The Limits of Training

On the peaceful Douluo Continent, Liu Feng's growth had become closely intertwined with Blue Silver Grass.

Ever since successfully constructing the Blue Silver Grass Network, his life had revolved around Blue Silver Grass and arduous cultivation.

That afternoon, as usual, Liu Feng came to the waterfall on the west side of the village.

The waterfall thundered down from the towering, steep cliff, producing a deafening roaring sound. Its immense force seemed capable of shaking the entire world.

Spray filled the air, forming a dreamlike veil of thin mist that made everything around it hazy and mysterious.

Standing before the waterfall, Liu Feng took a deep breath of cool, water-laden air. He felt the powerful pressure brought by the waterfall, yet his gaze only grew firmer.

He stared fixedly at the boulder in the center of the waterfall, polished incomparably smooth by the rushing water. That was the battlefield where he challenged his limits every day.

After a year of persistent, grueling training, Liu Feng's progress was obvious.

At first, he could only barely hold on for the time it took an incense stick to burn at the edge of the waterfall, where the current was relatively gentle.

Now, he could stand steadily at the very center of the waterfall and endure its impact for an entire hour.

Liu Feng skillfully climbed onto the boulder, planted his feet firmly, and assumed a standard horse stance.

In an instant, the surging current crashed into his body like enraged primordial fierce beasts, carrying infinite strength.

His clothes were instantly soaked through, clinging tightly to his body and outlining the increasingly solid lines of muscles forged through long-term training.

His muscles tensed with exertion. Every inch of skin endured the enormous, mountain-crushing pressure of the current, as if it could be torn apart at any moment.

As time slowly passed, Liu Feng's breathing gradually became rapid and heavy, and every exhale carried white water vapor.

Sweat mixed with the waterfall spray and continuously slid down his forehead, drop by drop falling into the pool beneath his feet. It blurred his vision and turned the world before him into a hazy blur.

His legs also began to tremble slightly, a signal of exhaustion sent by his body.

Yet Liu Feng's gaze became even more resolute as he constantly encouraged himself in his heart: Hold on. I can do this! I can't stop here. I have to become stronger!

The faces of his family involuntarily surfaced in his mind: his father's encouraging gaze, Grandpa's kind smile, and the admiring looks in the eyes of the children in the village.

Those images were like warm, bright flames, becoming the powerful motivation that kept him going and supported his exhausted body.

Finally, an hour passed. Liu Feng looked at the gradually setting sun. Orange-red sunset glow had already spread across the horizon, its gorgeous colors seeming like nature's praise for his perseverance that day.

Dusk arrived as expected, and he sighed in relief. That breath carried exhaustion, but even more than that, the satisfaction of completing the challenge.

He leaped down from the boulder and plunged into the clear pool below.

The cool water instantly enveloped his utterly exhausted body. The chill seeped from his skin into his bones, bringing him an unprecedented sense of comfort, as though the pool had washed away the fatigue of the entire day.

He swam several hard laps through the water. Every stroke made him feel the soreness in his muscles, yet he enjoyed that soreness because it was proof of his efforts.

He moved his aching muscles, trying to ease the fatigue in his body so he could return home in better condition.

When Liu Feng climbed ashore, Gulu, the family dog, happily ran over.

Gulu's tail wagged like a rattle, so fast it was nearly impossible to see. He let out soft whimpers, his voice filled with affection and delight.

He affectionately rubbed against Liu Feng's leg, using his warm body to convey how much he had missed his master.

Looking at that Familiar Figure, Liu Feng revealed a warm smile. It carried the relaxation that followed a tiring day, as well as his affection for Gulu.

He knew Gulu had come to call him home for dinner.

Liu Feng gently patted Gulu's head. The soft fur slipped beneath his fingertips as he removed a bundle from Gulu.

Opening the bundle, he found Blue Silver Grass Ginseng formed from the Soul Skill his father had left behind.

Without hesitation, Liu Feng placed it in his mouth. In an instant, a warm, moist, and powerful force spread inside his body like warm sunlight spilling across him.

His exhausted body swiftly regained its vitality, and the soreness gradually vanished. He felt filled with strength once more, as though he could challenge that raging waterfall again.

Liu Feng patted Gulu's back, and man and dog headed toward home. Their figures stretched long beneath the lingering light of the setting sun, like a warm painting.

When he returned home, Grandpa Liu Bai came forward and said, "Xiao Feng, your dad will be back late today. Let's wait for him before we eat."

Liu Feng answered, then took the opportunity to go over to the Blue Silver Grass in the courtyard.

The sight before him made him sigh in wonder. The Blue Silver Grass in the courtyard was fully half again as tall as before. Its leaves had become broader and thicker, so blue they seemed ready to drip with water, while their color had deepened further.

The Blue Silver Grass throughout the village was the same. Looking out, he saw a scene bursting with life, with all things flourishing.

A light breeze passed by, and the Blue Silver Grass swayed gently.

These changes were not only thanks to the miraculous power of the Blue Silver Grass Network, but were also closely tied to Liu Feng's tireless efforts over the past several years.

The greenhouse in the courtyard had now expanded considerably and had been moved behind the house.

Over the past few years, Liu Feng had carefully selected the hardiest plants from all the surrounding Blue Silver Grass, preserving their seeds and cultivating them attentively in the greenhouse.

Afterward, he sowed the cultivated Blue Silver Grass outside. Once it had grown for a period of time, he screened it again and kept the seeds.

To complete this arduous task, Liu Feng had formed a cooperation with the children in the village.

He patiently taught the children training techniques: how to adjust their breathing and how to use the strength of their muscles.

He taught them how to practice boxing, personally demonstrating every move and explaining the key points of exerting force.

He also taught them how to use spear technique and bow and arrow, from how to nock and fire an arrow to how to aim at a target, overlooking no detail.

The children happily helped him select Blue Silver Grass, their eyes wide as they carefully distinguished the strength of each plant.

When helping with planting, they worked with great enthusiasm as well, their small figures bustling through the fields.

Only after years of repeated effort had they achieved these astonishing results. In addition to the powerful support of the Blue Silver Grass Network, the Blue Silver Grass throughout the entire village had undergone earth-shaking changes, growing half again as large.

Liu Feng walked over to the Blue Silver Grass mat where he usually meditated. Grandpa had personally woven it during his spare time.

He slowly sat down, crossed his legs, placed his hands naturally on his knees, and immersed himself in the world of Blue Silver Grass once again.

Today's meditation went especially smoothly. He felt that his connection with the Blue Silver Grass Network had become even closer, as though he could hear the faint whispers of the Blue Silver Grass.

His consciousness continuously extended along the veins of the Blue Silver Grass, and everything around him became clear and tranquil.

He could feel Blue Silver Grass's longing for sunlight, its longing for rainwater, and its persistence in growing.

During meditation, Liu Feng could clearly sense the circulation of Soul Power inside his body.

The Soul Power that had originally flowed through his meridians now surged like rushing rivers, growing increasingly forceful.

He focused on guiding the Soul Power, making it cycle endlessly inside his body and continuously strengthening his body and meridians.

As time passed, Liu Feng felt his Soul Power constantly breaking through its limits and advancing toward a higher level.

It was a wondrous feeling, as though he were standing halfway up a towering mountain and climbing desperately toward the mountain peak. Every step was filled with hardship, yet every step brought him closer to his goal.

Finally, the meditation ended. Liu Feng slowly opened his eyes, excitement gleaming within them.

He could clearly feel that his Soul Power had reached level 15.

At the age of twelve, reaching such a level of Soul Power was undoubtedly a tremendous breakthrough.

Liu Feng's heart was filled with accomplishment. He knew this was the result of his long-term cultivation and hard work.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly into a confident smile, as though he were announcing his growth to the world.

Not long after the meditation ended, his father, Liu Qing, returned.

A trace of fatigue rested on Liu Qing's face, the mark of striving for a living. But when he saw Liu Feng, a Relieved Smile immediately appeared in his eyes, filled with pride in his son's growth.

Liu Feng came forward. After exchanging a few simple words with his father, Liu Qing said, "Zhang Ma and Zhang Niu came to see me today. Their sons are also going to obtain their First Soul Ring, and they want me to help them with Soul Hunting. I agreed, so I'll probably be gone for at least a week."

Liu Feng nodded, then told his father about his waterfall training. "Dad, I've recently been able to hold on for an hour while training at the waterfall, but I feel the results aren't as obvious as before."

After hearing this, Liu Qing pondered for a moment before saying, "I don't have any better ideas either. These are the only methods we have for now. If you want to improve the training effect further, I'm afraid you'll have to add weights."

"When I go to town, I'll have a set of weighted training equipment custom-made for you, something like Iron Armor. How does that sound?"

Liu Feng thought about it and felt that this was the only option for now, so he nodded in agreement.