3. Four Years

First Step – Learning to Swim

For Quan Yi, the first priority was learning how to swim.

In both his past life and this one, he had never learned to swim before. Thus, for the first few weeks, he spent hours submerged in water, gradually familiarizing himself with its resistance and buoyancy.

At first, simply staying afloat was a challenge. But as time passed, his body adapted—his muscles learned to coordinate, and soon, he could float on the water's surface.

Once he mastered floating, he began swinging his limbs, testing his control over movement in the water.

Being submerged for extended periods consumed far more energy than expected, yet it was gentle on the bones and joints—a perfect form of endurance training.

As Quan Yi persisted, his confidence in this training method grew stronger.

Beyond his training, the soul beast meat brought him an unexpected surprise.

The carefully marinated soul beast meat, after being expertly roasted by his mother, Su Ling'er, turned into a mouthwatering delicacy—golden and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, filling the air with an irresistible aroma.

But more importantly—it had a tangible effect on his body.

The moment he swallowed the first bite, a faint warmth spread from his stomach.

At first, the sensation was subtle. But as time passed, this warm current spread throughout his limbs, washing away fatigue and accelerating his body's recovery.

With this unexpected energy replenishment, Quan Yi's training efficiency skyrocketed.

After confirming its effects, he intensified his regimen—pushing his body beyond its limits, then repairing and strengthening it through soul beast meat and rest.

This brutal cycle of destruction and regeneration forged his body into something stronger.

Of course, such extreme training came with immense pain.

But there was one thing that kept him going—the soul beast meat.

Su Ling'er, being a fire-attributed Soul Master, controlled heat with masterful precision. Every piece of roasted soul beast meat was cooked to perfection, its texture melting in his mouth, rich with flavor and nutrients.

With intense training, a highly effective recovery method, and sufficient sleep, Quan Yi's body underwent a shocking transformation.

His speed and endurance increased rapidly.

To push himself further, he constantly changed his breathing patterns, forcing his body to adapt to irregular rhythms, making training even more challenging.

His days became a cycle of training, eating, and resting.

Yet, even outside of training, Quan Yi refused to be idle.

In his remaining free time, he devoured knowledge about Martial Souls, soul beasts, and soul rings.

With each book he read, his understanding deepened. The vast world of Soul Masters unfolded before him, filling him with yearning.

The more he learned, the stronger his desire became.

Mighty soul skills, fearsome soul beasts, powerful Martial Souls—

If he wanted to experience these firsthand, there was only one path—

He had to become a Soul Master.

This thought ignited a fire within him, driving him to train even harder.

Four Years Later

In the blink of an eye, four years had passed.

Now six years old, Quan Yi had achieved astonishing results.

He could now swim 500 meters in under 20 minutes.

His total daily swimming distance had reached an astounding 2000 meters—

And it wasn't just a casual swim.

He swam with constant acceleration, varying rhythms, and controlled breathing, turning each session into a test of both endurance and technique.

As the morning training session came to an end, Quan Yi leaned against the edge of the pool, stretching out his arms, basking in the tranquility.

His chest rose and fell steadily, displaying defined muscle contours—clear proof of his hard work.

But the most striking transformation was in his shoulders.

Years of intense swimming had broadened them unnaturally, giving him an imposing frame. Combined with his narrow waist and muscular torso, his physique exuded an aura of raw power.

Looking at himself, one might think of the phrase—

"A tiger's back and a wolf's waist."

His outstretched arms, laced with thick veins, displayed a sharp yet balanced definition—

This was a body carved through relentless effort.

Every muscle, every fiber had been honed through four years of extreme training.

And today… was the day he had been waiting for.

Today was the day Quan Yi would awaken his Martial Soul.

Everything—his effort, his dreams, his destiny—would be revealed on this day.

As usual, Su Ling'er approached Quan Yi with a stack of dry towels in her hands, gently handing them over.

"Xiaoyi, today is the Martial Soul Awakening Day for the clan. There's no need to swim anymore."

Her voice carried an undeniable warmth, her eyes brimming with pride.

Over the past four years, she had watched her son dedicate himself to relentless training. Though his sweat had long been washed away by the flowing stream, the effort and determination he poured into his growth would never be forgotten.

If not for the need to keep a low profile, Su Ling'er would have loved to boast about her exceptional son to the world.

Today was the day of verification.

Yet, strangely enough, Su Ling'er felt no worry in her heart—only excitement.

She couldn't wait to see her son create a miracle.

"Mom, I think I've gotten too used to swimming. If I skip a session, I feel a little restless."

Despite the significance of the day, Quan Yi showed no nervousness.

His tone was calm, as if it were just another morning.

Four years of rigorous training had not only refined his body—but also forged his mind.

This was a mental journey.

No one could truly predict their innate soul power.

Unlike physical training, where effort directly translated to results, cultivating without any confirmation was akin to running in the dark—blind, uncertain, but driven by pure belief.

More than once, doubt had crept into his heart.

More than once, he had been tempted to stop.

But he had crushed those uncertainties with sheer perseverance.

And now, the moment of truth was here.

Whether his efforts would bear fruit, he would soon find out.

"Mother, I'm starving. I feel like I could eat two whole plates of soul beast meat today."

Su Ling'er chuckled.

"Then you're in luck. I already prepared breakfast. I stewed the remaining metal- and fire-attributed soul beast meat together. You can eat as much as you want."

In the family dining hall, Su Ling'er brought over a basin-sized plate—

Towering mountains of steaming, fragrant soul beast meat sat within, glistening with juices.

The sight alone made Quan Yi's stomach rumble in anticipation.

The moment the plate hit the table, he wasted no time digging in.

Each bite was succulent and flavorful, the powerful essence of the soul beasts surging into his body.

By the time he finished, he was completely satisfied.

Just as Quan Yi was basking in post-meal contentment, Quan Yue entered the room.

"Xiao Yi, the carriage is ready. We can leave whenever you're prepared."

Without hesitation, Quan Yi stood up.

"Father, I'm ready."

Quan Yue had initially planned to offer words of encouragement, but as he met his son's steady gaze, he knew—

Quan Yi didn't need comforting.

His expression was calm, his demeanor unwavering.

'This boy… even in a moment like this, he remains composed. As expected of my son.'

Pride swelled in Quan Yue's chest. He had witnessed firsthand the endless effort his son had put into preparing for this day.

And he firmly believed—Quan Yi would create a miracle.

He patted his son's shoulder and smiled.

"Alright, let's go. Let's shock the world."

A flicker of burning determination lit up in Quan Yi's eyes.

"Yes."

Outside the Martial Soul Temple

At the grand entrance of the Martial Soul Temple, the city's school-age children had gathered.

Today, they would each awaken their Martial Souls.

Parents stood nearby, anxiously watching their children, silently praying that they would awaken powerful Martial Souls and earn the opportunity to become Soul Masters.

Amidst the crowd, however, a particular figure stood alone.

A vacuum of space had formed around him—

Quan Yi.

Unlike the other children, who huddled together, whispering in excitement or nervousness, he stood tall and unshaken.

He had inherited his parents' naturally tall stature, and despite being only six years old, he was already the height of a ten-year-old child.

But it wasn't just his height that set him apart.

Four years of intense training had sculpted his body into something far beyond his age.

Even beneath his thin single-layered clothes, his physique was evident—

Broad shoulders, a tapered waist, and muscles honed through relentless discipline.

His calm yet imposing aura made him stand out even more, causing the surrounding children to instinctively step away.

The sun blazed high in the sky, casting scorching heat upon the earth.

At last, the doors to the Martial Soul Temple swung open.

The waiting Martial Soul Hall personnel stepped forward, their gaze sweeping over the gathered children.

"Enter in an orderly manner."

The long-awaited Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony had officially begun.