Growth Under Pressure

Dai Mubai and Le Bai were both people who kept their word.

Early the next morning, Dai Mubai provided Le Bai with a large amount of materials.

That afternoon, Le Bai finished crafting the Soul Guidance Devices for the three of them.

Since none of the three had specific requirements for the appearance, Le Bai made them all in the style of bracers and simply named these bracer-shaped Soul Guidance Devices "Pressure Bracers."

"Come, come, these are your Pressure Bracers. Put them on, but don't rush to inject your soul power yet. Let me explain the usage method to you carefully first."

As it was getting dark, Le Bai called the three, who had finished their day's training, into the room and handed each of them a bracer: "Yesterday in the Dean's Office, you all heard what the Dean and I discussed, so you should already know the general points to watch out for, but there are some details I didn't have time to mention."

The three knew Le Bai well and understood he wouldn't joke about training matters. After putting on the bracers, they didn't make any unnecessary movements and listened to Le Bai earnestly.

"First is the adjustment of the pressure."

Le Bai pointed to the decorative patterns on the surface of the bracer: "These things that look like patterns are actually scales. As the injected soul power increases, the patterns will light up in stages, just like this."

Le Bai demonstrated, and the pattern on the bracer on his wrist lit up partially. One could see a number inside the lit-up section with a slightly different color.

"See this 'one'?"

Le Bai pointed to the number: "This represents that the soul power I injected into it has reached the level of one Soul Ring, which is the ten-level mark, and it also means the pressure has reached the set 'level one.' It's similar going forward, up to a maximum of level nine pressure, corresponding to level ninety soul power. However, I have never come into contact with someone with level ninety soul power, so it's unclear if this Soul Guidance Device can actually withstand such high soul power."

"Le Bai,"

Dai Mubai asked: "According to what you said, in order to keep the bracer in an activated state, our soul power will be constantly consumed?"

"Yes, soul power will be constantly consumed."

Le Bai affirmed: "But as long as you activate the Limiting Valve, the consumption of soul power can be greatly reduced. If you can master Parallel Thinking—I mean the technique of Distraction Dual-Use—you can offset this part of the soul power consumption through the recovery effect brought about by maintaining the circulation of soul power. I think it shouldn't be much of a problem."

Among those present, Le Bai and Oscar were both people very skilled at Distraction Dual-Use, and Ma Hongjun had also mastered the basics. Only Dai Mubai had average talent in this area and had practiced for a relatively short time, so he couldn't yet recover while consuming like the other three.

"Damn it, why is Distraction Dual-Use so difficult?!"

Dai Mubai grabbed his blond hair in frustration.

"The Pressure Bracer is a good opportunity for you!"

Le Bai pointed to the bracer: "This can also be used to practice Distraction Dual-Use. As long as you don't activate the Limiting Valve, Boss Dai, you will need to constantly pay attention to the amount of soul power injected into it. In this way, you can practice the ability of Distraction Dual-Use while exercising. However, when the soul power is unstable, the pressure will also change repeatedly, which will be very uncomfortable."

"It doesn't matter!"

Dai Mubai looked determined: "It's just physical discomfort; I can endure it! It's better than feeling bad in my heart in the future!"

"Well said! As expected of Boss Dai!"

Le Bai praised Dai Mubai and suggested: "You guys go eat and wash up first, and gather here before dark. Tonight, you will be able to experience the wonderful feeling of rapid soul power growth under pressure!"

"Got it!" ×3

That night:

"Agh! So, so uncomfortable... feels like my internal organs are about to be squeezed out..."

"Can't, can't move, can't breathe..."

"Soul power injection is so hard to control, it hurts, damn it! The pressure changed again! Hiss--soul power is running out again!"

Ghost-like wails and howls echoed in the room until dawn.

Tortured by the effects of the Soul Guidance Devices all night, the three were physically and mentally exhausted.

"Your performance is much more impressive than I thought!"

Le Bai's evaluation was the complete opposite of how the three evaluated themselves: "I originally thought you would definitely run into danger and need my help. As expected, the three of you have quite good talent!"

"..." ×3

The three were exhausted to the point of not even having the strength to speak.

"But always being in this miserable state won't do."

Le Bai opened the Gate of Opening: "I'll go to the Dean's place first to find out the teachers' requirements for the appearance of the Soul Guidance Devices. You guys recover."

"..." ×3

The three didn't speak, but their hands moved, giving a thumbs up to show they understood.

A month later, Le Bai finally finished crafting all the styles of Soul Guidance Devices requested by the Academy teachers.

Because it wasn't as urgent as the ones for Oscar and the others, Le Bai only made them every few days.

The Shrek teachers who received the Soul Guidance Devices all gave positive reviews after familiarizing themselves with the operation and adapting to the feeling of pressure all over their bodies.

After a month of adaptation and training, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Dai Mubai were finally able to "activate the Soul Guidance Device effect all day while completing the day's training content."

Under the pressure generated by the Soul Guidance Device, their soul power improvement efficiency increased significantly, and huge rewards always make people surge with the motivation to "grind."

Although it was particularly painful at the beginning, after surviving the first few days, it wasn't very difficult to persist. After all, this wasn't their first time executing a training plan formulated by Le Bai, and they had long been mentally prepared.

In the blink of an eye, another half a year passed.

The three people other than Le Bai were finally able to maintain their normal daily training volume under the pressure intensity corresponding to their own Soul Power Level.

"Little Ao, how many laps do I have left?"

"Huh? Shouldn't you count that yourself, Boss Dai?"

"Ninth lap, six more to go."

"Ha, you're still the best, Ma Hongjun."

"Boss Dai, if you still have the energy to talk this much, Le Bai is definitely going to increase your workload if he sees you."

"Aren't you the same?"

"You two, Le Bai is probably about to lap us soon."

"..." (Instantly shut up) ×2

A few seconds later, Le Bai caught up to them from behind with a brisk, light stride, then slowed his pace to match theirs: "I've finished my workout for today, and next, I'm going to conduct Soul Power Control training. You should have adapted to the pressure training by now, so starting tomorrow, we will also continue with Soul Power Control training."

Oscar and Dai Mubai's faces darkened, while Ma Hongjun remained unchanged.

Seeing this, Le Bai reminded them in a low voice: "Oscar, Boss Dai, don't you think the training plans I've set for you lately haven't been as extreme as they were before?"

Once mentioned, the two of them immediately realized it.

They listened as Le Bai continued: "Did you think I didn't notice your progress, or did you think I lowered my requirements for you? Come on, have a little faith in me. That was clearly autonomous training time I specifically left for you. It's a pity you two have been slacking off lately and haven't been as proactive as Ma Hongjun. So, I have no choice but to be a bit tougher and bring you along for the training."

After saying this, Le Bai accelerated and ran off.

After a long while, Oscar and Dai Mubai finally asked Ma Hongjun: "Did you realize Le Bai's intentions a long time ago?"

Ma Hongjun looked at the two of them with a blank expression: "What else?"

The two were left speechless.

Then, they both took a deep breath at the same time and cursed: "Damn it!"