful kick toward him.
Zhao Wuji, seeing the girl coming at him again, grunted. With his soul power surging, his Martial Soul flared up completely.
His whole body became enveloped in thick brown fur, and he now stood over 2.5 meters tall. Muscles bulged everywhere, and his tawny eyes radiated an oppressive dominance. His seven soul rings pulsed rhythmically around him.
His massive hands swelled to the size of large palm-leaf fans.
Just as he lifted one of those colossal hands to swat Xiao Wu out of the air, she abruptly twisted mid-flight and changed direction. His palm struck only air.
Xiao Wu slid past him and landed a solid kick to his shoulder.
Zhao Wuji was momentarily stunned. For the first time, a look of seriousness flickered in his eyes.
These kids might become my students one day... but if I let them keep showing me up like this, where will my dignity as a teacher go?
Zhu Zhuqing wasn't idle either.
Seeing Zhao Wuji turn toward Tang San and Xiao Wu, both of her soul rings lit up. Her heterochromatic eyes narrowed, pupils transforming into vertical slits. Without a sound, she accelerated.
She leapt into the air, twisting her body into a tight ball, spinning rapidly as she hurled herself at Zhao Wuji.
Claw shadows filled the air.
This was her second soul skill: Hell Hundred Claws. By using rapid rotation and her claws' piercing edge, she could deliver over a hundred strikes to a single target point in a brief moment. The focused impact made it a terrifying ability.
Her spinning body crashed into Zhao Wuji's back just as Xiao Wu's kick landed on his shoulder. The coordinated assault was perfectly timed.
The Hell Hundred Claws sliced into Zhao Wuji like a whirling buzzsaw.
"ROAR!"
A deafening roar echoed across the field.
Zhao Wuji's eyes gleamed coldly as his fists clenched. The first of his soul rings—yellow—lit up.
Blinding golden light exploded outward.
Zhu Zhuqing was instantly blasted backward mid-air, crying out in pain. She tumbled through the sky, clearly injured.
Xiao Wu, though farther away, was also sent flying by the shockwave. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass—whether near or far—was all shredded or rebounded within a three-meter radius of Zhao Wuji's body.
Three groans of pain rang out almost simultaneously.
Zhu Zhuqing took the worst of it, followed by Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu spat out a mouthful of blood mid-air and crashed into Tang San's arms, her body numb and trembling.
Lin Jie had stood just outside the blast radius, so he was unscathed. Even if he had been closer, he was confident in withstanding it.
Zhao Wuji had unleashed his first soul skill: Immovable Body.
Although it was just a hundred-year soul skill, at Rank 76 soul power, its strength was devastating—defensive and offensive combined, it easily shattered the three-person combo assault.
Just then, Lin Jie noticed Dai Mubai about to leap forward and catch Zhu Zhuqing midair.
Would Lin Jie let that happen? Of course not.
With a sudden burst of movement, Lin Jie shot into the air and caught Zhu Zhuqing in his arms.
He gently laid her down and was alarmed to find her unconscious—both her arms dislocated.
Damn it, Zhao Wuji! How dare you go this far! I haven't even touched her and you've dislocated both her arms? This is unforgivable.
Lin Jie's face turned icy.
He turned to Ning Rongrong and said softly,
"Help me take care of her."
Dai Mubai, seeing Lin Jie steal the moment again, clenched his fists. He had been planning to catch Zhu Zhuqing, and now his mood soured even more.
Xiao Wu and Tang San rushed over, concerned.
"Is she alright?" they asked.
Lin Jie's voice softened slightly,
"She's fine. Just both arms dislocated. I'll fix them in a bit."
Seeing Tang San and Xiao Wu ready to resume the fight, he added,
"Leave it to me. I'll take him on alone."
Xiao Wu blinked.
"You sure? You think you can handle it alone?"
Lin Jie glanced at the incense stick still burning halfway through and replied firmly,
"Yes. Just make sure she's okay."
Tang San exchanged a glance with Xiao Wu, giving her a slight tug and shake of the head.
Xiao Wu nodded, relenting.
"Alright, be careful."
Lin Jie called out to Ning Rongrong, and she immediately understood.
"Seven Treasures: Second—Speed!"
Rainbow light flickered over Lin Jie's body.
Then a layer of blue-white lightning enveloped him.
"Lightning Step Mode—Activate!"
Yes, part of him wanted to vent for Zhu Zhuqing, but more than that—he wanted to test his strength. After all, he'd never fought a Soul Sage before.
Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes as Lin Jie approached.
"You really think you alone can last half an incense stick against me?"
From the sidelines, Dai Mubai scoffed.
"A Soul Elder challenging a Soul Sage? He's dreaming."
Ning Rongrong shot him a glare.
"I think Lin Jie's really cool—and brave," she said proudly, then threw a glance at Zhu Zhuqing.
Tang San beside them gave a soft "mm," though what he was agreeing with was unclear.