The Library

After becoming a Soul Master, Yang Xiong's training regimen underwent a complete overhaul—or rather, quite a few new training routines had been added.

Although he was only eight years old, his long-term training had already brought him to a height of 1.4 meters, making him even bigger than children with Beast Martial Souls.

Yang Xiong went straight to the Blacksmith Shop in Seven Treasure City and had quite a few things made for himself: thirty jin of weights worn across his body, including four five-jin Wrist Guards and a ten-jin Chest Armor. He also had a punching bag filled with small Iron Beads and an Iron Wooden Dummy made.

The so-called wooden dummy was not actually that complicated in design. It was commonly used for martial arts practice in ancient Blue Star. Its base was a large platform, while the main body was an iron pillar over 1.5 meters long, covered in numerous holes. The iron pillar could rotate on the base according to the force applied.

All sorts of oddly shaped iron arms could be inserted into each hole and arranged according to one's needs.

The wooden dummy could be considered the culmination of ancient martial arts training in Hua Country on Blue Star. It was a simulated training method that fused offensive techniques, hand techniques, footwork, and leg techniques, fully embodying the practical combat awareness and fighting methods of ancient martial arts.

However, the wooden dummies of ancient Blue Star had been made from hardwood, while the one Yang Xiong ordered was forged entirely from iron. Furthermore, each arm could be replaced. Compared to ancient wooden dummies, it was more convenient, more practical, and sturdier.

After all, Douluo Continent was a fantasy world. Yang Xiong felt that after becoming a Soul Master, his strength and physical fitness had improved enormously. Even at only eight years old, he was probably far stronger than adults on Blue Star.

Every morning after getting up, aside from ordinary exercise, Yang Xiong spent most of his time striking the wooden dummy and punching the bag. That was true simulated combat training.

When striking the wooden dummy, its rotating body meant that even the slightest delay in reaction would result in being hit by an Iron Hand. In particular, the greater the force used, the faster it rotated, and the higher the chance of getting hit. However, Yang Xiong's Body Martial Soul needed to endure blows in order to grow stronger.

As for the punching bag, though it looked crude, it was one of the essential elements of boxing.

The bag was filled entirely with fine Iron Sand and wrapped in a layer of Soul Beast Hide. Even Yang Xiong, exerting all his strength, could not break it. Every morning, he punched the bag with full force, pushing the power of his fists and kicks to the limit.

Especially after striking the iron-sand punching bag with all his strength, the flesh on his hands and feet would be battered, and afterward his entire body seemed to be wracked with agonizing pain. That was when the Body Martial Soul showed its usefulness. Its terrifying recovery ability left even Yang Xiong amazed.

In the mornings, Yang Xiong rarely went to class anymore. Instead, he planned to read in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Library, where there were many worthwhile things to study.

The afternoons were devoted purely to physical training. He carried even heavier weights while running, swimming, and doing similar exercises, squeezing his stamina to the absolute limit.

Though the days seemed simple, Yang Xiong could clearly feel his body gradually growing stronger.

Of course, every three to five days, Yang Xiong would spar with his father. Though he was beaten badly every time, he still accumulated a fair amount of combat experience.

What delighted Yang Xiong most was the collection within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect Library.

The entire library was divided into seven floors. Each floor held all kinds of books, and the higher one went, the more secretive the books became.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly deserved its reputation as the richest sect on the entire Douluo Continent. It seemed to have spent a vast amount of money on its collection. The books covered virtually everything: not only were there cultivation notes left by numerous Titled Douluo experts and Self-Created Soul Skills from various high-level Soul Masters, but there was even knowledge of poisonous flowers and Spirit Grass. It could be called one of the richest Libraries on the entire Douluo Continent.

In particular, the higher the floor, the more valuable the books became. There were even many out-of-print solitary copies, as well as some hidden secrets from the history of the Soul Master world.

When Yang Xiong reached the sixth floor, he was even more surprised. There were actually records of the Clear Sky Sect's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer and Clear Sky Nine Secret Skills, as well as the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's Dragon Transformation. However, they had clearly been summarized from battles by experts of the past and were somewhat incomplete.

To enter the seventh floor, one needed a writ from the Sect Master or one of the two Guardian Elders. However, Yang Xiong possessed the token Ning Fengzhi had given him, so naturally he could pass through without hindrance.

If the first six floors of the library were known for their abundant and precious collections, then the seventh floor was relatively simple and held far fewer books—but their value was astonishing.

Even Yang Xiong's eyes widened the first time he entered, because there were actually records of Heart Separation Control and the Seven Kill Sword Technique, as well as Bone Douluo's cultivation method. However, they seemed to contain only the initial stages of the techniques, lacking the highest levels, which probably had to be taught orally by their owners.

Heart Separation Control was said to be a secret transmission of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Though it was not necessarily exclusive to the sect, it could use Heart Separation Control to bring the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's enhancement abilities to their fullest potential, even allowing one to enhance multiple people at once.

The Seven Kill Sword Technique, meanwhile, was said to be one of the most supreme techniques in the world, likewise representing the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

What interested Yang Xiong most was Bone Douluo's cultivation method. Bone Douluo's Martial Soul was the Bone Dragon, and he was known as the most elusive expert in the Soul Master world. Yet in truth, Bone Douluo excelled even more at defense.

In terms of defense alone, he was even stronger than Huyan Zhen and Niu Gao of the Defense Clan. Aside from the uniqueness of his Martial Soul, this was also due to his exclusive cultivation method.

Beyond that, Yang Xiong even found cultivation methods from many defense-oriented clans in the library. In addition to their unique training methods, there were also methods for using medicine to stimulate the body and strengthen one's defenses.

Standing in the library, Yang Xiong felt as though he were immersed in an ocean of knowledge. In particular, many things would be highly beneficial to him in the future. For example, he could perhaps draw inspiration from the various Self-Created Soul Skills, making it easier to develop his own Self-Created Soul Skills later on.

Of course, Yang Xiong also found quite a few methods for Medicinal Baths in the library. They mostly came from the major clans. They might not have been the best in the world, but each clan had its own unique strengths, or rather, methods particularly suited to certain types of Martial Souls.

Lin Gong, the Class Teacher of Class One, placed great importance on classroom discipline, but he was somewhat helpless when it came to Yang Xiong.

After all, everyone in the class was only eight years old. They were merely receiving ordinary Soul Master theory education, and there was basically no practical combat training.

Yang Xiong had originally spent class reading books without listening to the lessons at all. Now, he had stopped showing up altogether, taking leave to go read in the library instead. It left the Old Man quite frustrated.

However, Lin Gong had no choice. Yang Xiong had read far too many books over the years and had his own unique insights into Martial Soul cultivation. He could even recognize his own Martial Soul at a glance. In terms of knowledge alone, he had probably already surpassed quite a few teachers.

Still, Lin Gong required Yang Xiong to attend school one day every week. Otherwise, he would easily become disconnected from the whole class. Naturally, Lin Gong also needed to understand Yang Xiong's specific circumstances; if a Class Teacher did not know his student's situation, it would be difficult to answer to the sect.