Cross-Level Combat Training

By the time they returned to Balak City, it was already late at night.

"We'll part here." At the academy gates, She Long patted Zhang Fei on the shoulder. "Go back on your own. Grandpa is heading straight back to Heaven Dou City."

Zhang Fei nodded. "Take care, Grandpa."

"Good. Send me more messages when you have time!" After the reminder, She Long shot into the sky and turned into a streak of light that vanished beyond the northern horizon.

Zhang Fei returned to the small courtyard alone and collapsed into bed. The trip to the Star Dou Great Forest had taken a full month, and he was exhausted to the extreme.

The next day, Zhang Fei opened his eyes just as dawn began to break.

The biological clock She Long had trained into him over the years was exceptionally precise. He rolled out of bed, washed up quickly, and rushed out of the courtyard.

The training grounds were empty in the early morning, with only a thin mist winding through the woods.

Zhang Fei began warming up along the track. After fifty laps, his expression remained unchanged and his breathing steady; he had not even broken much of a sweat.

"Endurance training is becoming less and less effective..." Zhang Fei frowned slightly and shook his head.

After the triple tempering of Ice-Fire Body Tempering, the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and the ten-thousand-year Soul Ring, his physical strength had long surpassed that of those at his level.

Simply running laps truly could no longer temper him. It was more of a habit now.

"I need to adjust my plan."

After breakfast, Zhang Fei headed straight for the Gravity Training Arena.

Under five times gravity, he punched, squatted, and sprinted until his muscles trembled uncontrollably. Only then did he collapse to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Now this is more like it."

Zhang Fei calculated inwardly. From now on, he would combine endurance and gravity training and finish both in one go each morning. He could free up the morning to cultivate the Dragon Transformation Secret Technique and use the afternoons for actual combat.

As his strength increased, the combat experience he had accumulated at the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena would become increasingly limited. He needed to gradually adapt.

After leaving the gravity field, Zhang Fei wiped away his sweat while pondering the matter of combat training.

Balak City also had a Great Soul Arena, but Zhang Fei had no intention of going there.

The opponents in the Great Soul Arena were almost all at the same level as him. To him now, it would be nothing but crushing weaklings. Battles without pressure could earn him some Gold Soul Coins, but they could not temper him at all.

"I need stronger opponents..."

After lunch and a brief rest, Zhang Fei arrived at the training grounds reserved for the Advanced Class.

It was currently afternoon training time, and Li Gang, Shi Hu, and the others were fighting in pairs.

When everyone saw Zhang Fei approach, they stopped what they were doing and crowded around him.

"Boss! You're finally back!" Shi Hu had the loudest voice. "How did the Soul Ring hunt go? What's your third Soul Ring? Let us have a look already!"

"Yeah, yeah! We've been dying of curiosity! It's been a whole month!" Jiang Cong also squeezed forward, his face full of curiosity.

Zhang Fei swept his gaze around and had no intention of hiding it.

The matter of his ten-thousand-year third ring could not be concealed. Everyone would learn of it sooner or later.

Besides, with Dragon Duke Meng Shu backing him, no one in the academy would dare cause him trouble.

"Fine, I'll let you see."

Zhang Fei smiled and moved his thoughts.

One yellow, one purple, and one black Soul Ring slowly rose from beneath his feet.

The instant the ten-thousand-year Soul Ring appeared, the air seemed to freeze.

"A... a ten-thousand-year third Soul Ring?!" Li Gang's eyes bulged wide.

Meng Yiran covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock.

A monster!

What an absolute monster!

"Boss... are you even human?" Shi Hu muttered. "I'd thank the heavens if my third Soul Ring could be a thousand-year one... and you actually got a ten-thousand-year Soul Ring?!"

Zhang Fei withdrew his Soul Rings and patted Shi Hu on the shoulder, speaking earnestly. "You'll get used to it in the future."

He turned to Yang Ming and said seriously, "Teacher Yang, I have a request."

"Go ahead..."

"Sparring with the Advanced Class students no longer has much effect on me. I hope the academy can arrange combat training instructors for me." Zhang Fei spoke bluntly, his tone sincere.

Yang Ming's mouth twitched.

This kid had just come back and already wanted to challenge the teachers?

But on second thought, Zhang Fei already had a ten-thousand-year third ring. Ordinary students truly were no match for him.

Yang Ming took a deep breath and nodded. "No problem. I'll discuss it with Vice Principal Meng and arrange for different teachers to spar with you. However..."

He suddenly removed his coat, revealing the tight black training clothes beneath. His muscles were thick and knotted, and blazing battle intent ignited in his eyes. "I'll train with you first today! Let me see just what your ten-thousand-year Soul Ring can do!"

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up.

Teacher Yang was a level sixty-seven defense-type Soul Emperor. His Scale Armor Beast Martial Soul was also renowned for its strength and defense, making him the perfect opponent to test Zhang Fei's limits!

"I couldn't ask for more!"

Everyone hurried to retreat to the edge of the field, leaving the entire arena to them.

Yang Ming stood at one side of the arena as six Soul Rings slowly rose beneath his feet: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.

He slapped his chest, producing a dull thud. "Kid, attack with everything you have. No need to hold back!"

"Just what I wanted!"

Zhang Fei gave a low shout and burst forward, already completing Martial Soul Possession! Golden dragon scales covered his entire body, dragon horns rose from his forehead, and battle intent surged in his vertical pupils.

Yang Ming likewise completed Martial Soul Possession, his entire body becoming covered in thick Scale Armor, each scale gleaming with a metallic chill.

"First Soul Skill, Golden Armor Body!"

Zhang Fei activated his first Soul Skill and launched a probing attack. He stomped down, shooting forward like an arrow as he threw a punch. Golden fist force compressed the air until it exploded!

Without activating a Soul Skill, Yang Ming also threw a punch. His blue-black scaled fist collided head-on with Zhang Fei's golden dragon fist!

Bang!!!

The two fists collided with an earth-shaking boom. A blast of air exploded outward, making the robes of everyone at the edge of the field flap wildly.

Zhang Fei was forced back three steps by the recoil.

Yang Ming's body swayed, yet he too was driven back half a step by the punch!

A flicker of shock passed through his eyes before he burst into laughter. "Good kid! You've got some strength! Again!"

The two plunged into battle once more, continuously escalating their Soul Skills.

"Second Soul Skill, Dark Gold Dragon Claw Hand!"

"Right arm, Dragon Transformation!"

Zhang Fei shouted repeatedly. His hands transformed into sharp dragon claws, while his right arm swelled by another circle. Soul Skill and Dragon Transformation fused together, every strike carrying a shriek that tore through the air.

Yang Ming's Soul Rings flashed in succession as well.

"First Soul Skill, Iron Wall!"

"Third Soul Skill, Scale Armor Enhancement!"

His defenses stacked layer upon layer, and metallic radiance spread across his blue-black scales as he forcibly withstood Zhang Fei's savage assault.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fists and claws crashed against scales with deafening roars. Sparks flew in all directions, and waves of air rippled outward.

The two were actually evenly matched in strength!

The longer Yang Ming fought, the more alarmed he became. He was a level sixty-seven Soul Emperor; in terms of raw strength alone, he far surpassed any Soul Elder. Yet Zhang Fei could clash head-on with him without falling behind?

"Fifth Soul Skill, Scale Armor Charge!"

Yang Ming no longer held back. His fifth Soul Ring lit up, and he charged toward Zhang Fei like a heavily armored war chariot!

This was his only offensive enhancement Soul Skill, and its power could not be underestimated!

"Third Soul Skill, Sacred Dragon Golden Body!"

Zhang Fei neither dodged nor retreated. The black Soul Ring beneath his feet abruptly lit up, and pale golden energy armor instantly covered his entire body!

Boom!!!

The two slammed into each other like mountains colliding!

Zhang Fei forcibly withstood the charge! His armor shook violently, golden light flashing wildly, but it was ultimately not shattered. Only then was he driven back four or five steps before coming to a stop.

"What a hard shell!" Yang Ming's pupils contracted slightly.