Special Training Upgrade: The Star River Emerges, Preparing for Spirit Duels

That afternoon, the training atmosphere on Shrek Academy's field was grimmer than usual. Master Yu Xiaogang stood before everyone, his Soul Master's Notes open across his knees. His gaze swept over each of them before finally settling on Lin Zhixia. In a solemn tone, he said, "Starting today, the training plan will be adjusted. The focus will be on improving your combat coordination and ability to handle sudden dangers—especially you, Zhi Xia. Your Star River Shattering Bow needs to be fully unlocked."

Lin Zhixia abruptly raised her head, her eyes full of surprise—she had never told any teacher the true name of her martial soul, yet Master already knew.

"The Soul Shatter trait of the Star River Shattering Bow is key to dealing with Spirit Hall soul masters." Yu Xiaogang pointed at the martial soul diagrams in his notes. "Ordinary soul masters' Soul Power defenses will be greatly weakened before it, but you have been deliberately suppressing it and have yet to bring out its true power. Starting today, your archery training will include Soul Power penetration exercises. Use the Star Guidance Bell to assist in condensing your Soul Power."

As he spoke, Master took a pale violet Spirit Guidance Stone from his robes. "This is a Soul Gathering Stone. It can stabilize the Soul Power you release and prevent backlash while you unlock your martial soul's traits. Use it for half a shichen each morning and evening. Meditate with the Star Guidance Bell and gradually awaken the inherited power of the Star River Shattering Bow."

Lin Zhixia accepted the Soul Gathering Stone, its surface warm and smooth beneath her fingertips. She then looked at the Star Guidance Bell in her hand. The bell swayed gently, as if responding to her feelings. She nodded firmly. "I'll train hard."

"It isn't just Zhi Xia. Every one of you has something to break through." Master turned to the others. "Dai Mubai, your White Tiger Blazing Light Wave needs more compressed Soul Power to increase its explosive force. Tang San, your Blue Silver Grass needs faster transitions between Entanglement and Parasitize; aim to complete your control within three seconds. Xiao Wu, combine your Teleportation with the Waist Bow to reduce Soul Power consumption. Rongrong, try to use your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda to boost three people at once. Oscar, store Soul Power in your sausages in advance to shorten their summoning time. Zhuqing, make your Nether Shadow Clone more deceptive. Hongjun, learn to precisely control the temperature of your Phoenix Flame to avoid injuring your teammates."

After assigning their tasks, Zhao Wuji stepped forward with several thick black bracers in his hands. "These are Weighted Bracers. Each one weighs thirty jin. Starting today, you must wear them during training until you can use your spirit skills normally under the added weight."

Ma Hongjun took a pair of bracers and tried putting them on. The moment he raised his arm, he frowned. "They're that heavy? How are we supposed to use spirit skills while wearing these?"

"That's exactly why you need them—to break through adversity." Zhao Wuji grinned, looking somewhat fierce. "The next time you run into Ye Jin's people, they won't give you time to take off your weights!"

Training began at once. The field filled with the unceasing sounds of colliding Soul Power. Dai Mubai's tiger claws struck boulders, sending shattered stones flying. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass spread swiftly across the ground, tightly binding moving wooden stakes. Wearing Weighted Bracers, Xiao Wu teleported to designated positions again and again, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Lin Zhixia stood in the middle of the target range, the Star Guidance Bell hovering before her. Purple light from the Soul Gathering Stone intertwined with her Soul Power. An arrow marked with faint blue patterns shot forth, precisely piercing through three layers of wooden targets and leaving a tiny hole in the bullseye of the final target—that was the mark of Soul Power penetration.

By sunset, everyone had collapsed onto the ground from exhaustion. Oscar immediately handed out Recovery Sausages. "Eat up, eat up! Restore your Soul Power! Today's training was more exhausting than running ten laps around Suotuo City!"

Ning Rongrong leaned against Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder and said between breaths, "It was exhausting, but I can feel my boosting speed improving a lot. I just tried boosting Tang San and Dai Mubai at the same time, and I actually didn't run out of strength!"

Tang San wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at Lin Zhixia. "Your arrow pierced through three targets just now. You're much stronger than before."

Lin Zhixia picked up the Star Guidance Bell. The star patterns on its surface shone brighter than they had that morning. "The Soul Gathering Stone really works. I can feel my Soul Power flowing through the Star Guidance Bell, as if it's connected to the Star River Shattering Bow now."

Just then, Flender hurried over with a Soul Dueling Arena schedule in hand. "The Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City will be holding a Team Spirit Dueling Competition next week. The champions will receive a Spirit Bone Shard and five hundred Spirit Coins. I've already signed you up. Most of your opponents are Bronze Spirit Dueling Badge level, but one team has backing from Spirit Hall. It's very likely arranged by Ye Jin."

Dai Mubai abruptly sat upright. "Perfect! Let's show them the results of our training and stop them from thinking we're easy to bully!"

"But don't let your guard down." Flender's expression turned serious. "That team is called the Black Blade Team. They have three Soul Elders and specialize in sneak attacks and Poison Spirit Skills. Their methods are very similar to the people who attacked Xiao Wu and Rongrong last time."

Tang San took the schedule, his fingertip tracing across the name "Black Blade Team." "We can prepare tactics in advance. Let Zhi Xia use the Star River Shattering Bow to break through their poison defenses first. Dai Mubai and I will hold them down from the front, while Zhuqing and Xiao Wu circle around for a rear assault. Rongrong and Oscar will handle support and healing."

Lin Zhixia nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "My arrows can pierce their Soul Power defenses. As long as I lock onto their positions, I can interrupt their Poison Spirit Skills."

The setting sun's afterglow fell over them, and though their faces were exhausted, they were filled with fighting spirit. After this day of intensive training, they were no longer merely companions. They were more like a battle team that had trained together for a long time. Lin Zhixia looked at those beside her, then tightened her grip around the Star Guidance Bell and Soul Gathering Stone. The unease in her heart gradually faded—she knew that as long as they fought side by side, they could overcome even Spirit Hall's schemes.

In the distant woods, Tang Hao watched the field, gently swaying the wine bottle in his hand. Seeing the light reignite in Lin Zhixia's eyes and watching the children train with all their strength toward a common goal, the satisfaction in his gaze deepened. He did not reveal himself. Instead, he turned and walked deeper into the forest, continuing to guard them from the shadows—waiting for the day they would truly shine in the Soul Dueling Arena.