Five years passed like cascading water. Nourished by the immortal herbs of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and the Body Sect's no-expense-spared investment of resources, they slipped away quietly.
The valley where the Body Sect resided remained hidden behind the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace. It appeared tranquil, yet within it surged vibrant life and increasingly formidable auras.
Over those five years, thanks to the large quantity of immortal herbs Zichuan had brought back and the confidence gained from Du Busi's successful breakthrough to Rank 99 Limit Douluo, the entire sect entered a period of rapid development and exceptionally low-profile "hibernation."
The strength of the sect's members and disciples rose across the board. Even two more Title Douluo elders had appeared, and the sect's overall power had leaped to a whole new level.
And the source of all those changes—the Young Sect Master, whom everyone in the sect doted on, respected, and occasionally even "feared"—was currently carrying out his "daily training" in a manner that made newly recruited disciples question their lives.
"Whoosh—!"
On the mountain path at dawn, a black figure shot from the foot of the mountain toward the summit at astonishing speed, like an arrow skimming the ground. The fierce wind he kicked up flattened the weeds along the roadside.
Upon reaching the summit, he did not pause at all. With a sharp turn, he dove back down like a tiger charging off the mountain, somehow moving even faster than he had on the way up!
His feet struck the stone steps with deep, rhythmic thuds, like tireless war drums beating without cease.
A young boy who had only recently joined the sect, possessing merely a single soul ring, was rubbing his sleepy eyes as he emerged from the dormitory for morning lessons when the sight of that "humanoid beast" left him dumbfounded.
He watched the black figure race back and forth along the mountain path at inhuman speed, not even breathing heavily, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"Se-senior brother..." He tugged at an older disciple beside him, who was leisurely practicing his punches, and stammered,
"Th-that senior brother... runs like that every day. Won't he... die from exhaustion? How many trips has that been already?"
The disciple practicing his punches glanced at the tireless figure on the mountain path. His lips curled in disdain, his face bearing the numbness of someone long accustomed to the sight, as well as a trace of barely perceptible awe and pride. He snorted.
"Die from exhaustion? Kid, you must be new. That's our Young Sect Master! Die from exhaustion? Even if you died from exhaustion ten times, he could still make another ten trips, believe it?"
"Young Sect Master?" The new disciple froze, then recalled the almost deified figure whom they had repeatedly been warned about when joining the sect.
"Th-that's the one with the Dual Heart Martial Soul, who at twelve already..."
"Yeah, that's him." The older disciple cut him off, his tone complicated.
"Ever heard of having two hearts? His stamina and recovery are simply beyond anything normal people can compare to. See that? This is only his warm-up. Just wait. There'll be something even more exciting soon."
As if to confirm his words, the racing figure suddenly changed direction and, after a few leaps, arrived beneath a waterfall deep within the valley.
The waterfall was dozens of zhang high, its waters rushing violently as they crashed into the deep pool below with thunderous roars.
The figure was—
A black-haired youth nearly one meter eighty-five tall, dressed in simple black training clothes. His muscles were sleek and flowing like a leopard's, yet not overly bulky.
Without hesitation, he took off his shirt, revealing a lean, powerful upper body forged like iron. Then he stepped beneath the waterfall, into the violent torrent powerful enough to split solid rock.
He planted himself firmly in a horse stance, allowing the crushing weight of the water to batter his head, shoulders, and back. Yet his body remained unmoving, like an ancient pine rooted into a cliffside!
Not only that, he slowly raised both arms and began practicing punches beneath the waterfall!
Every punch seemed capable of blasting through the descending torrent. His fist wind briefly forced the water aside, producing dull explosions of compressed air!
"Th-this..." The new disciple's scalp tingled, and his legs went weak.
The impact of that waterfall was terrifying just to watch, yet the Young Sect Master was practicing punches inside it?
And without even using Soul Power to protect his body? Was his flesh made of iron?
"You'll get used to it." The older disciple had already lowered his stance and folded his arms as he watched the show. Smacking his lips, he said,
"Our Young Sect Master is a humanoid beast. No, he's a humanoid tyrannosaur among beasts. Comparing yourself to him? You're just asking for trouble. Watch. Once he's done training, he'll definitely find someone to 'spar' with."
Sure enough, about half an hour later, the youth beneath the waterfall let out a long howl that shook the forest, briefly overpowering even the waterfall's roar.
He kicked off the ground and shot skyward against the waterfall, sending water splashing everywhere before landing steadily beside the pool.
He shook his wet black hair, scattering droplets in every direction and revealing a face with sharp brows and bright eyes. The childishness had faded, leaving him dashing and spirited, with a hint of lazy amusement in his smile. It was none other than twelve-year-old Zichuan.
Five years had passed, and he had developed at an extraordinary rate. The vigorous blood and vitality brought by his two hearts had made him far larger than others his age. He already looked like a youth of seventeen or eighteen.
His muscles were balanced and powerful, his skin a healthy wheat color. A sharp gleam hid within his eyes, and every glance carried an imposing air. Merely standing there, he possessed the deep, unfathomable presence of still waters and towering mountains, strangely blended with the vigorous vitality unique to youth.
"Feels great!" Zichuan rolled his neck, producing a series of crackles. His blood and qi flowed freely through his body, and his energy was so abundant he had nowhere to vent it.
His gaze swept over the area and landed on a familiar figure beside the training grounds.
The man was also dressed in fitted training clothes, tall and straight. He looked three or four years older than Zichuan. Most eye-catching was his short white hair, every strand standing upright, with tiny silver-white arcs of lightning faintly flickering between the tips.
His features were handsome, and an innate arrogance and unruliness lingered between his brows. He stood with his arms folded as he watched Zichuan, battle intent rising in his eyes.
It was Long Aotian! Five years later, he was now fifteen, and his cultivation had reached the terrifying Rank 58!
After repeated tempering and the piling on of resources, his martial soul skin had long since transformed into the "Jade Gold True Body." Its defensive power was terrifying, while its attacks also carried lightning attributes. He was unquestionably one of the leading figures among the Body Sect's younger generation.
"Fight!"
The two exchanged a glance. Everything was understood without words.
Before the words had even faded, the two charged at each other like maddened bulls and collided viciously!
Boom!
They used no soul skills and did not release their martial souls. It was a purely physical collision!
Fists and legs clashed with heavy booms like beating drums. A shockwave burst outward from the two of them, blasting dust high into the air.
Long Aotian's fists flew like thunder, trailing threads of lightning. He was incredibly fast, and his strength was fierce and powerful. His skin shone with a jade-like luster, faint golden patterns flowing across it, displaying astonishing defense.
Zichuan's response was even simpler, more direct, and more domineering! He neither dodged nor evaded, meeting fist with fist and leg with leg!
His fists might not have seemed as swift or flashy as Long Aotian's, but they were heavy as mountains, each strike containing explosive power.
Even more terrifying was his defense. When Long Aotian's fists, powerful enough to shatter steles and split rocks, struck his body, they produced ringing clangs like metal striking metal. Zichuan's body merely swayed slightly, not even leaving behind a pale mark!
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