Three Rudimentary Cultivation Methods

This year, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Academy admitted a strange student.

While the other children attended lessons, he relied on his outstanding theoretical knowledge, along with a tiny bit of outside assistance, to obtain permission to roam freely. During his time at the academy, he could arrange his own schedule as he pleased.

This should have been something every child envied.

Yet, to their utter astonishment, this strange peer did not use that time to play around or cultivate his Soul Power Level.

Instead, he performed all sorts of bizarre exercises around the academy's sports field.

Aside from common exercises like running, push-ups, and sit-ups, he also performed some particularly peculiar movements.

For example, he squatted with his hands clasped over his head and hopped forward like a frog, walked awkwardly on his hands as though they were feet, performed incomprehensible body art on the spot, and pulled himself up and down along tree trunks.

Most laughably of all, the strange child actually tried to walk along straight tree trunks with his feet!

Forget children—even some adults in the clan, after hearing about this, unanimously believed the strange child was sick. Sick from being driven mad by the blow of his poor talent!

That was right.

This strange child was Ning Wuque. Four full months had now passed since he finished researching the basic theory and preliminary plan for the "Ninefold Yama Gates."

About two months ago, Ning Wuque had, as usual, been assigned to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's "Elementary Education Institute," a small junior Soul Master Academy built within the Mountain Gate.

Yet in less than two months, his reputation had completely soured among children his age.

Some called him a "madman," others said he was "sick," and there were even rumors that an Evil Soul Master had possessed him.

Without exception, however, none of them wanted to get close to this strange fellow, nor did they wish to understand why he did this or what use it had.

With the soul of an adult, Ning Wuque did not care about such things, nor was he willing to waste breath explaining. People could not understand strange things they had never seen before in a short period of time.

Rather than waste so much time on such matters, he might as well take a few more steps toward changing his fate against the heavens.

Once he passed this trial, learned scholars would naturally argue his case.

As mentioned before, the concept behind the Soul Skill "Ninefold Yama Gates" had been devised based on two dangerous skills: the Eight Gates Formation and Ring Blasting.

This meant that before he could truly embark on the path he had created for himself, he had to bring his body to the point where it could push open this door!

Thus, three prerequisite cultivation methods for the "Ninefold Yama Gates" were born:

"Soul-Human Fusion Method," "Soul Power Control Method," and "Physical Training Method, Version 1."

The purposes of these three methods were all extremely clear!

These three methods were currently Ning Wuque's rough creations and still in the experimental stage, but they all served a single purpose: himself, and the Ring Blasting to come.

This also meant that before these three manuals were formally completed, they would be tailored exclusively for Ning Wuque!

What Ning Wuque was currently cultivating were the latter two methods, using scientific methods to improve his physical fitness and precision in controlling Soul Power.

As for the "Soul-Human Fusion Method," he would have to wait until his physical condition and Soul Power control reached a certain standard before attempting it.

For "Physical Training Method, Version 1," Ning Wuque used certain training methods from his previous life, along with methods he had tested himself.

The most notable were biomimetic stances such as "Golden Rooster Stands Alone" and "White Crane Spreads Wings." He inserted these movements after every intense workout, allowing the Soul Power within his body to circulate rapidly through his limbs and bones.

Letting it adapt to this body of his in advance.

As for the "Soul Power Control Method," Ning Wuque adopted the water-walking and tree-climbing methods from Naruto, controlling Soul Power to float over the surface of his body in order to perform a series of incredible movements.

However, Soul Power was different from Chakra. Soul Power was an energy that could solidify, so this method could only use the already mature techniques of tree-climbing and water-walking in its early stages.

Later on, it would have to be changed. Otherwise, it would no longer suit the cultivation environment of the current Douluo Continent.

After all, gaseous Soul Power would be completely crushed by liquid Soul Power, solid Soul Power, and even Soul Cores!

At the same time, denser Soul Power itself held the potential to strengthen the physical body and martial soul, making it more suited to the later development of Ring Blasting for the "Ninefold Yama Gates."

"466, 467, 468..."

On the academy sports field, Ning Wuque was doing sit-ups beneath the shade of a tree outside the track.

His gaze was firm. As he watched the crowds playing on the field after class, there was not the slightest hint of envy in his eyes. Even though his body was already close to giving out, he gritted his teeth and pushed himself beyond his limits until he could no longer move at all!

Training was a process of damaging one's body, allowing it to repair and strengthen itself.

Moderate exercise made people feel good, but excessive training left behind only the pain of being worn down.

But Ning Wuque understood that he had neither a good family background nor a good martial soul, much less high Innate Soul Power that would allow him to easily change his fate against the heavens.

So he could only do this. He had to do this, if he wanted to break free from the fate set for him!

"500!"

After five hundred sit-ups, Ning Wuque could no longer hold on. Having successfully surpassed yesterday's limit of 492, he lay flat on the grass, utterly drained.

Even breathing felt difficult. With his mouth wide open, he desperately struggled to maintain his fading consciousness.

Only after he had recovered a trace of strength did he use the Storage Soul Tool on his left wrist to take out a Compressed Meatball, two sizes smaller than an infant's fist, and put it into his mouth. After chewing it roughly twice, he swallowed it whole. Only then did his condition improve slightly.

This was a Compressed Meatball made from ordinary ten-year bull-type soul beast meat. It did not taste particularly good, but it was a necessary supplement after every time he pushed himself to the limit.

The meatball was also mixed with medicinal herbs that invigorated the blood and arteries, allowing his body to undergo a rapid round of recovery in a short time.

At the very least, it kept him from collapsing from exhaustion and being unable to walk home.

Ning Wuque now carried out at least four extreme workouts every day! This had long become part of his daily routine.

"Aren't you tired?"

Lying on the grass, Ning Wuque had no strength to turn his head. A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

It was nothing more than the fact that the voice was too childish, indicating that the newcomer was a child like him. This was the first time anyone had willingly approached him, this weirdo.

"Hey, the Young Clan Head is asking you a question. Are you mute?"

All right, now Ning Wuque had guessed who the newcomers were.

The Young Clan Head whom the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had just appointed two months ago—Ning Tian!

A girl always followed by a foul-mouthed Little Red Dragon.

Ning Wuque really wanted to snap back at Wu Feng. Couldn't she see that he was exhausted beyond measure? But for the moment, he did not even have the strength to speak.