Li Chang'an's training method for Ma Hongjun was actually quite simple. In short, it could be summed up in one phrase: play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.
Of course, theory was theory, and strength was strength. After explaining some foundational principles of spellcasting to Ma Hongjun, Li Chang'an taught him how to do push-ups—and then simply let him train by himself.
As for actual combat training, Li Chang'an planned to start that the following day. For now, Ma Hongjun could focus on physical conditioning.
When it came to training methods, even if Yu Xiaogang and Tang San teamed up, they still wouldn't compare to Li Chang'an alone. After all, what he understood and applied was the crystallization of human wisdom!
Leaving Ma Hongjun to his push-ups, Li Chang'an returned to where Xiao Wu and the others were. By this time, Xiao Wu had reached her limit, so it was her turn to receive personal instruction.
Teaching Xiao Wu was relatively easy and light work. Her martial soul path was already close-combat oriented, and Li Chang'an could guide her hands-on. The progress was quick and smooth.
Once Xiao Wu finished, it was Zhu Zhuqing's turn. She held out the longest among the three, but ultimately, she too couldn't withstand the pressure.
"Am I doing poorly?" Zhu Zhuqing asked hesitantly, her voice uncertain as she looked at Li Chang'an.
Li Chang'an shook his head and stepped closer to her, shortening the distance between them.
"No, you're already doing quite well. How are you feeling?"
Li Chang'an's breath was so close that Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but blush, but his affirmation brought a surge of warmth and joy to her heart.
At some point, Li Chang'an's words had started to carry significant weight in Zhu Zhuqing's mind.
"I feel good. After absorbing my soul ring, I didn't really get a chance to settle down and refine it. But under this kind of pressure, I feel like I've made real progress."
Surprisingly, Zhu Zhuqing didn't retreat or move away from Li Chang'an. Though she kept her head lowered and her expression cool, her tone revealed a hint of openness.
"That's good. From now on, you'll experience this kind of pressure for at least half an hour every day. Now, let me teach you how to use your martial soul properly..."
"After its evolution, your martial soul became the Midnight Shadow Cat. It's now even more suited for speed, stealth, and assassination. So rather than calling you a fighter, I'd call you... an assassin."
"And the essence of an assassin lies in concealment, surprise, and precision…"
To put it simply, on the first day, Li Chang'an focused on explaining the true functions and uses of their martial souls. He approached the topic from a high-level perspective, offering new insights and angles that none of the three had considered before.
After listening to him, Zhu Zhuqing felt something unfamiliar rise within her—admiration.
A young Spirit Master with talent wasn't rare, but one who also had a deep understanding of other martial souls, and whose advice was genuinely helpful—that was rare, and even a bit intimidating.
In Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, Li Chang'an was far more capable than that so-called Grandmaster. After all, Li Chang'an was only thirteen and already this impressive. Compared to Yu Xiaogang, it was clear who had more weight.
Of course, Li Chang'an had no idea about the storm of thoughts going on beneath Zhu Zhuqing's cool exterior. But even if he had known, he would probably just smugly praise himself—looks like my lady-killer skills have improved again!
That evening, when Li Chang'an and the others returned, they saw Dai Mubai and the rest collapsed from exhaustion. They couldn't help but shake their heads.
Sure, running helped with cultivation, but the effect was limited. It was clear that Yu Xiaogang's training methods had serious shortcomings.
Xiao Wu and the others, upon seeing how miserable Tang San and the rest looked, silently gave thanks to Li Chang'an. The difference between the two training methods was obvious—Li Chang'an's way was more effective and more beneficial.
Not to mention, that initial oppressive aura he released had a far greater impact than any running regimen!
Li Chang'an gave Yu Xiaogang a quick nod in greeting and set a date for a comparative evaluation one month later before leaving.
That night, he had other plans—time to rest the waist...
---
The next morning, as soon as Li Chang'an stepped into the cafeteria, a rich aroma greeted him—not just the savory scent of meat, but also the sweet fragrance of milk and other delicious notes.
Inside the simple dining hall, a variety of containers were neatly arranged on the tables, each one emitting tantalizing scents from the food inside.
The Hong Chamber of Commerce had sent three chefs this time, and their cooking skills far surpassed those of the villagers the Shrek Academy had previously hired. This was a little arrangement personally made by Li Chang'an.
After all, such high-quality ingredients would be wasted if prepared by unskilled hands.
Today's breakfast included century eggs and lean pork congee, milk, steamed buns, and a variety of sides—pickled vegetables, fried dough sticks, and fresh fruit...
Moreover, none of these were ordinary ingredients. They were specifically selected for Spirit Masters, ensuring both high nutritional value and excellent taste.
"Teacher Li, you're here. Please, what would you like to eat?"
The head chef beamed as soon as he saw Li Chang'an walk in.
He knew full well who the true boss was—and had a vague idea of Li Chang'an's ties to the Hong Chamber of Commerce. Naturally, he showed as much respect as possible.
"Hmm, let me take a look…"
Li Chang'an surveyed the array of dishes and nodded in satisfaction. Now this is how it should be. Though these ingredients weren't cheap, to him they were practically pocket change.
After all, he was the sole heir of the Li family, the man of the Hong Chamber of Commerce's leader, and the Holy Son of the Spirit Hall. The concept of "lacking money" simply didn't exist in his world.
"I'll have one century egg and lean pork congee, five steamed buns, some shredded potatoes, a piece of fried chicken, and an apple."
"Got it!" The head chef quickly began plating up a generous portion.
Just then, Flender walked in. Seeing the sheer amount of food laid out, he couldn't help but swallow a mouthful of drool and glanced at Li Chang'an with a hint of regret.
"Changsheng, didn't you go a little overboard with the food? We could've cut back a bit. This one breakfast is more than what we used to eat in a whole month."
Li Chang'an smiled as he carried his tray to the table, eating as he responded:
"Dean, all these ingredients were ordered according to schedule and quantity. Don't worry—everyone's been training hard lately, nothing will go to waste. Besides, you're not paying for it."
Flender could only sigh helplessly:
"Ai... I guess that's true. It's just that seeing all this food triggered my frugal instincts."
"Give me a bowl of milk, ten buns, five sticks of fried dough, a bit of all six side dishes, some lean meat congee, an apple, banana, and papaya."
"Don't give me that look like I'm a hungry beast. I just don't want the food to go to waste."
Flender held up two trays with great righteousness.
By this time, the others began arriving one by one. Every single person who entered the cafeteria couldn't help but marvel at the abundance of food—and they all thanked Li Chang'an without fail.
What caught Li Chang'an slightly off guard, though, was that Zhu Zhuqing added a papaya to her breakfast...
Glancing at Xiao Wu's tray—where there was no papaya—and then at Xiao Wu's rather flat chest, Li Chang'an decisively added two papayas to hers.
After the lavish breakfast, the day's special training officially began once more.
Today, Li Chang'an would shift into hands-on combat instruction and begin boosting Zhu Zhuqing and the others' actual fighting experience!
Meanwhile, on Yu Xiaogang's side, the running resumed.
Yu Xiaogang remained confident in his training plan...
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T/N:
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