New Training, Uncle Li's Son?

The next day, everyone returned to Spirit Hall.

Qian Xunji summoned Ban Shu and Bibi Dong to the Pope Palace, while Golden Crocodile Douluo returned to the Consecration Hall.

As for Red Hare, Qian Xunji found a professional horse keeper to look after it, specifically instructing that only the best of everything be used.

Inside the Pope Palace, Ban Shu kept his head lowered cautiously, his heart filled with anxiety; it seemed a scolding was inevitable.

Bibi Dong, standing beside him, patted him and raised her fist in an encouraging gesture.

Just then, Qian Xunji walked over, stood still before the two, and slowly reached out his hand.

Ban Shu was so terrified he didn't dare to breathe, praying only that his teacher wouldn't be too angry.

To his surprise, Qian Xunji didn't do anything harsh, instead placing his hands on their heads and gently stroking them twice.

"Xiao Ban, Dong'er, you have completed my mission excellently over the past six months. Very good."

Seeing the slight upturn of Qian Xunji's lips, Ban Shu's heart instantly relaxed. It seemed his teacher hadn't taken yesterday's events to heart. Thank goodness, thank goodness.

But then, Qian Xunji's tone shifted.

"However! This is not enough!"

As he spoke, Qian Xunji pulled two project plans from his soul tool, and it was clearly visible that one was much thicker than the other.

"These are your tasks for the next six months, or even the next year. Be prepared; this is no longer the minor child's play of before!"

Hearing this, the heart Ban Shu had just settled suddenly jumped back into his throat, and even Bibi Dong looked uneasy.

"Especially you, Xiao Ban!"

Qian Xunji glanced at Ban Shu: "To ensure that someone doesn't have the leisure to pick up strange things again, I have decided: his training will be doubled!"

"Dou!"

"Bled!"

Qian Xunji's words struck like a bolt of lightning, leaving Ban Shu's spirit charred and crispy.

Watching Ban Shu's face twist into a bitter melon, Qian Xunji felt refreshed. He tossed the plans to them and left with a smile.

"Xiao Ban, take care."

Bibi Dong, standing to the side, suppressed a laugh and patted his shoulder, offering her heartfelt "blessings."

"You've clearly been laughing the whole time! You haven't stopped once!"

Ban Shu glared with dead fish eyes, speechless as he looked at Bibi Dong. Under his intense gaze, she finally couldn't hold it in anymore, bursting into laughter while slapping his shoulder hard.

"Hey, Sister Dong'er, that's enough!"

Ban Shu irritably brushed off Bibi Dong's hand and began flipping through the plan, which felt exceptionally heavy in his hands.

"This is so hard..."

Ban Shu's face was bitter, but what else could he do? Since Qian Xunji had made the decision, there was no way to change it.

The training plan for the second half of the year, in addition to the previous requirements, added soul master combat, specialized book knowledge training, and practical wilderness survival exercises.

For Ban Shu, there was one more important addition: participating in missions issued by Spirit Hall.

Although Spirit Hall did not belong to the two great empires, it was known as the "Third Empire" because its strength was in no way inferior to them.

While Spirit Hall claimed they would never establish an empire, the other two great nations did not believe them.

Therefore, Spirit Hall had many espionage-related missions, though Ban Shu was not yet exposed to these.

On one hand, he was still young; on the other, Qian Xunji was reluctant to let Ban Shu get involved in the complex schemes of those in power.

It could be said that in Qian Xunji's heart, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong were already half his own children. His wish was to see them grow up happy and carefree.

Of course, this was assuming they weren't eroded by the will of heaven, but with Ban Shu around, he figured no accidents would occur.

In the morning, Ban Shu looked at the pile of books, which was twice as large as before, and felt a headache coming on. But there was no help for it; he had caused this himself, so he had to finish it even if he had to cry while doing so.

At noon, Ban Shu went to check on Red Hare and begged the horse keeper there to teach him some tips on horse care.

Ban Shu decided to raise Red Hare himself to build a better rapport.

In the afternoon, Ban Shu began his basic physical training.

The training methods on Douluo Continent were very primitive; after all, there hadn't even been any decent cultivation techniques here, and a single Mysterious Heaven Skill could crush all other meditation methods.

Fortunately, Ban Shu had previously crafted quite a few pieces of exercise equipment from his past life for basic training, which Bibi Dong also used.

Although he had been a shut-in who rarely exercised, he had seen enough to know the basics. By following the gourd to draw the ladle, he could always manage to make something.

After basic physical training, there would usually be combat drills, but today was a bit different.

Li Yan didn't come alone today; he brought along a young man of about twenty with a gentle temperament and a handsome face to the training grounds.

"Xiao Ban, this is my son, Li Ling."

Li Yan patted his son and introduced him to Ban Shu: "From today on, he will be your sparring partner. You two should get along well."

"Hello, Brother Ling."

Ban Shu smiled politely and said to Li Ling, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Li Ling seemed to have a somewhat shy personality; facing Ban Shu, he only scratched his head and smiled, "Hello, hello. You must be Ban Shu, right? I've heard my dad mention you."

Seeing that the two were getting along quite well, Li Yan nodded with satisfaction, "Xiao Ban, from now on, you two will be each other's sparring partners. Son, make sure you give it your all."

"Got it, Dad." Li Ling nodded hurriedly.

Li Yan pulled Ban Shu to the side, a hint of pride on his face, "What do you think, Xiao Ban? This is my son, Li Ling."

"Hmm~"

Ban Shu rested his chin in his hand, nodded, and said with a serious air, "He certainly is a talent, though Brother Ling must take after his mother more, right?"

"Eh? How did you know?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised, "Everyone says that. Did you two plan this?"

Ban Shu smiled and shook his head, then took a few steps away from him, "After all, judging by your looks alone, Uncle Li, there is no way you could have produced a son like Brother Ling."

"You brat! Finding ways to insult me!"

Although Li Yan knew Ban Shu was joking, he still glared at him and reached out to flick him on the forehead.

"Hehe, you can't hit me!"

Ban Shu twisted his body, nimbly dodging Li Yan's attack, and ran a few meters away.

This actually surprised Li Yan a little. He hadn't expected Ban Shu to be able to dodge his attack; even though he hadn't used any soul power, he was a dignified Soul Saint—how could an ordinary person possibly dodge him?

"What a little monster."

Sighing to himself once more, Li Yan reached out and easily hauled him back, "You're still too green to mess with me!"

Being hoisted up, Ban Shu crossed his arms with a look of defiance, "Uncle Li, you're bullying me! I'm going to tell on you to my teacher!"

"Go ahead and tell him if you want."

Li Yan rolled his eyes, "See if your teacher even pays you any mind."

"Hmph!"

Ban Shu crossed his arms and puffed out his cheeks, looking thoroughly unconvinced.