Shrek Academy, Back Mountain Training Base.
Originally, this place was nothing more than a deserted mountain area, excluded from the academy's standard training grounds.
But ever since Xiao Tianyang's exclusive recipes became reserved for elites, the location was repurposed into a specialized training site—effectively transforming it into a gathering place for Shrek Academy's finest.
The primary instructor here was Yu Xiaogang, with Liu Erlong serving as his assistant.
The former was responsible for designing training regimens and arranging soul power-enhancing meals, while the latter oversaw daily drills and discipline.
In addition, several other teachers from Shrek Academy had been assigned here as supervisors.
Their task was straightforward: to monitor progress.
The training was brutal, and the dropout rate was high—but so was the success rate.
At least two outstanding students had already risen to prominence.
Even if they weren't participating in this year's Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament, they were guaranteed a spot in the next one!
Xiao Tianyang acted as a special consultant and coach, though his focus was solely on the Shrek Seven Monsters and their current substitutes.
Naturally, the area was temporarily closed off—Xiao Tianyang needed to dedicate more time to their intensive training.
…
Nightfall. The moon hung high in the sky.
Pale moonlight bathed the spacious training grounds, illuminating a harsh scene—Dai Mubai and the others lay sprawled on the ground, covered in dust and bruises, gasping for breath.
On the opposite side, Saber and the other girls watched with amused malice.
"Tianyang, this isn't fair! Why are you only beating us up and not them?" Ma Hongjun struggled to his feet, his face twisted in grievance. "You're clearly favoring them just because they're girls! I'm reporting this!"
"Oh? And where exactly are you reporting me?" Xiao Tianyang tightened the bandage around his wrist, smirking. "Before leaving, Grandmaster handed full authority to me. How I arrange training is my business. And what's this about 'favoring' them? Are you accusing me of flirting?"
"Then why don't they have to suffer like us?!" Ma Hongjun protested.
"Because they're girls—and three of them even praised me. Why would I hit them?"
Xiao Tianyang's expression darkened. "Don't spout nonsense. I'm not 'beating' you—I'm training you!"
Then, the corner of his lips curled again. "But since your words just now annoyed me, I've decided to extend today's training by half!"
"Ack—!" Before Ma Hongjun could react, Oscar slammed him back to the ground, and Dai Mubai joined in with a few well-placed kicks.
Once they were done, the two dragged Ma Hongjun forward like a sack and presented him to Xiao Tianyang.
"Oh, great coach—no, I mean, oh mighty coach!" Oscar said solemnly. "This idiot has a loose tongue, but we've already disciplined him. Considering we're all classmates… could you go easy on us?"
"Good performance. I appreciate your sense of justice." Xiao Tianyang nodded approvingly. "Fine. Since you've already punished him, I'll let it slide. Back to your positions."
"Then… what you said earlier…" Dai Mubai ventured cautiously. "Does that still count?"
"From now on, you have two minutes of rest—"Xiao Tianyang's soul ring flared to life, the first ring glowing brightly.
Green flames erupted from his body, spreading outward in a blazing circle.
The moment the flames touched Dai Mubai and the others, their exhaustion and wounds vanished—their stamina and soul power instantly restored to peak condition.
Yet, instead of relief, their faces paled further.
Because they knew exactly what this meant.
"Little San, what do we do now?" Dai Mubai whispered urgently. "Tianyang's trying to train us to death!"
"There's more." Oscar added grimly. "With the extended time, we won't even get a break—we're going straight into the Devil Training Plan."
The atmosphere froze.
Only now did they realize how meticulously Xiao Tianyang had planned this—down to the very second.
"There's only one way." Tang San took a deep breath, scanning their surroundings. "We'll stall for time. Here's the plan…"
Xiao Tianyang ignored their hushed scheming.
Meanwhile, the girls on the sidelines were deep in discussion—even Xiao Wu was engaged.
Had it been anyone else, she might have been distressed seeing Tang San suffer.
But Xiao Tianyang's full recovery ability was so absurd that injuries were irrelevant.
Besides, he had privately assured her: "Only if Tang San becomes stronger will there be no obstacles between you two."
The words carried a hidden weight—one that Xiao Wu, given her unique identity, understood all too well.
Of course, Xiao Tianyang never outright revealed her secret.
There was no need.
If the involved parties remained silent, why should he interfere?
"Senior Jiang Zhu, are you alright?" Ning Rongrong noticed Jiang Zhu's unusual silence. "You seem off. Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, I just think this is a bit too extreme." Jiang Zhu hesitated. "What if it affects our later training?"
"Don't worry. Brother Tianyang knows his limits." Xiao Wu reassured her. "Look at them—they're perfectly fine now. If it were truly harmful, he wouldn't have arranged it this way."
"Alright." Jiang Zhu relented, then shifted the topic. "Still, Junior Tianyang's healing abilities are incredible. It's way faster and more effective than even the Nine Heart Flowering Apple."
"Why else would he dare call himself a Comprehensive Soul Master?" Zhu Zhuqing's gaze lingered on Xiao Tianyang, her voice low. "Besides… I can tell he's still holding back."
"Wait, he hasn't gone all out yet?!" Ning Rongrong's eyes widened.
"If you want the truth, Saber would know best." Zhu Zhuqing turned to Saber, who had remained silent.
Among the five girls, Xiao Wu had grown up with Tang San and knew Xiao Tianyang only peripherally.
But Saber was different.
According to them she was his childhood friend—they trained together, traveled together.
In short, no one here understood Xiao Tianyang's true strength better than her.
…
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