Please forgive me if the quality of the chapter declines from this point onward. I was feeling dizzy while writing this. Once again, I sincerely apologize.
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Upon entering the room, Tianyu immediately collapsed onto the edge of his bed.
"Sister Xue," he said while wiping the sweat from his forehead, "where do you think I went wrong earlier? I feel like there was something off about my fighting style."
Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Usually, people didn't admit their weaknesses so readily. "You've realized there were flaws in your battle?" she asked, trying to gauge just how much her disciple understood.
Tianyu let out a long sigh, staring at the floor for a moment before answering. "Yes. I know my combat techniques aren't perfect yet. There are still many gaps that need fixing. That's why I'm asking for your opinion."
Qian Renxue nodded slowly, then took a seat on the sofa in the room. "Good. But before I give my thoughts, I want to hear first—what have you noticed yourself?"
Tianyu closed his eyes briefly, replaying every move from the earlier fight in his mind.
"First, I still lack experience," he said slowly. "I didn't notice his hidden attack until it was too late to dodge." He clenched his fist, frustrated at how foolish he had been. "Second, my attacks are too monotonous. I rely too much on brute strength and lack variation. I kept using the same patterns, making me predictable."
"And?" Qian Renxue pressed, wanting to confirm whether Tianyu was truly analyzing his performance or just making guesses.
"That's all I could figure out," he admitted honestly, shrugging.
Qian Renxue gave a faint smile. "It's good that you recognized those two points. However, there are still other areas you need to improve."
Tianyu looked at her eagerly, his eyes shining like a child who had just been given a treasure map. "What else?"
Qian Renxue folded her arms, her posture upright and authoritative despite her lack of a physical body. "First," she said firmly, "you rely too much on your regeneration ability. Even though you could've dodged Yu Shang's poisoned claws, you let them hit you because you were confident your wounds would heal quickly."
Tianyu frowned, trying to defend himself. "But my healing is fast. Why bother dodging if the injuries don't matter?"
Qian Renxue's voice grew sharper. "That's a bad habit. One day, you might face an attack that kills you before you can even regenerate. Imagine if your opponent had an instant-kill poison or a strike that could crush your heart in a split second. What good is fast healing if you die before it can take effect?"
Tianyu fell silent, his face paling. He had never considered such a scenario.
"Second," Qian Renxue continued, "your soul power and stamina management are a mess. Even though the 'Dragon' in your bones enhances your physical strength, you nearly exhausted yourself by the end of the fight. You were even starving afterward."
Her eyes held deep concern. "Remember this, Tianyu. Your future enemies are gods. Many of them possess abilities far more dangerous than Yu Shang's. They can fight for days without tiring, while you—if you keep wasting energy like this—will collapse before the battle is over."
"But Sister Xue, there's a level difference between me and Yu Shang, so isn't it natural that I'd be exhausted after defeating him?"
"Precisely because of that, we don't know when the gods will discover your existence. If they still doubt your death, they might search the entire world for you. So you must become as strong as possible before that happens."
Tianyu paused, absorbing her words. He let out a long breath, realizing how careless he had been.
"You're right, Sister Xue," he said quietly. "I've been relying too much on my physical advantages and regeneration. I forgot that real combat isn't just about strength—it's also about efficiency and cunning."
Qian Renxue nodded, pleased by his realization. "Exactly. Now, let's discuss solutions."
She continued in a softer yet still firm tone, "First, you must stop depending on regeneration. Given that you may face enemies with strange abilities in the future, we need to break this habit of yours."
Tianyu nodded earnestly, committing every word to memory.
"Second, while varying your attacks is important, adding a spirit ring now isn't the best solution."
Tianyu immediately interjected, "But what if I add a spirit ring to my second Martial Soul? I'm sure it'll help!"
Qian Renxue shook her head. "I've already told you—we must wait until your body is strong enough to handle a ten-thousand-year spirit ring. Forcing it now would only hinder your growth."
"Alright…" Tianyu replied, slightly disappointed but ultimately accepting.
"For now, we'll focus on the main issues," Qian Renxue stated. "Over the next few weeks, I'll train you through mental simulations. Every night before sleep, I'll enter your sea of consciousness and immerse your mind in an illusion."
"In that illusory world, you'll battle enemies with various abilities. The goal is simple: train you to evade attacks rather than tank them with your body. Plus, this will also help you gain combat experience."
Tianyu furrowed his brow. "Mental simulations? Aren't those just illusions? How will that help me in the real world?"
Qian Renxue smiled mysteriously. "Because in the illusions I create, the pain is real. If you die there, even if it's just in your mind, you'll suffer the same agony as in reality. That will force you to genuinely learn to dodge."
Tianyu swallowed hard. It sounded terrifying, but he knew it was necessary.
"Ready!" he declared with newfound determination.
"Good." Qian Renxue finally turned to him, a small smile playing on her lips. "Rest for tonight. Tomorrow, the real training begins."
Tianyu exhaled, staring at the ceiling. He knew the road ahead would be tough, but he had no other choice.
"Alright, Sister Xue. I'm ready."
With that, the room fell silent, save for the whisper of the night wind through the window. Tianyu closed his eyes, steeling himself for the grueling training that awaited him.
The next morning, Tianyu woke earlier than usual. The sun hadn't fully risen yet, but he was already prepared in the backyard, his usual training spot. The cool morning air brushed against his skin, but the unease in his heart kept him from enjoying it.
Qian Renxue appeared beside him, her spirit form clearer in the dim light of dawn.
"You're truly eager," she remarked, slightly impressed.
"Of course," Tianyu replied, stretching his muscles. "I don't want to waste any time. I need to get stronger—as fast as possible."
Qian Renxue nodded. "Good. We'll start with the basics first. Today, you'll learn to control your power, not just rely on it."