Methods for Training Soul Power Control

"The form and usage of a Soul Skill? What do you mean by that?"

Dai Mubai could no longer remember how many questions he had asked today; it felt as if the years of elite royal education he had received were all a lie.

"Uh, do I really have to explain this too? Boss Dai, your ability to understand language and text is a bit lacking."

Le Bai made no effort to hide his disdain for Dai Mubai, but in order to keep the conversation going, he patiently explained: "It's all literal. Take your White Tiger Intense Light Wave, for example. Its original form—that is, without you applying any manipulation—is a golden wave of soul power. Changing its form means you make that wave thinner or thicker."

"How could that..."

Dai Mubai instinctively wanted to deny it, but the words died on his lips.

He realized that whenever he released a Soul Skill, he had never once tried to control it. He would simply dump his soul power into the Soul Ring, and once the ring activated the skill, he would just let it fly.

"It is entirely possible."

Le Bai affirmed, "Soul Skills are essentially our own soul power; it's just that their form and properties have changed, but the soul power still belongs to us. As long as that remains true, no matter what shape the soul power takes, we can definitely control it."

"Can I try it now?"

Dai Mubai was eager to give it a go: "I want to see if it's really possible!"

"Wait until I'm finished."

Le Bai stopped him: "Since I've already started, just listen until I'm done before you begin trying."

"Fine."

Dai Mubai suppressed his inner impulse: "What's next regarding the usage of Soul Skills? Is there some trick to it? Don't tell me an attack-type Soul Skill can also be used for support?"

"Why not?"

Le Bai countered with a question, then gave an example: "If I have a sword, it's only natural to use it for slashing or stabbing. But can't I use the flat of the blade to slap someone? Or use it as a shield to block? If I'm not afraid of hurting my hands, I could even grab the blade and use the hilt to smash!"

"This..."

Dai Mubai was stunned. He had never thought of using a sword that way. But with Le Bai's practical examples, Dai Mubai's perspective suddenly broadened: "I think I understand a little, but it's still not quite clear."

"That's normal."

Le Bai patted Dai Mubai's arm to comfort him: "Oscar and Ma Hongjun were the same way at the beginning; it's a small issue. You're just not used to this way of thinking yet. Think about it more, and you'll get used to it."

"Way of thinking... another term I've never heard before."

Dai Mubai's eyes sparkled: "But I understand the meaning!"

"In short, as long as you understand what I'm trying to express, Boss Dai, that's enough."

Le Bai used his soul power to "scoop" a ball of water from the stream: "Next, I'll briefly explain how to train your Soul Power Control."

Dai Mubai watched the water droplet hovering in Le Bai's hand, assuming an attentive posture, ready to "listen with all his might."

"The method I'm currently using to train control is quite difficult. Since you're a beginner, Boss Dai, I suggest you first try to 'grab water' with your soul power."

Le Bai turned his palm upward, and a fist-sized ball of water gradually stabilized, hovering about ten centimeters above his palm while slowly rotating: "This method of training soul power control should start with a feather or a leaf, then move on to wood or mud, and finally water. Considering your talent is high enough, I'll have you start directly with water. Any problems?"

"That..."

Dai Mubai looked troubled: "Le Bai, can you first tell me how you used your soul power to 'grab' the water?"

"Ah, sorry, Boss Dai, I accidentally skipped that part."

Le Bai slowed his thinking speed slightly. He was currently maintaining Parallel Thinking; he had already finished explaining it to Dai Mubai in his mind, but his mouth hadn't conveyed the content in time: "First, control your soul power to wrap around your palm, then scoop up a handful of water from the stream. Next, try to make the soul power wrapping your palm transition into a state that completely encases the water. Finally, maintain this state, slowly increase your soul power, and lift the water high up."

"Just like that?"

Dai Mubai found it hard to believe, as what Le Bai described was much simpler than he had imagined: "All I have to do is what you said?"

"That's the first stage of training."

Le Bai reminded him: "Throughout the process, be careful not to let the water spill. Although this training sounds simple, and looks simple, it's likely much harder than you imagine when you actually do it."

"Alright, I'll work hard."

Dai Mubai nodded, then pointed toward Oscar and Ma Hongjun: "What are those two doing now?"

The two were sitting cross-legged on the ground, with only a few small water droplets floating around them, their soul power fluctuations rising and falling.

"That is the third stage of the water-grabbing training—without using your hands, release your soul power from your entire body to maintain the water around you."

Le Bai explained briefly: "It took them over a year to reach this level. It's good that you're confident, Boss Dai, but it's better not to overestimate yourself."

"Ahahaha..."

Dai Mubai laughed awkwardly: "Cough, well then, shall I start practicing?"

"Start away, I'm going to begin as well."

After saying this, Le Bai sat down on the spot, and a stable, barely perceptible fluctuation of soul power began to emanate from his body.

Dai Mubai glanced at Le Bai, not quite understanding whether Le Bai was cultivating his soul power or training his control over it.

"Regardless, I'll just try to grab the water according to Le Bai's method."

Thinking this, Dai Mubai reached his hand toward the stream...

Two hours later, the sun had risen high, reminding everyone that it was time to prepare for lunch.

"Ahhh! Damn it! Why can't I just grab it!"

Dai Mubai watched in agony as the water in his hands flowed back into the stream within the span of a few breaths.

"Dammit, why!? It looked so simple when Le Bai demonstrated it!"

Dai Mubai irritably clawed at his golden hair.

"Hey, Boss Dai, time to go eat lunch!"

Le Bai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun finished their morning Soul Power Control training at the same time and reminded Dai Mubai, "If you don't eat enough before the physical training starts this afternoon, it'll be hard to make it to the end."

"I'm coming!"

Dai Mubai stood up, but just as he was about to take a step, his entire body went limp and he lunged forward.

Crap! The water-grabbing practice consumed too much soul power!

Dai Mubai immediately realized why he had gone weak, and as the ground rushed up to meet him, he instinctively closed his eyes.

There was no sensation of his face hitting the ground as expected, only the feeling of being suddenly caught by something:

"Boss Dai, snap out of it!"

Dai Mubai snapped his eyes open and discovered that Le Bai had appeared beside him at some point, supporting him with one hand to keep him from falling: "Sorry, could you give me a hand? I think I consumed too much soul power during the Soul Power Control training just now..."