A Six-Month Training Plan

"Dong'er, wake up! Come on, wake up!"

After class, Ban Shu shook Bibi Dong, who had already fallen asleep beside him. "The theory lesson is over. Time for the next one."

"Is it?"

Bibi Dong slowly came to, lifting her head groggily. When she saw Ban Shu calling her, she rubbed her eyes and stretched luxuriously. "Ahh, that was a wonderful nap."

"Big sister!"

Ban Shu shook his head helplessly. Bibi Dong was great in every way, except for one thing: she was a complete failure at studying.

She had no interest in books at all. The moment she opened one, her eyelids started drooping, and before long, she'd fallen asleep.

No wonder a mere Yu Xiaogang would later fool her so thoroughly with his half-baked knowledge.

Quite a few books in Spirit Hall's library already discussed Yu Xiaogang's so-called Ten Core Theories.

All he'd done was sort and compile them, yet he shamelessly called them the result of his painstaking research.

How had a low-ranking Soul Master like Yu Xiaogang, who hadn't even reached level thirty, managed to gather such high-level information? That was a real head-scratcher.

"Big sister Dong'er, it's time to start combat training."

"Is it?"

At that, Bibi Dong immediately perked up and started cracking her knuckles, looking almost impatient. Her earlier drowsy look during theory class was nowhere to be seen.

After the theory lesson came the newly added physical training and combat drills.

After all, neither of them had ever received systematic training in techniques. Ban Shu was only six, and no one at the orphanage had taught him.

Bibi Dong hardly needed mentioning. She relied entirely on her natural talent when fighting, and her proudest technique was Turtle Fist.

The combat training took place on an exceptionally spacious field, so vast that there was no need to worry about running out of room.

As a Beast Soul Master, Bibi Dong didn't need to use weapons. She relied entirely on her physical abilities, so most of her training involved punches and kicks.

Qian Xunji had specifically found a trusted Soul Master with a Spider Martial Soul to serve as her combat instructor.

As for Ban Shu, he hadn't expected his own instructor to be Li Yan.

"Uncle Li?"

Looking at Li Yan, who stood before him with his arms folded and a smile on his face, Ban Shu was surprised. He truly hadn't expected him to be the one teaching him.

"Surprised?"

Li Yan smiled. "Xiao Ban, your Martial Soul is a Painted Halberd. It's different from my Yan Qiang, but they're both long weapons. I'm the best person to teach you."

"That makes sense."

Ban Shu nodded and summoned the Painted Halberd. "Come on, Uncle Li."

"Good!"

It was the first time Li Yan had summoned his Martial Soul in front of Ban Shu. He held out his hand, and a crimson spear, nearly two meters long, appeared.

His Soul Rings were the optimal configuration: two yellow, two purple, and three black.

"Xiao Ban, don't blink!"

As he spoke, Li Yan spun his spear in a flourish, then planted his feet and held it level in both hands.

"Watch closely, kid!"

The moment he finished speaking, flames suddenly ignited along the spear in Li Yan's hands. He steadied his breathing and began his demonstration.

In his hands, the spear danced like a fiery dragon, its movements flowing in time with his steps until they dazzled the eye.

After completing the routine, Li Yan let out a soft breath and raised his eyebrows at Ban Shu. "So? Look cool?"

"Whoa! Uncle Li, you're amazing!"

Ban Shu clapped and gave him the praise he was fishing for.

Li Yan had achieved his goal of showing off, and immediately grinned as he ruffled Ban Shu's hair.

"Don't be discouraged. Given enough time, you'll be just as good as your Uncle Li. But for now, let's start with the basics."

"Oh, okay."

Under Li Yan's guidance, Ban Shu began practicing the simplest moves: straight thrusts, sweeps, downward chops, and other basic techniques.

The drills were a little monotonous, but he didn't cut corners. He practiced every move with care.

Ban Shu knew that learning the fundamentals was laying a foundation for the future. If he couldn't even take this seriously, how could he ever become stronger?

Minute after minute passed. Ban Shu continued to repeat the movements with focus, never slacking off.

Li Yan watched from the side, deeply pleased. Ban Shu wasn't just talented; he was hardworking too—far better than Li Yan's own disappointing son.

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

Training ended around eight in the evening. Qian Xunji had already prepared a medicinal bath that could ease their fatigue and heal hidden injuries.

After the bath came free time. Ban Shu usually meditated in his room, hoping to raise his Soul Power as quickly as possible.

But perhaps because the Heaven and Earth Essence he absorbed was unusual, Ban Shu's Soul Power increased at a startling pace.

By his estimate, he would be able to challenge the level-twenty Soul Master bottleneck in six months at most.

A few days later, Qian Xunji summoned the two of them while they were practicing.

Looking at Ban Shu and Bibi Dong before him, he could barely contain his excitement. "Xiao Ban, it worked! Your Whale Rubber body-tempering method really is genuine."

"That's wonderful, teacher!"

Ban Shu looked surprised and thrilled. "That old grandpa really wasn't lying to me!"

"Mm."

Qian Xunji nodded. "In any case, we should thank that senior properly. It's just a shame we don't know where he is."

Bibi Dong waved a hand. "Maybe that old grandpa just likes living freely and wandering the world. We shouldn't disturb him."

"True."

Qian Xunji didn't dwell on it. Instead, he took out two pieces of Whale Rubber. Both were darker in color, which meant they were older and more potent.

"These two are the finest pieces from this batch. I specially prepared them for you."

As he spoke, Qian Xunji softened them with Angel Flame, then handed one to each of them. "Take them quickly. I'll protect you while you absorb them."

"Okay, teacher."

The two nodded and swallowed the Whale Rubber together, then began refining its medicinal power.

This was Ban Shu's first time taking Whale Rubber. The moment it entered his mouth, he felt a warm current flow into his abdomen.

The warmth spread gradually through his limbs and body, then began moving downward...

The Whale Rubber's medicinal power was potent, far stronger than the kind the five people had taken before. Ban Shu's skin turned as red as a boiled lobster.

Bibi Dong wasn't affected quite as dramatically, but her skin was flushed and her face covered in sweat.

Fortunately, despite its powerful effects, Whale Rubber wasn't an especially harsh medicinal substance. Before long, the unusual symptoms had faded from both of them.

After the heat came a soothing comfort, like a gentle spring breeze. It felt just like when they had absorbed the little flame earlier—wonderfully pleasant.

Before long, the two of them had completely absorbed the Whale Rubber's medicinal power.

"Excellent."

Qian Xunji looked at them and nodded with satisfaction, adding Whale Rubber to their list of essential cultivation supplies.