Refusing Weighted Training, Focusing on Growing Taller
Yu Xiaogang was speechless. Tang San was indeed not tall, even on the shorter side for his age. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
Yan Zu continued, "We are only twelve or thirteen years old, and our bones are still developing. Running laps with weights can cause great damage to the knee joints and spine, especially prolonged, high-intensity weight training, which can lead to irreversible damage."
After a pause, Yan Zu continued, "Where did you learn this training method? Is it based on practical experience? Are there any successful cases? Or is it just some unverified Martial Soul Theory?"
"You... you're utterly unreasonable!" Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage, pointing at Yan Zu, "How can Soul Master's cultivation be concerned with such sentimentalities and outward appearances? So what if you're short? As long as you're strong, even a dwarf can stand firm in the Soul Master World!"
"But I don't want to be a dwarf, and I don't want Xiao Wu and the others to become short." Yan Zu's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Grandmaster, there are many ways to strengthen one's foundation; it doesn't necessarily have to be a damaging method like running laps with weights. Besides..."
Yan Zu continued, "Don't you have any other training methods besides this obviously harmful one?"
Xiao Wu paused for a moment, then blinked her big eyes, grabbed Yan Zu's arm tightly, and nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes! Little Brother A-Zu is right! I want to grow taller! What if I stop growing!"
Ning Rongrong reacted instantly, her Glazed Tile eyes widening as she feigned a look of lingering fear. "Oh my god! Not growing taller? No way! My father said that for girls, both temperament and height are very important! Grandmaster, your training is unscientific!"
Zhu Zhuqing's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. She glanced silently at her already rather long legs and said nothing. But she was determined not to participate in this kind of training.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale, then flushed. "This is the conclusion I've reached after years of research into Martial Soul and the limits of the human body..."
"Research?" Yan Zu smiled slightly, a gentle smile that carried a hint of sharpness. "Have you studied the laws of human skeletal development? Have you studied the long-term effects of weight training on minors? Or do you simply believe that 'hard work' equals 'effectiveness,' and 'hard training' equals 'progress'?"
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled slightly as he tried to refute, but he realized that he had no knowledge in this area whatsoever.
He studies Martial Soul Mutation, Soul Ring Configuration, and Soul Power flow; he's never studied skeletal development.
Yan Zu forward, his voice soft but clear. "Grandmaster Yu, we are willing to train and endure hardship. But please use methods proven effective in practice, not to use us as guinea pigs. If you insist on using methods that may harm your health, then I'm sorry, we—will not participate."
After speaking, he bowed slightly to Flender, turned and left. Xiao Wu and the others exchanged glances and also turned and left, leaving Yu Xiaogang standing there with a livid face.
Flender hesitated for a moment, then didn't stop Yan Zu and the others. It was one thing to deal with the others, but the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect School was here. If the training was really harmful, Ning Fengzhi could tear down Shrek Academy and skin Yu Xiaogang alive... well, probably including his own.
On the playground, Tang San's face darkened. He looked down at the basket on his back, which he had already filled with stones, and felt that it suddenly felt much heavier.
Ma Hongjun leaned closer and whispered, "Little San, do you think... you really won't grow taller?"
Tang San gritted his teeth. "... Shut up and focus on training."
Ma Hongjun shrank back, but still secretly reduced the weight of his basket by half. Dai Mubai was even more decisive; taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he simply slipped away.
The four returned to the training ground in the backyard of Glazed Tile Residence and began their daily training. This training ground was built at Ning Rongrong's expense. The ground was paved with smooth bluestone, and several stone pillars for tempering Soul Power were placed around it. A sunshade was also specially set up, making it much more comfortable than the academy's playground.
Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged on the futon, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda floating in her palm, its light flickering. Her eyes darted around, clearly distracted, and she muttered to herself, "Amplification... requires concentration..." Before she could finish speaking, her body swayed slightly and she leaned to the side—she had actually dozed off against Yan Zu's shoulder!
Yan Zu reluctantly opened his eyes, gathering a Nine Yin True Qi at his fingertips and precisely pressing it on her Jianjing acupoint. Ning Rongrong cried out "Ouch!" and her spirits lifted instantly, the light of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stabilizing immediately.
"A-Zu, you're bullying me!" she pouted, looking aggrieved.
"Focus on your cultivation." Yan Zu's voice was gentle but left no room for argument. "You've only just begun to understand the Nine Yin Manual, and your Soul Power circulation is already rudimentary. If you get distracted, you're likely to suffer a qi deviation."
"Okay..." Ning Rongrong agreed verbally, but while Yan Zu had his eyes closed, she secretly made a face at him, then flashed to the other side of the training ground. "I'm going to practice the Six Meridian Divine Sword over there, I won't disturb you!"
As soon as she ran off, she lost control of her speed and crashed headfirst into the artificial hill, rubbing her forehead in pain.
Beside them, Xiao Wu was playfully fighting with Little Jade across species. "Little Jade, take this!" Xiao Wu leaped up, unleashing her Wind God Kick - Catch the Wind and Seize the Shadow the Wind God Legs, her body flipping three times in the air as she kicked towards Little Jade.
Little Jade, however, was having too much fun. The auspicious aura lifted Xiao Wu higher and higher in the air. Suddenly, with a sudden acceleration, Xiao Wu screamed and was thrown out.
"Ah!" She nimbly somersaulted in the air, arched her Waist Bow, and landed precisely in Yan Zu.
"Xiao Wu!" Ning Rongrong stomped her foot angrily, "You two can cultivate, but stop showing off your love!"
Xiao Wu climbed out of Yan Zu, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Hehe, my mistake!"
Yan Zu rubbed his chest, which was a little sore from the impact, and said with a wry smile, "Can you two just shut up for a bit?"
Zhu Zhuqing stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the three laughing and joking. A rare smile appeared on her usually cold and beautiful face. She looked at Yan Zu. He treated everyone with such gentleness and tolerance, nourishing everyone's bodies with his cooking skills and guiding their cultivation with patience. This composure and insight quietly left a deeper impression on her heart.
After finishing their cultivation, the four returned to Glazed Tile Residence. Ning Rongrong slumped into a chair, exhausted, but still couldn't help complaining, "Cultivation is so tiring! Next time, you should make more dishes to boost my stamina, A-Zu!"
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes! I want to eat something that can increase my speed!"
Yan Zu smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll make you 300-year-old Swiftwind Rabbit meat tomorrow; it can improve your speed and reaction time."
Xiao Wu??? Rabbit meat??? I guess I really need to discipline my little brother often!!! Otherwise he'll start tearing the roof off!!!
Zhu Zhuqing silently poured four cups of Tranquil Heart Tea and handed them to the three of them. "Have some tea to calm your breathing." She looked at Yan Zu with gratitude and approval in her eyes. This peaceful and warm life was exactly what she had always longed for.
It was late at night, and Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were fast asleep, nestled on either side of Yan Zu, their breathing even. Yan Zu gently covered them with the blankets, then got up and went into the courtyard.
He looked up at the night sky, his mind flashing back to his parents' figures, the smoke rising from the chimneys of Five Souls Village, and the time he spent at the Nuoding Academy, finally settling on the smiling faces of those around him. Life at Glazed Tile Residence was warm and pleasant, but it also strengthened his resolve to move forward—he wanted to protect this warmth.
(Thanks to the user "Time Rift" for the monthly pass support.)