"Good. Now, introduce your Soul Skills."
Everyone answered in turn. When it was Tang San's turn, he said,
"Teacher, the Man Faced Demon Spider gave me another ability." As he spoke, he released his Eight Spider Lances.
"An External Soul Bone! What a stroke of luck. It doesn't belong to any of the six categories of Spirit Bone." Grandmaster was surprised and patted Tang San on the shoulder.
Everyone looked at Tang San enviously, but no one felt the slightest jealousy.
"Jiang Siming, you're up. Release your Martial Soul!"
Jiang Siming obediently summoned four Zhuxian Swords. Their terrifying configuration—two purple and one black—shocked everyone once again and left Grandmaster astonished.
"Wasn't your Martial Soul a Rusty Sword?" Grandmaster asked in confusion.
"My Martial Soul is a little unusual. It needs Soul Rings to be unlocked. It's actually four swords, and one of them is still sealed." Jiang Siming didn't hide anything. His First Martial Soul was the one he used most often, and the Shrek Seven Devils already knew about it.
"I see. Still, your Soul Ring Configuration is incredibly unusual. It seems your constitution is far beyond that of ordinary people," Grandmaster said, forcing himself to stay calm. Jiang Siming was his disciple, after all. Although Tang San had spent more time with him, how could Grandmaster not be excited to have such a powerful student?
"Introduce your Soul Skills," he asked again.
"My first Soul Skill is called One Sword Separates the World. As for its power, it's very strong. My second Soul Skill is called God of Slaughter Possession. It increases all attributes by 60%. My third Soul Skill is called Prison. Within its area of effect, everyone's attributes drop by 50%." Jiang Siming finished calmly, but an effortless boast could be the most devastating of all.
Grandmaster drew a deep breath.
"Siming, if we're monsters, then you're a monster among monsters. It's a good thing we're not enemies," Dai Mubai said with a sigh.
Everyone gazed at Jiang Siming with admiration. Only Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were filled with pride, as if to say, Look, this is my man. Jiang Siming caught her gaze and winked at her.
"Siming, your previous training plan is canceled. I'll draw up a new one for you. Also, throughout this entire training period, you'll be the standard the other seven are tested against," Grandmaster said solemnly.
"Seriously? Grandmaster, how are we supposed to compete with someone as ridiculous as Siming?" Dai Mubai said.
"You're all monsters. If you want to become strong, you need to have the heart of the strong. Jiang Siming is so powerful not only because of his Martial Soul. His cultivation methods should be clearer to him than they are to me. Daring to absorb Soul Rings beyond your level is itself a sign of fearlessness," Grandmaster lectured Dai Mubai, and the others as well.
"Are you useless? Answer me!"
"No!" everyone shouted in unison.
"Good. From this moment on, outside of training hours, whether you're eating, sleeping, brawling, or fighting one-on-one, use any means you can. As long as you defeat Jiang Siming, your special training will be over. Understood?"
"Understood!" Everyone looked at Jiang Siming, their eyes burning with determination. They were all geniuses too, and the Shrek Seven Devils wouldn't give up easily.
Jiang Siming looked at them helplessly.
"What did I do to deserve this?"
Chapter 29: Special Training Begins
"Our training starts today. I don't care whether you're ready. My only requirement is that you obey," Grandmaster said sternly.
"Understood!" everyone shouted together.
"Now, according to your number, pick up the basket assigned to you. Don't use Soul Power. Run a hundred laps around the village." Grandmaster pointed to the baskets full of rocks behind him.
"This is going to kill us!" Ma Hongjun couldn't help saying.
"Fatty, if you don't want to spend your whole life as a chicken, then crawl if you have to—but finish all hundred laps," Dai Mubai said, full of determination. Strictly speaking, he and Jiang Siming had trained together longer than anyone else. Now the gap between them had grown impossibly wide. Dai Mubai's Soul Power had always been much higher than Jiang Siming's, but when it came to fighting ability, there was no comparison. Even if he couldn't measure up to Jiang Siming, he didn't want to fall too far behind.
The others stopped talking and picked up their baskets, starting their laps. Only Jiang Siming stayed where he was, staring at Grandmaster in confusion.
"Teacher, do I not need to train today?" Jiang Siming had a bad feeling about this.
"You don't need to carry a basket. Look over there." Grandmaster pointed to a boulder not far away.
"No, Teacher! That rock's huge. I can't carry it in my arms or on my back." Jiang Siming spread his hands helplessly.
"That's not my problem. You'll have to figure it out yourself." Grandmaster grinned and walked away.
Sigh. Looks like I can only tie a rope around it and drag it. Jiang Siming quickly secured the rock with a rope and fastened the other end around his waist.
He took a deep breath and started chasing after the Shrek Seven Devils, leaving a long trail behind him.
"It's really heavy! But I can still manage." Jiang Siming's physical strength had reached a terrifying level. In terms of physical ability and potential alone, few could compare.
Jiang Siming gradually caught up with the Shrek Seven Devils.
"Boss Dai, did you hear that strange sound?" Ma Hongjun asked in confusion when he heard Jiang Siming dragging the rock.
"Fatty, we haven't even finished one lap, and you're already hearing things? I've been telling you that all that fat of yours needs to go," Dai Mubai said mockingly.
"Boss Dai, I think I heard it too. It's coming from behind us," Tang San said.
Everyone glanced back, then turned around in shock. Only Zhu Zhuqing looked at Jiang Siming with concern.
"Whoa, am I really seeing things? Boss Dai, is Siming even human? He's ridiculous!" Oscar said in disbelief.
"The more we learn about Brother Siming, the more we realize how huge the gap between us is. But we can't lose heart. We can't let Brother Siming leave us too far behind. Come on, everyone!" Tang San encouraged them.
"Xiao San is right. Keep it up, everyone!" Dai Mubai echoed.
"Come on!" everyone shouted together.
"Nice spirit," Jiang Siming said as he joined the group.
"Listen up. Keep a steady pace. Don't let too much distance open up between you. Breathe out every three steps, and breathe in every three steps," Jiang Siming reminded them.
Everyone did as he said.