area51novel Chapter 59 Refusing to Carry the Burden, Focusing on Growing Taller
Chapter 59 Refusing to Carry the Burden, Focusing on Growing Taller
Yu Xiaogang was speechless. Tang San was indeed not tall, even rather short among his peers. For a moment, he didn't know how to answer.
Yan Zu continued, "We are only twelve or thirteen years old, and our bones are still developing. Running laps with weights can cause great damage to the knee joints and spine, especially long-term, high-intensity weight training, which can cause irreversible damage."
After a pause, Yan Zu continued, "Where did you learn this training method? Is it based on practical experience? Are there any successful cases? Or is it just some unverified martial spirit theory?"
"You...you're utterly unreasonable!" Yu Xiaogang trembled with rage, pointing at Yan Zu. "How can a Soul Master's cultivation be concerned with such sentimentalities and outward appearances? So what if you're short? As long as you're strong, even a dwarf can stand firm in the Soul Master world!"
"But I don't want to be a dwarf, and I don't want Xiaowu and the others to become shortys." Yan Zu's tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Master, there are many ways to hone one's foundation; it doesn't necessarily have to be a damaging method like running laps with weights. Besides..."
Yan Zu continued, "Don't you have any other training methods besides this obviously harmful one?"
Xiao Wu paused for a moment, then blinked her big eyes, grabbed Yan Zu's arm tightly, and nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes! Brother Zu is right! I want to grow taller! What if I stop growing!"
Ning Rongrong reacted instantly, her glassy eyes widening as she feigned a look of lingering fear: "Oh my god! Not growing taller? No way! My father said that for girls, both temperament and height are very important! Master, your training is unscientific!"
Zhu Zhuqing's lips twitched almost imperceptibly. She glanced silently at her already rather long legs and said nothing. But she was determined not to participate in this kind of training.
Yu Xiaogang's face turned pale and then red: "This is the conclusion I've reached after years of research on martial spirits and the limits of the human body..."
"Research?" Yan Zu smiled slightly, a smile that was gentle yet sharp. "Have you studied the laws of human skeletal development? Have you studied the long-term effects of weight training on minors? Or do you simply believe that 'hard work' equals 'effectiveness,' and 'hard training' equals 'progress'?"
Yu Xiaogang's lips trembled slightly as he tried to refute, but he realized that he had no knowledge in this area at all.
He studies martial soul mutation, soul ring configuration, and soul power circulation. Where would he have studied anything about bone development?
Yan Zu stepped forward, his voice soft but clear: "Master Yu, we are willing to train and endure hardship. But please use methods proven effective in practice, instead of using us as guinea pigs. If you insist on using methods that may harm your health, then I'm sorry, we—will not participate."
After speaking, he bowed slightly to Flander, turned and left. Xiao Wu and the others exchanged glances and also turned and left, leaving Yu Xiaogang standing there with a livid face.
Flander hesitated for a moment and did not stop Yan Zu and the others. It was fine with the others, but the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was here. If the training was really harmful, Ning Fengzhi could tear down Shrek Academy and skin Yu Xiaogang alive... well, probably including his own.
On the playground, Tang San's face darkened. He looked down at the basket on his back, which he had already filled with stones, and felt that it suddenly felt much heavier.
Ma Hongjun leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Xiao San, do you think... she really won't grow taller?"
Tang San gritted his teeth: "...Shut up and focus on training."
Ma Hongjun shrank back, but still secretly reduced the weight of his basket by half. Dai Mubai was even more decisive; taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he simply slipped away.
The four returned to the training ground in the backyard of Liuli Residence and began their daily training. This training ground was built at Ning Rongrong's expense. The ground was paved with smooth bluestone, and several stone pillars for tempering soul power were placed around it. A sunshade was also specially set up, making it much more comfortable than the academy's playground.
Ning Rongrong sat cross-legged on the futon, the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda floating in her palm, its light flickering. Her eyes darted around, clearly distracted, and she muttered to herself, "Amplification... I need to concentrate..." Before she could finish speaking, her body swayed slightly and she leaned to the side—she had actually dozed off against Yan Zu's shoulder!
Yan Zu reluctantly opened his eyes, gathering a wisp of Nine Yin True Qi at his fingertips and precisely pressing it on her Jianjing acupoint. Ning Rongrong cried out "Ouch!" and her spirits lifted instantly, the light of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda stabilizing immediately.
"Ah Zu, you're bullying me!" she pouted, looking aggrieved.
"Focus on your cultivation." Yan Zu's voice was gentle yet authoritative. "You've only just begun practicing the Nine Yin Manual, and your soul power circulation is already rudimentary. If you get distracted, you're prone to qi deviation."
"Okay..." Ning Rongrong agreed verbally, but while Yan Zu had his eyes closed, she secretly made a face at him, then flashed to the other side of the training ground: "I'm going to practice the Six Meridians Divine Sword over there, I won't disturb you!"
As soon as she ran away, she lost control of her speed and crashed headfirst into the artificial hill, rubbing her forehead in pain.
Beside them, Xiao Wu was playfully fighting with Xiao Yu across species. "Xiao Yu, take this!" Xiao Wu leaped up, unleashing her Wind God Leg - Catching the Wind and Shadows, her body flipping three times in the air as she kicked towards Xiao Yu.
Xiaoyu was having too much fun, and the auspicious aura lifted Xiaowu higher and higher in the air. Suddenly, with a sudden acceleration, Xiaowu screamed and was thrown out.
"Ah!" She nimbly somersaulted in the air, arched her back, and landed precisely in Yan Zu's arms.
"Xiao Wu!" Ning Rongrong stomped her foot angrily, "You two can cultivate, but stop showing off your love!"
Xiao Wu climbed out of Yan Zu's arms, stuck out her tongue, and said, "Hehe, my mistake!"
Yan Zu rubbed his chest, which was a little sore from the impact, and said with a wry smile, "Can you two just shut up for a bit?"
Zhu Zhuqing stood at the edge of the training ground, watching the three laughing and joking. A rare smile appeared on her usually cold and beautiful face. She looked at Yan Zu. He was so gentle and tolerant towards everyone, nourishing their bodies with his cooking skills and guiding their cultivation with patience. This composure and insight quietly left a deeper impression on her heart.
After their cultivation session, the four returned to the Glazed Residence. Ning Rongrong slumped into a chair, exhausted, but still couldn't resist complaining, "Cultivation is so tiring! Next time, Grandfather, you should cook more dishes to boost your stamina!"
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement: "Yes, yes! I want to eat something that can increase my speed!"
Yan Zu smiled and agreed, "Alright, I'll make you 300-year-old Swiftwind Rabbit meat tomorrow; it can improve your speed and reaction time."
Xiao Wu? Rabbit meat? I guess I really need to discipline my little brother often! Otherwise, he'll start tearing the roof off the house!
Zhu Zhuqing silently poured four cups of calming tea and handed them to the three of them: "Have some tea to calm your breathing." She looked at Yan Zu with gratitude and approval in her eyes. This peaceful and warm life was exactly what she had always longed for.
It was late at night, and Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were fast asleep, nestled on either side of Yan Zu, their breathing even. Yan Zu gently covered them with the blankets, then got up and went into the courtyard.
He looked up at the night sky, his mind flashing back to his parents' figures, the smoke rising from the chimneys of Five Souls Village, and the time he spent at Notting Academy, finally settling on the smiling faces of those around him. Life at Liuli Residence was warm and comfortable, but it also strengthened his resolve to move forward—he wanted to protect this warmth.
(Thanks to the user "Time Rift" for the monthly pass support.)