The Qi Accumulation Form was the simplest and also a highly effective way to train the body, the result of experience accumulated by countless generations of predecessors.
Even in the imperial family, there was no better training method for children just starting down the warrior's path-though perhaps directly administering potions counted as one.
Fortunately, Jason had secretly observed the training yesterday. Combined with the original owner's memories, that had allowed him to perform the movements barely well enough to meet the standard during warrior training this morning.
Warrior training in the morning, academic lessons in the afternoon, and private study in the study at night, with two days off every seven days and holidays counted separately-that was Jason's schedule.
"Mm, good. Prince Jason, your body has recovered very well, with no lingering aftereffects." The instructor in front of him took the opportunity to feel the muscles all over Jason's body, examining him.
Since Jason was recovering from an injury, the instructor gave him some individual attention today.
There were only about a dozen children still training in the Qi Accumulation Form like Jason. The others were older children who had already begun training in battle qi. Those studying magic were not on this training ground.
"Instructor, is my physical condition suited to the warrior's path?" Jason ventured to ask.
The original owner had been rather introverted and had never asked the instructor this question, so Jason decided to inquire.
"To be frank, Prince Jason, your talent as a warrior is average. Fortunately, you didn't slack off in your previous training, so your fundamentals are solid. If you can find a suitable battle qi manual, you shouldn't do too badly."
The instructor had put it tactfully. As a member of the imperial family, even an unfavored one would certainly have a top-tier battle qi manual, and cultivation in the Coiling Dragon World did not strictly require natural treasures. By training steadily with the aid of a few potions, anyone who wasn't utterly useless could become a Seventh-level Warrior at the very least.
Jason chose his words carefully. "I'd like to train on my own outside class. Do you have any advice, Instructor?"
"Well, Your Highness, you should prioritize your academic studies. You're only eight, and the Qi Accumulation Form training you do every morning is already enough. Your body can't handle any more, and you could easily get hurt training alone."
Jason wasn't Linley. The Dragonblood Warrior Clan's talent allowed its members to train intensely at the age of eight, but Jason couldn't do that yet.
Well, the instructor was right. Jason also knew he was still growing and shouldn't overdo his physical training.
Without dwelling on it any further, Jason began thinking about his future path of cultivation as he held the Qi Accumulation Form's posture.
First, I need to reach the Saint-level. The talent test in a few days should include a test of elemental affinity, but the mage's path is relatively difficult. I should focus on the warrior's path and try to comprehend profound mysteries after reaching the Saint-level.
Mages needed greater aptitude to cultivate, and advancing in rank required increases in both mana and spiritual power. They also had to spend time studying the principles of magic. Compared with warriors, who only needed to train their battle qi, mages were bound to advance much more slowly.
I just don't know what the Rhine Clan's bloodline actually is. It would be nice if it came with a bloodline talent.
Jason guessed that the Rhine Clan's bloodline probably didn't come from an innate divine beast. After all, his physical condition was no different in any obvious way from that of an ordinary human. The Rhine Clan's ancestor was probably only a Saint-level magical beast that had broken through to the Deity-level.
Still, some Saint-level magical beasts did have bloodline talents, such as the "Three-Eyed Winged Man" in the original work, who could refine souls, and the Evil Eye King and Flame King in the Necropolis of the Gods. The latter two in particular had aptitude no weaker than that of ordinary innate divine beasts.
Jason had been back in class for several days.
During those days, the people around him had all noticed the change in Jason. He was no longer as dull and self-conscious as before, and he applied himself more diligently in class.
Whether in cultivation or academic lessons, Jason displayed remarkable talent. This was especially true in his academic lessons: while the other children were distracted, fooling around, and disobeying their teachers, he remained focused almost the entire time.
As for his private study every evening, he took the initiative to borrow many books on history and geography, and his ability to understand and remember their contents surprised his teachers.
Jason himself thought little of it. As a bona fide university graduate from modern society, it would be far too embarrassing if I couldn't outstudy a bunch of kids from a feudal society.
Jason paid no mind to hiding his abilities, either. Not just any child of the emperor could take part in the struggle for the throne. He had no interest in it, and this world also allowed him to pursue cultivation. Surely his older brother and younger sister couldn't force him to compete with them for the throne?
The talent test was held on the seventh day after Jason recovered from his injury, and at night, making it all very mysterious.
As the children were counted, Jason took a look. There were twenty-seven of them. He was certain that every child in the Rhein Imperial Family between the ages of seven and twelve had come.
Seen this way, the Rhein Imperial Family really did have few descendants.
They were divided among three carriages, with a squad of elite guards around them.
They traveled for a long time. On the way, Jason saw the procession pass through the city gates through the window-the test site was actually outside the royal capital! That was certainly unusual.
When the carriages reached their destination, the twenty-odd children got out and found themselves in front of an old castle surrounded by mountains.
"This is Blood Blade Castle, where the Rhine Clan's experts live in seclusion. The people testing your bloodlines today are elders of the clan. Remember to show them respect when you meet them, and whatever your talents may be, don't make a fuss!" Prince Vittorio reminded them.
He and several accompanying members of the imperial family then led the twenty-odd children into the castle. The guards remained outside; they were not qualified to enter.
Although it was called Blood Blade Castle, the interior was not as gloomy and frightening as its name suggested. It was even rather cozy and splendid.
The castle grounds were spacious, with a towering, magnificent five-story building with a pointed roof standing in the center. Many residences were scattered around it, including quite a few magic towers. The one unusual feature was that the castle's outer walls were very low, at least compared with the tall main building.
Perhaps the experts here had no need for walls to defend against enemies.
Prince Vittorio led the children into a magic tower on the side of the castle.
Five people dressed as mages were already waiting inside.
Once everyone had arrived, a black-robed figure walked to the front. "Today we will mainly test the concentration of your bloodlines and your magic affinity. As for what bloodline concentration means, someone will explain it to you after you return. Just do as I say and don't ask unnecessary questions."
The figure's forceful manner set the children whispering among themselves.
"Silence!" the black-robed figure barked. "The test begins now."
All right, I'll behave and take the test, then leave as soon as it's over. No need to stir up trouble, Jason thought.
This made Jason a little nervous.
Jason wasn't particularly concerned about his bloodline concentration. From the look of it, it was just the bloodline of a Saint-level magical beast, nothing special.
Magic affinity was what Jason truly cared about. The path his cultivation would take in the future depended on the affinity of his current body.
If he could have one or two elements with superlative affinity, Jason would at least be very confident about breaking through to the Saint-level.