"This must be a blessing from the gods upon us for successfully overcoming all the trials we've faced so far?!" exclaimed one of them with sparkling eyes.
"The gods?! Hmm, there's no way we'd be given such a reward just for a small ordeal like that! This must be due to the spiritual energy leaking from the earth's veins, just like my grandfather said?!" retorted another, crossing their arms with unwavering confidence.
"Stop arguing so much! Keep training before the energy here runs thin again?!" Arthur cut in sharply, his gaze sweeping across them.
Hearing this, they immediately fell silent and refocused on their training, more serious than ever?! Unnoticed, the sun had risen high in the sky, scorching them with its blazing heat?! The spiritual energy around the dormitory slowly dissipated, like mist under the sun's rays?!
"Hmm... seems like the air around here has returned to normal?!" Arthur observed before gathering them in a circle. "Let's make a promise—we won't tell anyone about this incident, and from now on, we'll do our best to train even harder?!"
"Yes! We promise to keep it a secret and train harder?!" they shouted in unison, stacking their hands together in a vow?!
"By the way... is there free food in the cafeteria?!" Jing Liu asked in a small voice, his stomach growling?!
They all burst into laughter?! "Yes, there is?! But only on the first floor for less privileged students?! The second floor is reserved for nobles and teachers?!" explained Wang Chang, the earth-vein theory expert?!
"Alright, let's head to the cafeteria?! But remember, from now on, I'll be the one training you—because now, I'm the boss?! Any objections?!" Arthur challenged, his eyes gleaming?!
"No, sir?! We're ready to train hard?!" they answered in unison?!
Upon arriving at the cafeteria, the atmosphere was bustling?! Apparently, rumors about the battle six months from now had spread like wildfire?! Several students immediately swarmed Arthur and his friends, curious?!
"Haha, as you all guessed, earlier someone tried to disrupt our training?! So, I taught them a lesson... and challenged them to a fight in six months to decide who's the strongest?!" Arthur declared, brimming with confidence?!
"With our training, there's no way you'll lose that fight?!" Jing Liu grinned?!
"We'll definitely win?! But... let's eat first, an empty stomach can't handle training?!" Arthur reminded them?!
As they entered, they passed Xiao Ganyu's group?! This time, however, there were no taunts or jeers—just cold, measuring stares exchanged between them?!
After eating, Arthur led them behind the school, near the mountain?! There, an empty field from an old abandoned building lay surrounded by lush trees swaying in the evening breeze?!
"Why do we have to train here?! The main school field is much better?!" Wang Chang protested, squinting at the tall grass?!
"It's strategy?! Let the enemies think we're slacking off?! Meanwhile, we'll train day and night to crush them?!" Arthur explained, his spirit burning fiercely?!
"From now on, call me Master Liu?! I'll turn your soft bodies into pure muscle?!" Jing Liu laughed, donning armor without revealing his spirit ring!
"Jing Liu will train your bodies, while I'll teach you spiritual energy control?!" Arthur raised his hand, and instantly, the weight of his wuhun soul pressed down on them like an invisible force?!
"Wha—what is this?! My body feels so heavy, like it's being pushed down?!" Wang Chang gasped, his knees trembling?!
"I'm manipulating my wuhun's energy to increase your body weight?! Pretty neat, huh?! Saves money on weights?!" Arthur smirked?!
"Enough talking?! Start running until you collapse?! Later, Arthur will heal you, and then we'll go again?! Hahahaha?!" Jing Liu cackled sadistically, like a wolf spotting prey?!
And so they ran, panting heavily, sweat pouring down?! The evening wind blew fiercely, carrying the scent of damp earth and dry leaves?! The sun slowly set, painting the sky in hues of orange and red?!
Training lasted until dusk, and eventually... they all collapsed from exhaustion?! But thanks to Arthur's healing energy, their muscle pain slightly subsided?!
"Tonight, we'll search for a spirit ring for me?! So I can practice energy control at night?!" Arthur whispered as darkness fell?!
"Let's go now?!" Jing Liu nodded, his eyes gleaming under the moonlight?!
That night, under the cold glow of the full moon, two silhouettes darted swiftly like shadows, heading toward the spirit-hunting forest!
TO BE CONTINUED...