"Let's take on Task A," Gu Chen sighed. Although Task B offered much better rewards, and he was confident he could handle it, a person must remain honest. He had promised the Azure Bull Python to look after Xiao Wu, and he couldn't let her get hurt. In the original story Tang San and his group fought together, and Xiao Wu got injured during the battle.
To prevent that from happening again, the only way was to join Tang San's team and attack Zhao Wuji together to prevent Xiao Wu from getting hurt.
At that moment, Zhao Wuji's gaze swept over Gu Chen and the others. He looked at them kindly, "I am Zhao Wuji. Since all six of you passed the second and third tests, I will personally join you in this trial. Now, I will give you an incense stick's time to get to know each other and discuss your strategy. After one incense stick, the trial will begin. The goal is for all of you to resist my attacks for that period of time. If any one of you can hold out until the end, you pass. I hope you understand that trying to take shortcuts will not work. Also, let me remind you, it is impossible for any one of you to resist my attacks alone. Your only chance of success is by cooperating with each other."
After finishing his words, he pulled out an incense stick from somewhere, and with a snap of his fingers, it was instantly lit. In the blink of an eye, the incense stick was planted in the ground, without any tremor.
After doing all that, Zhao Wuji sat back down in his chair and closed his eyes to rest again.
At this moment, Dai Mubai's expression was grave. He said to the group, "Come over here for a moment."
The six of them walked over to him.
Dai Mubai spoke seriously, "I can't help you this time. I didn't expect that Teacher Zhao would personally step in."
Xiao Wu chuckled, "This Teacher Zhao isn't going to be like the teacher at the gate, is he? A Soul Emperor level powerhouse?"
"No, he's a Soul Saint."
Xiao Wu's smile froze.
"Teacher Zhao's Martial Soul is the Great Strength Vajra Bear, a powerful beast Martial Soul. His defense is formidable, almost flawless. Even Soul Masters of the same rank find it difficult to break through his defense or hurt him. Although his speed is not his strength, with the disparity in soul power, you cannot outpace him. Teacher Zhao's strongest abilities are his attack and defense. He is known as the 'Unmovable King' in the academy. Even with all of you, plus me, it would still be difficult to withstand his attack for the duration of one incense stick. I only hope that Teacher Zhao won't be too serious when attacking you," Dai Mubai explained.
"Gu Chen, you're the strongest among us. You should come up with the plan for this battle," said Zhu Zhuqing. She was a person who revered strength and fully trusted Gu Chen.
Upon hearing this, everyone, including Dai Mubai, turned their attention to Gu Chen.
"Gu Chen, Beast Martial Soul Golden Dragon, Rank 39 Attack-type Soul King." Gu Chen introduced himself.
"Gu Yue Na, Beast Martial Soul Seven-colored Dragon, Rank 39 Control-type Soul King." Gu Yue Na spoke softly.
"Tang San, Plant Martial Soul Blue Silver Grass, Rank 29 Control-type Soul Master."
"Xiao Wu, Beast Martial Soul Rabbit, Rank 29 Attack-type Soul Master."
"Ning Rongrong, Tool Martial Soul Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, Rank 26 Support-type Tool Soul Master."
"Zhu Zhuqing, Beast Martial Soul Netherworld Spirit Cat, Rank 27 Agility-type Soul Master."
After everyone introduced themselves, all eyes were on one person: Gu Chen.
"I'll be in charge of the front-line offense. Gu Yue Na and Tang San will handle the side control. Zhu Zhuqing will look for opportunities to sneak attacks, and Ning Rongrong will provide support. Xiao Wu, you'll work with Tang San to attack," Gu Chen said. "If this isn't enough, Gu Yue Na and I can use our Martial Soul Fusion Skill. It should be no problem to withstand a Soul Saint's attack for the duration of one incense stick."
Gu Chen and Gu Yue Na's Martial Soul Fusion Skill was, of course, the Dragon God Transformation. They were now able to release the first form—Dragon God Awakening.
"You two have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise.
Gu Chen nodded.
"Teacher, we're ready to start," Dai Mubai said to Zhao Wuji as he quickly moved to the side to watch. Even though it was an uneven battle, as a strength-type Soul Master, he certainly wouldn't miss the opportunity to learn from Zhao Wuji's techniques.
However, the question was whether he would learn more from Zhao Wuji or from Gu Chen.
Zhao Wuji stood up again, clasped his hands together, and stretched his wrists. The sound of cracking bones filled the air, adding an invisible pressure to the atmosphere.
Zhao Wuji produced another incense stick. Before he could light it, Ning Rongrong had already moved.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile, Glorious Glimmer." Her body spun around once, and dazzling seven-colored light immediately radiated from her, forming a tall, brilliant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile in her palm, gleaming with golden light.
Ning Rongrong smiled gently, appearing as if she were a fairy. Two yellow soul rings rose from beneath her feet and circled around her body.
"Seven Treasures, First: Strength!" The first soul ring rose, enveloping the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile. At Ning Rongrong's command, five beams of colorful light shot out, each enveloping Gu Chen and the other five.
"Ah..." To everyone's surprise, Ning Rongrong's soul power instantly halved, and it continued to drop.
Since Ning Rongrong's first soul skill amplifies strength, the soul power consumption was linked to the strength of the recipient. Gu Chen's strength was so overwhelming that the amount of soul power required to amplify it was far beyond the normal Soul King.
Gu Chen stomped his foot, and his body shot forward like a cannonball toward Zhao Wuji. The sound of air exploding could be heard beneath his feet.
With the Golden Dragon King's power activated, Gu Chen was covered in golden scales, his golden dragon claws extended, aiming directly for Zhao Wuji's chest.
Seeing the terrifying soul ring configuration around Gu Chen, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but feel a bit of disdain, but he gathered his soul power on his chest and pushed forward.
When Gu Chen's golden dragon claw struck Zhao Wuji's chest, Zhao Wuji's face changed drastically. The Great Strength Vajra Bear Martial Soul immediately activated.
A yellow soul ring lit up behind him, activating his first soul skill, Unmovable King's Body.
However, even with the boost from his first soul skill, Gu Chen's golden dragon claw still pierced through the energy defense and slammed into Zhao Wuji's chest.
After Gu Chen broke his first seal, his right hand, the golden dragon claw, gained tremendous penetrating power. This ability made it possible to crush all defensive soul skills, as long as the opponent wasn't a Title Douluo.
Gu Chen's second seal break gave his golden dragon claw a tearing property.
At this moment, both the penetrating and tearing abilities of his golden dragon claw came into play, and the claw slammed into Zhao Wuji's chest.
Zhao Wuji's seventh soul ring lit up, and the 'Unmovable King' used his Martial Soul True Body to resist the attack! But even so, his chest was mangled, and if he hadn't activated his Martial Soul True Body in time, that one claw might have seriously injured him.
"Damn it, it seems I can't afford to go easy on you guys." Zhao Wuji gritted his teeth in pain and looked at Gu Chen with a vicious expression.
Fifth Soul Skill—Gravitational Squeeze!
The pain drove Zhao Wuji's instincts, and without thinking, he released his fifth soul skill. But immediately after, he regretted it. Zhao Wuji's fifth soul skill had once turned a Soul Master into minced meat.
But when he looked at Gu Chen again, Zhao Wuji rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Gu Chen appeared completely unaffected by the gravitational squeeze.
"Good grief, your physical body is incredibly strong!" Zhao Wuji exclaimed in admiration.
But in the next moment, Zhao Wuji's figure erupted and appeared dozens of meters away.
At the spot where Zhao Wuji had just stood, Gu Yue Na appeared, a sword of light materializing in her hand. Had Zhao Wuji not dodged in time, the sword would have pierced his throat!
"You two siblings are freaks!" Zhao Wuji said. Although Gu Chen never mentioned their relationship, he could tell by their last names.
"Now, be careful!" Zhao Wuji warned, "Sixth Soul Skill—Great Strength Vajra Roar!"
A powerful sound wave roared out toward Gu Yue Na. Having just used her space abilities, Gu Yue Na needed five seconds before she could teleport again. Even though she could shorten the interval to one second after breaking the fourth seal, at that moment, she wouldn't be able to dodge the sound wave in time.
Seeing this, Gu Chen's pupils contracted. He couldn't bear to see Gu Yue Na get hurt!
He stomped on the ground and shot forward, placing himself in front of Gu Yue Na just as the sound wave was about to strike.
Undoubtedly, Gu Chen was blasted away by the full-force attack of a Soul Saint, vomiting a mouthful of blood in mid-air.
"Gu Chen!" Gu Yue Na panicked, but the next second, her purple eyes filled with murderous intent.
Seeing Gu Chen spit blood, she became enraged!
First Soul Skill—Elemental Tide!
Second Soul Skill—Elemental Control!
Third Soul Skill—Elemental Fusion!
Red and blue energy spheres appeared in her hands. Slowly, the two energies began to merge.
Ice and Fire, Two Heavens!
(End of Chapter)