Training

After a chase, Zhu Zhuqing was surprised to discover that without using their Martial Souls, neither she nor Dai Mubai could match Shi Yi's speed. It was not just her; Dai Mubai realized it as well, and his expression turned extremely ugly. He had always believed that he had lost to Shi Yi solely because of Shi Yi's unusually special Living Martial Soul. He had never expected Shi Yi's personal cultivation to be no weaker than his Martial Soul.

Intense white light suddenly erupted from Dai Mubai's body. With several leaps, he shot far ahead, instantly overtaking Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing this, Zhu Zhuqing said nothing as she watched Dai Mubai's retreating back. Since coming to Shrek, she had always been dissatisfied with Dai Mubai's behavior, but the training of recent days had somewhat changed her opinion of him.

Feeling the fierce rush of wind behind him, Shi Yi curled his lips slightly. "How long can you keep it up after using your Martial Soul?"

Soon, under Dai Mubai's all-out pursuit, he reached Shi Yi's back. Yet Dai Mubai discovered that no matter what he did, that tiny gap between them remained like an impassable chasm.

Martial Soul Possession granted soul masters powerful boosts to their attributes, but Dai Mubai's White Tiger was not particularly outstanding in speed. Moreover, Dai Mubai's control over his strength was far inferior to Shi Yi's. These were the key factors affecting their speed.

Shi Yi had not spent all those years forging iron for nothing. To use Disorder Splitting Wind properly, the most important thing was strength control. Only proper exertion and incomparably precise control could gradually stack one's power.

In theory, Disorder Splitting Wind's hammer technique had no upper limit. But as power accumulated, that tremendous force became exceedingly difficult to control. Being able to cultivate Disorder Splitting Wind to the point where ninety-nine strikes returned to one was considered mastery.

Even Tang San could not compare to him in this regard. Shi Yi was a pure strength-type soul master. The greater his strength, the higher his upper limit for controlling it. And the greater his control over strength, the more efficiently it could be converted into speed. With the same leap, Shi Yi could make it more powerful, more effortless, and more focused.

"Dai, you seem awfully eager. Is there something you'd like to ask me about?" Shi Yi's faintly amused voice reached Dai Mubai's ears from ahead, making Dai Mubai's face grow even uglier.

When Dai Mubai did not answer, Shi Yi found it a little boring and quietly continued his exercise. As Dai Mubai's Soul Power steadily drained away, the distance between him and Shi Yi grew wider and wider. Before long, Dai Mubai had fallen back to Zhu Zhuqing's side.

"There's a reason Master and the Dean acknowledge him. Just train properly," Zhu Zhuqing said flatly to Dai Mubai.

Her words seemed to wound Dai Mubai's pride. His expression changed, and with a cold snort, he left the group and headed toward the village.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Dai Mubai's departing back, an indescribable complexity flashing through her eyes. She could not help questioning herself: Could someone like this truly lead her to change her fate?

Naturally, Shi Yi knew nothing of that minor incident behind him. Feeling his body warm up, he stopped and headed toward Shrek's Cafeteria.

Before long, Shi Yi was enjoying a hearty breakfast. As he ate, Yu Xiaogang said to him, "Xiao Yi, come teach class with me later."

Shi Yi nodded casually. The others from Shrek all looked at him and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Yu Xiaogang's training had left them exhausted in both body and mind these past few days. In their eyes, Shi Yi probably would not come up with anything too devilish. Only Tang San understood that if Shi Yi taught the class, his training would certainly not be any easier than Master's.

Half an hour later, the class bell rang. It was time to gather.

Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back, Shi Yi standing leisurely beside him. Looking at the seven students lined up by age before him, Yu Xiaogang said calmly, "Yesterday, Xiao Yi offered some suggestions regarding my training plan. I've decided to select one person for Xiao Yi to train personally. Is anyone willing to accept Xiao Yi's new training method?"

At the mention of a new training method, everyone from Shrek except Tang San and Dai Mubai raised their hands.

Seeing this, Shi Yi chuckled. "Don't be so quick to raise your hands. My training may be more effective, but it'll also be stricter than Master's. Do you still want to join my training?"

Hearing that, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Xiao Wu immediately lowered their hands.

Shi Yi looked at the determination on Zhu Zhuqing's face and nodded slightly. "Looks like Zhuqing is the only one willing to do me this favor."

"As long as I can become stronger, I'm willing to join," Zhu Zhuqing said flatly.

"Don't agree so quickly. There's another matter you need to consider. If you join my training, the Hell White Tiger will disappear. Are you still willing to take that risk?" Shi Yi asked with a light smile.

For a moment, everyone wore different expressions. Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes shook, while Ning Rongrong wore an amused expression. The others looked utterly bewildered, not understanding what Shi Yi meant.

"I don't agree!" Dai Mubai instantly spoke up. This concerned his life, even though he knew his chances of winning were not great.

Shi Yi paid no attention to Dai Mubai's words and merely looked calmly at Zhu Zhuqing.

For a moment, Zhu Zhuqing did not know whether she should agree. She asked Shi Yi, "Can you tell me why?"

Shi Yi nodded. "Of course. You have the right to know. As a member of the Zhu Family, Zhuqing, you should understand what is key to allowing a Martial Soul Fusion Skill to achieve more than the sum of its parts."

Without hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing answered, "The compatibility of the Martial Souls, and the connection between the soul masters' hearts and minds."

Shi Yi smiled and pointed at Dai Mubai. "Do you think someone like him can still connect with you heart to heart? What you want is to become stronger and change your fate. If you accept my training, this situation will become even worse. Do you understand?"

Realization appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. Tang San and Ning Rongrong also understood Shi Yi's meaning.

"You..." Dai Mubai pointed at Shi Yi, putting on a fierce front while lacking real courage, yet he could not say a single word.

"So, are you prepared to take that risk and accept my training?" Shi Yi asked with a smile.

"Zhuqing..." Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes filled with indescribable complexity. Yet deep down, he still hoped that Zhu Zhuqing would reject Shi Yi.

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Dai Mubai, and a trace of complexity flashed through her beautiful eyes as well. But seeing Dai Mubai's cowardly appearance, her heart grew firm. Then she turned her gaze toward Shi Yi, her expression full of determination. "Can you really make me stronger than I am now?"

Shi Yi smiled and nodded slightly. "If the results of my training don't satisfy you, you can withdraw at any time. To be honest, I'm not very willing to be a teacher. The Dean hasn't even paid me a salary."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Alright. I'll join."

"Zhuqing... you..." Dai Mubai could not help speaking out.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dai Mubai seriously. "If you truly want to change all this, then you should cultivate properly. If you can't form a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with me because of some pointless matters, then even if I'm alone, I still won't resign myself to fate."

Dai Mubai said nothing. He only clenched his fists tightly.

"Alright, since you've made your choice, come with me." Shi Yi nodded and spoke softly to Zhu Zhuqing.

Shi Yi then headed toward his residence, and Zhu Zhuqing slowly followed after him.

Watching their departing backs, a trace of venom flashed through Dai Mubai's eyes. The others also watched the three of them with varying expressions.

This is getting more and more interesting, Ning Rongrong thought to herself.

The two walked side by side along the country path. Shi Yi looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said with some emotion, "Sometimes, I think the two of you ought to switch identities. Who is the cat and who is the tiger isn't always determined by Martial Souls."

"Training," Zhu Zhuqing said sparingly.

Shi Yi smiled faintly. "Don't be so impatient. As your teacher, I'll first ask you some questions before considering your training regimen. I won't blindly make you run with weights like Master does. While that can help you improve, it isn't targeted enough. During Master's combat training, haven't you noticed that you still can't beat those you couldn't beat before, while those you can beat remain beatable no matter what?"

Zhu Zhuqing nodded instinctively. Indeed, among all the Shrek students, she had trained the hardest these past several days, yet she could still only defeat Ma Hongjun.

"That isn't strange. You're all doing the same training. While you improve, so do they. So more advanced training should focus on how you can train to defeat opponents you currently cannot defeat." Shi Yi smiled.

"First, you need to set yourself a goal and train accordingly. Take Xiao Wu, for example. When you fight Xiao Wu, don't you find it very difficult? Xiao Wu not only has formidable close-combat abilities, but her speed is not much weaker than yours. And Charm is one of the hardest abilities for low-level soul masters to resist."

"What should I do?" Zhu Zhuqing asked flatly.

A hint of helplessness appeared on Shi Yi's face. "Don't rush me. Can you let me finish analyzing first?"

"..."

"For the Agility Attack System, I've summarized it into two points: either fast or strange. Superior speed lets you quickly close in on an enemy and land a killing blow. More bizarre abilities let you approach an enemy before they notice. The most representative examples are Spirit Hall's two Title Douluo, Ghost Leopard and Ghost Douluo. So what you need to train is not endurance, but speed."

As he spoke, the two had already arrived outside Shi Yi's residence.

"The simplest and most direct way to gain speed is leg-strength training. That's why you couldn't catch up with me during morning training. My leg strength far surpasses yours." As Shi Yi spoke, he took out the Iron Essence weighted leg wraps he had used from his Soul Tool and tossed them before Zhu Zhuqing.

"Your training begins now. Put these on while exercising. You can start with walking, which involves the smallest range of leg movement. You can even wear them during your daily life. Once you've gotten used to them, run, jump, do high kicks—progress from small movements to large ones. Just like adding stones during Master's training, keep increasing the weight until you're completely exhausted. I'll arrange the Medicinal Bath afterward as well."

At the mention of the Medicinal Bath, Zhu Zhuqing recalled how she had appeared naked in the bath barrel every day these past few days, and her face flushed red. "The Medicinal Bath..."

Seeing this, Shi Yi smiled slightly. "Of course I'll find someone to arrange it. Though if you want me to handle it personally, I wouldn't mind."

"Get lost." Zhu Zhuqing calmly spat out a single word.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the Iron Essence weighted leg wraps on the ground, doubt appearing on her face. Could such simple leg wraps truly help her improve? When she picked them up, her expression immediately changed. These unremarkable iron blocks were far heavier than the entire basket of stones she usually carried.

"I put quite a bit of effort into forging those with Disorder Splitting Wind. Their density is extremely high. They should be enough to keep you occupied for a while. In a few days, I'll need to purchase some precious metals to make special training equipment for myself as well," Shi Yi said with a light smile.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Yi and used her not particularly great strength to tie the Iron Essence leg wraps around her calves. At that moment, her legs felt incomparably heavy, utterly stripped of their former lightness. Even lifting her feet to walk became extremely difficult.

"Remember what I told you: proceed step by step. Don't overdo it and cripple yourself. To increase your speed, you first need strength in your thighs and calves, followed by control over that strength. Then come breathing, posture, proper cadence, and stride length. All of these can affect your speed," Shi Yi instructed Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Shi Yi and nodded seriously.

"Alright, you can start now. Since this is physical training, try not to use your Soul Power. I hope you can still stand up tomorrow," Shi Yi teased.

Hearing Shi Yi's slightly suggestive words, Zhu Zhuqing could not help glaring at him before beginning to move.

Shi Yi watched as Zhu Zhuqing struggled to lift one foot, then slowly lowered it. The instant it touched the ground, she let out a long breath.

Sure enough, without Soul Power, I can barely even lift my feet, Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself.

After silently watching for a while, Shi Yi slowly left. He still needed to visit Zhao Wuji. Zhu Zhuqing was not the sort of student who needed supervision, and a student like that was naturally much less troublesome.

At this time, the other Shrek students were conducting combat training under Yu Xiaogang's supervision. Before long, Shi Yi arrived outside Zhao Wuji's room. Before he could knock, Zhao Wuji's voice came from within.

"Come in, kid."

Shi Yi entered slowly with a smile on his face.

Zhao Wuji looked at Shi Yi suspiciously. "Shouldn't you be training that little kitten right now? What are you doing here?"

"Isn't there still something I haven't given you?" Shi Yi raised a brow and smiled.

Zhao Wuji's eyes lit up. "What good thing?"

Shi Yi took a pale purple immortal grass from his Soul Tool. It had a canopy-like top and was a ganoderma. The entire ganoderma was purple, with a jade-like stalk below and nine leaves.

"What is this?" Zhao Wuji asked Shi Yi.

Shi Yi introduced it with a smile. "Teacher Zhao, this Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma may not count as an Immortal Herb, but it can strengthen one's foundation, replenish vital energy, and boost cultivation. It will greatly benefit your body. Eat it, and I guarantee you'll be able to cultivate to the Title Douluo realm."

Zhao Wuji looked skeptically at the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma before him. "Title Douluo? You aren't joking with Old Zhao, are you?"

"Just eat it. You'll feel the effects soon enough. If you still can't reach Title Douluo in the future, I'll use Soul Bones to force you up there," Shi Yi said helplessly.

In this era, no one had a concrete understanding of Immortal Herbs. Otherwise, Tang San could never have gotten all the benefits for himself.

Seeing Shi Yi's serious expression, Zhao Wuji took it and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a few times, he swallowed it.

"Ganoderma is mild in nature, but this Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma is one of the finest among them. Cultivate for a while to refine its medicinal effects."

Zhao Wuji nodded, calmed his mind, and sat down by the window to cultivate quietly.

Seeing this, Shi Yi slowly departed. After leaving Zhao Wuji's room, Shi Yi thought for a moment, then sighed faintly, shook his head, and headed toward Suotuo City.

Since he had given Zhao Wuji this Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma, Shi Yi naturally had not forgotten Yu Xiaogang. But after thinking it over, he decided it was better not to give him anything. Absorbing the Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma might raise Zhao Wuji by one rank, but the increase would not be great. His Soul Power might not even rise at all. Immortal Herbs were different. If Tang San noticed anything suspicious, it would only bring trouble upon him.

Before he possessed absolute strength, he could not expose something as overpowered as Immortal Herbs. At worst, once his cultivation had reached a sufficient level, he could use the medicinal power of Immortal Herbs to help Yu Xiaogang open his Chong Meridian.