Battle with Chen Xin

The next day!

Chen Yuan still rose early. He did not slack off in the slightest just because he had absorbed his first Spirit Ring yesterday and become a true Spirit Master.

After washing up, getting dressed, and finishing breakfast, he arrived at his training ground. Seven Iron Swords had been planted in the ground, arranged from smallest to largest. Chen Yuan drew the first sword he currently used for training, his expression shifting as he softly said:

"After absorbing my first Spirit Ring, my physique has improved tremendously. Together with my past hard training and the medicinal baths after training to recover, I should be able to meet the requirement now while still having some stamina left, right?"

With that, Chen Yuan impatiently wanted to give it a try. He immediately assumed his stance, and his aura instantly changed.

Sharp and fierce, with an edge fully revealed, like a treasured sword gradually being sharpened.

"Kill!"

Chen Yuan shouted, swinging his sword with all his strength. The power of his entire body gathered into one strike—skin, tendons, bones, muscles, blood, and qi... all of it faintly heated up, as though burning.

Then came the mechanical repetition of sword swings. Although Chen Yuan gradually became drenched in sweat, his breathing remained steady, further proving that he still had plenty of strength to spare.

Time passed bit by bit, and the sun climbed high into the sky. Beneath the blazing sunlight, Chen Yuan continued to sweat profusely.

He silently counted in his heart:

...297...298...299...300!

Having finally reached the requirement, Chen Yuan felt utterly refreshed. He sheathed his sword and stood upright, in an excellent mood. Being able to so clearly feel himself growing stronger naturally made him incomparably happy.

"Not bad!"

At that moment, Chen Xin's voice sounded, and he continued:

"It seems absorbing your first Spirit Ring has improved you greatly. You've finally managed to last until the warm-up is over!"

Chen Yuan's heart stirred at those words. He immediately turned to look at Chen Xin, took the initiative to bow, and asked the question in his heart:

"Teacher, you're here. And when you say the warm-up is over, does that mean I have other training as well?"

Chen Xin looked at his disciple and gave a soft laugh as he explained:

"Yes. Practicing sword swings and concentrating all the strength in your body into a single strike is meant to make your attacks more powerful, and it is also preparation for practicing the Killing Word Technique in the future. But that alone is not enough to make you a true powerhouse. Give me the sword in your hand."

Hearing this, Chen Yuan held the sword in both hands and presented it to Chen Xin. Chen Xin gripped the hilt with one hand, and the sharp aura around him instantly surged. Even Chen Yuan unconsciously retreated again and again.

Chen Xin then said in a deep voice:

"Yuan'er, summon the Seven Kill Sword. I permit you to attack me with all your strength. You may use your First Soul Skill."

Chen Yuan's eyes widened. This was going to be practical combat training with a Titled Douluo. Although he had already used up more than half his stamina, his tendons, bones, and muscles had been fully warmed up. His Teacher must have deliberately arranged this practical combat training at this moment.

Thus, Chen Yuan immediately summoned the Seven Kill Sword. A yellow Spirit Ring rose from beneath his feet. Gripping the Seven Kill Sword tightly, his expression turned solemn as well.

"Teacher, then I'm coming!"

As soon as the words fell, Chen Yuan rushed forward swiftly. Wielding his sword with both hands, he unleashed a fierce downward slash straight at Chen Xin's body.

Chen Xin's expression did not change. He even nodded in satisfaction. The indomitable aura around Chen Yuan was enough to let him unleash one hundred percent of his strength.

Only when Chen Yuan was right before him did Chen Xin raise his sword to block. A cold gleam flashed past, swift as lightning. Though he moved later, he struck first, blocking the attack.

With a clang, the two swords collided. Chen Xin did not budge, while Chen Yuan staggered backward again and again. Chen Xin felt like an immovable mountain to him. Even the ordinary Iron Sword in Chen Xin's hand had become an indestructible divine sword capable of breaking anything under the reinforcement of his Soul Power.

Chen Yuan's arms went numb and sore. And that was with Chen Xin not exerting any force at all—it was merely the recoil from his own attack.

Only after retreating more than a dozen steps did Chen Yuan stabilize himself. He immediately charged forward again. He knew he could not defeat Chen Xin, nor did he need to. He only needed to give his all in battle.

It was also through this battle that Chen Yuan clearly understood just how weak he was. Every one of his attacks was effortlessly blocked by Chen Xin, whose body remained completely still throughout.

Only Chen Yuan himself was repeatedly sent stumbling back in disarray by the recoil from his own attacks. His entire body was numb and aching, causing his attacks to become increasingly sluggish.

At this moment, he planned to make one final attempt. Chen Yuan used his First Soul Skill, Sword Drawn from its Sheath. Air currents curled around the blade, its cold light piercing and its sharpness incomparable.

Chen Yuan's all-out strike was still easily blocked by Chen Xin. The tremendous recoil even knocked the Seven Kill Sword from Chen Yuan's hand. He then collapsed weakly onto the ground, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath, not wanting to say a single word.

It was only because Chen Yuan had now absorbed a Spirit Ring and become a true Spirit Master, making his physique stronger. If he were still the Soul Scholar he had once been, he might already have fainted by now.

Chen Xin casually tossed his hand, and the Iron Sword flew back into its original position. He then walked over and said:

"Very good. You dare to fight and dare to battle. With the power of the Seven Kill Sword and your indomitable spirit, few among your peers could be your match. But as my disciple, this is still not enough!"

Since Chen Xin intended to nurture his disciple, he had no intention of holding anything back. It might simply be a little too harsh for the current Chen Yuan. He said in a deep voice:

"From now on, after you finish your daily warm-up, you will also learn swordsmanship from me. I will pass all my skills on to you and let you master them through practical combat. Inheriting my mantle will not be easy. It will be bitter, and it will be exhausting. But I will still say the same thing: you may cry, but after crying, you must continue gritting your teeth and persevere!"

Chen Yuan's eyes shone as he listened. He knew clearly that he did not have much time left to grow stronger. The stricter Chen Xin was, the better—it was the only way for him to grow stronger quickly.

He rose from the ground. Though his body felt somewhat weak, he still bowed respectfully. No matter what, being willing to pass all of one's skills on to someone was an immense kindness. Chen Yuan said solemnly:

"Teacher, I will definitely persevere and never disappoint your expectations!"

Chen Yuan's declaration instead surprised Chen Xin. He had thought his strictness would frighten Chen Yuan, but Chen Yuan was not afraid—instead, he was delighted. Those bright eyes even carried a trace of excitement.

Chen Xin thought in considerable surprise:

Yuan'er's determination and will truly do not seem like something a six-year-old child could possess. But only someone like this can inherit my mantle!

Then, at that moment, Chen Yuan seriously asked again:

"Teacher, do you know about Whale Rubber?"

Hmm?!

Chen Xin was first stunned, then became exceptionally serious. Staring directly into Chen Yuan's eyes, he said:

"Yuan'er, why are you asking about that?"