Chapter 58: Zhao wuji's rage (Patreon)

Xiao Wu, already at the 29th rank, could proceed directly to challenge Zhao Wuji.

Seeing her exceptional talent and the fact that she was brought in by Lu Feng, Zhao Wuji let her pass without issue. She was assigned to share a dorm with Zhu Zhuqing.

Before taking Xiao Wu to her room, Lu Feng leaned in and whispered a few words to Zhao Wuji.

He warned him: "Tang San fights dirty, watch out for hidden weapons."

However, thanks to Lu Feng's earlier actions, shutting down Flender's shop and issuing a Merchant Alliance decree strictly controlling materials like Refined Crystal (essential for crafting lethal hidden weapons), Tang San's usual tricks were now much harder to pull off. Blacksmiths under the Alliance were forbidden from cooperating with him.

Without high-quality materials, Tang San's hidden weapons would be far less deadly.

The true danger of hidden weapons lay in their ability to channel spirit power, amplifying their lethality.

In the original timeline, Tang San had manipulated Lou Gao, the greatest craftsman of the era—obsessed with intricate mechanisms—into forging his most devastating weapons. In the end, Lou Gao had been exploited and left to die in the Haotian Sect.

But in this world, mechanical knowledge was still primitive. The most advanced technology barely extended beyond basic gears—nowhere near the precision needed for true hidden weapons.

Back in Lu Feng's past life, even a simple mechanical watch was infinitely more complex than the so-called "ultimate hidden weapons." Once firearms emerged, such outdated weapons had been rendered obsolete.

So instead of schematics for hidden weapons, Lu Feng had given Lou Gao something far more revolutionary: a blueprint for a spirit-powered firearm.

The concept wasn't overly complicated, gunpowder for propulsion, combined with spirit-infused bullets. The real challenge was integrating spirit energy into the weapon itself.

Lou Gao and his team were already making progress.

Once spirit firearms were perfected, hidden weapons would become obsolete and Lou Gao wouldn't meet his tragic end.

Lu Feng also casually mentioned one more thing to Zhao Wuji:

"Oh, and Tang San's father is Tang Hao."

The moment that name left his lips, Zhao Wuji's expression darkened.

He had once admired Tang Hao as a hero, only to recently discover the man was a despicable hypocrite who had deceived the entire world.

So when Tang San finally stood before him, Zhao Wuji's face was stormy. He glared down at the boy and growled:

"Your father… is that disgrace to the world, Tang Hao?"

Tang San's jaw tightened. "I… yes."

There was no denying it. Tang Hao himself had signed a confession.

Zhao Wuji snorted. "This is your final test. I'll attack you with spirit power. If you last the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, you pass."

"Huh? But—"

Tang San was stunned.

Just moments ago, he'd watched Ning Rongrong pass her test effortlessly, Zhao Wuji hadn't even used spirit energy against her. She'd simply exchanged a few light blows with him before being approved.

So why was he being subjected to a full-force assault?

Sure, she's a support-type, but this is ridiculous!

Still, Tang San wasn't entirely defenseless.

I have my hidden weapons. A few surprise strikes, combined with Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, and I should last long enough. It's just a test, he won't go all out.

But before he could finish the thought—

"SPIRIT AVATAR!"

A deafening roar shook the training grounds.

Zhao Wuji's body swelled, muscles exploding in size as his spirit power erupted. The air itself trembled under the pressure.

Tang San's face went pale.

"T-This… is this really necessary?!"

Sweat dripped down his forehead as his voice cracked.

Zhao Wuji's Brutal Test

Even Lu Feng, watching from the sidelines, raised an eyebrow. Damn, Teacher Zhao isn't holding back.

What they didn't know was that Zhao Wuji had been stewing in frustration ever since his humiliating loss to Lu Feng the night before. He hadn't been able to take his anger out on anyone until now.

Facing two sweet, well-mannered girls like Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong? Of course, he couldn't go all out.

But Tang San?

The son of that scumbag Tang Hao? A kid who relied on hidden weapons?

Just the word "hidden" made Zhao Wuji's blood boil. If it's hidden, it's shady, sneaky, underhanded, the kind of thing used for ambushes and assassinations. Otherwise, why not call them "open weapons"?

Like father, like son.

So Zhao Wuji had two goals:

Vent his rage.

Make sure this little schemer didn't get a chance to pull any dirty tricks.

He wasn't about to lose face again.

"Enough talking—take this!"

"Great Strength Vajra Palm!"

Zhao Wuji went straight for the kill.

A massive palm-shaped blast of spirit power crashed down like a collapsing mountain.

Tang San had no choice but to react. He activated Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, darting away in a blur of afterimages while flinging hidden weapons at Zhao Wuji's face and abdomen, anything to disrupt his vision.

"Tch. Exactly the kind of underhanded crap I expected!"

Zhao Wuji sneered and immediately countered with Gravity Enhancement, locking onto Tang San's position. The boy's speed dropped drastically, his afterimages flickering out as the real Tang San was exposed.

Then—BOOM!

Like a furious bear, Zhao Wuji lunged forward and slammed his palm down.

The ground quaked. Dust exploded into the air.

When the smoke cleared, Tang San was embedded in the earth like a discarded ragdoll.

His face was swollen, blood trickling from his lips. His ribs were definitely broken maybe several of them. He trembled in pain, his expression twisted beyond recognition.

Three seconds.

That's all Tang San had lasted.

Zhao Wuji had held back, just enough to avoid killing him. No matter how much he disliked the kid, he couldn't outright murder an applicant.

A few days of bed rest, and Tang San would recover.

Waving a dismissive hand, Zhao Wuji barked:

"Carry him out. He failed."

"Damn, that's rough. Waited in line all day just to get wrecked in the final round. Here, have a sausage to heal up."

Oscar sauntered over and shoved a Big Frankfurter into Tang San's mouth.

There was just one problem:

Tang San was in so much pain, he couldn't even chew.

So the sausage just stayed there, sticking straight out of his mouth like some kind of bizarre meat straw.

The sight was so ridiculous that even a few onlookers snorted.

Zhu Zhuqing, who had just arrived to watch the scene, turned to Lu Feng and remarked, "Your Life Fruits are much better—no need to chew, they just melt in your mouth."

"Life Fruits? What are those?" Ning Rongrong perked up, her curiosity piqued as she glanced between Lu Feng and Zhu Zhuqing.

Lu Feng merely smiled without answering.

Zhu Zhuqing, suddenly recalling something, flushed slightly and explained in a hushed tone, "His martial soul is a tree. His second spirit skill lets him condense recovery fruits... like bananas."

"Bananas? I love bananas! Can I try one? I've never eaten a spirit skill-made banana before!" Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Maybe next time."

Lu Feng politely declined, taking Zhu Zhuqing's hand and leading her away from the scene to find Xiao Wu, who was busy settling into her dorm.

No need to hide things, they were all acquaintances here, and honesty was simpler.

"Hmph. Stingy." Ning Rongrong pouted, stomping her foot lightly, revealing a glimpse of her spoiled, mischievous side.

Just then, a sharp whoosh cut through the air.

Flender appeared in a flash.

"Old Zhao, let's talk."

"What is it, Dean?" Zhao Wuji grunted.

Flender pulled him aside and spoke in a diplomatic tone, "I was watching from upstairs earlier. That Tang San may not have lasted the full incense stick, but you did start with your Spirit Avatar. And the fact that he forced you to use three spirit skills is still impressive. He's already at the 29th rank—exceeding our usual standards—and he's Xiao Gang's only disciple. So, what do you think...?"

As vice-dean, Zhao Wuji's authority carried weight. Flender couldn't outright overrule him, so negotiation was the only way.

"You're saying we should accept him? But I already declared he failed." Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed.

"He did fail. But we can label him a 'provisional student'—keep him around for observation." Flender offered a compromise.

"...Fine."

Zhao Wuji relented with a nod. "No need to carry him out. He stays as a provisional student—for now."

And so, Tang San, still with Oscar's Big Frankfurter lodged in his mouth was hauled back to the dorm by Oscar and Dai Mubai.

Lu Feng wasn't surprised by the outcome.

Tang San was the Child of Destiny, after all.

But now, his status was downgraded to "provisional student," with the academy's staff viewing him unfavorably. Meanwhile, Lu Feng, as an assistant instructor, enjoyed their trust and camaraderie.

Clearly, the tides of fortune were shifting once more and Tang San's luck was being siphoned away.