At the first light of dawn the next day, a series of knocks interrupted Jun Yi's meditation. He opened his eyes, went to open the door, and discovered that the person knocking was actually Sword Douluo.
"Hmm? That was quick. Looks like you're already up. Wash up, then go to yesterday's training ground. I'll train you myself," Sword Douluo said.
"All right, Your Eminence Sword Douluo."
After bowing to Sword Douluo and taking his leave, Jun Yi quickly changed and washed up, then hurried to the training ground.
On the grounds, Sword Douluo stood atop a rock in gray robes, looking down at everyone below. Though his hair and beard were white, he was hale and vigorous, his face as youthful as a young man's. His eyes in particular shone brightly with wisdom.
Jun Yi watched the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciples on the grounds, finding it quite novel. As Auxiliary System Soul Masters, they weren't cultivating Soul Power or practicing Soul Skills. Instead, they were training in the most basic hand-to-hand combat. They sparred in pairs, their moves fierce and sharp. Every punch whistled through the air, clearly showing that they had put in real, painstaking effort.
"You're here." Sword Douluo turned to Jun Yi and spoke slowly.
"Yes, Your Eminence Sword Douluo. What's today's training?" Jun Yi asked him.
Sword Douluo said slowly, "Like these disciples, you'll first train your physical fitness and hand-to-hand combat skills. Once your skills catch up with theirs, I'll take you to obtain a Soul Ring."
"Huh?"
Jun Yi was somewhat puzzled. Why did he have to learn fighting techniques from Auxiliary System Soul Masters? Could they really fight?
Seeing Jun Yi's puzzled expression, Sword Douluo saw through his thoughts. He casually selected a disciple around Jun Yi's age to come over.
"Ning Yu, come here."
"Yes."
The child came to Sword Douluo's side and said respectfully, "Greetings, Lord Sword Douluo."
"Mm."
Sword Douluo nodded, then turned to Jun Yi. "Jun Yi, this disciple, Ning Yu, is around your age. His Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the fighting techniques he usually practices are the simplest ones. Have a bout with him. If you win, you won't need to train."
"Sure thing."
Jun Yi answered and immediately walked over to Ning Yu, thinking, Isn't this just a fight between kids? I'm sure to win.
"Brother Jun, please give me your guidance!"
Ning Yu cupped his hands toward Jun Yi as he spoke.
Jun Yi nodded. "Brother Ning, please give me your guidance."
With that, both charged forward at once. Ning Yu clenched his right hand into a fist and hurled it at Jun Yi.
Jun Yi dodged sideways and thrust out his left palm.
Bang!
Ning Yu's fist slammed hard into Jun Yi's left palm. The powerful impact hurt so much that Jun Yi felt as though his bones were about to crack.
After that dull thud, Jun Yi staggered back nearly ten steps, while Ning Yu remained exactly where he stood, not moving an inch. Who was stronger and who was weaker was clear at a glance.
Holy shit, this kid's so strong. Is he really an Auxiliary System Soul Master?
Jun Yi grumbled inwardly. In his eyes, weren't these Auxiliary System Soul Masters supposed to be weaklings with no fighting ability, lambs to the slaughter once someone got close? Why was the child before him about a hundred million little degrees different from what he had imagined?
"Kid, you do have a little ability."
Sword Douluo nodded.
"Keep going," Sword Douluo said indifferently.
And so Jun Yi fought Ning Yu for another stretch. Jun Yi was completely outmatched, but Ning Yu held back throughout, never actually hurting him in the slightest.
After a good while, Jun Yi was drenched in sweat and panting for breath.
"No more, no more. I surrender."
Jun Yi chose to concede outright. What a joke-he couldn't beat him at all. His opponent was even holding back at every turn, and he still couldn't fend him off. What was the point of hanging on?
Hearing this, Ning Yu smiled. "Thank you for letting me win, Brother Jun."
Sword Douluo said, "Very good. Ning Yu, go back to your training."
"Yes." Ning Yu returned to the training ground and resumed sparring with his original opponent.
Watching Jun Yi sit on the ground looking utterly dejected, Sword Douluo's expression grew increasingly displeased. He couldn't understand why Ning Rongrong liked spending time with this brat.
Sword Douluo somewhat regretted not having Ning Rongrong come watch. Perhaps if Rongrong saw Jun Yi in this embarrassing state, she might not like him so much.
Ning Fengzhi had instructed him to guide Jun Yi properly in his cultivation. Sword Douluo continued looking at Jun Yi with a cold expression.
"Right now, you really are weak. Do you want to train alongside these Auxiliary System Soul Masters?"
Jun Yi nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at grain.
"Most disciples of our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are Auxiliary System Soul Masters and have practically no fighting ability. To ensure that our disciples have some ability to protect themselves while traveling the continent, everyone begins training from childhood. Moreover, these fighting techniques were developed through extensive practice and refinement."
"In other words, without using Soul Skills, even Power Attack System Soul Masters might not be able to defeat our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's disciples in close combat."
Sword Douluo's face was full of pride as he said this.
Hearing this, Jun Yi froze for a moment. He suddenly realized that his thinking had indeed been somewhat one-sided. As one of the Upper Three Sects, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect certainly understood its own shortcomings and flaws, and would surely seek ways to improve them. Strengthening their close-combat abilities was therefore only natural.
But there was a reason for Jun Yi's one-sided impression. He turned to Sword Douluo and asked quietly, "Does Ning Rongrong train?"
"Why would Rongrong need to train? With Old Bones and me around, who would dare bully her?"
Well, another of Jun Yi's questions had been answered. No wonder Ning Rongrong never showed any close-combat ability in the original story. You were the one spoiling her.
"All right, Jun Yi. From now on, I'll personally train you in close combat." "All right, Your Eminence Sword Douluo. Where should I start?"
Sword Douluo glanced sideways, a strange smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. "Do you know what you should learn first if you want to practice fighting other people?"
"T-taking a beating?" Jun Yi said hesitantly.
"Mm, you're very talented. Then let the training begin."
Before Jun Yi could react, Sword Douluo had already struck. He swung a slap at him with incredible speed.
Startled, Jun Yi hurriedly raised his arm to block. But unexpectedly, Sword Douluo hadn't merely intended to slap him this time. Instead, he threw a punch with his other hand, slamming it hard into Jun Yi's abdomen and knocking him flat onto the ground.
"You launched a sneak attack!"
Clutching his stomach, Jun Yi stared at Sword Douluo. Although he knew nothing about close combat, this dignified Titled Douluo had actually resorted to deception and a sneak attack against a six-year-old child. He truly had no martial honor.
Seeing Jun Yi suffer, Sword Douluo remained perfectly unruffled. "I'm training your reactions. Come on, keep going."
Sword Douluo produced a small wooden sword from who knew where and swung it at Jun Yi a few times. His movements were very slow and seemed to contain little strength, yet they brimmed with an incredibly dangerous presence that made one's hair stand on end.
How the fuck was this training? He was clearly jealous over Ning Rongrong and wanted to use his position to settle a personal grudge!
Jun Yi hurriedly got up to flee, but how could Sword Douluo give him that chance? Wooden sword in hand, he brought it crashing toward Jun Yi's body...
(End of chapter)