Winter in Shrek City always carried a crisp chill in the air, mixed with the distinctive ozone scent produced by operating Soul Tools. Yet at the Xiao Family's private training grounds on the outskirts, the changing seasons seemed to bring no slackening whatsoever. If anything, they only made the atmosphere of relentless diligence even more tangible.
However, in the private cultivation chamber beneath the Xiao Family villa, the temperature remained as warm as spring. Only the faint scorched smell left behind by air torn apart by high-frequency vibrations indicated that this place had just endured brutal training.
The morning mist had long since dispersed, replaced by the steaming heat generated by intense exercise.
The heavy alloy doors of the training room slid open without a sound. A small figure stood in the center of the room, like an ancient, unchanging statue, yet also like a fully drawn bow ready to fire.
Xiao Cheng.
At six years old, he was still slight of build, even carrying a trace of gauntness that did not belong to his age. Yet the instant he settled into a horse stance, lowered his shoulders and elbows, and loosely gripped with both hands, an indescribable presence spread from his slender body. This was not the oppressive force of released Soul Power, but a concentration born purely of a martial artist's essence, energy, and spirit.
Azure Sky Divine Spear!
Azure light flowed as the Azure Sky Snake Martial Soul that had accompanied him for half a year no longer coiled around his arm. Instead, it twisted, stretched, and hardened in a manner of overwhelming visual impact. Its body became the shaft, its scales becoming the fine patterns along the spear's length. Its head lifted high and opened its enormous jaws, from which a gleaming, chilling spearhead extended, as if it could pierce through space itself.
Beast Martial Soul Weaponization! This was the innate talent unique to the Azure Sky Snake Martial Soul. It broke free from the limitations of Beast Martial Souls that merely strengthened the body and Tool Martial Souls that focused solely on technique, perfectly merging strength and skill.
"Hu—"
Xiao Cheng slowly exhaled a breath of stale air. White mist spread through the temperature-controlled room, carrying a faint scent of rust. He did not rush to attack. Instead, he assumed the most basic stance, and also the one that injured himself eight hundred to kill a thousand enemies: the Centered Spear Stance.
The spear tip drooped at a forty-five-degree angle toward the floor. It appeared completely undefended, yet it sealed off every vital point around him.
"Thrust!"
His low shout exploded through the vast, deathly silent training room, even sharper than the sound of the spear piercing the air.
Whoosh!
The spear shaft trembled slightly, driving the tip forward like a venomous snake flicking out its tongue, shooting straight toward the hardwood post three feet away, thick enough for one person to wrap their arms around. The first thrust missed by half an inch. The spear tip scraped past the edge of the post with a sharp hiss, leaving behind a shallow, charred mark.
Xiao Cheng frowned slightly, not because of the failure, but because of the sense of unfamiliarity ingrained deep within this body.
In his previous life, he had been a renowned Martial Dao grandmaster. His spear techniques might not have reached the divine, but they were certainly superb. He had achieved Unity of Body and Spear—he was the spear, and the spear was him.
But now, though his soul carried the memories of two lives, this six-year-old body was like a blank sheet of paper that had never been written upon.
Its muscle memory needed to be reshaped, its neural reflexes rebuilt. Even the rhythm of his breathing had to be readjusted to suit the lung capacity of this young body.
Every time he thrust the spear, it felt as if he were separated by a thick pane of frosted glass, unable to achieve the smooth, effortless control he once possessed.
"Again!"
He gritted his teeth, drew the spear back, and exerted force through his waist and hips, slowly sinking the qi from his dantian into the soles of his feet. It felt like trying to use the Soul Tool core of an interstellar battleship to power a tiny rowboat—far too much power, yet impossible to control with precision.
The second thrust, the third thrust... The sounds of air being torn apart grew increasingly dense, changing from isolated whooshes into a continuous, humming tremor. The spear shaft carved afterimages through the air, leaving layer upon layer of dense spiral marks on the wooden post.
Thick calluses had long formed in the webbing between his thumb and forefinger. The repeated friction of the shaft now sent searing pain through them, yet he gripped the spear with all his strength. His knuckles turned white, but he refused to loosen his hold in the slightest.
Rustle... rustle...
The fine sound of the spear shaft rubbing against his palm seemed like the language through which he conversed with this body. Sweat rolled down from his brow and struck the cold spear shaft, bursting into droplets before rapidly evaporating in the heat generated by his high-speed movements.
Suddenly, he closed his eyes and stopped looking at the wooden post. What appeared in his mind were no longer techniques, but scenes from his previous life when he had swung his spear countless times on the brink of death, as well as the path of blood and qi surging like rivers when the Dragon Transformation Sutra circulated. The Azure Sky Divine Spear in his hand was no longer merely a weapon. It seemed to become an extension of his limbs, a part of his very bones.
The spear swept sideways like an iron chain blocking a river, fierce and unmatched, carrying the momentum of Sweep Across the Army. Then it suddenly lifted, like a startled swan skimming the water, light and nimble as the spear tip traced a graceful arc through the air.
With his eyes closed, he sensed every minute vibration transmitted through the shaft. It was as though, through the cold body of the spear, he could touch the faint currents flowing through the air and feel the rhythm of bamboo leaves falling beyond the window.
Bang!
The butt of the spear slammed down onto the specially made blue brick, making the ground tremble as a deep boom rang out. Xiao Cheng opened his eyes, and a sharp gleam flashed through them like lightning splitting the night sky. When he looked again at the wooden post, the spear tip had already stopped steadily at its center. The tassel hung down without the slightest sway.
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Cheng felt the blood and qi throughout his body circulate with the spear's momentum, leaving him utterly invigorated. The spear shaft in his palm still retained warmth, as though what had danced with the spear just now was not flesh and blood, but his own extended sinews and bones.
"Father's spear techniques emphasize unpredictability. By using the Azure Sky Snake Martial Soul's spatial attribute, he often kills in a single strike."
Xiao Cheng muttered softly as he withdrew the Azure Sky Divine Spear. It reverted to the Azure Sky Snake Martial Soul and coiled around his arm. The little snake seemed somewhat tired from the exercise, its scales rising and falling faintly. "My spear techniques from my previous life, however, place greater emphasis on intent and force—coiling, twisting, strangling, with endless transformations. Now, I need to combine the two. The Power of Empty Green is the key binding agent."
Over the past half year, he had barely left the house, pouring all his energy into this hellish training.
He cultivated the Dragon Transformation Sutra every night, nourishing the Azure Sky Snake Martial Soul without pause. It grew increasingly solid, and the once-illusory snake shadow now faintly radiated the majesty of a true Dragon. The azure glow upon its scales had also become deeper and richer.
As for Xiao Ran, this Level 97 Super Douluo and master of the Spear Soul, he had taught him without holding anything back.
"Cheng'er, watch closely." In his memories, Xiao Ran had once stood in a courtyard ravaged by a blizzard, holding a specially made Soul Tool spear. He did not use a single Soul Ring skill, merely delivering an utterly ordinary thrust.
"Shhk—!"
The spear tip ripped through the air with a shrill, piercing sound, as though even space itself had been cut apart. Xiao Cheng could even see the air before the spear tip compressed into a visible conical ripple, instantly punching through a half-meter-thick alloy target a hundred meters away! A hole as smooth as a mirror appeared at its center, while the surrounding metal showed not the slightest deformation. The concentration of force was evident.
"This is the ultimate enhancement the Power of Empty Green grants to physical attacks. The swiftness of wind and the penetration of space merge into one, rendering everything unstoppable." Xiao Ran withdrew his spear, his tone as calm as if he were merely commenting on the pleasant weather. "Your body still cannot withstand an explosion of that intensity, but you can use its principles to improve the speed and sharpness of your thrusts. Remember, speed is not the goal. Accuracy is the foundation."
Thus began this tedious yet crucial basic training every morning. Even the slightest improvement required tens of thousands of repetitions.
Beyond spear techniques, Xiao Ran also taught him to spread the Power of Empty Green across his entire body, forming an invisible "domain" or "barrier." This not only strengthened his defense but also greatly enhanced his reaction speed and evasive ability.
Perhaps Xiao Cheng's Spirit Connection Realm spiritual power of 239 provided powerful calculation and control abilities. His progress in this area was astonishingly fast, and he had even figured out on his own how to perform short-distance spatial Teleportation within a ten-meter radius around himself. Although each use consumed a great deal of Soul Power, pouring out like floodwaters through an opened sluice gate, it was a divine skill for preserving his life or launching surprise attacks.
When it came to cultivating his Body Martial Soul, Mu Wan's approach was far simpler and more brutal—train! Train until he dropped!
It was not merely Soul Power cultivation, but the pure refinement of his physical qualities. Weighted cross-country runs, strength contests, agility training... all kinds of bizarre training equipment.
Mu Wan wore a tight-fitting training outfit that outlined her graceful figure, though her demeanor was several degrees more solemn than usual. She held several items in her hands: a smooth white jade bottle and a sealed amber-colored jar that gave off a faint fishy odor.
Mu Wan's voice was calm, but it carried unquestionable authority. "The Body Martial Soul focuses on unearthing one's own potential. Soul Rings and Soul Spirits are external powers. A powerful body is the true foundation."
Although Xiao Cheng's physical strength would increase along with his cultivation of the Dragon Transformation Sutra, that was far too slow. The body-refining methods of his previous life's Martial Dao—Bone Tempering, tendon cleansing, blood tempering, marrow cleansing, and the like—required practitioners to be at least fifteen or sixteen years old, with sufficient physical strength as a prerequisite.
At only six years old, Xiao Cheng would not even have reached the age to cultivate Martial Dao in his previous life's world. Although the existence of Martial Souls on Douluo Continent meant he did not necessarily have to wait until fifteen or sixteen to begin cultivation, six was still far too young in the end.
The various high-intensity training programs Mu Wan taught Xiao Cheng were also the accumulated body-refining experience of the Body Sect over countless years, more than enough for the current Xiao Cheng.
Mystic Water Pills, Millennium Whale Glue, and other spiritual treasures that cleansed the tendons and marrow while replenishing pure yang had long been prepared. The dark green medicinal liquid brewed from numerous precious herbs gave off a rich herbal fragrance, along with a pain sharp enough to make one's teeth ache.
While soaking in the Medicinal Bath, Xiao Cheng often grimaced in agony, feeling as though every pore in his body was being pricked by needles of medicinal liquid. Yet the effects were equally obvious. His physical strength rose at a rate visible to the naked eye, and a jade-like sheen faintly flowed beneath his skin.
What followed was a visibly stronger physique and terrifying core strength. Today was the day to test the results of half a year of hellish tempering.
The training room doors slid open once more, and Xiao Ran and Mu Wan entered side by side. After half a year, Xiao Cheng had clearly grown a little taller. His eyes had become deeper and brighter as well, as if they contained a sea of stars. Every gesture of his had lost some of its childishness, replaced by a steadiness and sense of strength far beyond his years.
"Father, Mother." Xiao Cheng's motion of withdrawing the spear was smooth and flowing. His spear techniques could now barely be considered competent.
Xiao Ran looked his son over, his eyes full of gratification. Naturally, he could see the hard work Xiao Cheng had put in over the past half year. The dense spear marks on the wooden post, which had nearly cut it in half, were the best proof. He stepped forward and placed his right hand on Xiao Cheng's shoulder. A stream of pure, gentle Soul Power entered Xiao Cheng's body and traveled once through his meridians.
"Level fifteen." Xiao Ran withdrew his hand and nodded. A trace of undisguised amazement colored his voice. "The density of his Soul Power is at least five times that of an ordinary Level 15 Soul Master. His foundation is solid, far beyond expectations."
Mu Wan smiled as well. She walked forward gently and wiped the sweat from her son's forehead with a warm towel. "You've worked hard, Cheng'er. Over the past half year, you have hardly rested for even a single day."
Xiao Cheng grinned, revealing a row of little white teeth and a hint of the innocence belonging to a six-year-old child. "It wasn't hard! Once my body got used to it, it was fine. Father, Mother, can I go to the Spirit Ascension Platform today?"
He had been impatient for a long time. His hands had gone numb from striking wooden posts. If he did not fight something alive soon, he would forget what combat even felt like.
Xiao Ran and Mu Wan exchanged a glance, complicated emotions flashing through their eyes. They were gratified by their son's growth, yet worried about sending a young eagle from the nest. Xiao Ran nodded and said solemnly, "That's right. It is time for you to see blood and experience real combat.
"The Spirit Ascension Platform is not a training room. Although the Soul Beasts inside are energy-formed illusions, the pain and neural feedback are one hundred percent real. Once you enter, you will have only one goal—survive, while familiarizing yourself with combat as much as possible. Remember, your Azure Sky Snake Soul Spirit can provide assistance, but do not rely on it too heavily. Your spear techniques, your Power of Empty Green, and the physique of your Body Martial Soul are the foundations that will let you stand firm."
"Also," Xiao Ran said, a hint of cunning flashing through his eyes as his tone softened somewhat, "if you encounter an especially dangerous situation, you can call out 'Father.' Although the Spirit Ascension Platform has safety mechanisms, I left an extra safeguard there. I'll pull you out immediately. Of course, I hope you will never need to use it."
Upon hearing that, Xiao Cheng's little face tightened. He clenched his small fists and declared with complete confidence, "Don't worry, Father! I definitely won't call for you! That would be way too embarrassing!"
What a joke. He was a seasoned veteran with the experience of two lives. What kind of grand scene had he not witnessed in his previous life? Even if he could not win, he still had "Flash." He could always run away.
"Let's go. We're setting off."
Xiao Ran waved his large hand and led his wife and son out of the cultivation chamber.
The Soul Tool flying car started once more. This time, their destination was—the Spirit Ascension Platform.
The Spirit Pagoda's Spirit Ascension Platform stood at the very center of a completely silver-white tower base. The entire structure resembled a gigantic milky-white crystal egg turned upside down upon the ground. Pale blue Soul Tool energy patterns flowed across its surface, while fine strands of light slowly traveled along its hemispherical dome. From afar, it looked like a river of stars frozen in midair.
Here, Xiao Cheng would demonstrate the results of his painstaking cultivation over the past half year.
Before you continue