That day, Xu Zhengyang was cultivating in his dormitory, using steam therapy to temper his body. Not only was his entire body red, but even his head, the only part of his body that was exposed, was crimson. Sisi sweat seeped from his forehead, and Sisi of steam rose from his hair.
This Steam Meditation Method was developed by Xu Zhengyang based on his research in traditional Chinese medicine in his previous life. The medicinal materials were specially formulated with reference to the ingredients of Mysterious Water Pill and Soul Generation Pill. Although it is quite different from directly taking Mysterious Water Pill and Soul Generation Pill, its advantage is that it can be used continuously and has no side effects.
Theoretically speaking, this does not count as taking elixirs. Rather, under extremely high temperatures, the vapor of the medicine enters the body through dilated pores, thereby stimulating blood circulation and tempering the meridians within the body.
Steam is hotter than boiling water, making this method much more effective than a medicinal bath. However, it is more troublesome and somewhat dangerous; those with poor physical condition are easily burned.
Just then, there was a knock on the dormitory door. Xu Zhengyang was a little puzzled. It was already evening, why would someone suddenly come to visit?
Outside the door, the two who arrived were Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. In the past year, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had been defeated by Xu Zhengyang countless times, but these two were indeed gifted individuals with extremely strong personalities. Even after losing, they never renege on their debts. On the contrary, this aroused their competitive spirit, and they repeatedly challenged Xu Zhengyang.
Throughout the year, the two of them were the most diligent and proactive in physical training among all the participants. Their combat abilities far surpassed those of other Soul Master, and they even posed a certain threat to Xu Zhengyang.
After all, both of them were Soul Ancestor, and their Soul Power was much stronger than Xu Zhengyang's. Moreover, as siblings, they cooperated very well.
Judging from their current situation, they are no longer like traditional Soul Engineer. They are more like Battle Soul Master from the Douluo Continent, especially Xiao Hongchen, who is gradually learning how to use Soul Skill. Now his Soul Skill are not only limited to the use of Soul Tool, but can also be used on Martial Soul, and he even occasionally does some amazing things.
No matter how hard Xiao Hongchen tried, he always suffered a crushing defeat when facing Xu Zhengyang, even when the two joined forces. However, he was somewhat unwilling to accept defeat and always gritted his teeth, vowing to get revenge next time. Unfortunately, he was still repeatedly defeated.
Xiao Hongchen seemed a little helpless. "Little sister, why do you have to come looking for Xu Zhengyang at this time? Everyone knows that guy disappears by evening, and even if you do find him, he ignores everyone else."
Meng Hongchen said, "Brother, don't be so petty. It's just that we lost to Xu Zhengyang again yesterday. It's not like it's the first time you've lost."
"Besides, first grade has just ended, and it's uncertain whether we'll have another chance to face off. I'm here on important business."
Even inside the room, Xu Zhengyang could hear the two siblings whispering to each other.
"I'm sorry, I'm busy right now. You might have to wait a bit if something comes up."
Xiao Hongchen roared, "You, Xu Zhengyang! I came all this way to find you, and you're avoiding me? That's incredibly disrespectful!"
Meng Hongchen, who was quite sensitive to the smell of drugs, said, "Brother, there's a medicinal scent in the air, somewhat like the Soul Generation Pill and the Mysterious Water Pill. Xu Zhengyang might be taking a medicinal bath. It wouldn't be good for us to just barge in like this."
Xiao Hongchen seemed unwilling to accept yesterday's crushing defeat. His hand suddenly changed, and his entire arm turned golden. He pressed it directly against the door, and under the effect of his Soul Skill, the entire door, including the lock, turned golden.
Immediately afterwards, the entire door was opened directly. At this moment, Xiao Hongchen used the Three-Legged Golden Toad's special metal fusion ability to control the door lock and open the door directly. Over the past year, Xiao Hongchen's control over the Three-Legged Golden Toad has obviously improved a lot.
When the two arrived at Xu Zhengyang's room, they saw that the entire room was filled with smoke, and in the center was a special large barrel with burning ore underneath. Only Xu Zhengyang's reddened head was visible.
Xu Zhengyang suddenly opened his eyes. " Xiao Hongchen, barging in uninvited, aren't you afraid I'll teach you a lesson like last time?"
Xiao Hongchen looked indignant. "I was just careless last time. We siblings can fight again. I refuse to believe I'll lose as badly as last time."
"By the way, you're a classmate and class monitor, yet you managed to research this secret cultivation method all by yourself in the dorm without even sharing it. Last time, you took advantage of me, getting so many medicinal herbs from me. So that's what you came up with, this special cultivation method."
Over the past year, Xu Zhengyang and Xiao Hongchen Meng Hongchen had sparred countless times. What were originally just ordinary classmates exchanging blows had become quite annoying for Xu Zhengyang, so he simply made a bet with them: the challenge was fine, but a prize was required.
Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen readily agreed, only to suffer an even more crushing defeat.
In the year that followed, Xu Zhengyang had long since used up all the spiritual herbs and poisons he had gathered in the Soul Beast Forest. Fortunately, some unsuspecting people came knocking on his door, and through battle, he earned a large amount of spiritual herbs from Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.
These two individuals had extremely powerful backgrounds; their grandfather was even the dean of the academy. They didn't care about these rare herbs and poisonous plants at all, which allowed Xu Zhengyang to make a fortune. Of course, the two sides also became more and more familiar with each other, which led to the uninvited visit.
But this situation made him seem somewhat helpless. "This is a cultivation method I created myself. The medicine is formulated according to my own physical condition. It is not suitable for ordinary people. If you try to follow my method, you will either die from poisoning or be steamed alive."
Before Xiao Hongchen could speak again, Meng Hongchen interrupted him, "Brother, let's not talk about this now, let's get down to business."
Seeing his sister's expression, Xiao Hongchen snorted coldly, "Then let's not bother with him for now."
"By the way, Xu Zhengyang, now that you've graduated from your first year, what major are you planning to choose?"
Xu Zhengyang didn't hesitate. "I've already planned it out. After graduating from my first year, I'll go directly into the Practical Control Department. Professor Xu Jie should know that; he'll continue to teach me in the future."
"Didn't you two want to go to the War Department? Why are you asking me?"
Xiao Hongchen said, "What War Department? We're not going. Xiao Meng and I have already decided to go to the Practical Control Department too."
Xu Zhengyang looked puzzled. "If I remember correctly, you should have planned to go to the War Department a long time ago. Why did you suddenly change your plans?"
Xiao Hongchen felt a little helpless. "It's all because of you. Recently, I've been researching Martial Soul and I feel that I can fight using Martial Soul purely, but I just feel like I'm lacking something. I feel that going to the Practical Control Department would be better for my future development, and my grandfather also supports me going to the Practical Control Department."
The Practical Control Department and the War Department are the two most famous departments at the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. The Practical Control Department focuses on the application of Martial Soul and Soul Tool, while the War Department excels in firepower output and battlefield control. Both departments are known for their powerful offensive capabilities.