The next morning arrived with crisp air. We had all gathered on the training grounds, ready to begin what would undoubtedly be the most intensive training regimen any of us had ever experienced. The early morning mist still clung to the grass as the team assembled, their faces showing a mixture of determination and nervous anticipation.
"It seems you're all here," I observed, scanning the group. Well, almost all of us were mentally present. Shui Yue'er was somehow managing to stand upright while clearly still lost in her dreams, swaying slightly with her eyes half-closed. Xue Wu noticed her friend's condition and delivered a gentle but firm knock to wake her up properly.
"Mmph! What? Oh! Good morning, Captain!" Yue'er stammered, suddenly alert and slightly embarrassed by her drowsy display.
I couldn't help but smile slightly at her antics before adopting a more serious expression. "We're going to start with the most fundamental aspect of cultivation – I'm going to teach you a proper soul cultivation method. However, before we begin, I need to make something absolutely clear."
My voice took on a cold, threatening edge that made everyone straighten up immediately. "Even though I'm teaching this to you, if any of you dare to teach this method to someone else without explicitly asking for my permission first, I will hunt you down to the ends of the continent. Don't expect me to be kind enough to leave you alive if you betray this trust. This technique is incredibly valuable and dangerous in the wrong hands."
The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as the weight of my words settled over them. Shui Bing'er visibly gulped, while Xue Wu's face went pale. Even the usually cheerful Yue'er looked genuinely frightened by the seriousness of my threat.
"Baixue, you can continue with your own training routine since you already know this method," I added, and she nodded before moving to a separate area of the training ground to begin her exercises.
I approached Shui Yue'er first, placing my hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to guide your soul power through the correct pathways while using one of my spirit abilities. Don't resist – just observe and memorize every detail."
Activating my Spirit Sharing skill, I began to carefully circulate her soul power throughout her body, ensuring she could feel and see exactly how the energy should flow through her meridians and spiritual channels.
"Wha—" Yue'er started to question what was happening, but I cut her off before she could finish.
"It's my second soul ring skill – Spirit Sharing. I can share whatever I perceive through my Spirit Eye with others, allowing you to understand the cultivation pathways better than any verbal explanation could provide. Now focus completely on the pathways for circulating soul power and pay careful attention to the breathing pattern that accompanies it."
I moved systematically through the group, first completing Yue'er's instruction, then Shui Bing'er then Xue Wu's, and finally returning to Yue'er since she had made several errors during her first attempt and needed additional guidance to master the technique properly.
"This soul power cultivation method is called the Nine Breath Convince Qi Method," I explained once everyone had experienced the proper energy circulation. "What I've just taught you is only the most basic foundation level, but even this rudimentary version will increase your cultivation speed by approximately fifty percent compared to conventional methods."
Their eyes widened with amazement at this revelation. A fifty percent increase in cultivation speed was enormous – most soul masters would kill for such an advantage.
"But that's not even the most remarkable aspect of this technique," I continued, enjoying their rapt attention. "The truly amazing thing about this method is that it operates automatically even when you're not actively cultivating, though at a slower rate than your natural speed. More importantly, if you ever completely exhaust your soul power in battle, this method will automatically accelerate to recover your energy faster than your natural regeneration rate."
Xue Wu raised her hand tentatively. "Captain, why are you teaching us something so valuable? This kind of technique should be a closely guarded secret."
"Because I want you to dedicate your conscious time to building your physical attributes instead of sitting in meditation for hours," I replied pragmatically. "This way, you can develop both aspects simultaneously without sacrificing either."
"Don't worry, Captain," Shui Bing'er said earnestly, speaking for the group. "We swear we won't reveal anything about this soul cultivation method to anyone without your explicit permission."
"Good. Now, Shui Bing'er, we need to discuss something important about your combat specialization. I want you to completely switch from the control system to the attack system."
Her brow furrowed with confusion. "But Captain, I'm already established as a control system soul master. All my soul rings and techniques are designed around that path."
I had expected this resistance and was prepared with a thorough explanation. "Listen carefully, Bing'er. The Ice Phoenix is a top-level martial spirit, and phoenixes are legendary beasts with incredibly strong bloodlines. Even though your phoenix manifests as an ice-attributed martial soul, its greatest strength lies in its devastating attack power, not in crowd control."
I paused to let this sink in before continuing. "Using such a powerful offensive martial spirit as a control system doesn't just hold back the Ice Phoenix's true potential – it will severely limit your own advancement. With your current path, I seriously doubt you'll ever be able to break through to become a Titled Douluo. You're essentially trying to use a legendary sword as a shield."
Bing'er looked thoughtful, processing this information. The dean had already informed her about my true age, which had shocked her considerably and helped her understand that I wasn't just any ordinary soul master. Combined with the incredible soul cultivation method I'd just taught them, she was beginning to realize the depth of knowledge and power I possessed.
"If you say so, Captain, then I'll trust your judgment," she finally agreed. "But what about my existing soul rings? They're all designed for control-type abilities."
"That's admittedly problematic," I acknowledged. "You've already absorbed three soul rings that are oriented toward control system functions. There are only two ways to change your existing soul skills: either upgrade your bloodline significantly or experience a martial soul awakening evolution. For your fourth soul ring, I plan to have you absorb an amplification-type soul beast that will help build a stronger foundation and provide better advantages in the later stages of your development."
Turning to the younger sister, I continued my assessment. "Shui Yue'er, your development path is generally correct, though you did waste your second soul ring on an attack skill when a amplification ability would have been more beneficial. At least your first soul skill is an amplification type, so the foundation isn't completely compromised. Because the attack soul skill might look important in lower soul rings, but at later stage, they will be uselass, so instead amplication will help you boost significant damage."
Finally, I addressed the auxiliary specialist. "Xue Wu, your martial spirit is quite unique. Your rain, snow, and other weather effects boost water and ice elemental damage while simultaneously debuffing opponents. However, I think your martial spirit could work much more efficiently if we incorporate coordinated dancing into our combat strategies."
Xue Wu blushed deeply. "Captain, you mean... dancing during actual battles? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"
"Think about it logically," I replied with a slight grin. There are legendary fighters who don't just dance while fighting – they fight while dancing. (You know whom I am talking about.)
"The coordination and rhythm can actually enhance both your effectiveness and our team's overall performance. If it works as I suspect it will, you'll need to teach us some basic dance steps to maximize our coordination. Or a simple rhythm might be enough."
It wasn't like I could introduce hip-hop dancing to this world, and I admittedly didn't know much about formal dance techniques, but the principle seemed sound for enhancing Xue Wu's abilities.
"Captain, I want to ask something," Yue'er suddenly raised her hand with curiosity shining in her eyes.
"What is it?"
"What system does your martial spirit actually belong to?"
"Auxiliary System," I replied casually.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!" All three of them exclaimed in perfect synchronization, their voices reaching a pitch that probably startled birds from nearby trees.
I guess I had forgotten to mention that detail earlier. Their shocked expressions were quite amusing.
"Well, you've already experienced my second soul ring ability, which is Spirit Sharing – allowing me to share whatever I perceive through my Spirit Eye with others. My first soul ring provides a mental attack for crowd control that can freeze opponents' consciousness temporarily. And my third soul skill is a support ability that can buff anyone with dramatically increased ice damage potential."
I had actually experimented extensively with my third soul ring's dual abilities. The Ice Empress Crown could be applied to teammates like Baixue, significantly boosting their ice-based attacks while manifesting a beautiful jade crown on their head during activation. However, it could only buff one person at a time. The Ice Empress Armor, on the other hand, could only be manifested on myself, providing incredible defensive capabilities.
"Captain, you're truly miraculous to have defeated all of us while being an auxiliary soul master!" Yue'er's eyes were literally sparkling with admiration and excitement.
"There's something else you should know," I added, deciding to reveal another crucial piece of information. "My martial spirit provides me with absolute control over ice, or more accurately, my martial soul possesses the Ultimate Ice attribute."
This revelation caused another round of gasps and wide-eyed stares.
"Bing'er, your martial soul actually has the capability to evolve into Ultimate Ice as well, but you'll need to hunt a soul beast with an exceptionally strong ice or phoenix bloodline to trigger that transformation."
Shui Bing'er looked stunned by this revelation, clearly never having imagined that her martial soul possessed such incredible potential.
"Now, regarding your physical training routine," I continued, shifting back to practical matters. "You'll begin each day by running until you completely exhaust your soul power reserves. Only after reaching that point will you move on to stretching exercises, followed by 100 sit-ups, frog jumps, and pull-ups. I know this will be incredibly difficult for the first day, but after maintaining this routine consistently for one week, I'll provide you with the next level of the soul cultivation method."
I could see their expressions wavering between determination and dismay at the intensity of the proposed training regimen. To bolster their motivation, I offered them a concrete reward to work toward.
"The advanced version of the cultivation method will increase your cultivation speed by over one hundred percent and includes techniques for spiritual energy refinement that most Titled Douluo don't even know exist."
Their eyes immediately lit up with renewed enthusiasm and fierce determination.
While they absorbed this information, I had already been making arrangements behind the scenes. I had contacted the dean to arrange for enhanced nutritional meals that would support their intensive physical training. More importantly, I had explained the proper usage and benefits of Whale Glue, requesting her assistance in obtaining supplies.
Thanks to the dean's extensive connections with coastal cities and maritime traders, she had been able to arrange for Whale Glue supplies much faster and more affordably than I had anticipated. Even though we could only obtain thousand-year-old Whale Glue initially, it would be sufficient for their current needs. We had also put in a special request to look out for ten-thousand-year-old Whale Glue, which would be necessary for their advanced development stages.
"Captain," Xue Wu asked hesitantly, "will this training really make us strong enough to compete with the major academies and clans?"
"With proper dedication and the resources I'm providing, you won't just compete with them," I replied confidently. "You'll surpass expectations that others have for academies like ours. The Continental Tournament will be just the beginning of what you'll achieve."
"What about soul rings?" Bing'er inquired. "When should we focus on obtaining our next soul rings?"
"Soul ring advancement will come naturally as your cultivation base strengthens," I explained. "However, I have specific soul beasts in mind for each of you that will complement your abilities perfectly. We'll handle that when your foundations are solid enough to absorb more powerful soul rings safely."
"Captain, one more question," Yue'er interjected with characteristic enthusiasm. "Will we be learning any special combat techniques or just focusing on cultivation and physical training?"
"Combat techniques will be integrated into your training once your physical foundations are established," I assured her. "I have several unique fighting methods that will complement each of your martial souls perfectly. For now, focus on building the stamina and strength necessary to execute advanced techniques without injuring yourselves."
"Understood, Captain!" they replied in unison, their voices filled with determination and excitement for the challenging journey ahead.
As they prepared to begin their first intensive training session, I reflected on the potential I saw in each of them. With proper guidance, resources, and the cultivation methods I possessed, this team could indeed become something truly extraordinary. The Continental Tournament would serve as their proving ground, but their ultimate potential extended far beyond any competition.
"Alright then," I announced, clapping my hands together. "Let's begin your training. Remember – today's pain is tomorrow's strength, and every drop of sweat now will become power you can rely on when it matters most."