New Teammates

The day after the Grade Martial Arts Competition ended, Fang Yan and Chu Feng received notice of the varsity team's training camp.

The training camp was held at the school's special training base in the rear mountains. The surroundings were tranquil, and the Spiritual Qi was far denser than on campus. The base was also equipped with various advanced training facilities and simulated combat grounds.

When Fang Yan and Chu Feng arrived at the special training base, Su Wan was already waiting for them. Besides the two of them, there were also two familiar figures—Lin Mengyao and Li Hao.

When Li Hao saw Fang Yan, his expression turned somewhat ugly, but he did not provoke him like last time. After his crushing defeat in the Martial Arts Competition, he had also realized the gap between himself and Fang Yan and had become much steadier.

Lin Mengyao smiled at Fang Yan. There was not the slightest trace of unwillingness in her eyes. Instead, they were filled with admiration. "Fang Yan, congratulations on winning the championship. Your strength is truly formidable."

"Thank you." Fang Yan nodded.

Su Wan looked at the four of them and said, "Welcome to the varsity team. Starting today, you will undergo a month-long training camp to prepare for the National Collegiate Martial Dao League."

She paused before continuing, "This league will gather experts from everywhere, and the contestants from the other schools will all be extremely strong. Our goal is not merely to achieve good results. More importantly, we must temper ourselves through the competition and improve our strength."

"During the training camp, I will personally guide your cultivation. I will also arrange various practical training sessions and simulated battles. I hope you can learn from and help one another, advancing together."

"Yes!" the four of them answered in unison.

Next, Su Wan devised a detailed training plan for the four of them.

Every morning, they had to undergo basic physical training and temper their inner force. The mornings were devoted to guidance in Cultivation Techniques and martial skills. Su Wan would point out each person's shortcomings based on their individual characteristics and offer suggestions for improvement. The afternoons were for actual combat training. The four of them would spar in pairs or battle virtual demon beasts and opponents in the simulated combat grounds. The evenings were reserved for free cultivation, which they could use to digest what they had learned during the day or exchange for cultivation resources.

The days of the training camp were extremely grueling, but all four of them worked very hard.

Fang Yan spent most of his time fusing the Ice Soul Art and Profound Ice Force. After several days of effort, he could already skillfully fuse the two types of inner force, forming even more powerful Profound Ice True Qi. At the same time, he had also begun cultivating the newly acquired Ice Thorn, and his spear technique was growing more refined.

Under Su Wan's guidance, Chu Feng began attempting to break through to the fourth layer of the Blazing Fire Sword Technique. His progress was also extremely obvious. His sword technique had become even more savage, and the temperature of his flames continued to rise.

Lin Mengyao's Flowing Water Sword Technique had already been agile and graceful. Under Su Wan's guidance, it had gained several additional degrees of sharpness. Her strength also steadily increased, reaching the Martial Master Early-stage Peak.

Although Li Hao had been somewhat dispirited at first, he quickly adjusted himself. He cultivated the Gale Step and Thunderclap Sword Technique, and both his speed and explosive power were outstanding. During his sparring sessions with the other three, he also learned a great deal, and his strength broke through by quite a bit.

The relationship between the four of them gradually grew more harmonious. They were no longer opponents on the arena, but teammates fighting side by side. During training, they exchanged insights and pointed out one another's shortcomings. Whenever they encountered difficulties, they encouraged one another and overcame them together.

That afternoon, Su Wan arranged a simulated battle. The four of them were divided into two groups: Fang Yan and Lin Mengyao in one, and Chu Feng and Li Hao in the other. They would fight in the simulated combat grounds.

The simulated combat grounds could create different environments and opponents according to the requirements. This time, Su Wan chose a "forest battlefield" and also added several virtual demon beasts in the Martial Master Realm.

"Match start!"

With Su Wan's order, the two groups immediately entered battle mode.

Chu Feng and Li Hao exchanged a glance before charging straight at Fang Yan and Lin Mengyao. Chu Feng's longsword, wreathed in raging flames, lunged directly at Fang Yan. Li Hao, meanwhile, used the speed of his Gale Step to circle behind Lin Mengyao, intending to launch a sneak attack.

Fang Yan had been prepared. He circulated his Profound Ice True Qi and swung the Ink Ice Spear, blocking Chu Feng's attack. At the same time, he shouted to Lin Mengyao, "Watch out for Li Hao!"

Lin Mengyao reacted extremely quickly. She circulated the Flowing Water Sword Technique, and her longsword blossomed into a spray of sword flowers, blocking Li Hao's sneak attack.

"You want to sneak attack me? Not so easy!" Lin Mengyao let out a cold laugh. Her sword technique shifted abruptly, becoming fierce as she attacked Li Hao.

Li Hao did not dare to be careless. He immediately unleashed the Thunderclap Sword Technique. A faint layer of electric light shimmered across his longsword as he engaged Lin Mengyao in battle.

On the other side, Fang Yan and Chu Feng were also locked in a bitter struggle. Chu Feng's flaming sword technique was immensely powerful, forcing Fang Yan to go all out. But Fang Yan's Profound Ice True Qi could suppress flames, and with his steady spear technique, Chu Feng was unable to break through his defenses for the time being.

Just then, three virtual Martial Master Early-stage demon beasts suddenly appeared in the arena—two Black Wind Wolves and an Ironclad Bear. They pounced at the four of them, throwing their battle into disarray.

"Not good!" Chu Feng cried out. He had no choice but to temporarily abandon his attack on Fang Yan and turn to deal with the Black Wind Wolf charging at him.

Li Hao was also entangled by a Black Wind Wolf and could no longer launch a sneak attack on Lin Mengyao.

Fang Yan seized the opportunity and said to Lin Mengyao, "Lin Mengyao, let's deal with these demon beasts first!"

"Good!"

The two immediately joined forces and charged toward the Ironclad Bear. Fang Yan thrust out with his spear, infusing the spearhead with Profound Ice True Qi as he stabbed at the Ironclad Bear's eyes. Lin Mengyao circled behind it, her longsword stabbing toward its anus.

The Ironclad Bear let out a roar and tried to resist, but Fang Yan's long spear pierced its eye, causing unbearable pain. At the same time, Lin Mengyao's longsword also struck its vital point.

"Roar!"

The Ironclad Bear let out a miserable shriek, collapsed to the ground, and transformed into a streak of white light before vanishing.

After dealing with the Ironclad Bear, Fang Yan and Lin Mengyao turned to deal with the two Black Wind Wolves. By then, Chu Feng and Li Hao had also each dealt with the Black Wind Wolf in front of them.

The four exchanged another glance, and a trace of battle intent flashed through all their eyes.

"Now, it's time to settle things between us!" Chu Feng said.

Just then, Su Wan's voice suddenly rang out. "All right, training is over!"

The four stopped their hands and looked at Su Wan in confusion.

Su Wan walked over and said, "Today's training objective has been achieved. I wanted to see your reactions and ability to coordinate when faced with an unexpected situation. Overall, you performed fairly well, but there are still many areas that need improvement."

She paused before continuing, "Your coordination in particular is still not tacit enough. In the National League, you are a team. You must trust and cooperate with one another to achieve good results. Once you return, carefully review today's training. Tomorrow, continue working hard."

"Yes!" the four answered in unison.

Although the training was grueling, all four of them felt they had gained a great deal. They knew that only through constant training and working together could they achieve good results in the National League.

After returning to the dormitory, Fang Yan lay on his bed and recalled the day's training. He could feel that his strength had improved slightly again, and his coordination with Lin Mengyao had also grown more tacit.

"The National League is getting more and more interesting." Fang Yan muttered to himself, a trace of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

He knew that an even more intense battle was about to unfold on the arena of the National Collegiate Martial Dao League.