Douluo Continent: Starting with a Void Treasure Trove

Chapter 173 Cruel Training

Xu Yang nodded in satisfaction when he saw the fighting spirit burning in Ma Rulong's eyes.

"That's more like it—"

This can be considered as achieving one of the purposes he had in bringing Zhang Lexuan here.

Seeing that Xu Yang looked at Ma Rulong with great satisfaction, Old Ma took the opportunity to introduce him.

"Young Master, that is Ma Rulong, and also the captain of our Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy's team for this competition. He is currently a Level 63 Soul Emperor and a Level 6 Soul Master. His main Soul Guidance Devices are—"

As if reciting a familiar story, Old Ma introduced Ma Rulong's strengths to Xu Yang.

Although we don't know who this person is, judging from the way Xu Yang, Zhang Lexuan, and the Hongchen siblings interacted just now, their status is definitely not low.

These three are all people with close ties to Master Jing Hongchen.

He had to seize this opportunity for Ma Rulong, even if it was just to leave an impression on such an important person, it would be worth it.

Sometimes, the choice you make is more important than your efforts.

If it weren't for that benefactor who helped him back then, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today.

"Mr. Ma, I know him. I know all of us regular team members, not to mention senior Ma Rulong, who is the team captain."

Xu Yang's tone was flat, making it impossible for Old Ma to discern any emotion.

Old Ma hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped himself.

"From now on, there will be training sessions like this every day. Once Ni'er and Ji Juechen have recovered, the three of us will each have three sessions a day, for a total of nine sessions."

"As for when it will end, it will continue until I am satisfied. If I am still not satisfied, I will practice more until I pass the test."

"If you continue to fail, you'll face even more brutal training. See that guy? His methods are far more ruthless than mine. I don't think you'd want to try it."

Zhang Lexuan pointed to Xu Yang, who was watching the commotion with a smile on his face.

"In addition, the academy will reimburse you for any soul tools that are damaged during training. However—extra training is not allowed, and you will be responsible for that yourself."

"Also, you don't need to worry about getting injured during this time. We'll be very careful with our attacks, ensuring you only experience superficial pain without affecting your normal cultivation."

"Even if you are truly injured, we can still heal you without leaving any lasting effects."

"So this is not a valid reason for you to ask for leave. This training will continue until three days before the start of the Soul Master Competition."

That's all for today. Training officially begins tomorrow. I hope you can go home and prepare well.

Zhang Lexuan's gentle voice sounded more like the whispers of a demon to the nine people at this moment.

Many people looked ashen-faced, as if they had already foreseen the miserable life that followed, and walked off the field like zombies.

Even Mr. Ma, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but gasp when he heard about the training plan. It was because the intensity was indeed much higher than when he led the team in previous years.

It seems the dean really went all out this time.

He left too, wanting to go home and give Ma Rulong a few more words of advice.

Only Hongchen and his sister remained. Since Jing Hongchen wasn't home, it was better for the two siblings to stay with Xu Yang.

Meanwhile, Xu Yang was having a low conversation with Zhang Lexuan.

This was an idea that Xu Yang came up with on the spur of the moment.

"Sister Lexuan, I'll take you and Meng to see that silly girl Ni'er in a little while."

"Is Ni'er alright?"

Although Zhang Lexuan knew that Xu Yang's second martial soul had a very powerful healing soul skill, she was still constantly worried about Di Ni'er.

"It's nothing serious, just a fainting spell caused by exhaustion of soul power. She's less injured than Ji Juechen. I just carried her to the hospital bed and she woke up."

"If I hadn't stopped them, they would have come here to watch the show."

As Xu Yang spoke, his soul communication was also activated. Picking it up, he saw that, as expected, it was Di Ni'er requesting a live broadcast from Xu Yang.

"Ah, Sister Lexuan, so fast?"

"That's it—"

"This is so boring!"

Di Ni'er's complaints came through the soul communication.

"Alright, my little Starry Sky Tyrant, behave yourself, and I'll bring everyone to see you right away."

"Why are you getting so worked up over a mere friendly sparring match?!"

Di Ni'er pursed her lips and remained silent.

It looks like she's going to drop more small pearls.

Seeing Di Ni'er's aggrieved expression.

Xu Yang continued to speak.

"That Ji Juechen guy, he always acts like he's going to fight to the death. I'll tell him to go in a bit!"

Emperor Ni'er stopped crying and started laughing.

"Sister Lexuan, Sister Meng, are you coming too?"

Xu Yang aimed the soul-guided communication at Zhang Lexuan and Meng Hongchen.

Both women nodded, especially Meng Hongchen, who had been busy dealing with the Heavenly Mandate. She hadn't been able to connect with Di Ni'er for a long time, and she actually felt quite guilty about it.

"That's great, now I have someone to play with again."

No one said anything about Di Ni'er's immature nature. Some people seem to be destined not to grow up, and there will always be someone to protect them from the wind and rain.

Perhaps this was the fate that Di Ni'er was originally destined for.

Xiao Hongchen stood silently beside Xu Yang, waiting to go and check on Ji Juechen.

Xiao Hongchen cherishes this friend who has always supported his forging in a special way.

Back then, his first completely independent spirit forging was achieved by forging Ji Juechen's martial soul.

Without that experience, his forging skills would not have reached their current level.

Xiao Hongchen can now perform spirit forging on 99% of rare metals. He also once asked Xu Yang about the realm above spirit forging—soul forging.

This has always been his goal.

However, he currently seems to have no clue what to do, mainly because his own soul power cultivation is insufficient. Xiao Hongchen's intuition tells him that once he reaches the Soul Saint level, his forging technique can continue to break through to higher levels—

Xu Yang parted the space, and the group walked in.

Xiao Hongchen went to Ji Juechen's hospital room.

Xu Yang didn't go, but he handed the medicine and some tonics he had prepared for Ji Juechen to Xiao Hongchen and told him to go over immediately.

"See, I wasn't wrong."

"He doesn't look injured at all. I estimate he'll be able to resume normal operations tomorrow."

Xu Yang looked at Di Ni'er, who was happily munching on an apple.

"Get to work? What are you talking about?"

Di Ni'er tilted her head and looked at Xu Yang.

"It's nothing, just a slight change in your future arrangements. Because your stats are quite high, now you and your sister Le Xuan, along with me and Ji Juechen, will take turns training the regular team members, as well as your sister Meng and her brother Xiao Hongchen."

You can arrange it.

"Just remember to let me play in the game when the time comes."

Di Ni'er obeyed Xu Yang's arrangement without offering any opinions.

"By the way, why are you so enthusiastic about the Soul Master Competition?"

Xu Yang was puzzled as to why Di Ni'er was so enthusiastic about the Soul Master Competition.

Di Ni'er tilted her head, seemingly lost in thought.

Then he continued, "Perhaps it's because—"