Under Zhao Wuji's brutal training, Du Feng endured a long and dark period.
Almost every day, he ended up vomiting.
Training under intensified gravity placed enormous strain on his cardiovascular system. Even with the strong physique Du Feng had developed since childhood, it was extremely difficult to endure such pressure. He constantly felt dizzy and nauseous.
By the time he returned to his dormitory each day, he barely had the strength to meditate, and the amount of time he could spend cultivating his soul power was greatly reduced.
It took Du Feng more than three months to gradually adapt to this method of training. Only then did the days of constant vomiting finally come to an end.
During these three months, Du Feng's soul power increased by only one level, but his physical abilities improved at an astonishing rate.
Three months later, Du Feng once again saw Flender on the training field.
At that moment, Du Feng was running laps around the field under the influence of Zhao Wuji's gravity-enhancing soul skill.
"How are you feeling, little monster?" Flender asked.
Du Feng replied calmly, "I'm fine now. I've already adapted."
Flender nodded slightly.
"Your training for today is finished. Go recover your strength. Classes will begin tonight."
Du Feng said goodbye to Zhao Wuji and returned to rest, preparing for the evening's class.
Night fell quickly.
Inside Shrek Academy, the Four-Eyed Owl Flender stood quietly on the playground.
Standing in front of him were Du Feng, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun.
The three students stood solemnly before him, ready for the evening's training.
Flender waved his hand.
"Follow me."
With that, he leaped forward and headed out of the academy.
The three immediately followed behind him.
Flender maintained a steady but fast pace as they moved forward. Gradually, the three students behind him began to feel the strain.
Du Feng remained close behind Flender, while Dai Mubai was only slightly slower.
As for the chubby Ma Hongjun at the back, although he managed to keep up, the relaxed expression he had at the beginning had already disappeared.
Before long, Du Feng realized that their destination was Soto City.
As they approached the city gates, Flender slowed down slightly, allowing the three students to catch up.
Soto City was located within the Kingdom of Barak. Unlike Tianfeng City, which was located near the border, Soto City did not impose a nighttime curfew. All the city gates remained open, allowing people to enter and leave freely.
Even though night had already fallen, Soto City was brightly illuminated.
The shops on both sides of the streets were still open, and many vendors had set up stalls along the road. The entire street was bustling with activity, resembling a lively festival marketplace.
Although Du Feng had grown up in Tianfeng City, a border city of the Heaven Dou Empire, its atmosphere was completely different. Tianfeng City had always carried a more solemn and military-like atmosphere.
Compared to that, Soto City felt far more lively and commercial.
Du Feng looked around curiously, observing this bustling street from another world and the strange trinkets displayed by the vendors.
Dai Mubai, however, showed no interest at all. His expression remained calm as he followed Flender as if everything around him was completely ordinary.
Ma Hongjun, on the other hand, behaved very differently.
His eyes darted everywhere, staring shamelessly at every girl who passed by. Whenever he saw a young and pretty girl, he couldn't help but swallow loudly, looking exactly like the stereotypical lecher of later generations.
Seeing Ma Hongjun's expression, Du Feng instinctively moved a little farther away, worried that others might think they were together.
Soon, Flender stopped in front of a massive complex of tall buildings.
"We've arrived at your classroom," Flender said, pointing ahead.
Du Feng followed his gaze and saw a towering structure nearly one hundred meters tall, its lights shining brightly in the night.
Curiously, Du Feng asked, "Teacher Flender, what place is this?"
Flender replied calmly,
"Only major cities have buildings like this. They're called Grand Soul Arenas, and each one is named after the city it belongs to."
"The one in front of you is the Soto Grand Soul Arena."
Hearing this, Du Feng immediately understood why Flender had brought the three of them here.
Flender continued,
"The Grand Soul Arena provides a place for Soul Masters to fight. When two Soul Masters of the same level face each other, victory often depends on real combat experience."
"The opponents you face in the academy are old fellows like us. Deep down, you know that we won't actually kill you. So those fights are nothing more than demonstrations of your abilities."
"That's why I brought you here tonight—to improve your real combat experience."
"Only through constant real battles can you sharpen your instincts and improve your chances of survival."
"So today's lesson is practical combat."
"The Soto Grand Soul Arena will be your battlefield."
He looked at the three of them with a faint smile.
"Get ready, little monsters."
Flender continued,
"Let me tell you this—my graduation requirement for all of you is to obtain at least a Silver Soul Badge."
"There are eight badge levels in total: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond."
"Don't think obtaining a Silver Soul Badge is easy."
"You will be facing Soul Masters of the same level as yourselves—some of whom may have remained at that level for decades. Their control over their abilities and understanding of their Soul Skills far surpass what you inexperienced youngsters possess."
After finishing his explanation, Flender led Du Feng and the other two into the brightly lit Soto Grand Soul Arena.
Their night of real combat was about to begin.