Morning Training Incident: A Contest of Soul Power

At first light, footsteps already echoed across Nuoding Academy's training grounds. Tang San carried a cloth pack filled with stones as he jogged along the track. The rope of the pack had left his shoulders slightly red, yet only a thin sheen of sweat covered his forehead—this was the training plan Master had made for him. Running with weight could train his control over Soul Power and strengthen his body as well.

Not far away, Lin Zhixia stood in an open area, holding a silver short arrow condensed from Soul Power as she practiced aiming at a tree trunk. Her arm was held straight, her gaze focused. Every arrow struck the mark on the trunk with perfect accuracy. The star pattern at the arrow's tail glimmered faintly before the arrow dissolved into Soul Power and scattered through the air.

"Tang San! Zhi Xia!" A crisp voice called from the entrance to the training grounds. Xiao Wu, dressed in a short pink top with her hair braided, ran over with two steamed buns in her hands. "I brought you breakfast from the cafeteria. Come eat!"

Tang San stopped, took the cloth pack from his back, and walked over to Xiao Wu. "Thank you, Xiao Wu."

Lin Zhixia also withdrew her Soul Power and walked over to them, taking the steamed bun Xiao Wu offered her. "Thank you." She took a bite, and its warmth spread through her mouth, stirring a trace of warmth in her heart—ever since her parents had passed away, it had been a long time since anyone had cared for her like this.

The three sat on the stone steps beside the training grounds, eating breakfast. Looking toward where Lin Zhixia had been practicing, Xiao Wu asked curiously, "Zhi Xia, can your Starfall Bow only be used after you condense arrows? When you showed us your Martial Soul before, I don't think I saw any arrows."

Lin Zhixia nodded and explained, "Master said that my Starfall Bow needs Soul Power to condense arrows. The more abundant my Soul Power is, the more powerful the arrows will be. I haven't obtained a Soul Ring yet, so I can only condense the most basic short arrows. Once I have a Soul Ring, I'll be able to condense stronger arrows."

Tang San added, "Master made a plan for me too. He wants me to train my Soul Power Control first and bring out the toughness of Blue Silver Grass. Once my Soul Power reaches level ten, I'll go obtain my first Soul Ring."

Resting her chin on her hand, Xiao Wu said enviously, "Master is so nice. He even makes custom training plans for you two. Unlike me, I can only practice the basic circulation of Soul Power with everyone else."

Just then, several figures approached. At their head was the tall boy who had mocked Tang San in the dormitory before. His name was Wang Hao. His Martial Soul was an Iron Sword, and his Soul Power had already reached level six. Wang Hao looked at Tang San, a mocking smile curling across his lips. "Well, if it isn't the useless Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. Putting on a show here so early in the morning—does it do any good?"

The boys behind him joined in the jeering. "Exactly! No matter how much a useless Martial Soul trains, it'll never amount to anything!"

Xiao Wu immediately stood up and frowned at Wang Hao. "Why are you bullying people again? Tang San's Martial Soul isn't useless. Even Master said he has great potential!"

Wang Hao shot Xiao Wu a disdainful glance. "Master said so? Master is just a weirdo who spends all day studying useless theories. Can anything he says be trusted? If you've got the guts, let his Blue Silver Grass compete with my Iron Sword and see whose Martial Soul is stronger!"

Lin Zhixia stood as well, clenching her fists as she stared steadily at Wang Hao. "Don't go too far. Martial Souls aren't ranked as noble or lowly. You can't talk about Tang San like that!"

Tang San held Xiao Wu and Lin Zhixia back, looking calmly at Wang Hao. "How do you want to compete?"

Wang Hao had not expected Tang San to accept the challenge. He froze for a moment, then laughed. "Simple. We'll clash our Martial Souls once. Whoever gets knocked back first loses! The loser must bow and apologize whenever he sees the winner from now on!"

Tang San nodded. "Fine."

Students doing morning exercises quickly gathered around them, all watching with curiosity—one had the supposedly useless Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, while the other had the Tool Martial Soul, Iron Sword. Everyone believed Tang San would definitely lose.

Wang Hao raised his right hand, and Soul Power surged. A silver Iron Sword appeared out of thin air, its blade gleaming with a metallic sheen. He gripped the sword and waved it at Tang San. "Come on, let me see how powerful your useless Martial Soul is!"

Tang San took a deep breath and raised his right hand. Pale blue Blue Silver Grass slowly emerged, its leaves swaying gently in the breeze. He circulated the Soul Power within him, and the Blue Silver Grass instantly became tough, like a supple yet powerful whip.

"Let's begin!" Wang Hao shouted, gripping his Iron Sword as he slashed toward Tang San. The blade cut through the air with a fierce whistle.

Tang San's eyes narrowed as he controlled the Blue Silver Grass to coil around the Iron Sword. Just as the sword was about to strike the Blue Silver Grass, it suddenly tightened, wrapping around the blade like a net. Wang Hao strained to break free, only to discover that the Blue Silver Grass was extraordinarily tough. No matter how hard he tried, he could not pull his sword free.

"How is this possible?!" Wang Hao's eyes widened in shock. He had never expected the seemingly frail Blue Silver Grass to possess such strength.

Tang San did not hesitate. He circulated his Soul Power, and the Blue Silver Grass gave a fierce tug. Wang Hao lost his balance and staggered back several steps, nearly falling to the ground. His Iron Sword also slipped from his hand and fell to the ground because he had used too much force.

The surrounding students were stunned. No one had expected Tang San to defeat Wang Hao's Iron Sword with Blue Silver Grass.

Wang Hao's face flushed red. He picked up the Iron Sword from the ground and said unwillingly, "You... you were just lucky! If you've got the guts, compete with me again!"

"There's no need," Tang San said, withdrawing his Blue Silver Grass and looking calmly at Wang Hao. "A bet is a bet. Do you remember what you said just now?"

Wang Hao gritted his teeth. Under the gazes of the surrounding students, he reluctantly bowed to Tang San and muttered, "Sorry." Then he fled in embarrassment with the boys behind him.

Xiao Wu jumped up excitedly and patted Tang San on the shoulder. "Tang San, you were amazing! I knew your Blue Silver Grass wasn't a useless Martial Soul!"

Lin Zhixia smiled as well. "Tang San, your Soul Power Control was incredible just now. I never imagined Blue Silver Grass could be so tough."

Tang San smiled. "It was all taught by Master. He said the strengths of Blue Silver Grass lie in its toughness and control. As long as they're used well, they can display unexpected power."

Just then, a familiar voice sounded. "Well done, Tang San."

The three turned and saw Master Yu Xiaogang standing not far away in a long robe, a hint of approval in his eyes.

"Master!" the three called out together.

Master walked over and nodded. "A contest of Soul Power does not depend only on the strength of one's Martial Soul. It also depends on one's control and use of Soul Power. Tang San, you understood the advantages of Blue Silver Grass very well. You did not waste your talent."

He then looked at Lin Zhixia. "Zhi Xia, you practiced your archery very seriously just now. But remember, when condensing arrows, your output of Soul Power must be steadier. Only then will the arrows have greater accuracy and power."

Lin Zhixia committed his words to heart. "Thank you, Master. I'll keep that in mind."

Finally, Master looked at Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, your Martial Soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit. It excels in speed and flexibility. In the future, you can practice movement techniques more and make the most of your strengths. If you're willing, I can make a training plan for you as well."

Xiao Wu's eyes widened in delight. "Really? Thank you, Master!"

The morning sun gradually rose, spilling golden light across the training grounds and illuminating the smiling faces of the three children. Looking at the friends and teacher beside him, Tang San's determination to cultivate grew even firmer. Lin Zhixia clenched her fists and silently vowed to increase her strength as quickly as possible, so that she could avenge her parents one day. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, skipped along beside Master, asking him about the details of cultivation.

Their path of cultivation had only just begun, and on Nuoding Academy's training grounds, they had left behind the first footprints of their growth.