Weakling Mentality

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Council Hall.

As usual, Ning Fengzhi was handling sect affairs when a young man in fitted white attire slowly approached him and respectfully bowed.

"Did Ning Rongrong cause trouble again?" Ning Fengzhi did not look up, keeping his gaze on the sect affairs before him.

"Reporting to the Sect Master, Miss Ning Rongrong is fine. However, there is some important information I wish to report to you," the young man in white said.

"Oh?" Ning Fengzhi slowly raised his head in curiosity and set down the quill in his hand.

The young man then took out a scroll from his Soul Tool and respectfully presented it to him.

Ning Fengzhi slowly accepted it and carefully began to read. As he read further, intense ripples appeared in his previously placid eyes. When he had finished the entire scroll, he let out a soft breath, revealing the turmoil in his heart.

The scroll contained the conversation between Ning Rongrong and Shi Yi from that day, without omitting even a single word.

Ning Fengzhi slowly composed himself, trying not to appear overly excited. He said to the Sect Disciple awaiting orders before him, "You shall be credited for this. Do not spread this matter for now. Let me verify it with the sect elders before making further plans. From now on, I want to know every conversation between Ning Rongrong and that child."

The White-clad Youth revealed an excited expression. "Yes!"

Ning Fengzhi looked at the youth with a gentle smile and gave a slight nod of approval. "You have worked hard. You may leave."

The White-clad Youth then slowly and respectfully withdrew from the hall.

Before long, an ethereal voice rang out within the great hall, carrying a trace of urgency. "Fengzhi, did something happen to Ning Rongrong? What could have made you so excited?"

Ning Fengzhi could no longer suppress the joy in his heart. His gentle face was brimming with smiles.

"No, Uncle Gu. Ning Rongrong is fine, and she has even made a rather good friend. Come take a look at this and give me your opinion." Ning Fengzhi smiled and waved the scroll in his hand.

At that moment, the air twisted amid fluctuations of Soul Power. An elderly figure emerged from the void, stepping through empty space as he hurried toward Ning Fengzhi.

Ning Fengzhi smiled and handed over the unrolled scroll. Gu Rong accepted it and slowly read through it. As he read deeper, ripples also appeared in his calm, ancient eyes.

As Gu Rong read, he nodded approvingly. "This brat named Shi Yi is quite good. Compared to those who merely talk empty theories, he has offered many practical methods. Fengzhi, I think we should bring Ning Rongrong back and let her try these methods. Ning Rongrong has excellent talent. Perhaps we really may get to see the eighth and ninth rays of colored light."

Ning Fengzhi shook his head slightly, a faint smile on his gentle face. "Uncle Gu, don't you think it would be more effective to have the person who proposed these theories carry them out? Besides, if Ning Rongrong came back, would you and Uncle Jian really have the heart to let her suffer through training?"

Seeing his little scheme exposed, Gu Rong showed a trace of embarrassment and continued, "How could conditions outside compare to those in the sect..."

"Uncle Gu, I have a feeling that when Ning Rongrong returns next time, she will be completely different," Ning Fengzhi said slowly, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Gu Rong gave a light snort. "I only hope Ning Rongrong really improves as you say."

A trace of helplessness flashed across Ning Fengzhi's face. He smiled faintly and said no more.

Elsewhere, on the country road from Suotuo City to Shrek Academy, Shi Yi, who had returned to the academy, saw the Shrek students carrying bamboo baskets as they underwent physical training.

"It's only been a few days, but you all seem to be in quite good spirits." Shi Yi looked at the panting Shrek students and said with a grin.

"You... stop standing there making sarcastic remarks... Hurry and take a few pieces off my load," Ning Rongrong said breathlessly to Shi Yi.

"Exactly..." Oscar panted as well.

Compared to the others, Shrek's two support students had clearly trained the least. Although Shi Yi had been gone for several days, they were still far behind in this endurance training.

"I'm a teacher. How could I help you cheat? Keep at it. Endurance and willpower are exactly what you Support System Soul Masters lack." Shi Yi looked at Ning Rongrong and Oscar with a soft laugh.

In truth, Shi Yi believed weighted long-distance running was only suitable for the two support Soul Masters, Ning Rongrong and Oscar. Rather than having the other five accompany the two support Soul Masters on long-distance runs, specialized training would produce better results.

So-called Team Spirit... Shi Yi secretly shook his head.

Yu Xiaogang had one fatal flaw as a teacher: Weakling Mentality. So-called team complementarity was something only the weak needed. The strong were always alone, constantly overcoming their own weaknesses and climbing upward.

It was this mindset that led to this kind of training, yet training such as weighted long-distance running could never suit every Shrek student.

Take Dai Mubai, for example. Shi Yi believed that as an Assault System Soul Master, Dai Mubai had not even fully brought out the White Tiger's strength. Increasing his strength and improving his control over that strength were what he should be doing. As for endurance, Shi Yi believed that any kind of long-term training could improve a person's endurance indirectly.

"Senior Disciple Brother..." Tang San also greeted Shi Yi while panting heavily, pulling Shi Yi's thoughts back to reality.

Shi Yi nodded slightly and smiled. "Keep working hard."

Tang San nodded faintly. The Shrek students followed Tang San and ran past Shi Yi, while Ning Rongrong even glared at him.

Shi Yi smiled and headed toward Shrek. Before long, he saw the Shrek teachers sitting in rocking chairs beneath a large canopy erected for shade.

"Hello, teachers." Shi Yi stepped forward and greeted them with a smile.

The teachers raised their heads and gave slight nods in response. They were clearly there to take turns supervising the Shrek students.

"Teacher." Shi Yi greeted Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly. "You're back. You saw the children's training just now. What did you think?"

"I just got back, and you already plan to squeeze me dry?" Shi Yi said irritably.

"So you want to join this sort of training tomorrow?" Yu Xiaogang asked blandly, knowing Shi Yi's temperament well.

Shi Yi revealed a helpless expression upon hearing that. "How should I put it? It's passable, I suppose. At least it isn't a waste of time."

The Shrek teachers all looked at Shi Yi in surprise. As teachers, they had witnessed the Shrek students' progress over these past days.

"Do you have a better training method?" Yu Xiaogang asked Shi Yi calmly.

"It is not exactly a better training method, but your way of thinking needs to change," Shi Yi said softly.

"Oh?" A trace of anticipation appeared in Yu Xiaogang's somewhat clouded eyes as he looked at Shi Yi.

"If I'm not mistaken, you intend to use Fusion Flow to build a perfect team, correct?" Shi Yi said to Yu Xiaogang.

A sharp glint flashed through Yu Xiaogang's eyes, and he nodded slightly.

Shi Yi smiled, shook his head, and said, "Leaving aside whether the Fusion Flow philosophy can make this team perfect, it will absolutely limit their personal development. Teacher, only the weak huddle together for warmth. The strong overcome difficulties through their own efforts. There is no truly perfect answer in cultivation, because the hands of the strong are large enough to grasp more things. The only thing a Soul Master needs to do is make their own hands larger. Identical training may unite them for a short while, but true difficulties often can only be faced alone. Do you think I'm right? Just like when you were alone in Nuoding City."

The Shrek teachers fell into thought upon hearing Shi Yi's words.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Shi Yi with a complicated expression. Flender, as the Dean, sighed softly. "Indeed, Xiao Yi. True difficulties often can only be faced alone. Well said."

Flender felt this deeply. No matter what he tried, he still could not bring Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang together. Clearly, this was not a difficulty that he, as a friend, could help with. Yu Xiaogang had to overcome that hurdle in his own heart.

"Shrek's students are among the best on the entire continent in terms of talent. What they need is training suited to their individual aptitudes. Weighted long-distance running trains a Soul Master's endurance and willpower. It suits Ning Rongrong and Oscar very well, but it does not suit the others. I observed them just now. Other than the two Support System Soul Masters, the Battle Soul Masters have experienced many battles and have no major problems with endurance or fighting spirit. What they need are other things," Shi Yi continued.

"Starting tomorrow, Zhu Zhuqing will train under you. I hope you can show me a different result," Yu Xiaogang said, staring at Shi Yi.

Shi Yi smiled faintly. He naturally understood Yu Xiaogang's meaning. Among all the Shrek students, only Zhu Zhuqing was highly obedient. If Shi Yi trained the others, they might not listen to him. This was also Yu Xiaogang giving Shi Yi an opportunity to prove himself.

Shi Yi chuckled. "I can train her, but you should think it through. If she accepts my training, perhaps the Hell White Tiger Martial Soul Fusion Skill will be gone."

Yu Xiaogang frowned upon hearing this. "What does training have to do with a Martial Soul Fusion Skill?"

"As someone who possesses a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, you should understand what is most crucial to one. The requirements for a Martial Soul Fusion Skill are extremely harsh. Not only must the Soul Masters' Martial Souls be highly compatible, they must also share an exceptionally high degree of mutual understanding. This mutual understanding is not merely simple coordination. It requires profound trust and tacit understanding between the Soul Masters. If one day the Spirit Cat surpasses the White Tiger, do you think a Martial Soul Fusion Skill would still emerge? That is also why the imperial family is the Dai Family rather than the Zhu Family." Shi Yi smiled lightly.

"Can your training really achieve that result? Besides, Mubai is not so narrow-minded, is he?" Yu Xiaogang said slowly.

"If I train Zhu Zhuqing, defeating Dai Mubai after breaking through to Soul Elder will be quite easy. As for whether he is narrow-minded..." Shi Yi chuckled.

Beside them, Flender merely adjusted his glasses in silence, while an awkward expression appeared on Zhao Wuji's face.

"Dragons are naturally proud, and tigers are no less so," Shi Yi said with a soft laugh.

Hesitation appeared on Yu Xiaogang's face. If the two truly developed a rift and lost the Hell White Tiger, would that not cut off their path to survival?

"I think you should ask Zhuqing tomorrow. Some things need to be made clear. Throwing yourself at someone is no deal," Shi Yi said blandly.

Flender nodded. "That makes sense. Xiao Yi is back now anyway, so we can ask tomorrow."

Yu Xiaogang nodded. Shi Yi then said to the others, "I've been a little tired these past few days, so I'll head back and rest. Carry on, everyone."

The others nodded slightly at Shi Yi. Under their gazes, Shi Yi departed.

Flender looked at Shi Yi's retreating figure and chuckled. "Xiao Gang, why do I feel like you didn't come to straighten this brat out, but were instead straightened out by him?"

Yu Xiaogang's expression became somewhat unnatural. Looking at Shi Yi's back, he sighed. "Although I am Xiao Yi's teacher, in theoretical research, he has long surpassed me. Sometimes, I even wonder whether there truly are people in this world who are born knowing everything."

That night, after dinner, Shi Yi began his usual meditation cultivation.

As Shi Yi entered meditation, he secretly marveled at the changes within his body, which were vastly different from before.

After absorbing the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, Shi Yi had not meditated until now. During today's meditation, he discovered that not only had his meridians become tougher with the increase in his physical strength, but they had also widened. More importantly, an additional meridian within his body had opened up, one his Internal Cultivation had never reached before.

It seems one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians has opened. Judging by its route, this should be the Chong Meridian. Looks like I'll be busy again. I can begin incorporating this newly opened meridian into the Internal Cultivation cycle and try to develop a new, more efficient circulation route, Shi Yi thought to himself.

For the entire night, Shi Yi cycled through circulating his cultivation, revising the route, circulating it again, and revising it again.

Only when roosters began crowing in the village did Shi Yi instinctively look toward the horizon through the window. The sky was already beginning to brighten.

Shi Yi put away the stack of data some distance in front of him. After washing up briefly, he began running around the village as he did every day.

As Shi Yi ran, he soon saw two familiar figures ahead of him: Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Morning, you two." Shi Yi smiled and greeted them.

"Morning." Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Shi Yi and replied sparingly. Dai Mubai's expression, however, darkened slightly. He had finally gotten up early, hoping to spend some time alone cultivating his relationship with Zhu Zhuqing, only for Shi Yi to ruin it.

However, Shi Yi was not someone who lacked tact. Seeing that Dai Mubai did not respond, he merely smiled and said, "Then I won't disturb you two."

With that, Shi Yi controlled his strength and breathing, suddenly accelerated, and left the two behind.

Seeing Shi Yi's explosive speed, Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face revealed surprise. They had all witnessed Little Ant's combat strength, yet they seemed to know nothing about Shi Yi himself.

Thinking this, Zhu Zhuqing quickened her pace as well. She had always refused to admit defeat, and she wanted to see whether her speed could catch up to Shi Yi's.

Watching the two figures pull away ahead of him, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, burst forth with his own speed, and gave chase.