Early morning, hurried footsteps echoed through the lounge.
Shi Mo, looking excited, came down to the dining table. His eyes landed on Yang Yunhai, filled with gratitude.
"Captain, I broke through rank 39."
If not for the foundation-strengthening medicine Yang Yunhai had provided a month ago, and the follow-up medicinal baths, he knew he would never have broken through so quickly. Not just him—this past month, his younger brother Shi Mo, along with Yu Feng, Oslo, and Ye Lingling, had all advanced in rank. Whose credit it was, everyone understood, and everyone remembered it.
Because of that, everyone had been training with extra effort. Winning the Soul Master Tournament under Yang Yunhai's leadership would not only be an honor but also a way of repaying him.
Sister Yan had said before: their captain was determined to win the championship and the grand prize.
For himself, for the captain, and for the academy's support, he had to work hard.
"That truly is worthy of congratulations," Yang Yunhai said with a smile.
"Old Mo, congratulations!" Yu Feng and the others chimed in.
Shi Mo grinned as he sat down.
Meng Shenshou then spoke, "There's something I need to inform you all about. I got word last night that the new training grounds and dorms for the team are finished. So after training today, everyone pack up tonight—we'll move in tomorrow morning."
"From then on, you'd better be mentally prepared. The real training is about to begin."
"Don't worry, Teacher Meng. To eat bitterness is to become superior. No matter how hard or exhausting it is, we can endure," Shi Mo declared first.
"Heh, I'm full of energy right now," Yu Feng added.
Meng Shenshou smiled. "Good. Then let's eat. After breakfast, we'll start training."
"Yes!" everyone nodded and began eating.
The day passed uneventfully.
The next morning, they moved into the newly guarded training grounds and began another round of special training.
Elsewhere, at Shrek Academy's back mountain, the students were also training.
In the afternoon, the Shrek team was split into three groups to practice enduring pressure.
Yu Tianheng, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Tai Long were under Liu Erlong. Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan trained under Zhao Wuji. The three weakest support-types—Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Jiangzhu—were with control-type Soul Emperor Lu Qibin.
"Teacher Zhao, I can't take it anymore!" Ma Hongjun was the first to give in under Zhao Wuji's pressure, stumbling out of range.
He bent down, hands on his knees, gasping heavily.
Soon after, the others also withdrew from the pressure zone.
Liu Erlong nodded. "Alright, that's enough for today. Everyone, come with me back to the dorm. Xiaogang should have the medicinal baths ready by now."
"Let's go, let's go. Teacher Zhao's pressure nearly made me wet myself," Ma Hongjun muttered.
Zhao Wuji shot him a look of disdain. "Fatty, and you dare say that? You couldn't even hold out a little longer. You're as weak as a woman—I'm ashamed for you."
Dai Mubai raised a brow. "Fatty, Teacher Zhao's saying you're short."
Ma Hongjun felt wronged. Zhao Wuji's pressure was nearly at rank 40, while he had only just broken through to Soul Elder at rank 31—the lowest among the combat team. Of course it was hardest on him.
He retorted, "Boss Dai, if I had rank 38 soul power like you, I could have lasted just as long!"
"Alright, hurry up and take your piss," Dai Mubai replied. "Before you really lose it in your pants."
Ma Hongjun's face changed, and he bolted. The others laughed as they followed at a slower pace.
Another day passed, then another. Training days flowed by without much excitement.
Two months later, the semester ended, and the academy announced a one-month holiday.
That afternoon after training, Ma Hongjun sidled up to Dai Mubai, waggling his brows mischievously. He lowered his voice, "Boss Dai, tomorrow's the holiday. A whole month is a long time. Shouldn't we… have some fun tonight?"
Dai Mubai gave him a sideways glance and a subtle signal, but out loud, he sneered, "Scram."
Ma Hongjun smirked, raised his brows, and walked away.
He ran over to Oscar, nudged him with his elbow, and flashed an OK sign.
Oscar calmly returned a look before heading toward the dorms.
After this long, he had figured it out. Ning Rongrong simply wasn't interested in him. He wasn't going to keep wasting his time.
Why cling to a tree out of reach when there was a whole forest waiting?
Life was short—better to enjoy it while you could. He had accepted it.
'Typical. No wonder his Martial Soul came with that kind of incantation.' Ning Rongrong pouted slightly, then glanced at Tang San up ahead, arm in arm with Xiao Wu.
Lately, Tang San's hidden weapon business had been booming, making profits from both sides.
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan were both cooperating with him. The prices and terms were identical. Tang San only handled the final assembly, while both clans had their own blacksmiths forge the components.
Her clan had even paid him with the Distraction Control method. Meanwhile, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—one word from Xiaogang had sealed the deal.
Honestly, it left her feeling uncomfortable.
'Once the Soul Master Tournament ends, I'll leave. Better not to see any of it.' She sighed inwardly and walked on in silence.
That night, after returning to the dorms, she washed up, then departed for her clan.
By dusk, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun slipped out of the academy, dragging Oscar with them.
Half an hour later, in a room decorated in peach-red…
"What's going on? Could it be that this month's training was too much and I'm overworked?" Ma Hongjun frowned after lasting barely half a quarter hour. He glanced at the bright moonlight outside, heat rising in his chest, then gritted his teeth, flipped over, and went at it again.
'Plenty of energy, but too short.' Someone nearby thought privately.
Meanwhile, in another room, Dai Mubai too felt doubt creeping in. He didn't seem as fierce as before.
In yet another room, Oscar was quite satisfied with himself. He had lasted a full quarter hour.
At the same time, back at Heaven Dou Royal Academy…
After a group dinner, Yang Yunhai set down his chopsticks and gave a summary of their recent training. Then he announced his plan for the holiday.
"Everyone knows the Soul Master Tournament is only eight months away. Time is tight, so we can't afford to relax. That's why I've decided to cut our holiday in half. Instead of a month, you'll get 15 days."
The team had no objections; they all nodded.
Every extra day spent in the academy meant another day of Yang Yunhai's medicinal baths. They were eager for it.
"Alright then, that's it for today. Everyone, head back. If you live close, you can leave tonight. If far, tomorrow morning is fine." Yang Yunhai smiled.
The team members rose and went back to their rooms.
"Xiao Hai, what about you? How will you and Zhu Zhuqing spend the break?" Dugu Yan asked.
Author Note here: the pressure training was full-body, almost 360 degrees with no gaps. It stressed not just muscle and bone but also the organs. For Ma Hongjun, rank 31 under rank 40-level pressure—once or twice was fine, but repeatedly… well, you get the idea.
(End of Chapter)
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