The sudden change left Ning Rongrong and the others completely stunned. Before they could react, Ye Chen had already been thrown back by Zhao Wuji.
"Hmm, not bad at all. Although you're only at level 30, I can sense you're deliberately suppressing your spirit power. I bet once you break through, your strength will skyrocket," Zhao Wuji said with an increasingly satisfied smile. It was as if, in his eyes, Ye Chen was already a member of their academy.
Ye Chen smiled bitterly and replied, "Teacher Zhao, do you really think you're qualified to teach me?"
Since negotiation had failed, Ye Chen didn't mind using a tougher approach to solve this problem.
"Oh? Big words from a young man," Zhao Wuji said with interest, then roared, "Unmovable King—Vigorous Vajra Bear!"
With a mighty shout, a massive bear spirit emerged behind him, radiating a golden light that made it look indestructible.
"I'm a level 76 Spirit Saint. Don't say I'm bullying you—if you can land a hit on me, then I'll let you come and go through these academy gates as you please."
He had heard from Dai Mubai that Ye Chen had exceptional talent, and both his first and second spirit rings were of thousand-year level. Shrek Academy specialized in recruiting monsters, and a genius like Ye Chen was incredibly rare. The teachers were determined to keep him.
"You said it," Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. In an instant, the Seven-Star Abyss Sword appeared in his hand—and then he vanished.
"What kind of spirit skill is this? Even I can't trace him," Zhao Wuji thought, just as he instinctively dodged to the side. A blood-red sword light flashed beneath his eyes, piercing through his protective golden aura.
Looking over at Ye Chen in the distance, Zhao Wuji shuddered. Had he not sensed danger in time, that strike might have truly injured him.
"Be careful, Teacher Zhao," came a cold voice in his ear. Zhao Wuji turned, only to see the blood-red sword tip inches from his face.
With no time to think, he clapped his hands together and caught the blade between his palms.
But just as he thought he was safe, the sword suddenly vanished, just like Ye Chen's earlier appearance.
Ye Chen's attacks were so unpredictable that Zhao Wuji couldn't keep up. Without hesitation, he activated his defensive spirit skill—Unmovable King's Body!
Instantly, the Vigorous Vajra Bear behind him expanded and wrapped around him like a shield.
Clang! A loud metallic sound echoed. That "vanished" sword suddenly reappeared at Zhao Wuji's chest, piercing deep into the barrier.
"What a powerful sword technique. Where did you learn it?" Zhao Wuji asked in surprise.
Ye Chen snorted, "Powerful? Didn't you still block it?"
Disappointed in his failed attack, Ye Chen retreated dozens of meters and shouted, "Second spirit skill—Spatial Jump!"
With that, he slashed forward three times. Each strike split into six sword lights, forming three deadly formations resembling the word 'kill' (杀).
Faced with these powerful attacks, Zhao Wuji dared not hold back. He crouched and poured his energy into the Unmovable King's Body, preparing to take the hits head-on.
But the real danger was just beginning.
Ye Chen's second spirit skill was a spatial technique, allowing energy or objects to shift through space, effectively teleporting them.
Suddenly, the three massive sword attacks disappeared—then reappeared inside Zhao Wuji's defense, heading straight for his throat.
Shocked, Zhao Wuji activated another skill—Vigorous Vajra Palm!
With his hands turned to indestructible gold, he smashed down on the sword lights.
Predictably, Ye Chen's attacks were shattered. The gap in power between them was simply too great.
"I lost!" Ye Chen declared with a shake of his head, acknowledging the overwhelming strength of his opponent.
But Zhao Wuji disagreed. "No—you won."
With a sigh, he turned and walked toward the dean's office.
Watching Zhao Wuji leave and seeing the academy gate wide open, Ye Chen scratched his head and looked at Tang San. "Did I really hurt him?"
Tang San pointed at the bloodstains and smiled. "Not only did you injure him, it was a pretty serious hit."
---
In the Dean's Office
"How is the kid? Is he as strong as Mubai said?" asked Flender.
Zhao Wuji stretched out his hands to show him. "Dean, Ye Chen may be even scarier than we thought. I don't think he used his full strength against me."
Three bone-deep sword wounds marked Zhao Wuji's palms. The air reeked of rotting flesh, and faint black energy still lingered in the cuts.
"He did this to you? Are you sure he's only level 30?" Flender was stunned. Zhao Wuji was a Spirit Saint, known for his defense.
Zhao Wuji nodded bitterly. "He's a level 30 Spirit Elder, but his martial spirit is the legendary Seven-Star Abyss Sword. It sliced right through my defenses. His sword technique resembles the 'Seven Killing Sword' of the Ning family. I suspect both he and that girl, Ning Rongrong, are related to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."
Flender nodded. "If he's a disciple of that Title Douluo, it all makes sense. Too bad we couldn't keep him. I'd love to teach him myself and send him to the battle arena to earn some funds for the academy."
Zhao Wuji laughed. "Don't worry, Dean. Ye Chen seems close with Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong. If they stay, he won't leave either."
"Good point—haha!"
The two men laughed heartily on their worn-out sofa, already imagining the future where they'd get to discipline Ye Chen personally.
(Please don't forget to cast your vote with the power stone and, if you can, review this book as well. Please do so; it will be really helpful to me and inspire me to write more.)