Oscar is about to break through!

Li Yusong continued:

"Fu Wen's First Soul Ring was specifically 430 years old."

"Although that was only a few years beyond the limit, it already showed that his physical constitution was far beyond that of ordinary people."

"You have to understand, ordinary Soul Masters wouldn't even dare attempt to absorb a 400-year Soul Ring."

"But Fu Wen not only absorbed one, he also raised his Soul Power by three levels in one go."

"That's the difference in talent."

Oscar nodded repeatedly as he listened.

His First Soul Ring had happened to be 400 years old.

It had been within the limit.

Li Yusong glanced at him and continued:

"Of course, talent is only one part of it."

"Hard work afterward is just as important."

"If you lack talent and don't work hard, you're wasting your life."

"If you have talent but don't know how to cherish it, you're squandering a priceless treasure."

"Do you understand?"

"We understand!"

Fu Wen and Oscar answered in unison.

That afternoon, Zhao Wuji taught their practical combat class.

It was called a combat class, but in reality, it was a class on taking a beating.

Zhao Wuji's Martial Soul was a Vajra Bear, and he was a Power Attack System Battle Soul Saint.

His teaching method was simple.

"I'll stand here without moving. The two of you attack me together. If you can make me take even half a step, you win."

The result was obvious.

Fu Wen and Oscar ended up bruised and battered.

But every time they got beaten up, they could feel themselves improving.

Especially Fu Wen.

Every time he fought Zhao Wuji, he learned something new.

How to exert force, how to redirect an opponent's force, how to find an opening, how to seize a chance to counterattack when at a disadvantage...

These were things you couldn't learn from books. You could only master them through actual combat.

"All right, that's enough for today."

Zhao Wuji clapped his hands.

"Xiao Ao, you're still too weak. Go back and train more."

"Xiao Wen, your attacks are too one-dimensional. You need to learn to adapt."

"You can't rely on brute force every time, can you? What will you do when you meet a Soul Master who's faster and more skilled? No matter how strong your attacks are, they're useless if you can't land a hit."

"And what will you do if your opponent is stronger than you and at a higher level?"

Fu Wen nodded thoughtfully.

By the time they finished dinner, the sky had already grown dark.

Fu Wen and Oscar returned to their dormitory to soak in a medicinal bath.

They had started this routine three months ago.

Fu Wen had found a medicinal-bath recipe in an ancient text. It was specifically meant to strengthen the body and temper the muscles and bones.

The herbs weren't expensive, but the results were excellent.

Combined with cultivating the Innate Divine Crocodile Art, the two complemented each other perfectly.

"Xiao Wen, where did you learn this medicinal-bath recipe?"

Oscar was soaking in a wooden tub, groaning contentedly.

"I read it in a book."

Fu Wen leaned against the side of his tub, eyes closed.

"What book? How come I've never seen it?"

"You don't read, so of course you've never seen it."

"..."

Oscar was at a loss for words.

He really didn't like reading.

During Li Yusong's theory classes, he was lucky if he managed to take in half of what was said.

Fu Wen was different. He listened especially attentively in class and even borrowed books from Li Yusong to read afterward.

"How come you, a Power Attack System Battle Soul Master, like reading more than me, a food-type Soul Master?"

Oscar couldn't make heads or tails of it.

"Knowledge is power."

Fu Wen opened his eyes and glanced at Oscar.

"You wouldn't understand."

"Fine, fine. You understand. You understand everything."

Oscar rolled his eyes and fell silent.

After soaking in the medicinal bath for half an hour, the two climbed out of the tubs, dried themselves off, and changed into clean clothes.

Fu Wen sat cross-legged on his bed, closed his eyes, and began circulating the Innate Divine Crocodile Art.

Soul Power flowed slowly through his body along a specific route, penetrating his limbs and bones, his organs and viscera.

One cycle, two cycles, three cycles...

With each cycle, his Soul Power became a little purer, and his body a little tougher.

The sensation was very comfortable.

It was like soaking in warm water, or being wrapped in some invisible force.

Fu Wen's breathing gradually steadied, and he entered a state of complete tranquility.

Oscar also sat down on his bed and began circulating his meditation method.

His method was different from Fu Wen's.

Although Flender had also taught Fu Wen a basic meditation method, after he began cultivating the Innate Divine Crocodile Art, he never used it again.

The Innate Divine Crocodile Art was superior to any meditation method.

Flender had noticed that, too.

Three months ago, that night, Flender had sensed something unusual about Fu Wen's cultivation.

He hadn't asked much, only reminding him:

"No matter what technique you're cultivating, remember to know your limits. Don't rush to succeed."

Fu Wen had remembered.

So every time he cultivated, he controlled how long he practiced and didn't let himself overexert.

Time passed second by second.

One hour, two hours, three hours...

Four hours later, Fu Wen opened his eyes.

His Soul Power was circulating more slowly, and his body was sending him a signal.

He had reached his limit.

If he continued, it wouldn't do him any good. It would only damage his body.

Fu Wen exhaled a breath of stale air and stretched his somewhat stiff body.

Crack! Crack!

His bones made crisp, popping sounds, like beans frying in a pan.

For the past three months, he had heard this sound every time he finished cultivating.

At first, he had been delighted. Now, he was used to it.

Fu Wen no longer thought anything of it.

He glanced at Oscar beside him.

Oscar was still cultivating, his brows faintly furrowed and fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

He seemed to be at a crucial moment.

Fu Wen didn't disturb him. He climbed quietly out of bed and walked to the window.

He opened it, and the night breeze swept in, carrying a hint of chill.

He looked up at the sky, where stars glittered brilliantly.

Fu Wen took a deep breath, feeling the power surging within him.

Level sixteen.

In three months, he had gone from level thirteen to level sixteen.

That was nearly one level per month.

It might not sound fast, especially since he had Innate Full Soul Power and had risen three levels on the day he awakened.

But Fu Wen knew this pace was already very fast.

The further Soul Masters advanced, the slower their cultivation became.

At the one-ring stage, ordinary people were doing well if they gained two or three levels in a year.

At one level a month, he was already a genius among geniuses.

What was more, he wasn't just cultivating Soul Power.

His body and soul were improving in tandem.

The cultivation speed of the Innate Divine Crocodile Art was even faster than he'd expected.

"At this rate, I'll break through to the second ring in a few more months."

Fu Wen clenched his fist, silently calculating.

But he also knew he couldn't rush things.

In cultivation, haste makes waste.

A steady pace was the proper path.

A little while later, Oscar opened his eyes too.

He gasped for breath, his face weary, but there was a hint of excitement in his eyes.

"Xiao Wen, I feel... I feel like I'm about to break through!"

"Really?"

Fu Wen turned and looked at Oscar.

"Really!"

Oscar nodded emphatically.

"I'm so close. I feel like I'm about to pierce through that barrier!"

"Maybe it'll happen tomorrow, maybe the day after!"

"Either way, it'll be in the next few days!"