[Wang Sheng has practiced the Tiger Subduing Fist over 500 times and has gained some insight. Host's proficiency in all ultimate techniques has increased by 5%.]
[Wang Sheng has successfully absorbed his third Spirit Ring, obtained his third spirit ability, and broken through to Rank 31. His Martial Soul has absorbed the characteristics of a Tiger King. Host's spirit power has increased by 0.1 ranks. All Spirit Ring years have been randomly increased by a value within 200 years.]
[Zhu Zhuqing has cultivated the power of the first hall of Yama, achieved minor mastery in the Crossing the Yellow Springs movement technique and the Nether Hand, and passed the knowledge assessment for the Thousand Netherworld Weapons. Reward: Host's spirit power has increased by 0.3 ranks, all Spirit Ring years have increased by 100 years. Current spirit power: Rank 74.8.]
[Ning Rongrong has achieved minor mastery in the third layer of the Golden Bell: Blood has condensed into a gel, and iron patterns have appeared on her bones. Her Wing Chun One-Inch Punch is beginning to show its edge. Reward: Host's spirit power has increased by 0.3 ranks, all Spirit Ring years have increased by 100 years. Host's current spirit power: Rank 75.1.]
[Meng Yiran has reached the entry-level of the Crossing the Yellow Springs movement technique, passed the knowledge assessment for the Thousand Netherworld Weapons, and the first wisp of necrotic energy has been born from her Necromantic Summoning art, coiling around her Snake Staff and forming the prototype of the Necromantic Snake Staff. Reward: Host's spirit power has increased by 0.2 ranks, all Spirit Ring years have been randomly increased by a value within 100 years. Host's current spirit power: Rank 75.3.]
[Meng Yiran's physical condition has met the standard. She has successfully absorbed her third Spirit Ring and broken through to Rank 31. Reward: Host's spirit power has increased by 0.2 ranks, all Spirit Ring years have increased by 150 years. Host's current spirit power: Rank 75.5!]
[...]
A month later, Taoyuan Academy was a scene of thriving prosperity.
During this month, all four students had entered the advanced stage of their special training and had made significant progress. Meng Yiran and Wang Sheng had also successfully absorbed their third Spirit Rings, reaching the Spirit Elder realm. Su Ran's own spirit power was now approaching Rank 76.
This brought Su Ran great joy.
In just over three months of accepting disciples and teaching at Taoyuan Academy, his spirit power had risen from Rank 71 to nearly Rank 76—an increase of four or five ranks. The age of his Spirit Rings had also generally increased by more than 30%, and he had obtained several ultimate techniques and a Spirit Bone.
If this continued for three years, or ten years, what heights would his power reach? He could probably achieve a state where all his Spirit Rings were over 100,000 years old.
Ring—
Ring—
Ring—
In the early morning, Wang Sheng, while practicing his Tiger Subduing Fist, walked to the blooming peach tree in front of the classroom and rang the peach blossom bell.
The students who were doing their morning exercises gathered one by one, sitting in the classroom and waiting for their teacher's lecture.
As the 'Eldest Senior Sister' of the class, Ning Rongrong sat in the center, with Zhu Zhuqing and Meng Yiran on either side of her.
"Everyone has performed well this month. You've all basically passed my monthly assessment, and your strength has increased tremendously," Su Ran said, standing at the center of the lectern. He had notes on all four students, recording their improvements, strengths, and weaknesses.
"Rongrong, I've told you before that until your Golden Bell Shield reaches great mastery, it will have a weak point. This is your vulnerability. However, from my observation, your weak point has already gotten smaller, which is commendable."
"However, your One-Inch Punch is still far from meeting my requirements. You will need to practice it more diligently in the future."
Su Ran began with Ning Rongrong's monthly evaluation.
At first, Ning Rongrong was quite happy to hear her teacher praise her. A child works hard at cultivation not just to become the strongest support, but more importantly, to become a good girl so that Teacher will look at her with new eyes. To gain Teacher's approval, make him lower his guard, and then conquer him—that is this support-type's true goal! (=^▽^=)
...
"If Teacher helps me probe the weak point of my Vajra Shield more often, it will definitely get smaller and smaller!" she whined.
"Also... Teacher, look at my hand~"
"The One-Inch Punch is just too hard to practice. You don't even feel sorry for me, hmph."
Ning Rongrong held out her right hand. Her once soft and delicate little hand was now swollen and covered in black and blue bruises from Su Ran's strict training.
"Ahem, the second stage of the One-Inch Punch is indeed difficult to practice. Later, I'll let you soak your hands in the Jade Hand Spirit Liquid; that should help."
"Okay~ I want Teacher to help me soak them, hand-in-hand~"
"Nonsense! Soak them yourself."
Su Ran looked at Ning Rongrong with a doting expression but feigned sternness, feeling a little helpless. Ever since this girl had learned to act spoiled with him, he was at a loss as to how to handle her. If she were still the arrogant and willful girl from when she first arrived, he could still bring himself to punish her severely.
Su Ran continued, "Zhuqing, your improvement has been the greatest among all of you. But don't get too complacent. The biggest problem for an agility-attack type Spirit Master is their weakness in a frontal assault, especially against a defense-type. How to break through the enemy's control-type Spirit Master while they are being protected by a defense-type or power-attack type is what you need to work on."
"Teacher, why is it 'kill the control-type first' and not the support-type?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, confused.
"I've already calculated the answer to this question for Rongrong before. I can give you the conclusion directly now: unless it's a duel between Spirit Masters at the Spirit King realm or above, the value of killing the support is not high."
"On the contrary, the control-type Spirit Master is the key to controlling the entire battlefield. As long as a control-type manages to control one of our Spirit Masters, creating an opportunity for their team to focus fire, they can easily defeat our main force, thereby turning the tide or widening the gap."
"To put it simply, for an agility-attack type, a defense-type is clumsy, a support-type has no killing power, and a power-attack type can't catch you. The only one who can counter you is a control-type Spirit Master. Once you are controlled, you lose your advantage of agility and become a living target for the enemy."
"Similarly, a skilled control-type Spirit Master will prioritize controlling the opponent's power-attack and agility-attack types," Su Ran explained calmly.
Zhu Zhuqing's cold little face seemed to register some understanding. This was the first time she had heard such a theory. It was a novel and very logical way of understanding duels.
"Meng Yiran and Wang Sheng, first of all, congratulations on breaking through to the Spirit Elder realm. However, your shortcomings are also obvious and have some similarities.
"Wang Sheng, your weakness is that you are too straightforward. Although your explosive power is strong, you lack mobility and the ability to disengage. In a team battle, you must be on high alert and pay close attention to the skills of the control-type Spirit Master."
"Yiran, you've only been 're-classing' for a month. Only your third spirit ability is a summoning-type. Your movement technique is not as refined as Zhuqing's, and hidden weapons are not something you can learn overnight. In a team battle, you need to be especially careful about the timing of your second and third spirit abilities. Your priority should be to protect yourself, look for an opportunity, and use your third ability to catch the enemy by surprise, fighting as a sub-DPS."
"Sub-DPS?" This was another term Meng Yiran was hearing for the first time. However, in the past month, she had clearly felt her strength increase. If her current self were to fight her self from a month ago, she would surely win completely.
"I'll remember that, Teacher," Meng Yiran and Wang Sheng both nodded and said.
"Mmm, very good."
Su Ran smiled. "I'm sure you've all noticed that over the past few days, I've started to integrate your training, teaching you the essentials of team battles. The flaws I just pointed out are also things you need to pay attention to in a team fight."
"Today, all training is suspended. I am taking the four of you to fulfill an agreement. You have a team battle to fight in two days. The opponent's strength should be around the Spirit Elder level. This is also your chance to test the results of this month's cultivation."
"Do you have confidence?"
"Yes!"
"But Teacher, who is our opponent?"
"The team from Shrek across the street."
"Oh, that bunch of hooligans. Just watch me beat the crap out of them."
"But, Teacher, if we win, can we get a reward?" Meng Yiran raised her hand.
"What reward do you want?" Su Ran looked at her.
"I want to see Teacher's face. I've been in the academy for a month, and I haven't even seen you once. You're not that on guard against your students, are you, Teacher? You won't even let us have a little peek?" Meng Yiran grumbled.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and raised her hand. "I second that."
"No, no! I object! I object! Zhuqing, whose side are you on?!" Ning Rongrong was so agitated she stood up.
"I... could go either way," Zhu Zhuqing said with a small smile, sitting back down without another word. To be honest, she was also very interested in what her teacher looked like. The more she learned, the more unfathomable he seemed, and she wanted to find out more. But she had made a promise to Senior Sister Rongrong not to be overly curious about his appearance.
"Senior Sister Rongrong, you're being too domineering. Why do you get to decide whether we can see Teacher's face... Teacher, will you agree or not?" Meng Yiran looked at Su Ran expectantly.
Su Ran sighed. "Internal strife is the biggest taboo in a team battle. Rongrong, as the Eldest Senior Sister, you need to be more tolerant of your junior sisters. If you cause any more trouble, I'll have to punish you."
"Teacher!!" Ning Rongrong pouted.
"Alright. If you really achieve victory, I can agree to this request. However, at that time, you must also promise me that regardless of whether what you see is ugly or beautiful, you will all remain calm. Okay?"
"Mmm! Okay!"
Teacher agreed?!
Meng Yiran and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up, filled with motivation.
It's over.
Ning Rongrong sighed.
(End of Chapter)