Chapter 69: Ning Rongrong's Training? Whose Opportunity
After some rest, Tang San returned to the group. From his appearance, it was clear that his injuries weren't serious.
Although Tang San lost this time, he was certainly very unwilling to accept it. After all, it had been just a regular Soul Duel, and before the match, Yu Xiaogang had already restricted him from using his hidden weapons. Otherwise, Yang Xiong wouldn't have had a chance to win.
Not to mention, Tang San now possessed an external spirit bone, and even had a second martial spirit. In comparison, Yang Xiong's main martial spirit seemed to lack any long-range attack ability and could easily be restricted by his own Blue Silver Grass. For example, in the beginning of their fight, Tang San could have used the control ability of the Blue Silver Grass to restrain Yang Xiong, but his soul power level was still too low.
Compared to Tang San, everyone couldn't help but notice Yu Xiaogang's slightly strange expression.
Earlier, Yu Xiaogang had talked a lot about the power of control-type soul masters, yet Tang San had been easily defeated by Yang Xiong. Moreover, throughout the fight, Yang Xiong didn't even seem injured, which seemed to indirectly show that control-type soul masters were not invincible.
As for what Yu Xiaogang had said about control-type soul masters being the strongest unless their martial spirit was restrained, it appeared that Yang Xiong's martial spirit didn't restrain Tang San's Blue Silver Grass. In fact, Tang San's Blue Silver Grass had been easily shattered by Yang Xiong.
Dai Mubai, who had watched the entire battle, had originally been frustrated by his defeat to Tang San. But now, after observing Yang Xiong's fighting style, he felt like he could learn from it, especially considering that Dai Mubai's second soul skill, the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, was relatively effective against Blue Silver Grass.
Yu Xiaogang, seeing the group's mixed reactions, couldn't help but cough a few times.
Cough cough, "The battle between Yang Xiong and Tang San was outstanding. In the realm of Soul Sovereigns, both of them are likely to encounter few opponents. Their combat abilities truly impressed me. I hope you all learn from them."
"Did you notice? Both of them have extremely strong physical qualities, and they're highly skilled in using both their bodies and their martial spirits, which shows how powerful their physiques are."
"I want to emphasize one thing to all of you: for soul masters, the body is the foundation. We must focus more on physical training. Only with a strong body can we use more powerful soul skills and handle stronger battles."
...
After Yu Xiaogang finished speaking, he turned to Yang Xiong and said, "Yang Xiong, you performed exceptionally in the battle, but I want to ask why you didn't use any soul skills during the entire fight? As I recall, you didn't use any soul skills in either the entrance exam or in the Soul Duel arena."
Yang Xiong replied, "I'm sorry, Master, my martial spirit is quite unique, so I prefer not to use soul skills. Also, for personal safety reasons, I don't use my soul skills unless absolutely necessary."
Yu Xiaogang responded, "A soul master should rely on soul power and soul skills. I don't know what soul skills you have right now, but when the time comes for you to obtain soul rings, I might be able to give you some advice."
Seeing Yu Xiaogang's confident expression, Yang Xiong couldn't help but speak up, "Master, I'm afraid I can't do that. My soul rings and soul skills have already been planned by my teacher, and he will help me obtain them."
Yu Xiaogang looked puzzled. "Your teacher? I have some research on martial spirits and soul skills. In theory, I'm not inferior to anyone."
Yang Xiong was a bit helpless and finally said, "Master, my teacher is Gu Rong, the Title Douluo Bone Douluo."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock upon hearing this. They hadn't expected Yang Xiong's teacher to be a Title Douluo. Title Douluo held the highest status in the world of soul masters.
However, the little devil Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes at Yang Xiong. She couldn't understand how her dear Grandpa Bone could take Yang Xiong as an apprentice. Besides, she hadn't heard anything about it before, so it was clear Yang Xiong was just making things up.
But seeing Yang Xiong's serious expression, Ning Rongrong didn't expose him.
In fact, Yang Xiong was feeling helpless. He didn't want to provoke Yu Xiaogang. They weren't compatible in terms of personality and other aspects. He had too many secrets, especially regarding the uniqueness of his martial spirit. His soul skills couldn't be easily disclosed.
On the other hand, Yu Xiaogang was very high-profile. In order to showcase his research capabilities, he seemed eager to publish everything he discovered, turning it into his achievement in the study of martial spirits and soul masters. This was in direct contrast to Yang Xiong's more low-key development. Instead of getting tangled up in the future, he might as well use Bone Douluo as an excuse. After all, Ning Fengzhi had already said he wanted Bone Douluo to take him as an apprentice.
When Yu Xiaogang heard that Yang Xiong had mentioned Bone Douluo, he didn't say anything else and continued with the class.
Next, Dai Mubai fought against Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's duo, and Ma Hongjun and Oscar's duo.
It seemed that Dai Mubai had been inspired by Yang Xiong and Tang San's battle. He fought fiercely, defeating all three opponents in quick succession after a brief rest.
However, these three opponents were not weak. Especially Ma Hongjun and Oscar's combination—Oscar's sausage combined with Ma Hongjun's abilities worked very well, and after consuming the sausages, both could fly, making it difficult for an ordinary soul master like Dai Mubai to counter them.
The three battles took over an hour, and after taking some medicinal herbs, Tang San had rested for an hour and was almost fully recovered, showing no signs of injury.
Yang Xiong was surprised as well. It seemed that Tang San's Xuantian Gong was more mysterious than he had imagined, truly allowing for rapid recovery of soul power and healing injuries.
Thinking of this, Yang Xiong realized that he needed to improve his Yin-Yang meditation method quickly. Perhaps when this technique reached its full potential, his training speed would increase significantly.
After watching all the battles, Yu Xiaogang's face remained calm, but he essentially criticized everyone except Yang Xiong.
He analyzed everyone's battles, pointing out their weaknesses in the process, which was fairly objective.
In reality, many of the new students lacked combat experience, focusing too much on meditation without any real-world experience, which led to poor judgment of opportunities.
The ones he criticized the most were Xiao Wu, Oscar, and Tang San. Xiao Wu was too playful and casual, failing to seize the opportunity when fighting Dai Mubai. If she had used her teleportation ability more effectively, she could have at least not been at such a disadvantage. Oscar, as a food-type soul master, lacked survival skills.
As for Tang San, although Yu Xiaogang had always been satisfied with him, his battle had clearly followed Yang Xiong's rhythm, and he hadn't utilized his control advantages.
After Yu Xiaogang finished his commentary, he looked extremely angry. "Is this what you all call a group of little monsters? You've disappointed me greatly. From now on, you'll be punished. You'll run ten laps around Soto City. If you don't complete it, you won't get lunch."
Yang Xiong sighed. This was probably what they called the "stone carrying running training," which, although seemingly good, was too simplistic, not to mention it lacked any technical content.
What no one knew was that during his battle with Tang San, Yang Xiong had been carrying a hundred jin of weight. Otherwise, his speed would have been even faster, and each strike would have had at least a 20% increase in power.
As in the original, everyone had to run ten laps around Soto City with stones on their backs. Except for Yang Xiong, everyone was exhausted, even though Yang Xiong carried the heaviest stone and had even helped others carry some. He had been through this kind of training since he was young, so it was no challenge for him.
The key was Ning Rongrong. Her physical condition was the weakest, and she collapsed three kilometers from the finish line.
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate. He immediately placed all the stones on Ning Rongrong's back into his massive bamboo basket and then started running, carrying her.
Ning Rongrong slowly woke up in Yang Xiong's arms, seeming to struggle. "Little Bear, what are you doing? Let me down, I can run on my own."
Yang Xiong looked indifferent. "Everyone's almost finished, and you're the last one. Either I carry you, or I leave you here and you won't finish this punishment. Master might give a more severe one if you fail."
Ning Rongrong struggled in Yang Xiong's arms, nearly falling, but he quickly caught her.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong's face turned slightly red. "Little Bear, you scoundrel, are you taking advantage of me? Can't you just carry me normally?"
Yang Xiong didn't hesitate and put her down on the ground, pointing to his bamboo basket. "You see this basket? It's already full of stones, including yours and some of Oscar's. Do you think anyone else can carry this weight?"
"Besides, everyone's out of stamina. No one but me can carry you for this last part."
The others looked at each other but remained silent.
Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong, both from Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, had a closer relationship than the others. The others didn't interrupt, lowering their heads.
As Yang Xiong had said, his large bamboo basket was already packed with stones, weighing well over 100 jin, including Ning Rongrong's and some of Oscar's stones.
Originally, Yu Xiaogang had calculated the weights based on everyone's endurance. Yang Xiong's stones were the heaviest, followed by Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun, all battle soul masters, then Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Oscar with lighter weights, and Ning Rongrong with the least.
But it was clear that Yu Xiaogang had miscalculated. During the battle, Tang San had been injured and couldn't carry the extra weight. Moreover, Tang San had to take care of Xiao Wu.
With this weight, it seemed that only Yang Xiong, Tang San, and Dai Mubai could complete the task. The others would never finish.
But for Yang Xiong, it wasn't a problem. He even helped Oscar carry some of his stones, including Ning Rongrong's entire load.
Zhu Zhuqing, who had a poor endurance, struggled behind Yang Xiong. Yang Xiong considered helping, but the girl was too proud and refused.
Yang Xiong didn't push it. His basket was already the heaviest, so he just let it be and kept moving forward.
At this point, Ning Rongrong was clearly about to collapse, and the others were too exhausted to say anything.
Finally, after struggling, Ning Rongrong felt too weak and exhausted. She gritted her teeth and spoke, "Little Bear, carry me for the last part, but I want to sit in your bamboo basket."
Yang Xiong sighed. "My bamboo basket is already full. Do you think we have any other options now?"
Ning Rongrong snapped, "Of course we have another way. I'll sit on the stones. Just be careful and don't jostle too much."
After some more back and forth, Ning Rongrong finally lay on the bamboo basket, clutching Yang Xiong's shoulder with an odd grip.
Yang Xiong helplessly supported her hand with one hand while handing the bamboo basket with stones to Oscar. Then he carried the giant basket and a teetering Ning Rongrong forward.
Ning Rongrong's small hand felt smooth and delicate, and though it wasn't as comfortable as being hugged, Yang Xiong, who had been single for two lifetimes, couldn't help but feel something strange.
Especially with her soft, pale, almost translucent hand—no wonder she was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Ning Rongrong seemed to sense something and angrily shouted, "Little Bear, what are you thinking? Run faster, or we'll be way behind the others."
Yang Xiong sighed inwardly. "You were passed out on the ground just a moment ago. Now that I'm carrying you, you're getting mad."
Finally, Yang Xiong gathered his focus and continued forward. With the added weight, it was clear that even with his immense physical strength, progress was slow.
The others exchanged glances, gossip clearly on their minds.
(END CHAPTER)
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