Soft Technique: First Lesson

Then again, everyone was only six years old; sleeping together wasn't that big of a deal.

It was also the perfect opportunity to experience the best simulated cultivation environment firsthand, wasn't it?

Jiang Jiu ultimately agreed to the arrangement Xiao Wu proposed.

He had no choice; her offer was simply too generous.

In the current Nuoding City, the best spirit master teacher was Tang Hao, and dropping down countless levels from there, one would eventually reach the domain of Yu Xiaogang.

The problem was that neither of them had any interest in him, Jiang Jiu.

Yu Xiaogang, if nothing else, possessed valuable knowledge regarding the identification of spirit beasts and techniques for circulating spirit power.

As for Tang San, his Mysterious Heaven Skill and other Tang Sect secret techniques were things one didn't even need to think twice about; though when it came to spirit master theory, even Tang San was fumbling in the dark.

After much deliberation, Xiao Wu was truly the most suitable teacher for Jiang Jiu.

Xiao Wu's knowledge of spirit beasts was more than sufficient, and her Soft Technique was a combat style tailor-made for the Soft Bone Rabbit spirit.

He had to take this opportunity to build a solid foundation; if his basics weren't firm, he would suffer in close-quarters combat later on.

Furthermore, there were numerical aspects he needed to supplement, and Jiang Jiu had some ideas of his own.

In Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu cheerfully moved her own bed over, using it specifically to store her belongings.

"I'm only telling you this," Xiao Wu said, glancing at the neatly spread bedding before leaning in to whisper in Jiang Jiu's ear.

"Actually, a significant portion of my Soft Technique involves things that aren't suitable to be shown in public. It's much better for us to sleep together so I can teach you properly. I'm really not lying to you."

Xiao Wu continued to up the ante.

"I gave my word, and I won't go back on it."

Jiang Jiu thought of grappling techniques.

Xiao Wu's Soft Technique was quite similar to the judo he knew, or perhaps even a step above it, given that it was a combat style that perfectly integrated the use of spirit power.

Could she be planning to demonstrate various locking techniques on the bed?

He felt a phantom pain starting in his neck and joints.

"Fine, it's a deal!"

Seeing that Xiao Wu had finished settling in, Wang Sheng took the opportunity to invite everyone to lunch, his treat.

On the way to the cafeteria, Jiang Jiu watched Tang San following behind Wang Sheng, then looked at Xiao Wu, who was buzzing around Tang San like a bee, prying into his personal life.

Tang San had originally been Jiang Jiu's primary target, though the main battlefield wasn't here anyway.

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Tang San got into an argument with Wang Sheng over Yu Xiaogang and chose to eat the dry rations he had brought with him outside.

Xiao Wu was somewhat confused, but she still seemed to grasp something from the situation.

"Teacher? Right, Xiao Jiu, shouldn't you call me teacher too? Teacher Xiao Wu? Tee-hee!" Xiao Wu started laughing to herself as she spoke.

"Mm-hmm, Teacher Xiao Wu," Jiang Jiu replied perfunctorily while eating his meal.

He still needed to earn some money; a lack of nutrition would severely affect his growth and training.

Rice and flour alone weren't enough; he needed to consume more meat, eggs, and milk. If he could get his hands on spirit beast meat, that would be even better.

"That didn't sound sincere at all," Xiao Wu said, tapping her bowl with her chopsticks.

"That's because the lessons haven't started yet," Jiang Jiu said, finishing every last grain of rice in his bowl.

"You said it yourself, so I'm starting your lesson right now."

Xiao Wu grabbed Jiang Jiu's hand and dragged him out of the cafeteria, leaving a rather bitter-looking Wang Sheng behind.

Tang San had already left him bewildered, and while the new boss was quite good—strong in both ability and personality—this was clearly a case of being "obsessed with male beauty." Truly, not the behavior of a proper leader.

Still, with these three around, the safety and status of the future work-study students would be guaranteed, and that was enough.

Back in Dorm Seven, Xiao Wu signaled for Jiang Jiu to change into clothes that were more durable and wouldn't be a pity to ruin.

The Patchwork Robe made its appearance, though not at the time Jiang Jiu had anticipated.

"Did you wear clothes like this before?" Xiao Wu's eyes grew slightly moist.

A Patchwork Robe, as the name implied, was a garment stitched together from various scraps of fabric; wearing such a thing suggested a past of relying on the charity of others.

"It's alright... I'll change into something else."

Although the robe seemed to have a powerful effect on Xiao Wu, Jiang Jiu discovered a problem.

He was too good-looking; his skin was naturally fair and dazzlingly bright. Clothes were meant to complement the person, but he could make even a patchwork robe look like high fashion, which wasn't a good thing.

On the contrary, it was the current Tang San who could actually make a Patchwork Robe look convincing on an adult with a history of hardship.

Still, he had managed to rule out one wrong option.

As for the other, learning blacksmithing could never be a mistake.

After changing into a set of dark gray clothes, Xiao Wu began her instruction.

"Soft Technique is a skill that utilizes the body's flexibility and resilience..." Xiao Wu began to explain in a soft, gentle voice.

Jiang Jiu listened to Xiao Wu's "Introduction to the Discipline," curious about where she had come up with such a professional-sounding curriculum.

This set of Soft Technique was clearly highly compatible with the human body, and even its hypothetical enemies were primarily humanoid creatures; it was generally less effective against many spirit beasts.

Could it be that spirit beasts who took human form automatically generated a set of human combat styles to match their careers as spirit masters?

"To master Soft Technique, the first step is to learn how to fall correctly."

As she spoke, Xiao Wu slowly got to the point.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

Jiang Jiu: "?"

Xiao Wu spoke lightly, but she didn't hold back at all when it came to throwing people.

The missing throwing techniques from his previous "bullying" were all filled in by Xiao Wu in one go.

Shoulder throws, shoulder carries, leg takedowns, waist grabs, waist pivots, bridge throws...

Xiao Wu's technical movements were both comprehensive and steady. With the support of spirit power, she tossed Jiang Jiu around with ease, all while controlling the rhythm to ensure he didn't actually get hurt.

"Do you feel it?"

Jiang Jiu was a bit dazed, feeling only a whirlwind of dizziness, his mind filled with thoughts of who he was and where he was.

"It seems not yet."

Xiao Wu began to try new tricks, her various throwing variations never repeating. However, considering the goal of the lesson, she eventually returned to the safest and most controllable routines.

"Do you feel it?"

This time, Xiao Wu gave Jiang Jiu a bit more time to answer.

"...I haven't even digested my lunch yet..."

"I didn't quite hear that, but Xiao Jiu, you have great talent. Your body is adapting very quickly, and you're using your spirit power well for self-protection. As expected of us Soft Bone Rabbit spirit masters."

"..."

Jiang Jiu really didn't want to say anything more. He wasn't truly injured, but there wasn't a single part of him—his backside, back, shoulders, or even his sides—that felt comfortable.

"Do you feel it?" After another round ended, Xiao Wu asked again, tirelessly.

Lying on the ground and gasping for air, Jiang Jiu immediately raised his hand. Being thrown around like that had sent his heart rate soaring.

"Phew, it's good that you feel it." Xiao Wu was also exhausted, her clothes damp with sweat.

Jiang Jiu only had to be thrown, but Xiao Wu had much more to consider.

"Other spirit masters shouldn't have this many throwing techniques, right?"

"Probably not," Xiao Wu said uncertainly.

"Then what about learning to fall?"

"We'll have plenty of practical combat lessons in the future; we can't keep playing house like this." A sweet smile bloomed on Xiao Wu's face.

"..."