Chapter 77: Shameless Training
In Soto City, at the Great Spirit Arena, Yu Xiaogang was addressing the group about their latest training regimen.
"The matches in the Spirit Arena are divided into three categories: one-on-one, two-on-two, and group battles. You can form teams freely, but you must participate in at least one group battle daily. As for one-on-one and two-on-two matches, I don't mind if you participate in up to three fights, but only if you have a solid grasp of your spirit power."
"Anything else?" Ning Rongrong asked with a smile.
"I have something for you all." Yu Xiaogang pulled out a few masks from somewhere.
"Masks?" Ning Rongrong was momentarily stunned.
"What's wrong? Something off about them?" Yu Xiaogang asked calmly, noticing the strange looks from the Shrek Academy students.
"Actually… we already have masks." Ning Rongrong replied.
"Really?"
Ning Rongrong nodded and pulled a mask from her storage spirit guide. Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Xiao Wu, and Tang San followed suit, each producing their own mask.
"So, you were already prepared." Yu Xiaogang sounded surprised.
"Yeah, our senior brother told us that the Great Spirit Arena is just a training ground for real combat. The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is the true stage where we'll reveal ourselves. Until then, we should always wear masks in battle." Ning Rongrong looked at her mask, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes as she thought of Ye Feng.
"Senior Brother? You mean Ye Feng?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yeah." Ning Rongrong nodded.
"What else did he say?" Yu Xiaogang pressed on, deep in thought.
"He also told us to avoid talking during fights so we don't expose our age. And when we register, we should use nicknames instead of our real names."
Yu Xiaogang was momentarily speechless.
Ye Feng was so young, yet he had such foresight. This was the second time since arriving at Shrek Academy that Yu Xiaogang had been caught off guard by Ye Feng's thinking. He couldn't help but question himself:
Am I even needed at Shrek Academy?
---
Meanwhile, in the bushes along an unknown road, a girl with a cat's tail crouched under a large tree, relieving herself. Suddenly, a stone whizzed through the air, striking her squarely in the chest.
Caught completely off guard, her face flushed with embarrassment as she snapped her head toward the direction the stone came from.
"Ye Feng, are you seriously attacking me while I'm taking a piss?!" Zhu Zhuqing fumed.
"As an agility-type spirit master, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Zhuqing, you got careless again."
---
Later, in a hotel room, with the door and windows tightly shut, a girl with a cat's tail lounged in a wooden bathtub, enjoying a relaxing soak.
Suddenly, a sharp sound rang out—another stone shot through the window, bouncing off the side of the tub and smacking Zhu Zhuqing.
"Ye Feng, I'm taking a damn bath!"
Perched on a tree outside the window, Ye Feng squatted on the trunk, speaking through the curtains.
"I told you, you need to be on guard against sneak attacks at all times. And hey, feel free to return the favor. If that had been a dagger instead of a stone, you'd be bleeding right now."
---
That night, unable to sleep, Zhu Zhuqing wandered out of the tavern and found herself standing in an open space, gazing at the moon. Memories of the past few days flooded her mind, making her hesitate for the first time.
Should she keep up Ye Feng's training?
Ever since she broke through to Rank 30, Flanders had assigned Ye Feng and Zhao Wuji to escort her into the Star Dou Forest to obtain her third spirit ring. Initially, Zhao Wuji had wanted to sit this one out, trusting in Ye Feng's strength.
With his external spirit bone—Dragon and Phoenix Ancient Wings—Ye Feng could carry Zhu Zhuqing away if things got dangerous. But Flanders insisted, and in the end, Zhao Wuji had no choice but to come along.
Originally, Flanders suggested letting the rest of the Shrek team join them, but Yu Xiaogang shut that idea down, arguing that real combat experience was more crucial for them. So, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Ma Hongjun stayed behind at the academy to train.
Before departing, Zhu Zhuqing recalled the training Ye Feng had proposed:
She had to wear weights every single day—30 kilograms strapped to her wrists, ankles, and torso. And worst of all, she had to endure Ye Feng's surprise attacks at any time.
She had initially been confident in her speed, believing that even while carrying extra weight, she could still react to Ye Feng's assaults.
But she had been dead wrong.
Ye Feng ambushed her constantly—when she ate, when she slept, when she bathed, even when she went to the damn bathroom.
And every single time, she was left blushing, flustered, and humiliated.
Her thoughts swirling, Zhu Zhuqing finally turned back toward the hotel.
Whoosh!
A shadow darted out from the darkness, launching an attack.
First Spirit Skill: Netherworld Stab!
Zhu Zhuqing's instincts kicked in instantly. Her martial spirit flared to life as she activated her first spirit skill—not to counterattack, but to retreat.
"You think I'd fall for the same trick again?" Zhu Zhuqing smirked.
"Good." Ye Feng emerged from the darkness, nodding approvingly. "Your awareness has improved. You're reacting on instinct now, and you're starting to use your first spirit skill flexibly."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't reply, but the corner of her lips curled up in satisfaction. These past few days of training had undeniably sharpened her reflexes.
More importantly, under Ye Feng's guidance, she had realized something vital—her first spirit skill wasn't just for attacking. It could be used for evasion, repositioning, and even countering surprise attacks.
"Want to keep going?" Ye Feng asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"I can't sleep. Spar with me." Zhu Zhuqing replied.
The moment she finished speaking, she lunged at Ye Feng, her movements sharp and precise.
Ye Feng, however, didn't even open his eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing's heart skipped a beat. He's fighting me blind?!
Without using his spirit power or martial spirit, Ye Feng still effortlessly dodged her attacks, relying only on the sounds and shifts in the air.
He wasn't just training her. He was training himself.
Watching him move with such ease, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists.
How strong is he, really?
Her initial doubts vanished. She had to continue training under Ye Feng.
One day, she would be strong like him.
(End of Chapter)
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