Douluo Continent: Starting with a Void Treasure Trove

Chapter 174 Preparations Before the Competition

Perhaps it's because—

"No, I can't really explain it."

"Anyway, if I win the championship, wouldn't that prove that I'm not completely useless?"

"Look, Sister Guyue has helped you a lot. Whether it's the spatial passage, or the Yin-Yang Well of Ice and Fire—and Sister Meng, your organization called Destiny has always been managed by Sister Meng, right?"

"Sister Lexuan is the same. She is so gentle, understanding, and can make delicious snacks."

"It seems like I'm the only one who sometimes does more harm than good—"

Di Ni'er's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and she buried her head in her chest like a quail.

Meng Hongchen and Zhang Lexuan were also taken aback when they learned for the first time why Di Ni'er was so enthusiastic about the Soul Master Competition.

To put it bluntly, Di Ni'er lacks a sense of identity and security.

Xu Yang knew in his heart that among all the girls around him, it seemed that only Di Ni'er was idle all day long.

Sometimes they even make things worse.

He reached out and ruffled Di Ni'er's hair.

"Silly girl, you are you!"

"Don't overthink it; perhaps you're just overlooking your role."

"Without you, my little bundle of joy, our work efficiency would be much lower. And your sister Lexuan, she's been cultivating alone in Mingdu. Didn't you keep her company through those boring and tedious cultivation times?"

"Finally, have you forgotten that you are an auspicious beast? You bear the power of the soul beasts' destiny. It is because of you that the soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest are so prosperous, and your uncles and aunts were able to survive the heavenly tribulation—"

Xu Yang analyzed her role for Di Ni one by one.

Upon hearing this, Di Ni'er raised her head, her beautiful crimson-gold eyes fixed on Xu Yang.

"So, I'm that useful after all?"

"Alright, you silly goose—"

"When have I ever lied to you? Compose yourself up. After the training matches are over these next few days, let's head to Xingluo City, the capital of the Xingluo Empire, for some fun."

Xu Yang straightened up.

"Yay!"

Overwhelmed with excitement, Di Ni'er threw herself directly into Xu Yang's arms.

Thanks to Xu Yang's quick reflexes, he managed to catch her. This scene left Meng Hongchen and Zhang Lexuan somewhat amused and exasperated.

Xu Yang patted Di Ni'er's pert little bottom.

"Get down, I need to go see Ji Juechen later. Are you going to just hang on to me and come with me?"

Di Ni'er felt the strange sensation on her buttocks, but her mind was on other things.

"So this is how my sister, the mistress, felt back then?"

Xu Yang put Di Niji back on the bed and then walked towards Ji Juechen's ward.

Meanwhile, in Ji Juechen's hospital room, Xiao Hongchen was complaining to Ji Juechen about the cruel training plan she was about to face.

"Let me tell you, Yang's cousin is really ruthless. Of the nine of us, everyone except Meng still has the marks of the pointer on their bodies—"

"And then there's that terrifying amount of training afterwards. If I don't win this time, it would be a shame to have put in so much hard work."

Xu Yang, who had just reached the door, overheard this.

"Laugh, I don't remember you having this bad habit of gossiping behind people's backs. If you don't want to, I can talk to the dean and have you pulled out for solo training."

"But this time, your opponent is me."

Xu Yang's voice arrived before he did.

"Brother Yang, I—"

Xiao Hongchen looked embarrassed.

"Among the ten team members, you and Meng have the least practical combat experience, which is why I made this arrangement. But only in this way can you adapt to Shrek Academy's offensive rhythm in the Soul Master Competition the fastest."

"You keep talking about winning the championship, but you can't even endure this little bit of hardship? If you put in even 30% of the effort you put into forging, that would be enough for me."

Xiao Hongchen lowered his head in shame after being lectured by Xu Yang.

Xu Yang paid no attention to Xiao Hongchen, who was standing sullenly to the side. If these two criticisms could discourage him, then this was not the Xiao Hongchen he knew.

Ji Juechen had long since recovered, and the black jade bamboo in his body seemed to have greatly improved his resistance to blows.

Indeed, bamboo's toughness is universal.

"It seems the recovery is going quite well?"

"This is—another new discovery."

Xu Yang's keen mental power sensed that Ji Juechen seemed to have changed again.

"You're really terrifying."

Xu Yang clicked his tongue in amazement.

"Every fight is a life-or-death struggle, but every time there's something gained—"

"That's good, we can put more pressure on them later. By the way, you can use your soul skills more often in the upcoming training matches."

"Although pure sword skills can achieve the purpose of training, our goal this time is simulation. Let the nine of them experience the pure combat style of a Soul Master."

Xu Yang explained the upcoming arrangements to Ji Juechen.

"good!"

Ji Juechen's answer was simple and concise.

"Alright, since you have no problems, let's officially start work tomorrow."

Xu Yang sat for a while longer before leaving.

Half a month later, at the training ground of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy.

"Captain, do you think we can hold out against the teacher for ten minutes this time?"

Mika whispered in Ma Rulong's ear.

For the past two weeks, the regular members of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Master Academy, along with the Hongchen siblings, have been on high alert at all times, without relaxing even for a moment.

In the morning, it was Di Ni'er and Ji Juechen; in the afternoon, it was Zhang Lexuan and Xu Yang. The difficulty increased in that order. Each of the four people played three rounds, taking turns spinning their tops.

But the progress is also very obvious. Taking Zhang Lexuan as an example, at first these people couldn't even last a minute under her, then two minutes, then three minutes. Now, their longest record under Zhang Lexuan has reached eight minutes.

Among them, the progress of the Hongchen siblings is the most obvious, especially Xiao Hongchen, which may be related to the criticism Xu Yang gave him half a month ago.

In short, this kid really took Xu Yang's words to heart.

He even asked to practice alone with Xu Yang every night.

By now, Xiao Hongchen's level has reached a level that matches his strength.

A level 58 Soul King plus a level 5 Soul Master.

In addition, his soul tools forged from spirit-forged metal, when unleashed at full power, make him even more powerful than Ma Rulong, the team leader.

Meng Hongchen was somewhat less so; among the four specially appointed teachers, only Ji Juechen and Xu Yang would go a little harder on her.

Di Ni'er, Zhang Lexuan, and Meng Hongchen are all good sisters, so there's no need to say more.

Xu Yang believed that necessary training was still necessary, and since Meng Hongchen happened to have considerable talent in combat, he decided to go a little further.

However, this is relative; compared to his nightly practice of Laughing at the Mortal World, the intensity was still much lower.

"Your level is already good enough. Go back and prepare. Elder Ma will take you to participate in the Soul Master Competition in a few days."

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