Using Teacher Zhao's Gravity Crush to Train the Body

"Then I have two suggestions for your second Soul Skill."

"Before that, I should explain where a Soul Master's skills come from after absorbing a Soul Ring. This is all based on my own speculation, of course."

"From what I can tell, Soul Skills have three possible sources.

First, the skill comes entirely from the Soul Beast.

Second, it comes from the fusion of the Soul Master and the Soul Beast.

Third, it comes entirely from the martial soul itself."

"Oscar's First Soul Skill falls into the first category: it came entirely from the Soul Beast. But Oscar's case is unusual.

His First Soul Skill inherited almost every ability of the Medicine Spirit Deer, so I suspect your Sausage martial soul is exceptionally good at inheriting effects."

"Given that trait, my first suggestion is a purification skill. When used, it would remove negative effects from your body—poisoning, another person's Soul Power eating away at you, mental control, and anything else of that sort."

"Soul Beasts with those traits are rare, but you can find them if you search carefully. I know of two: the Pure Soul Jade Lotus and the Clearheart Bamboo."

"My second suggestion is a flight skill. Since your Sausage doesn't inherit innate traits, I believe hunting an exceptionally fast Soul Beast could give you a flying Sausage Soul Skill."

Oscar fell into thought after hearing Lin Hao's explanation.

The others were stunned by what Lin Hao had said about the origins of Soul Skills. It was the first time they had heard such a detailed account.

Lin Hao had called it speculation, but after listening, the others were already nearly convinced.

Seeing Oscar deep in thought, Lin Hao added one more thing.

"By the way, Little Ao, both suggestions would be useful to you. You can choose one for your second Soul Ring and save the other for your third. Think about which skill you want first."

Lin Hao fell silent and waited for Oscar's answer.

Meanwhile, after hearing Lin Hao's Soul Ring suggestions for Ma Hongjun and Oscar, Dai Mubai wanted advice on which Soul Rings would suit his Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul.

So Dai Mubai turned to Lin Hao. "Brother Hao?"

"Could you give me some advice on the Soul Rings for my Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul too?"

Lin Hao thought through all of Dai Mubai's Soul Skills from the original story: White Tiger Body-Protecting Barrier, White Tiger Blazing Light Wave, White Tiger Vajra Transformation, White Tiger Meteor Shower, and White Tiger Annihilation Strike.

Dai Mubai's original skills were already excellent, so Lin Hao kept his advice simple.

"Mubai, the Star Luo imperial family has developed the Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul well. You don't need to change your first three Soul Rings.

Besides, you already have those three skills. They give you defense, percentage-based boosts, and a ranged attack. In close combat, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger's two boosting skills would let you hold your own even against the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the world's foremost beast martial soul."

"So I'll just suggest what to look for in your fourth and fifth skills.

For your fourth, an area attack that can hit groups would be best.

For your fifth, I'd recommend another percentage-based boost. If it could also give you a pair of wings, that really would be a tiger growing wings."

Dai Mubai smiled and nodded at Lin Hao, clearly delighted with the advice.

"Thanks for the advice, Brother Hao!"

By the time Lin Hao finished advising Dai Mubai, Oscar had made his choice.

"Brother Hao, I've decided. I'll choose a purification skill."

Lin Hao nodded.

"Sure. Fatty, Little Ao, you're both at level nineteen now. You'll be ready for your second Soul Rings soon, so keep training."

They chatted a while longer before Teacher Zhao Wuji strode into Shrek Academy's Central Square with heavy steps.

"Line up."

Once Lin Hao and the other five had formed a row, Zhao Wuji stepped in front of them.

"Dean Flender had to go out on business, so I'll be holding this year's welcome ceremony for the new students.

"This is a good year. We've gained four more little monsters. I'm Zhao Wuji, vice dean of Shrek Academy, and I welcome you on behalf of the academy. Later, each of you should pay one hundred gold coins to Teacher Li, who handles our finances."

"Shrek Academy trains students who are monsters, so naturally we don't have many rules. Hongjun, tell the other four newcomers what rules we do have."

"All right, you're free to go train on your own. As for formal classes, we'll discuss those when Dean Flender returns."

Zhao Wuji waved to the six students before him.

"Dismissed!"

Ma Hongjun and Oscar hurried back to their dormitory to train, hoping to reach level twenty and obtain their second Soul Rings as soon as possible.

Dai Mubai headed for Suotuo City.

Lin Hao and the other two caught up with Zhao Wuji.

"Teacher Zhao! Teacher Zhao!"

Zhao Wuji turned toward the three of them.

"What do you three need?"

Lin Hao stepped forward.

"Teacher Zhao, could you use your sixth Soul Skill, Gravity Crush, to put precisely controlled pressure on us? The three of us want to use it to strengthen our bodies."

"Would that be possible?"

Zhao Wuji laughed at the request.

"No problem. That's the first time anyone's asked me for something like this. You want me to apply precisely controlled gravity to your bodies, right?"

"If I carefully control my sixth Soul Skill, Gravity Crush, I can probably keep it on you for an hour."

"Come on, then. Let's see whether that kind of pressure can strengthen your bodies."

When the three were ready, Zhao Wuji summoned his Powerful Vajra Bear martial soul and merged with it.

"Sixth Soul Skill: Gravity Crush!"

Although Teacher Zhao had controlled the strength of his sixth Soul Skill, the pressure made Lin Hao stumble sharply. He nearly dropped to his knees.

Tang San and Xiao Wu fared no better.

After thanking Teacher Zhao, the three began adjusting to the pressure. They started with a slow walk, then picked up the pace.

The hour passed quickly. Lin Hao and the other two collapsed onto the ground, drenched in sweat.

Zhao Wuji, who had watched the whole thing, applauded softly.

"Not bad, not bad. With Flender away, I wasn't sure how I was going to teach you youngsters!"

"Your idea of using Gravity Crush to improve physical fitness would make a good class. When you see the others today, tell them that starting tomorrow, all six of you will have two hours of Gravity Crush training every day."

"Yes, Teacher Zhao."