Basic Training

A month later, in the mountains behind the school, a figure moved through a lake like a fish, swimming nimbly and constantly rolling through the waves.

By the time the sun had risen high, the figure in the water was already exhausted. He slowly stopped, then floated on his back. The eight muscles on his abdomen reflected the sunlight.

"When I was in my previous life, I often saw children only a few years old swimming in pools. After trying it myself, I realized that swimming not only trained the body, but also caused very little harm. Even when I was completely exhausted, as long as I went limp like this, I could float on the surface. In this floating state, my body could recover quickly as well," Zhou Liang said with a sigh.

Zhou Liang drifted across the water like that. After recovering some strength, he climbed ashore, dried himself, got dressed, and headed toward Liu Erlong's house.

By the time he entered, a lavish lunch had already been prepared, waiting for Zhou Liang to return.

"Master, your cooking is delicious. The food in the cafeteria can't compare to yours at all," Zhou Liang said to Liu Erlong as he sat down and began eating.

"Eat properly. Don't choke," Liu Erlong lightly scolded.

"You finished earlier than yesterday. It seems I need to revise your future training plan. Your physical development is progressing extremely quickly," Liu Erlong said as she watched Zhou Liang eat.

The Everlasting Spring Technique has made my body abnormally active. Especially after I mastered the first layer, it directly revitalized my body. Both my recovery speed and growth potential have increased tremendously, which is why I've improved so rapidly during this time. Zhou Liang thought before asking Liu Erlong, "Master, when will the books about poison be collected?"

"Poisons are detested by the world to begin with, and books on the subject are very scarce. How could they be collected so easily? If you can't wait, you can gather them yourself. That way, you can choose according to your own preferences," Liu Erlong said.

"Master, but I don't have any money!" Zhou Liang said helplessly, spreading his hands.

"I prepared some for you." Liu Erlong took out a silver iron bracelet and handed it to Zhou Liang.

"This is a Soul Guide Device. There's a space inside it where you can store some things. From now on, use it to keep your personal belongings," Liu Erlong said to Zhou Liang.

Zhou Liang took the silver iron bracelet and put it on his left wrist. He immediately sensed a space within it, where several bags of gold coins had been placed.

Zhou Liang did not offer any polite words. He simply looked at Liu Erlong and nodded.

"Eat up. Once you're done, we'll begin your afternoon training," Liu Erlong said with a smile.

"Yes, Master." Zhou Liang nodded.

After quickly finishing his meal, putting away and washing all the dishes, and resting for a while, Zhou Liang set off for the next round of training.

"Teacher Wang Hu." Zhou Liang arrived at the training ground, saw a middle-aged man in his thirties standing there, and nodded in greeting.

This teacher named Wang Hu had a short buzz cut, with a scar running from his ear to his cheek. His skin was somewhat dark, and his features were unremarkable, but his calm eyes carried an imposing air.

"After this month of special training, you can now keep your eyes open at all times. But that is far from enough. During the coming period of sparring, I will focus on your balance and the stability of your lower body. During the last ten minutes of each day, I will explain your weaknesses and how you need to train in order to improve your balance and stability," Wang Hu said to Zhou Liang.

"Yes, Teacher!" Zhou Liang answered loudly.

"Good. Then we'll begin today's sparring training now." Wang Hu nodded.

As soon as Wang Hu finished speaking, Zhou Liang summoned his Martial Soul. The Martial Soul Soldier appeared beside him, but he was not preparing for a two-on-one fight. He needed to summon his Martial Soul for the physical enhancement it provided; otherwise, with Zhou Liang's physical strength, he would probably be knocked down with a single punch.

After controlling the Martial Soul Soldier to move aside, Zhou Liang nodded at Wang Hu. "I'm ready, Teacher."

The instant his words fell, Wang Hu appeared before Zhou Liang, his fist wrapped in Soul Power as it blasted toward Zhou Liang's face.

The gust from the incoming punch did not make Zhou Liang close his eyes. Instead, he stared fixedly at the fist, twisted his body to the left, and wrapped Soul Power around his clenched left hand as he struck toward the side of Wang Hu's fist, trying to redirect the force and make him rush past.

Bang!

Although Zhou Liang's fist was completely incapable of contending with Wang Hu's, it still forced Wang Hu to change direction and rush past him.

Bang!

This was not the sound of fists colliding, but the sound of Zhou Liang crashing to the ground.

As Wang Hu rushed past him, he smoothly lifted his right leg and swept it out, directly knocking Zhou Liang to the ground.

Stunned by the sudden fall, Zhou Liang took several seconds to recover. He pushed himself up with both hands and rose unsteadily to his feet.

Zhou Liang's head had struck the ground directly just now. Fortunately, his body was tougher than that of an ordinary person, so his head had not split open and bled. He merely had a large bump on it.

"This training is not only about balance. There are several other aspects as well. Using Soul Power to protect yourself when you are injured, keeping yourself in an advantageous position at all times, and avoiding harm from others—these two forms of training must be carried out together. From now on, I may knock you to the ground at any time, but you must use Soul Power to protect yourself. Do not let yourself get hurt like you just did, or even become dizzy. That sort of condition will get you killed directly in battle," Wang Hu said, staring at Zhou Er.

"So I will not hold back during this training. Either complete the training, or keep getting thrown down by me," Wang Hu said to Zhou Er, narrowing his eyes.

Zhou Liang took a deep breath, then stood up and nodded. "Teacher Wang Hu, let's continue."

"Good!" Wang Hu nodded with a faint smile.

He raised his fist once more and charged at Zhou Er. This time, Zhou Er chose the same response, but he watched Wang Hu's movements even more closely, trying to see exactly how Wang Hu made him lose his balance.

Unfortunately, the gap in their strength prevented Zhou Liang from getting what he wanted, and he fell to the ground once again. Fortunately, this time he promptly circulated his Soul Power to protect himself.