Training in the Shadows, Growth Under Pressure
The rising sun cast golden light upon Nuoding City, illuminating the dew-covered leaves and the tall, stone walls of Nuoding Academy. Inside a secluded courtyard, Tang San's figure moved fluidly between training forms, sweat glistening on his brow as his breathing remained calm and focused.
Each motion was precise, his control refined after weeks of hard effort. The Hidden Weapons manual from his previous life had long been imprinted into his bones, but now, the cultivation of spirit power through the Mysterious Heaven Technique allowed him to operate at greater efficiency. While others at the same rank still needed breaks between physical and spiritual training, Tang San could maintain his pace for hours.
The secret black stone, embedded deep within his dantian, remained silent, yet he felt its subtle influence. His spirit energy gathered more smoothly, and though his rank had only just touched Level 16, the purity of his power already surpassed most at Level 18.
What others did not know was that the technique improved talent slowly over time, not in leaps. The stone no longer shone, no longer reacted, but Tang San could feel it harmonizing with his core. It didn't provide explosive gains—but his foundation grew deeper with every session.
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"Control. Stability. Pressure."
Grandmaster's voice echoed in his mind. The words had been repeated so often that they were ingrained in Tang San's training routine. Grandmaster had begun assigning him tasks not found in standard academy curriculum.
Like now—hunting low-level spirit beasts not to absorb a ring, but to fight them, weaken them, and withdraw.
"Combat prowess must be tempered in the wilderness, not just on training fields."
That's what Grandmaster had told him. And Tang San agreed.
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That afternoon, he stepped outside the city with permission. A short distance from Nuoding, a forest filled with low-level spirit beasts was known as a safe zone for beginner cultivators. Normally, students would only enter in groups, but Tang San walked alone.
His steps were silent, his body light like falling feathers. He had mastered basic footwork from the Tang Sect, applying it now for stealth and maneuvering.
After two hours, he spotted his first target: a Wind Feather Wolf, a beast of around 700 years. Fast, agile, and cunning—though not life-threatening.
Tang San didn't charge. He circled the wolf silently, tracking wind direction and watching its reactions. When the beast turned slightly, sensing a presence, a cold glint flickered in Tang San's hand.
Poison-tipped needle.
He threw it with perfect trajectory—striking the soft underfur between the neck and shoulder. The beast roared, staggered, and bolted forward.
Tang San struck with Blue Silver Grass, binding its legs before it could recover. The spirit vines pulsed with energy—thinner than others at his rank, but far stronger in internal tension.
The wolf thrashed and growled, but Tang San showed no emotion. He didn't kill it. He didn't need a ring. He simply studied its movements, its behavior under stress. Then, when it broke free, he vanished into the brush.
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Three Days Later
Tang San had fought six spirit beasts and retreated from four more. Each fight gave him insight—weaknesses, habits, timing.
Each night, back at Nuoding, he meditated in his dorm while Xiao Wu snored on the upper bunk. She asked questions sometimes, but Tang San never told her about the black stone or the inner cultivation.
He simply said, "I'm practicing my control."
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The nights passed, and Grandmaster tested him repeatedly. Measuring spirit power output, sensing stability. Tang San was still Level 16, but the quality of his spirit energy was startling.
"You're stronger than you should be," Grandmaster muttered once, peering into Tang San's pulse with furrowed brows. "But there are no signs of external force…"
Tang San only smiled faintly.
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One morning, Grandmaster handed him a new task.
"There's a Stone-Skinned Lizard roaming the edge of the forest. I want you to engage it. Test your control. And don't rely only on spirit power."
Tang San bowed slightly. "Understood."
This time, Xiao Wu insisted on coming.
"I'll just watch!" she declared, following him out of the gate. "Don't worry, I won't steal your prey."
Tang San didn't object. A second pair of eyes could help.
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The battle with the Stone-Skinned Lizard was his most difficult yet.
It was a spirit beast around 900 years, its body coated in layers of stone-like armor. Blue Silver Grass couldn't pierce it directly, and even hidden weapons had limited effect.
Tang San had to adapt.
He ran circles, struck its legs repeatedly, and used terrain—slopes, trees, mud—to slow it down. The fight stretched nearly an hour, ending only when the beast lost too much blood from small joint wounds.
He left it alive—panting and furious—but broken in will.
Xiao Wu blinked. "You didn't even try to absorb it?"
"I'm not ready for my second ring," Tang San said quietly. "And I still have more to learn."
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That night, back at the academy, Tang San sat cross-legged in his bed, breathing evenly.
Spirit power flowed gently through his meridians. The black stone shimmered faintly within him, unseen by anyone else. He felt his spirit energy circulate faster than before—his control, sharper. But most importantly, the foundation of his talent had deepened once again.
Only a little.
But enough.
He didn't need to rush. His path was different now.
And he was ready to walk it—step by step.
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End of Chapter 16