[DD]: 10

The matter was finally resolved, and Han Li could finally put his mind at ease. After staying in the Worship Hall for a while longer, Guang Ling had the guards escort the two back to their quarters for cultivation.

As for Guang Ling, he wasn't planning on returning immediately. Previously, it had always been the Grand Worship helping Xue'er. Now, he finally had a precious disciple who was so promising. He had to let the other old fellows feel some serious envy.

Having already guessed what his master was up to, Han Li, along with Xiu'er, returned to their residence. Xiu'er could now begin her cultivation, and Han Li handed her the storage necklace that Azure Luan had given him the day before.

Of course, it wasn't just a storage space; he had put a gold card inside, along with a general advanced meditation method suitable for beast martial souls. Although it couldn't compare to the customized version Guang Ling had given him, it was still considered top-quality on the continent. As for the most suitable method, she would have to figure it out slowly during her cultivation.

After giving Xiu'er some basic guidance on how to cultivate and confirming there wouldn't be any problems, Han Li returned to his room.

The experiences of the past two days flashed through his mind. He couldn't help but marvel at how everything seemed to go his way. Absorbing a soul ring resulted in an external soul bone, and not only that, all his soul skills mutated perfectly to match his cultivation direction.

He went to Qian Daoliu to help Xiu'er start cultivating again, and Qian Daoliu immediately took out an extremely suitable Crystal Bear heart soul bone, which even evolved Xiu'er's martial soul into a Crystal Bear with innate soul power reaching level eight.

Luck, this intangible and invisible thing, was truly terrifying. And this was just the beginning. He couldn't even imagine how strong he would become in the future as he continued to grow.

After a while, Han Li calmed himself and took out a manual that Guang Ling had just given him. It clearly outlined his future cultivation plan.

After briefly flipping through it, Han Li realized that he had indeed underestimated the methods top-tier forces in this world used to train talent.

Body forging, medicinal baths, dietary supplements, body massage, cultivation, combat practice, and academic courses (including but not limited to continental history and soul beast compendiums)—it covered almost everything he could think of.

Not only that, but Guang Ling had also personally funded him and mobilized his followers' families to provide comprehensive services.

There were soul masters with gravity soul skills to assist in body forging, teachers for basic combat, specialized medical soul masters, and food-type soul masters. While their levels weren't very high, they were more than sufficient for him before reaching the Soul Elder rank.

Of course, now they also needed to add personnel to serve Xiu'er. However, her treatment would naturally be much lower, considered as using the leftover resources. But even so, she would have access to more resources than most students at the Spirit Hall Academy.

Additionally, a dedicated martial soul mimicry environment was being constructed next to his residence. Some parts were even dismantled from the mimicry environments previously used by Guang Ling and Azure Luan. Since they no longer needed them, they might as well give them to him. Although the area wasn't very large, it was quite luxurious.

After silently reading through the thin manual, Han Li compared his situation. Among his peers, probably only Ning Rongrong had training conditions that could match his. Qian Renxue might have even more luxurious conditions, but since coming here, he hadn't heard of her, so there was no point in mentioning her.

With this in mind, he actively entered a state of cultivation. With such conditions, if he improved too slowly, not only would he let himself down, but he also wouldn't be able to face Guang Ling.

He cultivated until noon, only stopping when he heard a knock on the door.

Opening it, he found that Guang Ling had returned, and Azure Luan was with him.

After greeting them, he instructed the maid to also call Xiu'er over. The four of them then sat down at the dining table.

Guang Ling, who never liked beating around the bush, dismissed the surrounding servants and directly asked, "By the way, Xiao Li, where did you get the set of exercises you were doing during your morning workout? Can you tell me about it?"

Han Li was taken aback by the question, not expecting Guang Ling to ask this. However, for him, it wasn't a big deal, so he began to answer, "It's ancestral. There are two sets in total, but they don't have soul power operation routes. I use them for body conditioning before awakening, as a kind of warm-up. Why? Teacher, do you need them? I can demonstrate them for you right now."

Guang Ling and Azure Luan exchanged a look, showing expressions of "just as expected." They had noticed in the morning that Han Li's warm-up exercises were systematic.

Guang Ling pondered for a moment and then said, "Both your Martial Uncle and I think that set of exercises is quite good. Although it can't be used for attacks, its effects on various parts of the body should be better than the body conditioning method I prepared for you. So, let's see if we can refine it and use it as your regular body conditioning method."

"Is that so? No problem. But, Teacher, I don't have a manual, nor can I draw. I can't guarantee that my memory is entirely accurate either. I can only demonstrate it for you."

Han Li answered without hesitation, which made Guang Ling and Azure Luan look at him more gently, with a hint of pity in their eyes. They probably thought he had memorized it from watching his parents practice. He realized this only upon seeing their reactions.

It wasn't his fault. Although he had heard that radio calisthenics were derived from martial arts, he had never been exposed to it. He only remembered these exercises. After practicing them for three years, he thought they were just so-so. Naturally, he never thought about making up a history for them. Even Xiu'er thought he was just playing around, using them only for warm-ups.

"As long as you agree, rest assured, Xiao Li. After the refinement, it will still be considered your family's inheritance. This kind of body conditioning method is no longer useful for Azure Luan and me, and since we don't have families, you will naturally need to pass it down," Guang Ling assured, patting his chest.

"Uh, you can handle it as you see fit. I only use it for warm-ups. If it can be refined into a real body conditioning method, I'll be the one benefiting the most," Han Li replied casually.

"Then it's settled. After the meal, you can demonstrate it," Guang Ling decided.

At the dining table, they chatted casually. Guang Ling and Azure Luan kept serving the two youngsters, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

After resting for a while, Han Li went to the training ground to demonstrate the two sets of radio calisthenics. Guang Ling chose the set called "Soaring of the Young Eagles," while Azure Luan noted down the other set, "The Times Call."

Upon learning the names of the exercises, the two Titled Douluos immediately changed them to "Eagle Strikes the Sky" and "Phoenix Dances in the Nine Heavens," stating that they couldn't bear the original names. Han Li didn't object, as they were just radio calisthenics and not named by him. He didn't even mind if they were called "Body Conditioning Method One."

At the same time, Guang Ling informed Han Li that from tomorrow onwards, his followers' clans would come to oversee the training of Han Li and Xiu'er. Guang Ling himself was preparing to go into seclusion to break through to level 97 and refine the method. During this period, if anything came up, they should go next door to find Azure Luan.

When he came out, they would compare to see whose refined method was more effective. Azure Luan, standing aside, didn't object and just smiled at them. Compared to Guang Ling, he seemed more like the teacher.

Han Li and Xiu'er exchanged a glance and immediately flattered Guang Ling, making him feel as if he had already broken through and won even before going into seclusion.

...

In the training field, a young man dressed in black was swiftly swinging his dual blades at a figure ahead of him.

The figure in front, wearing a cyan-blue robe, held a wooden stick enveloped in soul power. He easily blocked or deflected the young man's attacks. Moreover, he would seize any opening to strike the young man's chest and wrists with the stick, causing him to repeatedly lose grip of his weapons or take a long time to resume his attacks.

"Your forehand is weak, your backhand is unskilled, your footwork is sloppy, and your reactions are slow. Are your dual blades meant for chopping vegetables? Forget about cutting someone; with your current skills, you'd have trouble killing a chicken. Is this all you've got without your airborne blade aura? Stand up and attack me again."

The two in the field were Han Li and Azure Luan. It had been three months since Guang Ling went into seclusion.

During these three months, starting from the day after Guang Ling's seclusion, his followers' clans came over, and Han Li began an arduous training regimen.

His daily schedule was packed, and even his sleep time was strictly regulated, much to the dismay of someone who enjoyed sleeping in. Guang Ling's followers were relatively considerate and wouldn't force Han Li too much. They occasionally offered some leisure time during cultural lessons to let him relax a bit.

However, Azure Luan was unrelenting. Noticing Han Li's tendency to rely on long-range blade aura while neglecting basic close combat, he decided to personally instruct him, using a small wooden stick to repeatedly strike him.

"Bang!"

Han Li couldn't hold out any longer. After Azure Luan's wooden stick struck his leg again, he collapsed, panting heavily and not caring about the dirty ground.

"Alright, that's it for today. After your medicinal bath tonight, have them give you a good massage so you can get up tomorrow," Azure Luan said, looking at the fallen Han Li and deciding to end the session.

Han Li retracted his martial soul, wiped the sweat trickling into his eyes, and couldn't help but speak, "Martial Uncle, you're too harsh. You beat me and talk trash, just like my teacher."

Having spent three months with him, Azure Luan had somewhat adapted to Han Li's manner of speaking. He smiled and replied, "Didn't you teach me this? You couldn't beat the teacher who taught you blade techniques and still talked big. In a different setting, if not for your teacher's followers, you'd have lost your head."

Han Li chuckled and retorted, "I apologized afterward and even paid a hundred gold soul coins. Didn't you see how eager he was for me to continue the next day?"

"Always with your twisted logic. Enough chatter. You did better today, lasting a minute longer than yesterday. Go clean yourself up and continue training. Later, I'll take you to your teacher's seclusion spot. There was quite a commotion there yesterday, so he's probably coming out soon," Azure Luan instructed, noticing Han Li's face, now streaked with dirt from wiping sweat.

"Got it. Just have someone notify me. I'll get a massage first; I'm in so much pain."

Han Li struggled to his feet, said his goodbyes, and limped toward his room.

Azure Luan watched the boy who constantly complained about dying yet never missed a training session, shook his head, and turned away.

"Plop!"

After washing up, Han Li jumped into a medicinal bath. Emerging from the water, he took a deep breath and lay comfortably by the pool's edge, letting the warm water flow over his body and feeling the medicine being absorbed. However, the redness and bruises still caused him discomfort, and he let out groans that could easily be misunderstood.

The door creaked open, followed by silence.

Han Li removed the towel from his face and called out without turning his head, "Alright, Sister Xiu, come on in. It's not the first time. If you keep delaying, I'll absorb all the medicinal power."

As his voice faded, Xiu'er's voice came from behind the nearby screen, "Little Li, you're so mean. I'll come out after I change."

After dawdling for a bit, Xiu'er finally emerged from behind the screen, her face flushed as she stepped into the bath but kept a distance from him. She immersed herself in the water, leaving only her head above the surface, occasionally glancing at him. When he looked back, she quickly turned her head away.

Han Li felt helpless but said nothing. Sister, it's just a medicinal bath. Why be so shy? After all, she was still wearing clothes, and he was still young. Although he had grown taller after absorbing his first soul ring and three months of training, he wasn't old enough to act mischievously.

This change started a month ago when Xiu'er finally reached level ten in her cultivation. Azure Luan had someone capture a 380-year-old Crystal Bear for her, and she successfully absorbed her first soul ring.

Perhaps because Xiu'er was already close to ten years old and girls developed faster than boys at that age, the addition of the soul ring made her grow significantly. Her feminine features became more pronounced. She also enjoyed chatting with the maids in the mansion, so now, except in formal settings, she blushed whenever they were alone, her mind seemingly filled with unknown thoughts.

"By the way, Sister Xiu, after the massage and my training, let's go to the Teacher's seclusion place. He should be coming out soon."

After soaking quietly for a while and feeling that his body had absorbed all the medicinal power, Han Li stood up, dried himself off, and changed clothes while speaking.

"Okay, Little Li. Should we prepare a gift?"

Hearing about the important matter, Xiu'er finally snapped out of her daze and pondered.

"Hah, no need. Everything we have is provided by Teacher. Just us showing up is enough."

Han Li chuckled, knowing Xiu'er was still following the noble protocols she had learned, and answered with a smile.

"Alright, I'll listen to you," Xiu'er responded with a nod.

"Okay, you continue soaking. Remember to watch the time and don't faint."

Han Li pointed at the now-standing Xiu'er, and under her embarrassed gaze, he quickly made his escape.

After receiving a massage and treatment, Han Li resumed his training. Though the past three months had been grueling, they had instilled good habits in him, significantly curbing his lazy nature. He never missed a moment of training.

Moreover, in such an excellent training environment, he felt like a fish in water. Over a month ago, he had broken through to level fourteen, and now he could faintly sense the threshold of level fifteen, ready to break through at any moment.

During his sparring with Azure Luan earlier, this feeling had intensified. With his teacher coming out of seclusion today, he was even more eager to break through.

As time passed, the sky gradually darkened. However, the mountain where the worship hall was located remained brightly lit, almost indistinguishable from daytime.

Azure Luan, who had opted to come in person rather than send a servant, was about to knock on Han Li's door when he sensed a surge in soul power inside. He paused, then smiled as he scanned the room with his spiritual power.

"This kid is progressing fast. You and your teacher sure know how to pick your moments."

Azure Luan waved to stop Xiu'er, who had just arrived, signaling that Han Li was in the middle of a breakthrough and that she should wait nearby. They stood guard outside the door.

It wasn't until the soul power fluctuations in Han Li's room had calmed down that Azure Luan, along with Xiu'er, pushed open the door and entered.

"Martial Uncle, I've broken through to level fifteen. It took a bit more time, but Teacher shouldn't have come out of seclusion yet, right?" Han Li opened his eyes and jumped directly off the bed, asking excitedly.

"Yes, well done. Guang Ling, on the other hand..."

Azure Luan nodded in satisfaction. He had only gotten halfway through his sentence when suddenly, a sharp aura burst forth from a nearby residence. Even the clouds in the sky were dispersed, and the light seemed to brighten. He paused and a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Let's go, I'll take you there. Your teacher has just broken through as well."

Without waiting for a response, Azure Luan quickly enveloped Han Li and Xiu'er in his soul power and headed toward the source of the aura.