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On the third day of school, Quan Yi and Huo Wu experienced the first failure of their lives.
But at the same time, this failure became a crucial turning point.
From that day onward, Quan Yi and Huo Wu abandoned their previous arrogance.
They dedicated themselves entirely to cultivation.
Throughout the first semester, the two of them immersed themselves in training, living a disciplined and fulfilling life.
During combat training, Quan Yi and Huo Wu pushed themselves to higher standards, always asking their instructors to challenge them beyond their limits.
As a result, they lost far more battles than they won, but their actual combat capabilities and tacit understanding continued to improve under high-pressure conditions.
The process was grueling, yet the thrill of daily growth made it impossible for them to stop.
However, even Quan Yi's iron body couldn't withstand the relentless intensity forever.
After a month of extreme training, Quan Yi gradually felt both physically and mentally fatigued.
More importantly, exhaustion began to slow down his cultivation progress and efficiency.
By the start of the second month, Quan Yi realized that this couldn't continue.
Without hesitation, he adjusted his training regimen.
To maintain peak efficiency, he decided to take one full day off every weekend—dedicating it entirely to sleep.
After his first uninterrupted rest, he discovered an important truth—the principle of balancing work and rest applied even in this world.
From this experience, Quan Yi came to a realization:
Meditation alone cannot completely replace sleep.
Regular rest kept his mind and body in peak condition, significantly improving his training efficiency.
This minor adjustment led to a major breakthrough—his cultivation progress surged once more.
Despite increasing his rest time, there was one thing that never changed:
His meditation practice.
He adjusted his schedule, extending his meditation sessions from Saturday night until Sunday morning, ensuring uninterrupted cultivation.
With his growing soul power and physical fitness, he was able to venture deeper into the mimetic environment training field.
In the entire academy, aside from the teachers, no student could surpass him.
Not even Huo Wushuang, the level 20 Beast Martial Soul Master, was an exception.
Through relentless meditation and the academy's exceptional mimetic environment, Quan Yi's soul power soared.
He maintained an impressive cultivation speed—advancing one level every three months.
As the first semester drew to a close, Quan Yi had already reached the astonishing level of 19.
Recently, he had been preparing to break through the bottleneck of rank 20.
Final Night of the First Semester
Second-floor cafeteria
"Xiao Yi, the holiday starts tomorrow. Are you going home?"
Huo Wu's appearance had changed significantly over the past year.
She had grown far beyond her peers—her once petite frame had stretched taller, and her once-childish features were beginning to take on a more mature sharpness.
Across from her, Quan Yi responded calmly.
"No. I plan to stay at the academy for secluded cultivation. Once I break through, I'll go hunt for my second soul ring."
After a year, Quan Yi's transformation was even more drastic.
His height had shot up, and his physique had grown taller and burlier. His muscles, defined and sculpted through rigorous training, radiated raw power.
Unlike the hidden nature of soul power, his physical transformation was impossible to ignore.
After a year of relentless training, his body had become monstrous.
His strength completely surpassed that of an ordinary Beast Martial Soul Master—a fact he confirmed through Huo Wushuang.
"Monster."
Huo Wu couldn't help but mutter softly.
For the past year, Quan Yi and Huo Wu spent most of their time together, forging an increasingly close bond—so much so that they could joke with each other freely.
"Hey, hey! Didn't you just break through to level 17 a few days ago? You've leveled up four times in a year—your cultivation speed is almost catching up to mine!"
Although Huo Wu's cultivation speed wasn't as fast as Quan Yi's, she had already surpassed 90% of soul masters her age, ranking among the elite.
Under Quan Yi's influence, Huo Wu's training regimen became just as rigorous. She made tremendous progress—not only in her soul power level, but also in her physical fitness and combat experience.
"Alright, alright! Let's not bring that up anymore." Huo Wu waved her hand dismissively.
Although Quan Yi's tone carried no arrogance, it still felt like a humble brag to Huo Wu.
She had come today for a different reason.
"I'm heading home for the holidays. The next time we see each other will be next semester."
"Alright, see you next semester. Oh, and don't slack off on your training while you're home."
"Got it, got it. My dad nags me about it enough already." Huo Wu rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, I'm off. See you next semester!"
Despite her casual words, a sense of reluctance lingered in her heart.
The thought of parting from Quan Yi—even for just a short time—left her feeling strangely uncomfortable.
Her home was relatively close to the academy, so she could have left in the afternoon. But she chose to stay until evening, just to train with Quan Yi one last time.
This was her limit, though. Her brother and their carriage were already waiting for her outside.
"Do you want me to walk you out?"
"No need. I still have to pack my things, and my family's waiting. Don't worry."
"Alright then. Be careful on the road."
They parted ways in the cafeteria.
As Huo Wu's figure disappeared from sight, Quan Yi felt an unfamiliar sense of loss.
It wasn't just Huo Wu—he had developed deep feelings for this girl who had always been by his side.
But now wasn't the time to dwell on emotions.
"It's time to train."
Shaking off his thoughts, Quan Yi turned and made his way to the Mimetic Environment Training Field, where he would begin his night practice.
The academy suspended classes during the holidays, but facilities like the mimetic training grounds, library, and cafeteria remained open.
This provided a great opportunity for diligent students like Quan Yi.
Venturing deep into the cave entrance, the temperature steadily rose.
At 80 degrees, most students would have long since turned back—but for Quan Yi, this heat no longer posed a challenge.
He pushed forward.
90 degrees.
This was his current limit.
Even some academy instructors couldn't endure this level of heat for long.
But Quan Yi's tempered physique and indomitable will allowed him to withstand it.
Arriving at his designated training chamber, Quan Yi sat cross-legged on a futon and slowly closed his eyes.
It was time to break through the bottleneck of level 20.
Quan Yi's soul power surged through his body, following a carefully refined circulation path.
Compared to a year ago, his cultivation speed had increased by at least 15%.
15% might not seem like much, but cultivation was an accumulative process.
Over time, this seemingly minor improvement would significantly reduce the time needed for advancement.
For example, if a car increased its speed by 15%, its travel time would be reduced by 13%.
Though soul power cultivation wasn't as linear as a moving vehicle, the increase in efficiency was undeniable.
Furthermore, the mimetic environment's special properties and Quan Yi's optimized training methods compounded multiplicatively, allowing him to cut down his training time even further.
At his current level, the time needed to reach the next rank had already been reduced by over 13%.
Each circulation of his soul power brought a tangible increase to his strength.
With every surge of energy, his bottleneck grew weaker—the barrier to level 20 teetering on the edge of collapse.
This was why he had chosen to enter seclusion tonight.
Maintaining a steady rhythm, Quan Yi focused all his willpower into his cultivation.
Hours passed.
He remained completely immersed in the flow of energy within his body.
Ten hours later...
In the dimly lit training chamber, Quan Yi slowly opened his eyes.
A faint glimmer of golden light flashed within his gaze.
"Breakthrough."
On the first day of the holiday, Quan Yi had officially reached level 20.