After finishing their meal, both of them were satisfied. Since there were no classes afterward, Xiao Ling returned to the dormitory to rest. Lu Tianming, however, still had his training to complete and headed straight for the academy playground.
By the time he arrived, someone was already there, standing quietly as if he had been waiting for a long time.
"Oh? You finally came. Good."
Tie Xiong turned around, a faint smile on his face.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Senior Brother." Lu Tianming replied with a slight bow. Although the delay wasn't intentional, he still felt it was his responsibility.
"It's fine. Let's get to the point." Tie Xiong nodded, accepting the apology without much concern.
The two soon moved toward the center of the playground. Lu Tianming stood opposite Tie Xiong, and as their gazes met, the surrounding air seemed to tighten. Their stances made it clear—this was the beginning of a spar.
"Xiao Lu, you'll attack first," Tie Xiong said casually. "Just remember—no using soul power."
"Alright." Lu Tianming answered, but his expression was serious.
This was not a casual match to him.
A few days ago, he had already witnessed the true strength hidden behind this ever-smiling senior brother. Tie Xiong was a Level 19 Soul Master, possessing a hundred-year yellow soul ring. More importantly, his martial soul was the Battle Bear, a pure power-type martial soul known for overwhelming strength.
Against such an opponent, any carelessness would mean defeat—perhaps even in a single exchange. Lu Tianming understood this clearly. Moreover, he wasn't here just to spar, but to learn.
And that alone was reason enough to give it his all.
As the wind whistled across the empty playground, Lu Tianming stomped the ground lightly and shot forward.
There was nothing fancy about his movement—no hidden footwork, no secret technique. It was simply a straightforward dash, backed by determination and the will to fight.
As the distance closed, his fingers clenched into a fist and he threw a direct punch toward Tie Xiong's face.
Tie Xiong calmly raised his palm and caught the fist mid-air. He did not counterattack, nor did he exert any extra strength, acting more like a teacher correcting a student than an opponent in battle.
Lu Tianming immediately withdrew half a step and launched another punch, then another, his movements continuous and decisive.
Yet every strike was effortlessly deflected by Tie Xiong's palm, as if he had already seen through all of Lu Tianming's intentions.
This was not due to any profound technique or mysterious foresight. Rather, it was because these were the most basic fighting methods—methods commonly used by students from humble backgrounds.
Those without resources had no masters to guide them, no manuals to study, and no time to cultivate without worry. What they relied on was instinct, simplicity, and persistence.
To Tie Xiong, Lu Tianming's straightforward attacks held nothing unfamiliar. After all, in the beginning, he had walked the very same path.
After countless exchanges, Lu Tianming's breathing grew ragged, sweat soaking his clothes. His movements slowed, exhaustion clearly showing on his face. Tie Xiong, on the other hand, still stood tall and steady, unmoving like a mountain.
Seeing the vast gap between them, Lu Tianming grits his teeth and forced himself to continue.
At that moment, Tie Xiong raised his hand and stopped him.
"Alright, that's enough for now," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I've already gotten a general idea of how much you understand about proper combat."
"How… how much?" Lu Tianming asked, breathing heavily as he struggled to steady himself.
"Practically nothing." Tie Xiong shrugged, his tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"Huh?" Lu Tianming froze, stunned by the blunt reply. He had poured all his focus and effort into every move, yet in his senior brother's eyes, it amounted to nothing.
However, after a brief moment of thought, he accepted it.
He had never truly learned how to fight. Without guidance, without instruction, how could his methods be anything more than crude instinct?
"I know it's hard to accept," Tie Xiong said when he saw Lu Tianming fall silent. "But this is the truth. You must first accept it before you can improve."
"I accept it."
Lu Tianming pushed himself up from the ground, straightened his back, and bowed deeply.
"Senior Brother, please teach me how to fight properly."
Stunned for a moment by Lu Tianming's actions, Tie Xiong suddenly burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Hahaha!"
"Good, good!" he said loudly, his eyes shining. "That's the spirit a warrior should have—knowing your own weakness, yet still daring to pursue strength. Very good!"
Lu Tianming remained silent.
He did not laugh. He did not smile. There wasn't even a trace of relief on his face. Instead, his gaze was firm and calm, as if he had already accepted the long, thorn-filled road ahead. No matter how difficult it was, he was prepared to walk it—step by step—to become stronger.
"Alright," Tie Xiong said, finally restraining his laughter. "I'll teach you—but not today. Tomorrow, we'll go meet a special person, in a special place. There, you'll learn what real combat is."
His tone grew heavier.
"Even killing… can be learned there."
"Special person? Special place?" Lu Tianming asked, confusion flashing across his face. "Senior Brother, I don't understand."
"You don't need to understand," Tie Xiong replied with a wide grin. "Just be prepared to face hell. Hahaha!"
With that, he waved his hand, signaling Lu Tianming to leave.
Lu Tianming nodded and turned away.
Watching his departing figure, Tie Xiong's smile slowly softened. Without lingering, he headed toward the teaching building.
…
…
Inside the Vice Dean's office, Luo Guixing and Mu Bing were already seated, as if they had been waiting for someone.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Luo Guixing said.
The door opened, and Tie Xiong stepped inside.
Both pairs of eyes immediately turned toward him, filled with unspoken questions.
After taking a deep breath, Tie Xiong smiled.
"He agreed."
"Oh?" Luo Guixing's eyes narrowed slightly. Then he nodded. "In that case, it's settled. Mu Bing—since your martial soul is similar to his, guiding him will be your responsibility. Tie Xiong will assist with sparring and other training."
"Of course, I'll help." Mu Bing replied with a gentle smile. "But don't forget what you promised me."
That same sweet smile sent an inexplicable chill down both men's spines.
"Haha… of course," Luo Guixing laughed nervously. "I've already promised."
Sensing that the atmosphere was turning dangerous, Tie Xiong wisely excused himself. He was still young and had no intention of getting involved in a couple's dispute.
…
…
On the other side of the academy, Lu Tianming sat quietly on his bed, a notebook and pen in his hands. His brows were slightly furrowed as he carefully planned his daily routine.
"From today onward, classes will be held regularly—from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon," he muttered while writing.
"Excluding meals… that leaves me with eighteen to twenty hours."
He paused, calculating carefully.
"Six hours of sleep is necessary for proper growth. Two hours of self-study are necessary for knowledge."
His pen stopped.
"That leaves me with around ten to twelve hours."
After a moment of thought, he wrote decisively:
"Let's say eleven hours a day… for training and cultivation."
Lu Tianming stared at the page, his eyes burning with determination.
"How should I arrange it?"
After pondering for a moment, Lu Tianming wrote again:
"Morning and the time before sleeping will be reserved for soul power cultivation. As for physical and combat training, I'll follow whatever arrangements Senior Brother makes."
After finishing, he closed the notebook and placed it neatly aside.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Lu Tianming slowly calmed his breathing. His scattered thoughts settled, and his mind entered a state of tranquility.
Soon, faint fluctuations of soul power began to circulate within his body.
Another night of cultivation had begun.
/////
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