Time was short, allowing no room for pleasantries.
When Xiang Lie and Mo were led, one after the other, into a vast, empty training room with padded walls, Ling, Xiao Lin, and Jing were already waiting.
"Alright, everyone's here. Special training begins," Ling announced, getting straight to the point, her face unusually serious.
Xiang Lie, with a resounding *thump*, dropped a bulging, oversized gym bag onto the floor. He unzipped it, revealing an array of "ammunition" within: vacuum-sealed packages of stewed beef and chicken breast, a dozen boiled eggs, and even a bundle of fresh cucumbers and broccoli. He patted his chest, adopting the boastful air of a rich landowner with a surplus, addressing the girls present: "Heh heh, logistical support is in place. This time, I refuse to believe I'll go hungry!"
Xiao Lin's and Jing's eyes both brightened at the sight of the food bag. Ling, seeing his triumphant expression, first blinked, then shook her head helplessly, muttering under her breath, "Big oaf."
She cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention back to her. "Big guy, we have less than five days. Conventional verbal instruction and basic training won't do much for you. So, we're going straight to live combat."
"You will undergo direct armament, and in battle, you will understand and commit to memory those martial skills that are now instinctively branded in your mind. This is the only way for you to achieve rapid mastery."
"And Xiao Lin, Jing, and the rest of us sisters will take turns sparring with you," she paused, a sly smile curving her lips. "Of course, we're not coaching for free. Your tuition fee will be paid from you."
"No problem!" Xiang Lie grinned, agreeing without a moment's hesitation. "Eat all you want, until you're full!"
"Then, for the first lesson," Ling's gaze shifted to Mo. "Have Mo arm you. Your opponents will be Xiao Lin and Jing. Come on, prepare for your 'paid' lesson."
"Let's go!" Xiang Lie pulled aside his T-shirt, revealing a physique that looked like forged bronze, polished by sweat and devotion.
Mo, Xiao Lin, and Jing exchanged glances, then walked forward with unspoken understanding.
"Wait!" Just as they were about to approach, Xiang Lie called out again, stopping them.
He instructed with a serious face: "Mo, you take Ah Zuo. Sister Xiao Lin, you take Ah You. Jing, you… you take another bite from Ah Zuo, to solidify it."
"…" The three girls' expressions were a mix of speechless amusement and resignation, but they obediently located their respective targets.
*Ah Zuo, Ah You, I apologize. For the sake of becoming stronger, you must endure!* Xiang Lie silently murmured his apologies in his heart.
The next second, three different colored lights flared simultaneously!
Mo transformed into a graceful, slender blade, shimmering with silver light, settling firmly into Xiang Lie's hand. The instant he gripped it, that familiar surge of power flooded his entire body again. But this time, what poured into his mind was not the wide, sweeping style of the spear, but the myriad, intricate, and cunning secrets of swordsmanship! He felt as if, in an instant, he had comprehended every method of using a blade: slicing, chopping, upward cuts, thrusts, cleaves, parries, chipping, dicing, and more!
Meanwhile, Xiao Lin and Jing had also completed their armament. Jing once again became the powerful black long spear, held in the hand of a tall, graceful girl. And Xiao Lin, having armed with another petite girl, now had a pair of sharp, metal-gleaming fist weapons on her hands.
The three armed girls formed a triangular formation, subtly encircling Xiang Lie. Xiang Lie's gaze swept over his two opponents, and when he saw Xiao Lin, his eyes suddenly widened.
Xiao Lin had changed into a form-fitting black martial arts uniform that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous, powerful physique. Especially…
*Huh? Why are Sister Xiao Lin's pectoral muscles so large?* Xiang Lie was somewhat shocked. Why had he never noticed before that such magnificent pectorals were hidden beneath Sister Xiao Lin's clothes! The perfect contours of the upper, middle, and lower chest, the clear sternal line… what immense weights, how many sets of bench presses and flyes, must it take to achieve such results! This was an absolute work of art! A perfect blend of strength and beauty!
"Hmph!"
Just as Xiang Lie was admiring those exemplary pectorals with an utterly professional, utterly reverent gaze, a clear female voice, tinged with annoyance and embarrassment, exploded directly in his mind!
Xiang Lie jumped, startled, like a student caught daydreaming in class by a teacher. He quickly reined in his thoughts, refocusing his gaze on the battle. It was Mo's voice! After arming, she could actually perceive his thoughts?
"Concentrate!" Mo's voice sounded again, this time having regained its calm and professionalism. "Sister Xiao Lin is a master of close-quarters combat, her fist weapons making her incredibly dangerous up close. Jing's spear techniques are subtle and precise, skilled in finesse and control, and her footwork is agile. If we get entangled by either of them, we'll be at a complete disadvantage. In our current state, there's almost no possibility of defeating them head-on."
"So, our goal is to withstand their combined attacks for as long as possible."
"Don't worry about me for now," Mo's voice paused. "First, based on your own instinct, and your understanding of the blade, just go for it once, freely."
"Alright!"
Xiang Lie took a deep breath, tightening his grip on the silver longblade. He felt his blood burning, his muscles cheering! Forget pectoral muscles! Forget underwear! Now, it was time for battle!
His legs bent slightly, his body like a taut, drawn bow. The next second, he transformed into a silver lightning bolt, launching himself proactively towards Xiao Lin and Jing!