Chapter 306: Wisdom in Tiger Skin

"Achoo!" Old Hei sneezed, rubbing his nose. "Who’s been gossiping about me?"

An old flame? An enemy? Ah, never mind, I can’t be bothered to think about it.

He looked around and saw a spore forest. This was the fourth distinct terrain he’d come across since arriving in this land.

Truth be told, the main goal of this trip was to find Old Wang, but instead, he kept running into folks from the War Academy.

After last night’s ghostly encounters, the mental gap between the Holy Sanctuary and the War Academy started to show.

Most Holy Sanctuary members became more cautious, rarely taking action. If they ran into a top-ranked War Academy member, they’d play it safe and take a detour. In contrast, the War Academy folks were far more aggressive.

Old Hei ran into two who didn’t hesitate to attack him. Though not in the top ten, they were strong and excelled in jungle combat. Honestly, in this terrain, those two could’ve easily competed for the top ten.

The Holy Sanctuary has underrated fighters like Mo Tong, and the War Academy is no different. Hei Wukai’s defeat of Blood Demon Manku made him the prime target for these hidden elites. Beating Hei Wukai could skyrocket someone to fame, even taking Blood Demon Manku’s spot! Especially in their favored terrain, why wouldn’t they strike?

Too bad they ran into Old Hei… Terrain means nothing to him. Sheer power lets him brush aside most obstacles. Neither the Holy Sanctuary nor the Nine Gods have seen his full power—not yet, anyway.

Both were spooked and backed off after a few test strikes. Hei Wukai didn’t bother chasing them. Those two were cautious, skilled at hiding, and would’ve been a hassle to deal with. Better to focus on tracking down Old Wang.

Boom!

A loud crash erupted from the spore forest to the left, followed by lightning-fast movements.

Old Hei arched an eyebrow and grinned.

"Now this is a real master!"

Hei Wukai’s figure flashed and disappeared instantly.

Deep in the jungle, hundreds of meters away, Xiao Bang sat cross-legged.

It had been two full days and nights since the afternoon before last. The shadowy figure hadn’t budged.

Except for the first night, when the mist ghosts forced him to lay low, Xiao Bang had been fending off assassination attempts nonstop.

The jungle is an orc’s paradise, and for an assassin like Obololo, it’s like a fish in water. He could easily blend into the jungle at any time, not just playing hide and seek, but completely integrating his aura with the jungle, making it impossible for someone as sharp as Xiao Bang to sense him in advance.

Any movement could be an opportunity for Obololo to strike, like when Xiao Bang blinks, sits down to rest, eats some dry food, or even when he relieves himself.

One attack, one defense, each exchange was a blink of an eye. The two had probably exchanged over a hundred rounds.

Obololo’s attacks were strange, not only silent when hiding, but also without any warning when launching an attack. It was like some kind of spatial secret technique, or a true invisibility method. Once the attack was launched, it was already in front of you, hard to guard against.

The back of Xiao Bang’s clothes had been torn into rags. Despite having soul armor protection and doing his best to block each time, there were still seven or eight clear bloodstains on his back, like some kind of beast’s claw marks, fierce and terrifying.

But his expression was as calm as water.

The opponent’s strength was beyond imagination, and his assassination skills were absolutely top-notch. What was even more terrifying was that even when he had the upper hand, Obololo never changed his strategy of striking once and retreating.

Xiao Bang had deliberately shown weakness several times, even at the cost of adding two more bloodstains, but still couldn’t lure the opponent. This guy was a true natural jungle killer. Their confrontation had already transcended the surface level of strength, entering a contest of will and endurance.

Both of them knew it very well.

If Xiao Bang couldn’t hold his temper, he would surely die. But if Obololo, who had the upper hand, couldn’t hold his temper and wanted to end it quickly, he would be attacking the enemy’s strengths with his own weaknesses. He would be dragged into a melee by Xiao Bang, losing all his current advantages...

It was noon, and Xiao Bang had just sat down.

Two minutes ago, he had just dodged a seemingly inevitable attack from Obololo.

The opponent feigned an attack from the left with an Iron Backbone, a small orc concealed weapon with T-shaped blood grooves on its triangular edges. Once it penetrates the human body, it instantly burrows in, making it nearly impossible to extract, causing severe bleeding. It’s a vicious weapon. However, Obololo seemed to shift through space and emerged from Xiao Bang's right side.

Caught in a pincer attack from left and right, Xiao Bang managed to dodge the Iron Backbone, but a new claw wound appeared on his left shoulder.

This wound was deep, barely revealing the bone beneath.

Yet, Xiao Bang's expression remained as calm as ever. After Obololo retreated, he sat down cross-legged in the same spot.

He methodically opened his pack, took out some external wound medicine, and carefully treated his injuries, his demeanor calm and composed.

When facing a patient enemy, you must be even more patient.

What’s a minor injury? It's a test of will and mindset, something he finds joy in. Even under constant pressure, Xiao Bang felt he was approaching a certain limit he hadn’t reached in a long time...

Whoosh!

Another faint sound of wind cutting through the air, Xiao Bang's ears twitched slightly, and he quickly lowered his head.

The Iron Backbone grazed past his neck, the cold blade almost grazing his skin, missing by a hair's breadth.

Here it is!

Xiao Bang's eyes sparkled.

Just as the Iron Backbone passed over his head, a gleaming steel claw extended towards his back.

Boom!

Using the same method as before, a whirlwind of air suddenly swirled around Xiao Bang, forming a solid wall of air.

Xiao Bang knew well that his opponent had an extraordinary ability to break through defenses. This soul power barrier wouldn’t hold him back for long, but it could slightly delay his attack. In a battle between masters, even the slightest delay could be the difference between life and death, and this brief delay had already saved Xiao Bang several times.

His right fist was instantly covered in soul power, a triangular soul mark appeared on his fist. Even while sitting cross-legged, his torso twisted a full 180 degrees.

Before him was the all-too-familiar armored steel claw. Xiao Bang’s gaze was as sharp as lightning, his right fist meeting the claw, but in the next second, both of their movements abruptly halted.

Whoosh!

Both of them pulled back their hands almost simultaneously, stepping past each other.

This time, Obololo didn’t vanish back into the jungle but stood firm a dozen meters away. Xiao Bang also turned around, and both of them glanced towards the treetops on the left.

There, a gentle breeze stirred, and a figure in a wide robe floated atop the treetop, his body light as a feather, swaying with the wind on the tip of the branch.

This person arrived extremely suddenly, his movements graceful and carefree, clearly a master. The reason both of them stopped their attack was out of caution.

The newcomer's intentions were unclear, and neither wanted to be caught off guard after a full-on battle, only to have a third party take advantage.

Who is this?

Both of them slightly furrowed their brows.

A long sword hung diagonally at his waist, his wide robe slightly open, with both hands tucked into his pockets. He held a long piece of grass in his mouth, watching them with a calm and composed demeanor.

Xiao Bang smiled slightly, while a cold smirk appeared on Obololo's lips.

Yasha, Hei Wukai!

"Carry on," Hei Wukai said with a chuckle from the treetop. "Don't mind me, I'm just here to watch. I won't interfere with your one-on-one."

Obololo chuckled, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

In a one-on-one fight, he feared no one, but facing Xiao Bang and Hei Wukai simultaneously... without a doubt, his seventh-ranked position in the War Academy was undoubtedly coveted by everyone in the Blade Temple.

"Do you believe that yourself?" Obololo said coldly. "I don't trust humans one bit!"

Bang!

As soon as the words left his mouth, Obololo's body swayed slightly. Even the formidable Xiao Bang and Hei Wukai couldn't fully track his movement, only sensing a shadow left behind as his true form vanished without a trace.

This time, he was really gone. Although Xiao Bang couldn't determine the opponent's location or aura, he could sense the presence or absence of danger.

He let out a slight sigh of relief, though he felt a bit of regret. He actually enjoyed the thrill of being targeted, as it stimulated his rapid growth. But still...

"Thanks," Xiao Bang said, getting up from the ground.

Hei Wukai shrugged. He had already suppressed his aura so well that even the omnipresent spirits from last night couldn't detect him, yet these two had quickly picked up on it. The top ten from the Blade Temple and the War Academy were truly something else.

"No need to thank me. He chickened out on his own," Hei Wukai said with a smile, leaping down from the treetop and landing lightly on the ground. Then he remembered something else: "By the way, have you seen Wang Feng around?"

Xiao Bang was momentarily stunned. "No, I'm looking for him as well."

He paused, then added, "It's crucial."

Hei Wukai chuckled and nodded at him. Old Wang was indeed that kind of guy, making friends wherever he went.

If it were normal people, both looking for Old Wang, they'd probably team up. With their combined strength, they could easily scare off many and stand firm in this soul illusion realm.

But Hei Wukai simply waved his hand, the long weed in his mouth twitching slightly.

Xiao Bang understood. Not just Hei Wukai, he also had no intention of teaming up. This was a good trial. Going together might make things easier, but it wouldn't achieve the purpose of the trial.

"See you later!"

The two were perfectly in sync, each turning and walking away.

...

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Caesar Mo's HexSky Mace, the iron-clad heavy fists and legs, rained down on Mo Tong like a storm.

He felt as if all the bones in his body were shattered, even his head split open, blood and brain matter spilling everywhere, yet he still retained consciousness.

The shattered flesh and bones kept regenerating, and strength surged back repeatedly. He felt as if he had been killed dozens of times by the opponent.

He was furious, unwilling, but not the slightest bit afraid.

Men of Mahoraga never knew what fear was, nor did they know how to write the word "surrender."

"Come on, you ugly freak! If I fear you, I'm not Mahoraga's number one hero!" Mo Tong suddenly roared, swinging his fists wildly, a surge of soul power erupting. "Watch me tear apart your rusty armor!"

Crack!

Immediately after, a tree branch fell on his head.

Crash... accompanied by the sound of something heavy hitting the ground: "Ouch!"

Mo Tong was jolted awake, leaping up from the ground in a flash: "Caesar Mo!"

Caesar Mo was nowhere to be seen, but the sudden movement had ripped the bandages and splints wrapped around his body and arms.

He was momentarily dazed, still not fully aware of his surroundings, when he saw Hei Wukai rubbing his head and getting up from the ground in the nearby bushes.

Mo Tong's heart leapt with joy. Seeing Hei Wukai, he could pretty much guess what had happened—perhaps Hei Wukai had taken down Caesar Mo and even helped treat his injuries.

But then it hit him...

"Ahem, ahem!" He wondered if Hei Wukai had witnessed his embarrassing defeat at the hands of Caesar Mo. He hoped Hei Wukai had just stumbled upon him unconscious. Mo Tong coughed lightly, "Hey, Hei Wukai, what are you doing here?"

"If I weren't here? You'd be a goner!" Old Wang was nearly in tears from the pain. The branch was over three meters high. He had been up all night and was sleeping like a log when he felt a solid hit and rolled off the branch. No doubt, Mo Tong had a nightmare and knocked him down!

Mo Tong let out an awkward chuckle. So, Hei Wukai had indeed witnessed him getting pummeled by Caesar Mo. This was really... Wait!

His eyes shot wide open. That voice didn't sound like Hei Wukai's.

Mo Tong snapped to attention and stepped forward, grabbing the collar of 'Hei Wukai', his fist, big as a sandbag, waving in the other's face, "You're not Hei Wukai! Who are you? Speak!"

"It's me!" Old Wang was both amused and exasperated. This guy wasn't nuts; he could recognize Hei Wukai's face but not his voice? What a lousy junior.

Mo Tong's jaw dropped, "Wang... Wang Feng?"

"Bull! Who else do you think would save your hide!" Old Wang slapped the arm that was gripping his collar and pushed it away, glaring at him, "Do you think you're some kind of damsel in distress?"

Mo Tong felt his brain short-circuiting. He let go of Wang Feng and took a step back, carefully examining him from head to toe, "Damn... You're really shameless! Why are you pretending to be Hei Wukai?"

He reached out to touch Wang Feng's face, his expression full of surprise, "How did you do this?"

"What do you mean shameless? This is called wisdom, okay!" Old Wang was still rubbing his sore butt and the back of his head, pointing at Mo Tong with his other hand, "I really can't with you. Where's your brain? If I didn't pretend to be Hei Wukai, how could I swagger around here and scare people for you? If I didn't scare people for you, with the state you've been in these past two days, you'd have been killed countless times already!"

"What scaring people, what half-dead... What nonsense are you talking about?" Mo Tong scratched his head.

"Keep pretending!" Old Wang rolled his eyes at him, "Don't you have any idea what's going on with yourself? What, are your injuries healed? Your bones don't hurt anymore... Huh?"

Old Wang walked over and looked Mo Tong up and down. The bandages that had been wrapped around his body had been torn open during his sudden movement, and the splints on his arms had been shattered, revealing bare muscles.

The spiritual ointment that had been applied to his skin was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a reddish hue. Many areas that had been broken skin had now grown new skin.

Old Wang's eyes lit up slightly.

He had been too focused on the pain from the fall earlier and hadn't noticed. Now, upon closer inspection, he realized that not only was Mo Tong's body healed, but his soul power seemed to have improved as well.