Preparations Before Awakening

When he was four, a long talk with his father and grandfather had been like a key, opening the door to the Douluo World for Liu Feng.

From then on, Liu Feng understood that he would likely inherit the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul. On the Douluo Continent, a world of experts, it was nothing more than an ordinary existence.

Yet the unyielding spirit in his bones never allowed him to feel even a trace of discouragement.

Thus, Liu Feng embarked on a path of diligent study.

Every day, he immersed himself in learning to read, studying books, and exercising.

The Intermediate Martial Soul Meditation Method his father had carefully purchased from Spirit Hall was treated like a treasure. Every night, he studied it closely.

Liu Feng's days were packed with a strict training schedule, as regular as a precisely running clock.

Before dawn broke, while darkness still blanketed the land, his grandfather, Liu Bai, would wake him.

Though Liu Bai had entered his twilight years, his posture remained upright and his spirits vigorous. Time seemed not to have worn away much of his vitality.

"Xiao Feng, the cultivation path is like rowing upstream. Relax for a moment, and you will fall back a thousand fathoms."

"Persistence is the foremost priority."

"Whether it is soul power cultivation or physical tempering, neither can do without the accumulation of day after day."

Liu Bai's voice was deep yet powerful, especially clear in the quiet morning. It made Liu Feng instinctively straighten his back, determination and persistence shining in his eyes.

Liu Feng nodded firmly and clenched his fists. Since Heaven has given me a chance at rebirth, I absolutely cannot waste these wonderful years.

In this world where the strong preyed upon the weak, only by becoming powerful could one gain a firm foothold.

Liu Feng's first training session was running.

Though running seemed simple, it was actually one of the most effective ways to train the body.

With his short little legs, Liu Feng followed closely behind his grandfather. They set off from their home and jogged along the winding paths through the village.

After a while, he was panting heavily. His legs felt as though they had been filled with lead, and every step was incomparably difficult.

"Keep your breathing even and your steps steady. Don't be impatient."

As Liu Bai ran, he did not forget to turn back and instruct Liu Feng.

Following his words, Liu Feng adjusted his breathing rhythm. Gradually, his steps became steadier, and his breathing was no longer hurried and ragged.

They ran a lap around the village from east to west, passing along the field ridges. They finally rested briefly beside a pool before jogging back home.

By then, his father Liu Qing had already prepared breakfast. The three sat together in the courtyard and enjoyed their warm breakfast.

After breakfast, Liu Qing took medicinal materials with the villagers to sell in Prosperous Dragon Town, while Liu Bai brought Liu Feng to the grassland at the village entrance to begin teaching him basic fist techniques.

Liu Bai had learned this set of fist techniques in the army during his youth. The moves were simple, yet each was practical, making them especially suitable for beginners.

"The way of the fist: strength comes from the ground, and the waist and stance must become one."

"When throwing a punch, exert force through your waist and keep your footing steady. Only then can you strike with power."

As Liu Bai explained in detail, he demonstrated the moves himself.

His movements were crisp and decisive, his punches whistling through the air. Like a fierce tiger ready to go, he displayed the beauty of strength in full.

Liu Feng watched every movement his grandfather made without blinking, then began to imitate him earnestly.

Though his movements were still immature, every punch looked convincing.

Liu Bai observed carefully at his side, occasionally correcting his posture and patiently teaching him how to exert force.

"Xiao Feng, make sure to clench your fists and straighten your back. Only then can you exert strength."

His grandfather's voice sounded beside him. Liu Feng swiftly adjusted his posture, and Liu Bai nodded in satisfaction before continuing to teach him the next move.

After growing tired from practicing fist techniques, Liu Feng stopped to rest.

He then studied reading and writing, along with common knowledge about Soul Beasts, Herbal Knowledge, and more, continuing until it was time for lunch.

After lunch, Liu Feng continued studying meditation with his grandfather, Liu Bai.

The meditation method was an Intermediate Meditation Method Liu Qing had asked someone to buy from Spirit Hall. For an Ordinary Soul Master family like theirs, this was already the finest meditation method they could access.

"Meditation is the foundation of cultivating one's Martial Soul."

"Only through meditation can you sense the soul power inside the body, then guide and strengthen it."

Liu Bai sat cross-legged opposite Liu Feng, his voice gentle yet firm.

"But I haven't awakened my Martial Soul yet. Is practicing meditation really useful?" Liu Feng asked doubtfully.

"Having you practice meditation now is to lay the groundwork for the future."

"The key to meditation lies in the word 'still.' Young people are naturally restless. If you do not adapt in advance, you may find it difficult to calm your mind later and waste precious time for nothing."

Liu Bai explained patiently.

Liu Feng copied his grandfather, sitting cross-legged with his hands resting lightly on his knees as he slowly closed his eyes.

His breathing gradually steadied. He tried his best to empty his mind and enter an ethereal state.

At first, he gained nothing, and he could not help becoming a little impatient.

But Liu Bai's voice sounded at just the right moment. "Keep your mind calm. Do not be impatient."

"Meditation is a long process. It requires great patience."

Liu Feng took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the impatience in his heart, and continued focusing on his sensations.

Gradually, he seemed to truly sense a faint, indistinct airflow slowly moving inside his body.

A burst of joy rose in Liu Feng's heart, but he knew it might merely be a psychological effect.

After all, a meditation method was not a cultivation method like the Mysterious Heaven Skill, capable of directly cultivating Innate Soul Power.

What mattered most now was maintaining his focus. He could not let himself be distracted.

Thus, he cast aside stray thoughts and devoted himself fully to meditation.

Night spread like a vast sheet of Black Silk, slowly unfolding to envelop the entire village.

At this time, Liu Qing finished his day's work and returned home from outside.

Soon, the fragrance of food drifted from the kitchen. It was the scent of home, warm and familiar.

That night's dinner was simple home cooking, but every dish contained Special Blue Silver Grass stimulated by Liu Qing's soul skills.

"First Soul Skill: Hidden Treasure."

"Second Soul Skill: Endless Ginseng."

Liu Qing's voice was deep and powerful. As his words fell, two bright Yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet and circled his body.

Immediately afterward, two strangely shaped Blue Silver Grass plants slowly appeared in his hands.

At first glance, their leaves were no different from ordinary Blue Silver Grass. However, their roots resembled plump ginseng—one thick and one thin—resting quietly in his palms.

Liu Qing carefully placed the two Ginseng Blue Silver Grass plants into the pot of stewing chicken soup, then added several precious medicinal materials.

Before long, a rich aroma filled the air, though it seemed to carry a faint hint of bitterness.

The grandfather, father, and grandson sat around the dining table, ready to enjoy dinner.

Liu Feng lightly sipped the chicken soup, frowned slightly, and muttered softly, "The chicken soup is a little bitter."

Liu Qing smiled at his son, his eyes filled with affection. As he ladled another bowl of soup for Liu Feng, he said, "Next time, I'll add some red dates to balance the bitterness. Drink more for now. This soup is good for your body."

In the warm atmosphere, the family ate and shared their experiences from the day.

Liu Bai gave Liu Qing a detailed account of Liu Feng's daytime training, omitting not a single detail.

Liu Qing listened attentively and nodded from time to time, pride in his son showing in his eyes.

After dinner, soft moonlight spilled across the Liu Family's small courtyard, edging the various herbs within it in silver.

A faint Medicinal Fragrance permeated the air.

Liu Bai, Liu Qing, and Liu Feng, three generations of the family, sat around an old wooden table. Freshly picked Purple Leaf Grass was laid out upon it.

A special lesson was about to begin.

Every evening was precious time for Liu Feng to learn Herbal Knowledge.

He not only had to study theory from books, but also practice with his own hands, learning to recognize every medicinal material and master its properties and processing methods.

"Xiao Feng, today we'll be processing Purple Leaf Grass. Though this medicinal material is common, you must be extremely careful when handling it." Liu Bai said, picking up a stalk of Purple Leaf Grass.

Liu Qing added from the side, "Purple Leaf Grass is a key ingredient in making Stanching Ointment. If it is handled well, its medicinal effect will greatly improve."

Liu Bai picked up a small Silver Knife, its blade flashing with a cold gleam.

He gently pinched the stem of the Purple Leaf Grass and slowly drew the Silver Knife along the Leaf Vein, his movements gentle and precise.

"The leaves of Purple Leaf Grass contain abundant medicinal power, but the stem is unbearably bitter. When processing it, you must peel the leaves away intact. Never damage the Leaf Vein."

As Liu Bai expertly worked, he patiently explained the trick behind it.

Liu Feng watched without blinking, unconsciously mimicking his grandfather's movements with his hands.

Liu Qing quietly observed from the side and occasionally added, "After the leaves are removed, rinse them gently with clean water to wash away any impurities on the surface. But be gentle, or you may easily tear the leaves."

Liu Bai placed the separated Purple Leaf Grass leaves into clean water and gently stirred them. He then scooped them out and laid them on a clean cloth to dry.

Turning his head, he smiled at Liu Feng. "Xiao Feng, give it a try."

Liu Feng carefully picked up a stalk of Purple Leaf Grass. Copying his grandfather, he used the Silver Knife to gently cut along the Leaf Vein.

Though his movements were still immature and somewhat clumsy, he concentrated completely on every step, afraid of making even the slightest mistake.

Liu Feng continued processing the Purple Leaf Grass seriously. Though he was not fast, he removed every leaf intact.

Liu Bai and Liu Qing watched from the side, their eyes full of satisfaction.

Liu Qing continued, "Xiao Feng, you are still young. For now, learn to process medicinal materials with us. When you are a little older, your grandfather and I will teach you how to use different medicinal materials to make various medicinal ointments and herbal soups."

Liu Feng nodded. He knew he still had a long road ahead and needed to keep learning and accumulating experience.

After processing the medicinal materials, Liu Bai placed the Purple Leaf Grass into two containers and gently closed their lids.

Wooden boxes could preserve the medicinal effect of medicinal materials well, allowing them to have their greatest effect when needed.

"All right, today's task is complete." Liu Bai said with a smile, his eyes full of affection.

Liu Feng rubbed his slightly aching hands. Though his body was somewhat tired, his heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Liu Qing stood up and gently patted his son on the shoulder. "Xiao Feng, you did very well today. Get some rest early. Training continues tomorrow."

Liu Feng nodded and obediently followed his father back to the room.

Lying in bed, scenes of processing medicinal materials that day replayed endlessly in his mind, filling him with anticipation for the future.

Liu Bai stood in the courtyard, gazing at the sky full of stars. A flash of expectation for his grandson passed through his eyes.

The night breeze blew gently, bringing a faint Medicinal Fragrance.

Liu Bai took a deep breath and turned to return indoors.

Tomorrow would be a new day, and the Liu Family's future rested in the hands of that small figure.

Second Day Early Morning, sunlight spilled into the Liu Family's small courtyard. Liu Feng rose early and began a new day of training with his grandfather and father.