A New Team Mentor

"I once stayed in Vast Sea City for over half a year. I practically built up an immunity to Whale Rubber from eating so much of it there."

"This piece of Ten-Thousand-Year-quality Whale Rubber should greatly enhance your physical body if you consume it."

"Although it cannot let your Fourth Soul Ring absorb a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, getting infinitely close to one is still possible."

"You understand the difference."

Shi An looked at the stunned Zhu Zhuqing and spoke slowly.

"Mm... When absorbing a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring, the beast's lingering consciousness attacks one's mind. I understand that."

Zhu Zhuqing came back to her senses and spoke with a complicated expression.

Before this, she had always believed that aside from the External Soul Bone, there was basically nothing useful she could learn by staying at Shi An's side.

But...

She knew she had been wrong. Ridiculously wrong.

This teacher... was incredible!

A large barrel of ice water sat in the bedroom. Crimson flames burned atop a century-old wood-type soul beast, causing the temperature in the entire room to rise rapidly.

The fist-sized piece of Whale Rubber was placed over the fire to roast, giving off waves of fishy stench.

The outer skin of the Whale Rubber melted away, revealing orange-yellow gel within. Its originally hard body became soft like jelly.

Zhu Zhuqing sat beside the large wooden barrel, her nose catching that pungent fishy odor as her brows drew together slightly.

Shi An's expression did not change as he watched the orange-yellow Whale Rubber gradually become soft and springy.

"Open your mouth!" Shi An said, and Zhu Zhuqing instinctively opened her mouth.

The orange-yellow Whale Rubber, reeking of a pungent fishy smell, was tossed into Zhu Zhuqing's pink lips.

In an instant, a burning sensation and an indescribable taste spread through her mouth.

Zhu Zhuqing's expression immediately twisted, but she still endured the pain and swallowed it.

The burning sensation streaked from her throat into her stomach, as though she had swallowed a blazing piece of charcoal. The pain was unbearable.

"Close your eyes. Cultivate and absorb the energy of the Whale Rubber."

Shi An scooped her up and tossed her into the ice water.

Water splashed everywhere, leaving wet patches across the wooden floor.

The Whale Rubber's energy spread, and Zhu Zhuqing's entire body turned scorching hot. Her skin gradually reddened, and even the blue veins beneath it could be seen clearly.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably. Her silver teeth clenched tight, and pain filled her lovely face.

"Urgh..."

A muffled groan of agony slipped through Zhu Zhuqing's clenched teeth. From her scalp to her toes, every part of her body was wracked with indescribable pain.

The Whale Rubber's energy rampaged through her meridians. Her originally thin meridians swelled and ruptured under the immense energy.

But they were soon repaired, becoming even tougher than before.

Watching Zhu Zhuqing's condition, Shi An subconsciously picked up a pastry from the table and stuffed it into his mouth.

Time passed second by second. The ice in the wooden barrel had completely melted, and the ice water had been warmed by Zhu Zhuqing's scorching body temperature.

Outside the window, the sky had turned pitch-black. Moonlight shone upon the large jujube tree in the courtyard, casting mottled shadows across the ground.

The moon shone bright amid sparse stars as a light drizzle fell over every corner of Heaven Dou City.

Raindrops pattered against the window paper.

Shi An yawned. At that moment, a burst of Soul Power suddenly erupted from Zhu Zhuqing, who was seated cross-legged in the wooden barrel.

Her Soul Power Level had broken through to Level 34, leaping directly from Level 32 to Level 34.

Zhu Zhuqing's eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes. A lingering numb soreness remained throughout her body after the pain, but she felt exceptionally energized.

Strands of red light flickered in her eyes, making her seem full of aggression. Her red lips were lightly pursed, and her face was as radiant as peach blossoms.

Looking at Zhu Zhuqing in the barrel, her clothes pressed tightly against her skin and outlining her full figure, Shi An felt his heart stir somewhat.

Zhu Zhuqing stepped out of the wooden barrel, water droplets sliding down her black dress and dripping onto the floor.

Outside, rain fell in a steady drizzle while the wind howled.

The large jujube tree swayed in the wind. Unripe green jujubes were blown to the ground by the gale and soaked by the rain.

Faint, indistinct sounds were scattered by the wind, carried away to who knew where.

The lamplight flickered, casting two shadows onto the window paper.

A petite figure sat atop the table while a tall figure faced her.

The swaying candle toppled over and went out completely.

The next day at noon.

The light rain had stopped, and sunlight once again spilled over the streets and alleys of Heaven Dou City. The air was filled with freshness.

Shi An lowered his head and looked at Zhu Zhuqing in his arms. Her face was rosy, and her nose gave off even breaths. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Having lived two lives, he had finally shed the title of Xiao Chunan.

Looking at the patch of crimson on the bedsheet, Shi An pulled Zhu Zhuqing closer into his arms, and his breathing gradually steadied.

Two days later.

At the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy Team's training grounds.

Shi An, Zhu Zhuqing, Dugu Yan, Yu Tianheng, Ye Lingling, Shi Mo, Shi Mo, Osler, and Yu Feng stood in a row.

Before them stood a man around forty years old. His face was resolute, and he radiated an iron-blooded aura.

He was an old veteran discharged from the military, a Soul Saint.

Because he had suffered injuries on the battlefield that were difficult to recover from, he had retired from the army. Recommended by Qian Renxue, he had come to work at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Shi An pondered privately. Since Qian Renxue had recommended him, could he be from Spirit Hall?

However, he did not dwell on it too much. It had nothing to do with him anyway.

As long as the man was not here to monitor him.

"My name is Chen Kui, and I am your new team mentor."

He looked at the nine of them and said, "I have no other requirements. As long as you complete the training plan I set, you may arrange the rest of your time as you please."

His voice was somewhat rough, and he appeared rather unconstrained.

"All your previous training plans are canceled. From now on, you will spar in the morning, cultivate Soul Power at the Mimicry Training Ground in the afternoon, and fight spirit battles at the Great Soul Arena at night."

"Do you think the training tasks are simple?"

He grinned. "When you arrive at the Great Soul Arena tonight, there will be a surprise waiting for you."

They looked at one another before beginning the new training plan.

Without the old routine of running while carrying stones, none of them had any objections to the current training plan.

They began sparring training in the morning.

Chen Kui watched from the side, roughly committing each person's abilities and methods to memory.

Only Shi An had not used either his Soul Rings or soul skills, which made Chen Kui frown slightly.

"Shi An." After Shi An's spar with Yu Tianheng ended, Chen Kui spoke, drawing everyone's attention.

"Within a team, you need to coordinate with and understand each other."

"I hope you can fight using your martial soul and soul skills, so your teammates can fully understand and trust you."

Shi An looked at him and frowned slightly.

Once he released his martial soul, his Soul Rings would automatically appear. By then, the Soul Power Level he had been concealing and his Ten-Thousand-Year Fourth Soul Ring would definitely be exposed.

At that point, many people would surely want to obtain secrets from him.