To tell the truth, Ning Rongrong didn't really understand much of what Xiao Yan said.
Everything he talked about was simply too profound.
Still, she used her clever little head to think for a moment before saying, "Since this Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art is something you just recently comprehended, it must be even more powerful. I'll choose the Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art then."
Xiao Yan chuckled quietly. The little girl's reasoning wasn't wrong, but to truly grasp the Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art, one must first master both the Piaomiao Sword Art and the Wuji Sword Art. That meant double the effort — and then some.
With Ning Rongrong's natural talent, especially her long-trained advantage in divided-mind control, either sword art would be an excellent choice for her.
The Piaomiao Sword Art was formless and shapeless — ever-changing, elusive, impossible to grasp.
The Wuji Sword Art was impermanent and unfixed — swift, sharp, pure in simplicity.
For Ning Rongrong, who could divide her focus in multiple directions, the former suited her perfectly.
The latter, once her strength improved and she could fully concentrate her divided attention, would allow her to surpass others in mental power.
Both sword arts were undeniably powerful. Yet in terms of artistic realm, the Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art, which merged formlessness, shapelessness, impermanence, infinity, and boundlessness — was on a far higher level.
If she could study them deeply, the fusion of the two into the Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art would be even more terrifyingly strong.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, a blue-golden longsword condensing in his hand. "Since that's the case, let's start with the Piaomiao Sword Art first."
Ning Rongrong picked up the exquisite sword before her and gently stroked its blade. Suddenly she looked up at Xiao Yan, blinking her bright eyes. "Didn't I pick the Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art?"
"Looks like you weren't really listening just now."
"The Piaomiao Wuji Sword Art fuses the Piaomiao and Wuji sword arts. If you want to understand its true essence, you have to start step by step."
Ning Rongrong giggled. "Then won't it take me a really long time to learn?"
Looking at the blue-golden sword in his hand, Xiao Yan replied, "They say it takes ten years to sharpen a single sword. If you want to become a true sword master, there's still a long way to go."
"I've told you enough theory — now for the actual teaching."
"Piaomiao Sword Art, First Form — Break!"
As his inner power surged, a faint blue glow shimmered across the blade. Xiao Yan swung it suddenly, releasing a slash of sword qi.
——
While Xiao Yan was teaching Ning Rongrong and the others, Yu Xiaogang had begun training Dai Mubai's group of three.
He arranged a two-against-one battle with Dai Mubai fighting both, giving him a clearer grasp of their abilities.
"White Tiger Martial Soul, the mutated Evil Fire Rooster Martial Soul, and the Sausage Martial Soul — whether in combat or support, all three are quite good. Unfortunately, none have Xiao Yan's talent. Not worthy to be my disciples," he said coldly.
Facing a Fatty supported by a food-type soul master, Dai Mubai was soon gasping for air.
He had only just recovered from a major illness, and his stamina was far weaker than before.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar, meanwhile, were grinning ear to ear — teaming up to defeat a rank-37 Soul Elder was an incredible feeling.
Yu Xiaogang's stiff face showed a trace of disdain. "So these are the so-called 'genius monsters' Flender keeps bragging about? From the start of the fight, you didn't even think to eliminate the support-type soul master first? Your performance today is utterly disappointing!"
Dai Mubai looked down at his abdomen and muttered defiantly, "If my body were at its peak, would I have needed to protect Oscar?"
"Do you think your enemies will only attack you when you're in perfect condition?" Yu Xiaogang shot back flatly.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar nearly laughed out loud. Boss Dai's 'peak condition' days might be gone for good.
Dai Mubai froze for a moment. This Yu Xiaogang guy might not be very strong, but his words did make sense.
Even at full strength, he couldn't defeat Xiao Yan anyway.
Yu Xiaogang's gaze turned cold. "All of you will now receive punishment. Run laps around the academy to Soto City and back — no soul power, no shortcuts. Supervise each other.
You are to complete ten full trips before lunch. You eat only after you're done."
From the shadows, Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow as he watched.
"Huh, carrying rocks in baskets for weighted running? That guy might've actually learned something from Spirit Hall."
Flender adjusted his glasses and smiled smugly. "Of course. Xiaogang's power might not be great, but he does know a few tricks."
For the battle two months away, he now felt more confident.
After all, soul master cultivation relied heavily on talent. Xiao Yan's talent was monstrous — thinking others could reach his level just by training was pure delusion.
——
By noon.
After teaching Ning Rongrong the first four moves of the Piaomiao Sword Art, Xiao Yan had also learned her divided-mind control method.
Training all morning, he felt he had gained a lot.
The Three Meridian Circulation method he'd developed before had improved greatly with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's focus technique.
He could now almost grasp Six Meridian Rotation.
"Let's rest for a while. For lunch today, we're having barbecue." Standing up, Xiao Yan waved to Zhu Zhuqing and the others who had been diligently training.
Beside him, Xiaoxue cheered excitedly. "Brother Xiao Yan, barbecue Blue Silver Emperor meat! Make more skewers!"
"Alright." Xiao Yan smiled, flicking her delicate nose.
Soon, everyone gathered on the villa rooftop.
With his sharp vision, Xiao Yan spotted Dai Mubai's group running along the distant street.
"What are you looking at? Hurry up and bring out the food, I'm starving," Ning Rongrong urged.
As an auxiliary-type soul master, her body was already weaker, and after a morning of training with a fifty-jin weighted outfit, even Blue Silver Qi Recovery Pills couldn't replenish her stamina fast enough.
"Here, take a look too."
Xiao Yan waved his hand, and a light screen appeared before them, showing Dai Mubai and his companions running.
This ability didn't require being inside the Blue Silver Domain — theoretically, anything he could see could be projected onto the screen.
Ning Rongrong looked carefully. "It's Dai Mubai and the others from Shrek Academy. They've returned from the Star Dou Forest! Then Oscar must've obtained his third soul ring and reached Rank 31. I wonder what his third soul skill is?"
Meng Yiran commented, "They seem to be doing some sort of weighted training. Carrying rocks in baskets to run… what a primitive method."
Xiao Yan also found it ridiculous.
From what he'd learned, actual combat in the Great Spirit Arena was Shrek Academy's main curriculum.
And now they were… running with rocks in baskets?
Were Shrek's teachers just lazy?
With Zhao Wuji's gravity amplification soul skill, he could've just increased the gravity several times — far better than this trash method.
Xiaoxue said, "Brother Xiao Yan, let's eat already. Monsters think differently from normal people anyway."
Xiao Yan nodded. "You're right — Shrek Academy really defies logic."
After lunch, Xiao Yan didn't have Zhu Zhuqing and the others continue training. Instead, he sent them to rest.
Balancing work and rest led to the best results.
When Xiao Yan entered the room with Zhu Zhuqing, she casually kicked off her white high heels and stretched lazily. "Aren't we supposed to rest? Why'd you come into my room?"
After a morning of practice, she was finally feeling tired.
Zhu Zhuqing was truly a beauty — her silky black hair swayed with her movements, releasing a faint intoxicating fragrance.
Her lips were like ripe cherries, her curves even more alluring, radiating youthful charm.
Her skin was smooth and supple, her figure graceful, her long legs shapely and enticing.
Xiao Yan wrapped his arms around her slender waist and rested his head on her shoulder, breathing in her scent with a smile. "Of course, to rest together. Two people rest better than one."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't believe his nonsense. "Then shouldn't it be even better with Xiaoxue and Xiaoyi on the third floor?"
Creating excuses for his own schemes, huh.
Xiao Yan carried her to the bed and brushed the hair from her forehead. "They're at a critical breakthrough point and need quiet. Best not to disturb them."
"Don't mess around. I still have to train this afternoon," Zhu Zhuqing said, pouting slightly.
Xiao Yan grinned. "Relax. I'm not a bad guy. My massage technique can relieve fatigue and make sure you're full of energy later."
Under the warm sunlight, Xiao Yan gently activated the secret-silver necklace in his palm, channeling faint inner energy into the soul tool.
The device's conversion effect made Zhu Zhuqing's body gradually heat up, enveloping her in comfort.
——
The blazing sun hung high.
After running all morning, Dai Mubai and the others were completely exhausted — yet they'd only done four laps. They still had many more to go.
"I'm dying… is this even human training?" Ma Hongjun wheezed.
Already fat, now burdened with a basket of stones, he was near his limit.
Grinning slyly, he whispered to Oscar, "Hey, make a few sausages. Don't worry, bro — I won't tell anyone."
Oscar shrugged. "If I were you, I wouldn't. Do you really think the Dean isn't secretly watching?"
"Huh? The Dean?" Ma Hongjun looked around nervously. "No way — it's so hot today. He wouldn't follow us, would he?"
Wiping his sweat, Oscar nodded. "It's definitely hot… but we still have to run. I think I'm getting heatstroke."
"Hot? I feel fine — actually kind of warm and comfy," Dai Mubai said, puzzled.
Ma Hongjun gave him a knowing smirk. "Boss Dai, you're not like us."
Dai Mubai's face darkened instantly. "Fatty! I told you not to bring up that disgusting name again! You looking for a beating?"
Seeing Dai Mubai's fists the size of sandbags, Ma Hongjun nodded meekly — though in his heart, he sneered: Bird's gone, and he's still acting tough. Once I reach Soul Elder, I'll be the one taking care of your old friends.
——
As the sun dipped westward, Zhu Zhuqing fluttered her lashes and slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing Xiao Yan beside her, smiling gently in his sleep, she couldn't help but chuckle.
Usually so calm and composed, he looked like a peaceful child when asleep.
Come to think of it, he was only twelve — about her age — yet possessed such terrifying power.
What kind of life had he lived before?
Gently prying open his hand that still clutched her soul tool necklace, she softly pushed his shoulder. "Xiao Yan, wake up."
He turned over lazily, pulling her into his arms, eyes half-open. "Is it time to train already?"
Since they were at his home, surrounded by special traps he'd set up, he was relaxed and unguarded.
With Zhu Zhuqing's faint scent and the warmth of her soft skin, it was the perfect nap.
They say kings skip morning court — and with a beauty like Zhu Zhuqing, who wouldn't?
Xiao Yan admitted to himself he was no saint; if he were emperor, he'd probably be a total hedonist.
Zhu Zhuqing gasped softly, pressing her hands against his chest, eyes shimmering like spring water. "Get up! Rongrong and the others will be training soon. If they see us like this, they'll tease me!"
Xiao Yan twirled a strand of her hair with a grin. "So what if they see? We're not doing anything indecent. You should learn from Xiaoxue and Xiaoyi — they're with me every night and don't care what others think."
"That's not the same! Hurry and get up, or I won't let you touch the soul tool next time!" she huffed.
The gem on that soul tool had already been removed and eaten — what was there to be afraid of touching?
Xiao Yan kissed her blushing cheek, then, under Zhu Zhuqing's shy assistance, got up to wash.
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