Extreme Training, a Complete Transformation

Ling Yun's training methods were simple, brutal, yet remarkably effective. He could not be bothered to explain complicated tactical coordination. Instead, he started directly with the basics—physical fitness, Soul Power control, reaction speed, and pressure resistance—pushing the Heaven Dou Team toward one physiological and psychological limit after another.

Weighted running was merely an appetizer. Next came precise Soul Power control training—requiring them to use Soul Power to hold up a feather and keep it suspended for the time it took an incense stick to burn, without the slightest tremor. For Assault Type and Agility Type Soul Masters accustomed to broad, forceful combat, it was simply torture.

Then came resistance training—Ling Yun would release varying degrees of oppressive aura, forcing them to endure beneath it until they neared the breaking point. The first time Yu Tianheng and the others experienced it, they nearly suffered a mental collapse. The sensation was even more terrifying than facing a Titled Douluo.

There was also reaction speed training—darting through a field filled with traps and obstacles while avoiding the pebbles Ling Yun casually flicked at them. Every hit earned an additional punishment.

What pained the team members most was the teamwork training. Ling Yun would throw them into an array that simulated a complicated environment, filled with all kinds of illusions and interference. They had to find the exit within the allotted time by relying on mutual trust and coordination. The slightest mistake would leave them trapped, draining vast amounts of Soul Power and stamina.

The intensity of the training far exceeded the Heaven Dou Team's imagination. After the first day, apart from Ye Lingling, who had a special Martial Soul and mainly underwent mental strength and healing precision training, everyone else—including the newly advanced Soul Ancestor Yu Tianheng—collapsed on the ground like dead dogs, unwilling to move even a finger.

The meals were Medicinal Cuisine specially prepared by the sect, capable of rapidly restoring stamina and Soul Power, but the process remained unbearably painful.

At first, Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, and the others still harbored resentment. Yu Tianheng in particular felt that Ling Yun was deliberately torturing them. Yet after several days, they were astonished to discover that although they were tortured to the point of wishing they were dead every day, the refinement of their Soul Power, their physical strength, their reaction speed, and their control over Soul Power had all improved visibly!

Yu Tianheng felt that he could control the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Martial Soul with far greater ease. His soul skills activated faster and had grown stronger as well. Dugu Yan found that her Poison Control had become more intricate, her poison more condensed. Shi Mo and Shi Mo's defenses had become more solid. Yu Feng and Osrow's speed and explosive power had risen to a new level. Even Ye Lingling felt that her healing range had broadened and its effects had improved.

Real, tangible progress caused every complaint to vanish into thin air, replaced by heartfelt awe and conviction toward Ling Yun. Though this young coach's methods were "cruel," the results were astonishing!

They began giving their all to every training session, not daring to slack off in the slightest. They knew this was their only hope of catching up to the strong and achieving good results in the tournament.

Ling Yun saw everyone's changes and was not surprised. His training methods had been developed by combining the extreme training of Special Forces Soldiers from his previous life with cultivators' Body Refining Method, specifically designed to uncover the human body's potential. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's top-grade Medicinal Cuisine and Mimicry Environment assisting them, it would have been difficult not to improve.

From time to time, he also gave targeted guidance based on each person's Martial Soul characteristics. For instance, he taught Yu Tianheng how to further condense the power of lightning and enhance its piercing force; taught Dugu Yan how to use deadly poison in more varied ways—not just as poisonous mist, but also poison needles, poison explosions, and more; and taught Ye Lingling how to distribute healing Soul Power more efficiently, even helping her develop a few simple purification abilities.

His guidance was often incisive and went straight to the essence of the matter, leaving the team members suddenly enlightened and benefiting immensely.

As the days passed, the Heaven Dou Team underwent a complete transformation. Their bearing changed noticeably. Their previous arrogance faded away, replaced by composure, determination, and confidence. Their mutual understanding also deepened greatly; a single look was enough for them to understand each other's intentions.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

On the final day of the special training, Ling Yun did not arrange any extreme exercises. Instead, he brought everyone to an open field.

"Today, we'll conduct the final assessment." Ling Yun looked at the team members, whose spirits had been completely renewed, and spoke calmly. "Your opponent is me."

Rather than being afraid, everyone's eyes burned with excitement and their fighting spirit surged! They desperately wanted to see just how much the gap between themselves and this unfathomable coach had narrowed after a month of hellish training!

"Seven-in-One! Martial Soul Fusion!" Yu Tianheng roared. The seven members instantly formed a battle formation, their Soul Powers linked together as an overwhelming aura erupted from them. They were more than twice as strong as they had been a month ago!

"Come on, Coach! Let us see what you can do!" Yu Tianheng's eyes brimmed with fighting spirit.

Ling Yun nodded. "Not bad. You're starting to look the part."

He still did not release his Martial Soul, merely standing there casually.

"Attack!"

At Yu Tianheng's command, the seven unleashed their strongest soul skills at once! Blue Lightning Divine Dragon Swiftness, Jade Phosphorus Purple Poison, Black Tortoise Impact, Ghost Leopard Assault, Black Panther Strangulation... enhanced by Ye Lingling's healing amplification, they merged into a dazzling torrent of five-colored light that surged toward Ling Yun! Its power was enough to make even a Soul King expert turn pale!

Faced with this earth-shattering combined strike, Ling Yun finally moved.

He raised his right hand and spread his five fingers. A dark golden glimmer flashed faintly in his palm. There was no earth-shaking display, only a simple push forward.

A power condensed to the absolute limit, as though it could contain all things yet shatter everything, swept forward like an invisible wall!

Boom—!!!

The torrent of energy collided with the invisible wall, erupting in a deafening explosion! Light scattered in every direction as shockwaves rolled outward!

The deadlock lasted only an instant!

Crack!

Like waves crashing against a reef, the energy torrent collapsed with a thunderous roar! Yu Tianheng and the other six groaned at the same time, their formation thrown into disarray as they staggered back. Horror once again appeared on their faces!

Their combined attack still could not shake Ling Yun in the slightest!

Ling Yun withdrew his hand and said calmly, "The assessment is over. Your progress is passable. At the tournament, as long as you do not encounter any true monsters, making it into the top three should not be a problem."

True monsters? Everyone froze. Could there be anyone more monstrous than their coach?

Ling Yun offered no explanation. He turned and left, tossing back one sentence. "The special training ends here. Don't embarrass me at the tournament."

Watching Ling Yun's departing figure, the Heaven Dou Team looked at one another before erupting into thunderous cheers! They could feel their own strength! They were filled with unprecedented confidence for the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament!

As for Ling Yun, his gaze had already turned toward more distant matters. Training the Heaven Dou Team had only been something he did in passing. His true target was the tournament itself, the "unexpected events" that might arise, and... that Child of Destiny who was destined to shine brilliantly.

The tournament was about to begin. The real show was about to take the stage.