Douluo Continent: Gretchen at the start, empowered by the Star God.

Chapter 30 Fighting Zhao Wuji Alone

"Little sister, how did you figure out that Xiao Wu's martial soul is a rabbit?" Finally, Tang San took the initiative to break the strange silence.

Greta frowned as she looked at Tang San, then hid in Lang Lei's arms again.

Disappointment was evident on both Ning Rongrong's and Zhu Zhuqing's faces.

Lang Lei patted Gretsch's blanket, indicating that he would take care of everything, and then said, "My sister Gretsch has a different talent than me; she can see things that others cannot."

"That might include martial spirits, right?"

Upon hearing Lang Lei's guess, Xiao Wu visibly breathed a sigh of relief, but still silently hid behind Tang San, moving further away from Gretchen.

Tang San keenly noticed Xiao Wu's unusual behavior, but assumed she was just frightened and didn't pay much attention, simply comforting her.

Before long, the group arrived at the testing site for the fourth stage.

"Teacher Zhao, I've brought a group to conduct the fourth round of assessments. Thank you for your help." Ma Hongjun stepped forward and nudged Zhao Wuji, who was almost asleep.

"Hmm? There are five people taking the fourth exam this year!" Immovable King Zhao Wuji opened his sleepy eyes and looked at the five young men and women in front of him in surprise. Perhaps Lang Lei should be called a young boy?

"Not bad, very good! Looks like there are quite a few little monsters this year... Old Zhao, I'm in for some fun..."

"..." Lang Lei and the others clearly heard it, and strange expressions appeared on their faces.

Zhao Wuji didn't seem embarrassed at all, and spoke again:

"This is the final test. If you pass my test, you will be able to officially become students of Shrek Academy."

"However, my test won't be easy to pass. Practical combat experience is essential for every Soul Master's strength. What I'm testing is your ability in this area. If anyone fails..."

"You should just go home and find your mother."

Just then, Ma Hongjun jogged over to Zhao Wuji and whispered in his ear, "Teacher Zhao, Teacher Li said that if you don't let that student carrying a little girl into Shrek Academy, he'll fight you to the death..."

"Hmm? That kid's related to Li Yusong?" Zhao Wuji looked at Lang Lei. "That doesn't seem like it... and I've never heard of that old man Li Yusong having any relatives..."

"No, that classmate is seven years old and level 36! And his spirit rings are incredibly powerful!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed excitedly.

"Huh?" Zhao Wuji looked at Ma Hongjun as if he were an idiot.

"Really! You'll see for yourself, Teacher Zhao!" Ma Hongjun affirmed.

"..."

Seeing Ma Hongjun's excited and affirmative expression, Zhao Wuji fell silent, looking thoughtfully at Lang Lei.

"I understand. If you're not lying, this is definitely a monster that's rare even on the continent. We've probably hit the jackpot." Zhao Wuji was also a little excited.

"Hey you five over there, come over here for the test!" Zhao Wuji shouted.

"Let me introduce myself first. My name is Zhao Wuji, and I am the teacher of the guy who brought you here."

"I've heard him say that you're all geniuses. Since all five of you passed the second and third rounds without taking the test, I'll play with you myself."

Looking at Lang Lei holding Gretchen, Zhao Wuji became interested and excited. He wondered how such a genius would fare in actual combat.

"Alright, let's go over the rules. I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to get to know each other's martial spirit abilities and discuss your battle strategies. After that, the test will begin. The test is for the five of you to work together to withstand my attack for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If even one person can still be standing on this open space after the incense stick has burned out, then you'll all pass."

"Wait!" Lang Lei suddenly called out to Zhao Wuji, who was about to light incense.

"Hmm? This... Lang Lei, is there anything else?" Zhao Wuji spoke with unusual gentleness and great patience. It's only natural to treat geniuses differently from others. This isn't necessarily discrimination, but rather human nature.

"I hope to have a one-on-one match with you, senior. Otherwise, this test will be meaningless for them," Lang Lei made his request.

"Are you sure? Let me tell you first, I am the Soul Saint! Immovable King Zhao Wuji!" Zhao Wuji's face showed an incredulous expression. Why would someone take the initiative to make things difficult for him?

He went up to test it himself because he wanted to be able to accurately control the testing intensity.

After all, students who can pass the first three rounds are already the cream of the crop, and the teachers at Shrek Academy would feel heartbroken if they eliminated even one more student in the fourth round.

As for practical experience...

That kind of knowledge can be accumulated later. If students know everything, what's the point of having teachers? Shrek Academy's facilities are already extremely poor, or rather, they don't exist at all...

Now that Lang Lei has taken the initiative to challenge him one-on-one, even if he goes easy on him, a Soul Saint can't be dragged out for too long against a Soul Venerable!

Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and the others also showed surprised expressions, while Xiao Wu was relieved that Zhao Wuji was not a Soul Douluo.

"It's alright, I also want to test my current strength." Lang Lei twisted his neck and shook his wrist. "Don't impose any restrictions, please give it your all in the fight."

Seeing Lang Lei's serious expression, Zhao Wuji and the other students fell silent once again.

"If the teachers at your esteemed academy don't meet my expectations, I also have the right to withdraw voluntarily, right?" Lang Lei added another stab in the back.

"Alright, I promise you, I'll fight you with all my might!" Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth and agreed.

"Um, before we fight, let me ask you something: what level of Soul Master's attack can Senior Zhao withstand at most?" Lang Lei asked, not wanting to accidentally cripple his opponent.

To discourage Lang Lei, Zhao Wuji said with a touch of arrogance, "Don't underestimate me just because I'm only a Soul Saint. My Mighty Vajra Bear Martial Soul is no ordinary weapon. Its defensive power is in no way inferior to defensive Martial Souls of the same level. If I go all out, even a Soul Douluo would have to exert a lot of effort to harm me."

"That's good!" Lang Lei was relieved; now he could enjoy himself a little more.

After all, his physical attributes were already at the peak of the Soul Douluo level. Although most of the Soul Masters in the Douluo Continent had their combat power in their Martial Soul, their physical attributes were still genuine.

What Zhao Wuji just said was most likely a Soul Douluo using Soul Skills normally. So, without activating his Martial Soul or receiving any other buffs, he should be able to fight to his heart's content...

Seeing Lang Lei's eagerness, Zhao Wuji was dumbfounded again. Had this kid lost his mind?

Hearing him say that, instead of backing down, they became even more eager to try?

However, since the other party was so insistent, there was nothing he could do but think of another way later.

"You four, discuss your strategy and exchange ideas first. You can join in after I finish fighting him," Zhao Wuji said. "Of course, you can choose to watch; that's not against the rules."

Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and the others nodded, looking quite expectant.

"Since we're going all out, kid, why don't we skip lighting incense?" Zhao Wuji twisted his neck and walked to one side of the open space.

"Wait here patiently for me for a while, okay?"

"Mmm, Gretchen will be good!"

Lang Lei smiled and placed Gretchen on the ground. Two or three World-Creating Creatures, concealing their auras, immediately appeared and surrounded Gretchen, blocking Ning Rongrong from approaching.

Then Lang Lei got up and went to the other side of the open space, put one hand behind his back, turned slightly to the side, and made a gesture of invitation to Zhao Wuji.

"Of course, Senior Zhao, please."

(End of this chapter)