Half a Year of Training

(The previous chapter was slightly revised.)

Over the next half year, Yu Xiaogang put the Shrek students through physical training. It was essentially running and frog jumps while carrying stones, with the weight gradually increased. Later, they trained under Zhao Wuji's Gravity Domain.

The training was dull, the same drills every day. It was far more exhausting than military training in his previous life. They rose at five in the morning and began training at five-thirty, continuing until six-thirty in the evening. Every day was training, eating, and soaking in medicinal baths. Yu Xiaogang had transformed into a devilish coach, piling one high-intensity drill after another onto them.

He also tailored different training routines according to each person's physical strength. Zhao Zilong's physique was undoubtedly the strongest, so he often trained while carrying iron blocks weighing hundreds of jin.

With Shao Xin, a food-type Soul Saint, even if they were exhausted, they could quickly recover by eating his Sugar Beans. On top of that, Master prepared medicinal baths for them every night, so by the next day, they barely felt any fatigue.

However, this left Flender looking miserable. The academy had never been wealthy, and Master's training regimen—especially the medicinal baths—cost a considerable amount every day. The academy was practically on the verge of bankruptcy.

After half a year together, everyone had gained a deeper understanding of what teamwork meant. Their physical qualities had improved, and so had their Soul Power.

During these past six months, Tang San had become a level 31 Soul Elder. He had also absorbed a 1,300-year-old Man Faced Demon Spider, gaining the soul skill Spider Web Bind. However, Tang San no longer had the chance to obtain an External Soul Bone.

As for the others, their Soul Power had all improved to varying degrees over the past six months. Ning Rongrong had reached level 28, Zhu Zhuqing level 28, Ma Hongjun level 28, Xiao Wu level 33, Oscar level 32, Meng Yiran level 32, and Dai Mubai level 38.

And Zhao Zilong? His Soul Power was still level 33, which left him rather embarrassed. Fortunately, half a year ago, he had told Flender and the others that his Soul Power was level 31. Otherwise, if they found out that his Soul Power had not increased at all in half a year, it would have been truly awkward.

After all, Zhao Zilong's Innate Soul Power was only 3.5 levels, far inferior to the talent of the other Shrek students.

Although Zhao Zilong cultivated his Soul Power every night after returning, his progress was indeed somewhat slow.

Zhao Zilong could feel that he had reached a bottleneck at level 33. He was only one step away from advancing to level 34.

Still, Master's training over the past six months had been quite effective. Devilish training during the day, medicinal baths at night. The most obvious change was in Ma Hongjun. His once round, fat body had shed quite a bit of excess weight under half a year of high-intensity training. Though he was still fat, he was much slimmer than when they had first met.

At that moment, on the training field, Master looked at the Shrek students with his usual imposing air. Yet after half a year of training, everyone had come to admire him quite a bit. After all, the results of the training were truly impressive.

"Very good. Over these past six months, everyone's physical condition has improved. Moreover, none of you have neglected your Soul Power cultivation during this time. Very good. I am very pleased." Yu Xiaogang was quite satisfied as he looked at their achievements. Even though he no longer possessed even a trace of Soul Power, he was still extremely happy to have trained so many talented Soul Masters.

Yu Xiaogang continued, "Now, the first stage of training has temporarily come to an end. Next comes the second stage: actual combat training."

Tang San asked in confusion, "Teacher, you mean actual combat? Are we going to fight each other?"

At present, after obtaining his Third Soul Ring, Tang San was confident that even Dai Mubai would no longer be his match. But if it were Zhao Zilong, he feared that he would not be able to defeat him even with hidden weapons. Zhao Zilong was also an expert in hidden weapons. Unless Tang San used his other martial soul—but Zhao Zilong should have a second martial soul as well.

Thus, Tang San felt that if he truly faced Zhao Zilong, he would lose more often than he won. This was also the first time Tang San had felt that someone his own age was stronger than him.

Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San. Tang San was his disciple and his pride. Yet as things stood, if Tang San faced Zhao Zilong, his chances of victory would likely be low. Naturally, Yu Xiaogang did not want to see his disciple defeated, so he said, "No. I want you to participate in the Great Soul Arena of Suotuo City."

"The Great Soul Arena?"

Ma Hongjun said excitedly, "That place is great! We haven't gone there in ages."

Yu Xiaogang looked at Zhao Zilong. "Zi Long, Meng Yiran, it seems neither of you has registered at the Great Soul Arena yet, right?"

"Yes."

Yu Xiaogang looked at everyone and said, "Flender requires all of you to obtain a Silver Spirit Master badge at the Great Soul Arena of Suotuo City before graduation. That remains unchanged. However, Xiao San, I require you to obtain a Gold Spirit Badge before graduation. Zi Long, I also hope that you can obtain a Gold Spirit Badge."

"Yes, Teacher," Tang San replied seriously.

"No problem." Zhao Zilong grinned.

Yu Xiaogang walked before the Shrek students and said, "All right, I am giving you one month off. One month from now, the second stage of training will begin."

At Yu Xiaogang's words, everyone rejoiced.

"I've gotten a little addicted to this high-intensity training every day. Now that we suddenly have a break, it feels a little strange." Zhao Zilong stretched lazily. "I might as well head to the Great Soul Arena early and fight a few one-on-one matches."

Dai Mubai also agreed. "If you go, then among three-ring Soul Masters at the Great Soul Arena, there probably isn't a single Soul Master who can defeat you."

At that moment, Yu Xiaogang warned him, "Zi Long, if you plan to go to the Great Soul Arena, remember this: do not reveal your Soul Bone. One must always be wary of others, understand?"

"Mm, I understand, Master." Zhao Zilong nodded. Half a year had changed his impression of Yu Xiaogang considerably, though he still loved to put on airs and always carried himself with an unfathomable demeanor.

Ma Hongjun sidled over with a sly grin. "Brother Long, want to take a stroll around Suotuo City together? I know a really good place."

"You dead fatty, if you want to go to that kind of place, go by yourself. Don't drag Zi Long along with you." Meng Yiran immediately flew into a rage and stepped directly in front of Zhao Zilong.

Ning Rongrong ran up to Zhao Zilong and asked, "Zi Long, since we're on break anyway, do you want to come to my home?"

"Why should he go to your home?" Meng Yiran was immediately displeased. Their half-year of spending time together had gradually made Meng Yiran fall for Zhao Zilong. She boldly wrapped her arms around his arm and said, "Zi Long, come to my home. My grandfather and grandmother both really want to meet you!"

There was a trace of disappointment in Ning Rongrong's eyes, and she did not invite him again. Behind them, Oscar looked utterly heartbroken. He desperately wanted to go with Ning Rongrong to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but he knew that even if he went, nothing would come of it.