97 Chapter 96.

"Zhuqing, you're brilliant! You've even outwitted big brother!" Xiao Wu exclaimed.

"Yes, I thought you also had twin martial soul but it turns out to be these two little equipments." Ma Hongjun scratched his head, still surprised by the revelation.

Dai Mubai also gazed at Zhu Zhuqing and was at loss for words. He had been injured in a direct confrontation with Tang San, yet she had managed to defeat him. He felt a mixture of shame and admiration.

"Someone gave me a hint..." Zhu Zhuqing began, hinting at the guidance she had received from Wang Feng the previous night.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing's voice, as cold as ever, cut through the silence. 

"He said, on the battlefield, we soul masters can use any tools to hinder our enemies. There's nothing absolute in the world. Even inconspicuous tools can play a significant role if used cleverly."

"He also mentioned the importance of thinking outside the box. We shouldn't rely solely on the power of martial souls. Sometimes, a small item, in the hands of the right person, can have a massive impact."

"And the use of flint and grease, he guided me to use." Zhu Zhuqing concluded, her words resonating with everyone.

Silence fell over the group. Zhu Zhuqing had rarely spoken so much, and her triumph over Tang San seemed to have stirred some excitement within her, though she didn't express it overtly.

Nobody had expected someone to impart such a clever method to break Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. The master's eyes gleamed with admiration.

"Good, good, good! These words may sound simple but they hold profound wisdom in the details. Is this person your teacher?" the master inquired.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and looked towards Wang Feng's direction. 

"Wang Feng taught me."

Her statement sent a surprise through the group. The entire crowd fell into silence. Wang Feng, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, broke into a cold sweat.

'Why did you reveal it! What was the point of being vague at the starting? This straightforwardness was a bit much. Now, how can I keep up the act?'

Everyone's eyes fixed on Wang Feng.

"Brother Feng, is this really your idea?" Tang San turned his gaze to Wang Feng, expressing his surprise. If it were Feng'ge, Tang San can understand it, as Wang Feng had always had a unique way of thinking.

The master also regarded Wang Feng with a touch of astonishment, especially after learning that Zhu Zhuqing's guidance had come from him.

"That's correct." Wang Feng admitted, realizing that he couldn't keep it hidden any longer. 

"I simply shared this method with her. Many of the battle's details, such as Zhu Zhuqing's fire-resistant boots and pants, she figured it out herself."

He had not mentioned the specifics of the battle or the details of Zhu Zhuqing's attire to her, as he believed that Zhu Zhuqing had figured it out independently herself.

Ning Rongrong, with a curious tone, asked, "Zhuqing, when did Wang Feng tell you about this?"

Zhu Zhuqing, straightforward by nature, saw no need to conceal anything. 

"The night before yesterday, when we went to the Great Soul Arena together."

The revelation that they had gone to the Great Soul Arena at night left Ning Rongrong somewhat puzzled. Dai Mubai, on the other hand, remained silent for a moment, releasing a quiet sigh but saying nothing. The two of them were originally a team and visiting the Great Soul Arena together was normal. It was only Ning Rongrong who had pondered it, while the others marveled at this unique method.

"Yes, we came back early after each of our fights." Zhu Zhuqing confirmed, her eyes flicking to Wang Feng. That night, she couldn't help but wonder who Wang Feng had fought under the Great Soul Arena, given the strength of the soul master that had used that 'Roar' like soul ability, should likely at least level 50 or higher.

The Grandmaster intervened, redirecting their focus. 

"Remember the core lesson of this battle, many everyday items around us can play a significant role, depending on how you use them. You can learn more about this from Wang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing."

The master then laid out the next matchups. Dai Mubai was to face Ma Hongjun and Oscar and Tang San and Ning Rongrong against Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.

The battles ensued, turning the square into a chaotic place.

"When they finish their matches, you'll prepare for what's next." the Grandmaster informed Wang Feng.

Wang Feng was perplexed. 

"Prepare for what? Am I not just here to watch?"

Vaguely, Wang Feng had a foreboding feeling.

Eventually, the fights concluded. Dai Mubai had never played against the combination of Oscar and Ma Hongjun, and Tang San had never been paired against Xiao Wu. Tang San showed restraint against Zhu Zhuqing, while his focus was completely diverted by Xiao Wu's charm. They ended up tumbling together at the ground. 

Xiao Wu's third soul ability was revealed to be, Teleportation, that she obtained from the thousand-year old Lightning Rabbit's soul ring, allowing her to teleport over short distance continuously as long as she has soul energy to spare. In the end, Tang San, despite his advantage as a control system soul master, used his third soul ability, the Cobweb that sent both Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing tumbling wrapped in Blue Silver Grass.

After the battles, everyone took a well-deserved rest.

The master's voice grew deep and serious. "In these recent battles, except for the one between Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San, you all disappointed me."

He directed his stern words toward each of them. "Dai Mubai, you knew that Oscar has auxiliary abilities. Why didn't you neutralize him first? You allowed him to feed Ma Hongjun sausages. Is dealing with an auxiliary-type soul master more challenging than confronting a powerful attack-system soul master?"

"Ma Hongjun and Oscar, you shouldn't be too pleased with yourselves either! Ma Hongjun why didn't you capture Oscar when Oscar's mushroom sausage time expired?" 

The master meticulously highlighted everyone's shortcomings, like a valuable critique.

He continued, addressing Tang San, "Do you know where you faltered, Tang San? In your initial match with Zhu Zhuqing, despite her clever strategy, the chasm in your soul power is still vast. If you had used the Cobweb right away, she might not have found a way to counter it with a clever move. It has a broad range and is exceptionally tenacious. Didn't you consider that?"

"Teacher, I was careless." Tang San admitted.

"But carelessness in one match is one thing and being infatuated when you faced Xiao Wu is another! You were careless again! Your lapse was more substantial than before."

"Xiao Wu, your third soul ability is Teleportation, a technique that greatly restrains Tang San and his Blue Silver Grass. However, when you clearly had the opportunity to use Teleportation and a chance to secure victory, why did you relax your vigilance and allow Tang San a chance to counterattack?"

Each of the seven hung their heads, acknowledging their mistakes.

The master declared solemnly, "You are from the Monster Academy, but the qualities you've displayed do not embody the abilities the word 'monster' should imply. Your soul power doesn't set you far apart from those soul masters outside the academy, as of right now."

"Many experienced soul masters who have battled soul beasts for a long time may even outperform you. Is this what a 'monster' should be? I had prepared a basket of stones for each of you to carry from the academy to Suotuo City, you all had to run ten laps consecutively."

As he spoke, everyone lowered their heads slightly, acknowledging the severity of the punishment without objection. However, the master's tone took an unexpected turn.

"But now, I'm offering you a chance to avoid the punishment." he declared, leaving them all stunned. 

An opportunity? What kind of opppurtunity?

As the curious onlookers observed, Wang Feng, who had been intently watching the battles for some reason, felt a sudden surge of unease. Something was not right here.

"Why did I single out Wang Feng in yesterday's ranking?" the master asked, fixing his gaze on the group. The following statement left everyone stunned, "It's because I want you to have a future goal, an ultimate goal, to use every means possible to surpass him."

Everyone and Wang Feng were equally surprised.

"Master, do you mean we have to fight Feng'ge again now? But none of us can defeat Feng'ge and our soul power is drained." Xiao Wu protested.

The others quickly concurred, sharing her sentiments.

"One-on-one?" the master glanced around, speaking with emphasis. 

"I meant that the seven of you should join forces to challenge Wang Feng, not individually. All seven together. This is the ultimate goal I'm talking about not defeating him one-on-one, that's just impossible."

The master's matter-of-fact tone ignited a spark of eagerness in everyone's hearts. 

Seven against one? Beating Wang Feng as a team? And what does he mean it's impossible to defeat him one-one-one?

The idea initially seemed absurd. After all, alone, they each knew they stood no chance against Wang Feng. Not even Tang San felt confident of ever defeating him at the same stage, even if he used his hidden weapons. The odds of victory were slim to none.

"Why? Do you disagree with the idea?" the Grandmaster inquired, flashing a rare smile. Indeed, he seldom smiled and Tang San, let alone Wang Feng, had rarely witnessed such a sight.

However, this smile sent shivers down Wang Feng's spine. Yesterday's rankings had hinted at something and today, with the Grandmaster singling him out once again, his suspicions were confirmed.

As he mentally prepared himself, Wang Feng knew what was coming. The realization sent a jolt of anxiety through him.

"The seven of you will take on Wang Feng. If you win, your punishment will be waived and Wang Feng will bear it alone, the punishment." the Grandmaster stated calmly. 

"Don't worry, there's also a restriction, Wang Feng cannot use his soul abilities. If you manage to force him to use his soul abilities, you win."

The announcement stirred the group into a frenzy. 

Did the master think so little of them? With seven formidable individuals liked them pitted against Wang Feng and him unable to use his soul abilities, it should be a straightforward victory, right?

'Grandmaster, have I offended you somehow?'

The challenge seemed almost like a joke to them and the thought that they might conquer the unbeatable Wang Feng rekindled their spirits. Exhaustion was swept aside, replaced by newfound enthusiasm.

"Bring it on! I don't believe seven of us can't beat Wang Feng even with all this restriction!" Ma Hongjun grinned and stepped forward. 

"Wang Feng, don't hold back or I'll make sure you regret it! I refuse to be punished today!"

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