Currently, things are different for Xu Yang. As a disciple of Ning Fengzhi, he holds a prestigious position within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. Not only does he have Ning Haiyan, a Soul Saint, as his bodyguard and enforcer, but the sect also provides dedicated doctors, healing soul masters, and chefs to minimize the aftereffects of his intense training. This allows him to train boldly and confidently.
Taking out a notebook from his storage ring, Xu Yang began to review his training plans for various types of soul masters that he had drafted before awakening his martial spirit. Although they were quite rudimentary, they represented his hard work.
Flipping to the latest page, Xu Yang started planning based on the characteristics of his martial spirit.
"First and foremost, cultivating soul power must be my top priority. I need to meditate for at least two hours each day to enhance my soul power and gradually convert it into Solar Soul Power. This is fundamental!"
"Next is physical training. Running, push-ups, squats, swimming, and pull-ups should all be included. This high-intensity training will require at least two hours."
"However, this kind of physical exercise is not a long-term solution; I must develop a method to refine my body using soul power. That will be up to you, Uncle Ning! It would be a waste not to utilize such a great resource!"
The thought of having Ning Haiyan help him research methods for refining his body with soul power made Xu Yang chuckle; it was simply practical. As just a small soul master without sufficient knowledge or experience, he could not compare to the understanding of a Soul Saint regarding soul power.
"Then there's learning combat skills. Besides applying my martial spirit, I also want to learn swordsmanship and archery. These two should be simple enough; I just need to focus on practice daily without taking too much time."
Xu Yang had considered learning swordsmanship and archery for a long time—not only to increase his combat options but also due to the influence of Chen Xin.
Seeing Chen Xin's sword intent in Douluo Dalu showed him that mastery in technique was also achievable.
Moreover, being at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School with Chen Xin as a sword master would help him avoid many detours. With enough effort, he might even learn the Seven Killing Sword Technique and possibly adapt it into knife techniques. At that point, he might even venture into the Slaughter City.
As for why he chose to practice knife techniques instead of swords, it was simply because knife techniques and archery were easier to learn—there were fewer complexities involved.
After spending about an hour recording all his thoughts in the notebook, Xu Yang was surprised to see three full pages of plans. A rough calculation showed that if he followed everything written down, he would still need twenty more hours each day for training.
"Hmm! It looks like I need to revise my plan!"
Using his pen, he crossed out many less important training activities until only four key areas remained: soul power cultivation, martial spirit practice, combat skills, and physical fitness—the rest could wait until later.
Closing the notebook, Xu Yang decided to find Ning Haiyan and start practicing knife techniques.
Ning Haiyan's martial spirit was the Flame Blade; having received guidance from Chen Xin himself, his knife skills were exceptional enough to teach Xu Yang as a beginner.
Now that night had fallen and due to the nature of Xu Yang's martial spirit requiring most of the day for soul power cultivation, he could only train at night.
After hearing Xu Yang's request, Ning Haiyan fell silent. He didn't expect this genius would want to learn knife techniques instead of focusing on studying his own martial spirit—was he out of his mind?
"Um… Young Master, you should really focus on learning techniques suitable for an attack-type soul master. There's no need to waste time on knife skills! If the Sect Master finds out about this, I'll certainly get scolded," Ning Haiyan advised sincerely.
"It's fine; I'll talk to the Sect Master myself. You just need to teach me! I'll take responsibility for anything that comes up! If you don't want to teach me, I'll just find someone else in the sect," Xu Yang replied seriously while shaking his head at Ning Haiyan. He was determined to learn knife techniques today.
"Alright then! But about the Sect Master..."
"I'll go speak with him first thing tomorrow morning!"
"Fine! Young Master, follow me!"
Seeing Xu Yang so resolute made Ning Haiyan sigh softly before turning around and leading him toward the training ground nearby.
Once they arrived at the training ground, Ning Haiyan tossed Xu Yang a wooden knife from a nearby weapons rack and said seriously: "Since you want to learn knife techniques, you must strictly follow my requirements from now on. Even if you complain or feel exhausted, you cannot stop."
"Of course!"
"But I need to know if you want to learn my Flame Blade style or just basic knife techniques; using it effectively is what matters!"
"Basic knife techniques—simple is best!"
Hearing this answer relieved Ning Haiyan; if Xu Yang only wanted to learn basic knife techniques, he felt it was acceptable. If Xu Yang had insisted on learning his Flame Blade style instead, he would have had to report this decision to the Sect Master for approval.
He didn't want such a genius ruined under his guidance by pursuing unworthy endeavors.
"Since you want to learn the simplest knife techniques, I will teach you three moves; all knife techniques in Douluo Dalu evolve from these three."
"They are: downward slash, horizontal sweep, and upward thrust. As long as you can use these three moves proficiently, you'll know how to wield a knife!"
With that said, Ning Haiyan demonstrated by executing each move fluidly with his wooden knife—first slashing downwards, then sweeping horizontally before finishing with an upward thrust—each action seamless and smooth.
Wasn't this just like splitting Mount Hua or sweeping through thousands of troops?!
Xu Yang suppressed his urge to comment sarcastically as he tightened his grip on the wooden knife and began practicing Ning Haiyan's movements. However, after just one downward slash, Ning Haiyan called him to stop and promptly corrected his mistakes.
"You need to pull your right hand back slightly; this will make it easier for you to generate power!"
"Don't forget about footwork and body movement; in any battle involving soul masters, those are crucial for victory! Just swinging your knife won't help—it will only allow your opponent an easy escape!!"
"You're using too much force; always leave some strength behind when striking so you can change your moves if needed—otherwise you'll expose yourself!"
"Pay attention to how you're channeling your soul power; don't rely solely on physical strength—without soul power backing it up, how effective can your technique be?!"
Ning Haiyan's training was rigorous; whenever Xu Yang made an error, he immediately called for a stop and corrected him while demonstrating alongside him until each strike reached perfection.
Xu Yang took this seriously as well.
The two continued their one-on-one teaching session until around ten o'clock at night when Ning Haiyan finally decided it was time for rest.
Xu Yang also chose an early bedtime since he hadn't forgotten about waking up early the next day in hopes of using "Morning Light" soul skill to draw in Eastern Purple Qi.
(End of Chapter)