Chapter 1629: Chapter 77: The Perilous Return Journey_2

Five days later, the bell rang, and Dean Tang Luo came to the quiet room once again.

Sunken cheeks and dry, peeling lips — several days without food or drink had weakened Feng Shixing, who was once sturdy as a tiger or leopard, yet his eyes had become all the more spirited.

“Have you thought it through?”

Tang Luo settled down opposite Feng Shixing and asked gently.

“I have made it clear.”

In his hoarse and dry voice was an indescribable determination: “These past days, I’ve been pondering over what has allowed me to maintain my daily practice relentlessly for over thirty years, braving the severe cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer, never once slacking off. Only now have I come to a realization — it is my love, my love for boxing, martial arts, fighting with others, and distinguishing victory from defeat. If there’s gain in win or loss, all the better.”

“Desire is what sustains my continual cultivation, therefore, unless something unexpected happens, the most robust among my three souls should be the ghostly essence!”

Such accurate self-assessment…

“Then have you decided to use the Visualizing method for Soul Casting?”

Tang Luo asked, neither approving nor disapproving.

“No, I have felt the pain of having overwhelming desires but insufficient abilities. If I were to use the Visualizing method to strengthen my ghostly essence, I fear you would see a madman emerge, one who eschews humanity and will stop at nothing.”

Feng Shixing spoke with a calm expression, evaluating himself as if he were an outsider.

“So, what is your final decision?”

“The Mirroring Spirits method!”

Feng Shixing’s eyes sparkled with resolve as he raised his hands: “I want to see how far I can go, with the innate light I was born with and these fists!”

Listening to the other’s choice, Tang Luo did not immediately respond but took another careful look at the man before him.

He had thought that after practicing the Five Elements Fist Manual, this person would use the Mirroring Spirits to forge one of his five souls to resonate with the strongest Boxing Intent.

Such a method of Soul Casting, combined with Feng Shixing’s Tiger and Leopard Fist Intent, would certainly make him formidable for a time, but in the end, the path would narrow.

The ultimate limit of Five Forms Fist is only so high; even with Feng Shixing’s exceptional boxing talent and innate genius, without some serendipitous encounter, not to mention reaching the level of Titled-class Experts, it would be strenuous even to become an ordinary Martial Ancestor.

Yet choosing the Mirroring Spirits method for Soul Casting, given his natural pride and undefeated record in his early years, his minimum achievement in the future would be that of a Martial Ancestor.

This is a true case where choice trumps effort. Originally, Tang Luo thought that if Feng Shixing rang the bell not for the purpose of Mirroring Spirits Soul Casting, he would let him ponder more deeply. Now, it seems there’s no need to waste time.

After all, Soul Casting is a matter that requires full belief and a heart free of distractions for success. This Tiger of Ningxiang Road seems to be blessed with good fortune indeed.

Actually, the Mirroring Spirits method of Soul Casting is difficult and yet, in a way, facile.

Backed by the project of creating gods, nearly ten divine souls have emerged from the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Tang Luo. For the dean who can handle fabrication with finesse, forging a divine soul is a giveaway.

Moreover, since Feng Shixing himself indeed possesses exceptional talent, and the five-day self-inquiry has yielded a firm resolve, the process of Mirroring Spirits Soul Casting went incredibly smoothly.

In just over a month, the Tiger of Ningxiang Road not only forged a divine soul but, following the curriculum goals given by Tang Luo, he controlled it with remarkable mastery.

Whether it was the summoning of soul thought, the locking of divine sense, or the application of soul power, he displayed the prowess of a warrior who had been immersed in the Fierce Realm for many years.

In addition to Soul Casting, Tang Luo also reviewed Feng Shixing’s current martial arts.

The integration of muscular strength is a task that cannot be hurried, but integrating Boxing Intent with Spiritual Power and then manipulating the divine soul to amplify attacks is something that can be achieved immediately.

Though Feng Shixing could not successfully integrate every time, the occasional successful strike had the power of a top-tier Mysterious State. From the perspective of just starting the transformation from Mortal Realm, it was already quite astonishing.

However, the course was too short, and the shortcomings of physical cultivation were still blatantly apparent in the Tiger of Ningxiang Road — short hands.

When combating opponents of the same realm, seizing the initiative is extremely important. Whoever gains the upper hand can maintain a strong position and defeat the enemy in one fell swoop.

Unless a physical cultivator ambushes, it is difficult to get an opportunity for close contact, and even if they get close, they must first deal with the opponent’s body-protecting techniques and Spiritual Armor.

When body cultivators battle against spiritual cultivators, they mostly rely on agile movements to get close. However, this approach has a drawback: the closer they get, the more accurate and fierce the spiritual cultivators’ Spirit Arts become.

“So, for body cultivators to not be at a disadvantage in battle, they must abandon the habit of short-ranged combat learned in the Mortal Realm and cultivate a secret technique that snatches the initiative.”

As Tang Luo spoke, he blended into the darkness, and to Feng Shixing’s astonishment, gently tapped his back.

“Retractive Breath Technique, is a major asset for body cultivators when battling spiritual cultivators, as well as a killing weapon.”

“Most spiritual cultivators do not act on impulse and lack a sense of vigilance born from life-and-death situations, so they very much depend on spiritual energy perception. If one can conceal one’s aura, it is possible to close the distance soundlessly and launch a lethal combo.”

“Another aspect is the coherence and ‘stickiness’ of martial techniques. It’s a huge loss if, after finally getting close, your punches end up throwing your opponent far away.”

From the perspective of physical arts, Tang Luo detailed to Feng Shixing the difficulties body cultivators face when battling against spiritual cultivators after transcending the Mortal Realm, concluding: “But I still suggest that you cultivate a set of lethal Spirit Arts as your killing weapon, preferably desperate techniques that can end the fight in one blow. After all, with a soul amplification factor of 2.1, it’s like putting the cart before the horse to focus solely on body arts. When your boxing skills reach a bottleneck, consider trying Spirit Arts.

“Alright, this is your tailored course, clear and understandable until you reach the Master realm.”

From beginning to end, Feng Shixing listened quietly, just as humble as when he was studying on Red Cloud Mountain, until Tang Luo announced the end of the course, and only then did he begin to come back to his senses.

“…Why does the headmaster treat his disciple so well?”

Huh, there are students who complain about teachers being too good to them.

Somewhat speechless, Tang Luo retorted: “With your intelligence, why don’t you guess?”

“Ever since Soul Casting, the headmaster has always advised his disciple on how to avoid spiritual cultivator attacks, on how to play to one’s strengths and avoid weaknesses. It seems the headmaster is certain that the disciple will soon encounter such opponents, so the disciple dares to guess that the road back to Ningxiang is not going to be peaceful.”

Warriors who claw their way up from the bottom may have limited perspective and insight, but their perception of danger is exceedingly sharp.

After Soul Casting, Feng Shixing still maintained such clarity, truly worthy of being the initial disciple of Unparalleled Management Department.

“The best standard to test one’s accomplishments is actual combat. The more Wind Media from Longzhou lurking outside, the more covetous eyes are behind them.”

With a smile, Tang Luo said: “They dare not provoke Unparalleled City, but they have no scruples about ambushing you, so for this return trip, you need to be mentally prepared.”

Without any mincing of words, Feng Shixing felt a strong tide of bloodlust hit him, despite having broken through to a higher realm and forged a powerful soul, making him feel like a dry leaf in the vast ocean, a single wave could bury him in the abyss.

For him, the journey through the Fierce Realm was only just beginning; he still had countless lessons to get stronger left to complete, how could he be willing to waste time on this.

“Perhaps… can’t the disciple slip away unnoticed, avoiding everyone’s eyes?”

“It’s not impossible, but be prepared to quietly meet your demise.”

Tang Luo said evenly: “Now, all sorts of powers’ eyes and ears fill Unparalleled City, and the periphery is teeming with birds and spirit birds. It won’t be easy to leave unnoticed, not even for a burrowing mouse, let alone a living person.”

“…”

A blessing could be the forerunner of a disaster.

Feng Shixing had long known that being the first to eat a crab meant facing subsequent challenges, but he didn’t expect the challenge to arrive so explosively.

Just entering the Fierce Realm, he already faced such murderous intent from many powerful factions. He had never felt such magnitude of malice before.

“There’s no need to worry too much.”

Seeing the first disciple of the Management Department flustered, Tang Luo comforted him: “You’ve just entered the Fierce Realm, it’s not shameful to lose. If you meet an unbeatable opponent, just turn and flee. As long as you survive, there will be opportunities.”

“But… with so many eyes in Longzhou watching, if the disciple flees without fighting, what about Unparalleled Academy’s reputation?”

Feng Shixing didn’t like being controlled by others, but he was even more afraid of being indebted. He had gained more at Unparalleled Academy in recent days than he had in his forty years of martial arts practice.

Even if just for the headmaster’s teaching grace, he couldn’t tarnish the image of Unparalleled Academy.