Flender led the way, gradually increasing the pace.
This is a test of stamina.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun, having anticipated this, adjusted their breathing and followed closely.
Zhuge Lan, enhanced by his million-year Soul Rings and Soul Bones, was the most relaxed of the group.
Tang San, with his Mysterious Heaven Skill, could accelerate his recovery through meditation. Coupled with his foundation in the Virgin Skill, he was also quite comfortable.
Xiao Wu didn't need to be mentioned. As a soul beast in human form, she was already the top performer among her peers, even without cultivation.
But Zhu Zhuqing… As an agile attack-type Soul Master, she prioritized explosive power.
Her stamina was indeed a bit lacking.
However, she had taken Whale Rubber, which significantly enhanced her physique.
Originally, keeping up with the team shouldn't have been a problem.
But not only were her steps chaotic and her breathing erratic,
she also had two burdens, having to use one hand to hold the big rabbit, preventing it from jumping around.
This made it impossible for her to maintain her balance effectively, wasting even more energy.
This made Zhuge Lan a little puzzled.
Her foundation is so poor?
But thinking about Zhu Zhuqing's situation, he understood.
Under the Star Luo Empire's imperial family power struggles, it was already good that the lone Zhu Zhuqing had survived until now.
Being suppressed in her cultivation was reasonable.
But halfway through.
With one foot deep and the other shallow, Zhu Zhuqing was at the back of the team.
Zhuge Lan saw this, but didn't plan to interfere.
With Zhu Zhuqing's personality, helping her now would only be seen as obstructing her cultivation.
Besides, only a lickspittle would offer help immediately.
For example, Dai Mubai, who had caught up, saw Zhu Zhuqing's state.
First, he gave Zhuge Lan a grateful look.
—Brother, you're a true friend, not taking advantage of her.
He stepped forward to help Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing dodged him with a flash.
Because she dodged so quickly, she even stumbled, appearing as though she was about to fall.
Zhuge Lan's figure flickered, appearing beside her and reaching out his hand.
He let Zhu Zhuqing grab it to steady herself.
"Th-thank you."
Zhu Zhuqing gave a polite thank you and let go.
Facing Dai Mubai, who was coming closer, she glared at him fiercely!
"My business has nothing to do with you!"
"I came to Shrek only to get stronger, and it has nothing to do with you either!"
"Please stay away from me in the future!"
"Dai! Mubai!"
After the warning.
Zhu Zhuqing sped up forcefully, catching up to the main group.
Leaving behind a stiff-faced Dai Mubai, whose pupils were almost overlapping.
He was incredibly wronged!
Zhuge Lan leaned in, teasing like a bad friend.
"I gave you a chance, and you didn't use it!"
"If it wasn't for your instructions last night, I would have gone up to help a long time ago."
[Emotion Points +111]
[Emotion Points +444]
[Emotion Points +999]
Well, well!
You're still holding a grudge?
Seriously, between the two of you, who's really in the wrong here?
Dai Mubai's expression twitched a few times, finally settling into a bitter smile.
"Zhuge, you don't understand," Dai Mubai said, self-deprecatingly. "This is all what I deserve."
Zhuge Lan laughed.
He didn't understand?
There wasn't a single person in the entire Douluo Continent who understood better than him just how cowardly Dai Mubai was!
So Zhuge Lan didn't mince words:
"Since you think you deserve this, then stop going to her now."
"You were already running out of energy, and you let her mess up your rhythm. If you push yourself to go faster, you probably won't last the rest of the way."
[Emotion Points +1111]
Dai Mubai, knowing he was in the wrong, could only force a bitter smile.
He glanced at Zhuge Lan, whose breathing was even, seemingly with a unique rhythm.
Dai Mubai thought of something.
He said sincerely, "Zhuge, that Spiral Nine Shadows movement technique you used earlier, does it help conserve stamina?"
"Isn't that basic?" Zhuge Lan said matter-of-factly, "Spiral Nine Shadows isn't good for long-distance travel, but that's only relative to its evasion capabilities. At least it's much better than Tang San's movement technique."
[Emotion Points +666]
[Emotion Points +1111]
Looked at Tang San ahead, and emotions points were pouring out of his head.
But he didn't dare to turn around and argue.
After all, they had just competed, and he really wasn't worthy of even tying Tang San's shoes.
——That's why he was even angrier!
[Emotion Points +5555]
Zhuge Lan's lips curled up.
Tang San's petty nature was a perfect match for his system!
"Great!" Dai Mubai said happily, "Then Zhuge, could you trouble you to teach Zhuqing some techniques?"
Zhuge Lan's smile vanished, replaced by a frown as he looked at Dai Mubai.
Even though he'd exchanged for Spiral Nine Shadows to teach Zhu Zhuqing, she still needed to ask him and owe him a favor.
With a single sentence, did he think he could just take the favor?
How thick was his skin?
Dai Mubai realized his mistake and quickly explained, "That's not what I meant!"
"I just meant... could you perhaps share some of the basic breathing rhythms and techniques of Spiral Nine Shadows?"
"Zhuqing has been under her sister's thumb since she was a child in the Zhu family, so she wasn't taught these things by a teacher. She could only figure it out on her own."
"And I..."
"In short, if Zhuqing can learn these, with her perseverance, she'll definitely be able to hold out until Soto City!"
I see!
Zhuge Lan indicated.
Are you kidding me?
Make this young master cooperate with you, to flirt with the woman this young master has his eye on?
Dream on!
"Breathing techniques, footwork, and body techniques are all complementary to the inner cultivation method, and they're all secrets that aren't passed down to just anyone."
"So, you understand."
"Why don't you go ask Little Sanzi?"
[Emotion Points +222]
Zhuge Lan's reason was perfectly legitimate.
Dai Mubai, though disappointed, didn't press the issue.
He sped towards Tang San and whispered a few words.
In return, he received Tang San's wary gaze and a firm refusal.
This guy values his inheritance more than his life! He hadn't even shared it with Xiao Wu, so why would he share it with you?
Two failures.
Dai Mubai could only sigh helplessly and followed Zhu Zhuqing, burying his head in the run.
I'll step in when she really can't go on anymore.
They continued for another hour and a half.
Flender didn't increase the pace, but he didn't slow down either.
Even Dai Mubai was drenched in sweat.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar were panting heavily, tongues lolling out.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were also feeling their limbs go numb.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had been maintaining the high-intensity run, had exhausted most of her stamina. Her long hair was stuck to her graceful figure with sweat.
But Soto City was still nowhere in sight.
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was about to collapse.
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, preparing to suggest a break to Flender.
Zhuge Lan, still expressionless, accelerated and arrived beside Flender.
"Headmaster Flender."
Zhuge Lan grinned—
"I've always been curious whether the soul skills of my second Martial Soul can work on a Soul Saint. Shall we test it out?"
Oh?
Flender became interested.
He glanced out of the corner of his eye.
Everyone was panting like dogs.
Especially Zhu Zhuqing; her eyes were glazed over.
He had a general understanding of everyone's foundation.
He nodded in agreement.
"Alright, let's stop and rest for a bit."
Zhu Zhuqing immediately collapsed onto the ground, intending to lie down.
Zhuge Lan flashed forward and grabbed her shoulder.
He forced her to stand up and continued jogging forward with her.
Tired, Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, looking at Zhuge Lan with confusion.
She didn't struggle, either.
If it were Dai Mubai, she'd definitely think he had ulterior motives.
But Zhuge Lan...
She'd practically thrown herself at him last night, yet she could still remain composed.
What was this supposed to be?
"Don't stop immediately after strenuous exercise!" Zhuge Lan explained loudly.
"Resting immediately after high-intensity exercise will damage your meridians!"
"Run a bit more, then switch to a slow walk. Use your soul power to smooth out your meridians. Only sit down when your breathing is even."
"This helps slightly increase the strength of your meridians."
[Emotion Points +666]
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in understanding, grabbing Zhuge Lan's arm for support as she continued forward.
The others looked towards Flender, but their bodies had already started moving.
Flender blinked.
He had never heard of this theory.
But as a "wild Soul Saint," he had no family experience to guide him.
It was indeed a build-up of internal injuries, which had slowed down his progress in cultivation.
—This was a common ailment among civilian soul masters.
And Zhuge Lan was a "mysterious background genius."
The statement held a high degree of credibility.
"Zhuge's handling plan is standard. Everyone, follow it," Flender agreed.
The group moved a distance and then stopped to rest.
Zhuge Lan settled Zhu Zhuqing.
He stood facing Flender, unblushing and without panting, which made everyone inwardly exclaim, "Freak!" [Emotion Points +555]
[Emotion Points +666]
[Emotion Points +999]
Flender stood with his hands behind his back, radiating self-confidence.
Zhuge Lan summoned Li Jing's longsword, revealing a Soul Ring arrangement of one pure white and two purple.
[Emotion Points +1111]
[Emotion Points +1111]
Oscar and Ma Hongjun stared wide-eyed!
Wait a minute!
"How can this new junior be a Twin Martial Souls user?"
No one told him about this!
Flender sighed softly.
"What a pity."
"Not only does he have two Martial Souls, each with a Soul Ring..."
"But the first Soul Ring on his Martial Soul is only of white quality?"
"Didn't anyone in your family stop you?"
He shook his head, filled with regret.
[Emotion Points +99]
Zhuge Lan couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes filled with a strange expression.
A million-year Soul Ring, and you're feeling sorry for me?
All seven of yours combined don't even come close to a fraction of mine!
Although he really wanted to boast, and reap a huge harvest of emotion points...
He held back.
With such a big surprise, he didn't have enough credibility yet, so he could only get a few measly points.
He'd wait until everyone understood the rarity of a million-year Soul Ring.
Then, when it's revealed, that's when we reap the rewards!
Right now...
Let's let the facts speak for themselves.
"Be careful, Dean Flender, here I come!"
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