Chapter 137: Bone Douluo's Harsh Training
Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo quietly left Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with a group of people.
The next morning, Yang Xiong followed Bone Douluo to the training ground.
Bone Douluo looked at Yang Xiong with great seriousness. "Yang Xiong, I know you've been practicing my "Path of Defense" book since you were young, and you've made some progress. But do you know what the strongest defense is?"
Yang Xiong thought for a moment. "Teacher Bone Douluo, I believe the strongest defense is an incredibly strong body, a truly powerful physical condition, and also relying on defensive soul skills to enhance oneself."
Bone Douluo nodded. "That's correct. You do have some research in defense, but it's still too one-sided and simple."
"Whether it's your previous body training or absorbing defensive-type soul rings, that's not the essence of defense. The strongest defense needs an absolutely powerful willpower, the determination to stand firm even in the face of the strongest attacks."
"In all these years, the only soul masters who have truly achieved something in defense are the Elephant Armor Sect and the Yu Family. They have strong defensive martial souls, but more importantly, they have some inheritance and body training methods."
"Actually, when it comes to defense, many martial souls are even stronger than the Armored Giant Lizard and Diamond Mammoth. Take, for example, the Xuanming Turtle martial soul from your first soul ring, or the Xuanwu Turtle martial soul from the Shi brothers, or even the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus Rex martial soul, which can also achieve extreme defense. But why aren't they strong in this aspect? Why haven't any true masters of defense emerged from these martial souls? This is related to their cultivation methods and inheritance."
"In my eyes, defense can only be achieved through one's own willpower, enduring enemy attacks over and over again until you break through yourself."
Yang Xiong seemed to be deep in thought after hearing this. He had always thought he had some understanding of defense, but now it seemed like there was something else to consider.
Bone Douluo casually waved his hand, and suddenly, countless sharp bones shot toward Yang Xiong.
Yang Xiong was startled and immediately summoned his martial soul and soul ring. His body immediately turned silver.
Facing the sharp bone spikes, Yang Xiong quickly dodged the attacks, occasionally punching the incoming spikes.
However, these bone spikes were incredibly tricky, coming from different directions and attacking the relatively weak spots on his body, such as his head and joints. Very quickly, Yang Xiong began to struggle, with several wounds appearing on his body. If not for his quick reactions, some of the spikes would have pierced his eyes.
After just a few minutes, Yang Xiong was already panting heavily at the edge of the training ground. He was covered in injuries and had lost a considerable amount of blood.
Bone Douluo stopped the attack. "Yang Xiong, in terms of defense, even at the Soul Sect or Soul King level, you have few rivals. But just now, I only used my Soul Sect-level strength, and yet you seemed quite vulnerable."
Yang Xiong's face turned slightly red. He had been very confident in his defense, but now it seemed that he had encountered a different form of attack.
As Bone Douluo had said, the attack had not been particularly powerful and was not very fast—it was likely only Soul Sect-level.
Yet, this level of attack had still been able to injure him continuously. Aside from Bone Douluo's own strength, his long-term study of defense had made him more aware of his opponent's weaknesses.
Bone Douluo then pointed at Yang Xiong, and a terrifying soul power seemed to strike toward him.
Yang Xiong's face tightened, and he quickly crossed his arms in front of him, hardening his muscles and bones to their limits, using his self-created soul skill: Steel Bone.
But Bone Douluo's soul power suddenly changed. What had been an attack now dispersed rapidly, and it felt like Yang Xiong was being struck by countless attacks all over his body, especially his weak points.
Yang Xiong was horrified, not expecting the attack to be used in this way.
Bone Douluo shook his head. "Yang Xiong, you're still too green and weak. You don't understand what true defense really is."
"Defense isn't just about a powerful body. It's about forming a cohesive whole with your body. Especially since your soul power circulation is still very rough. No matter how strong you make your body, there will always be weaknesses. The technique I just used is something even a normal Soul Emperor should be able to master."
Yang Xiong quickly spoke up. "Please, Teacher, guide me!"
Bone Douluo shook his head. "This isn't something that can be taught directly. You need to experience countless battles and gradually understand it yourself. Try using your strongest attack to strike at me."
Yang Xiong thought carefully for a moment. His eyes suddenly became extremely sharp, and he quickly formed a golden spiral ball in his hand, pouring all his strength into it, and hurled it at Bone Douluo.
The spiral ball had been infused with strong golden properties, and its rotation speed was extremely fast. It was definitely not something an ordinary soul master could withstand.
However, to Yang Xiong's surprise, when the spiral ball struck Bone Douluo, it seemed to encounter some kind of resistance. The spiral ball, which was 50 centimeters in diameter and covered Bone Douluo's neck and head, seemed to lose its force at the moment of contact.
Bone Douluo didn't move an inch. The soul power around him seemed to pulse slightly, but this pulse was enough to dissipate Yang Xiong's full-force attack, and Yang Xiong himself was sent back from the recoil.
Yang Xiong began to understand Bone Douluo's point. After years of body training and refinement, Bone Douluo's body seemed to have developed a natural response to enemy attacks. Or perhaps, the soul power around him had formed an instinctive reaction.
Bone Douluo asked, "Do you understand now?"
Yang Xiong nodded. "Teacher, I think your body and soul power have formed some kind of instinct. Not only is your body as hard as iron, but certain weak spots seem to behave differently."
Bone Douluo nodded. "You're observing closely, but it's still far from enough. Since you know your body has weak spots, haven't you considered training those weak spots' ability to withstand impact?"
"I know you've been fighting Zhao Wujie for a long time, but he is a Soul Saint. His soul power is much higher than yours, so when he fights you, he always holds back, even deliberately controlling the strength of his attacks. While this method does show some results, it's not as effective."
Yang Xiong quickly asked, "Teacher, how should I train then?"
Bone Douluo pointed at Yang Xiong again. A force surged toward Yang Xiong's forehead. Even though Yang Xiong reacted quickly, he could only raise his arms to block.
But Bone Douluo's attack suddenly took a detour and struck his forehead, leaving Yang Xiong dizzy and disoriented.
Bone Douluo snorted. "Yang Xiong, have you lost your mind while practicing defense? When facing an enemy's attack, especially a deadly one to your head, why would you try to block? Haven't you thought about dodging?"
Yang Xiong felt embarrassed at this remark, thinking of Huyan Zhen from Douluo, who had foolishly tried to block an artifact with his head.
...
Bone Douluo continued to launch various attacks on Yang Xiong, who felt that facing such a master in defense left him completely vulnerable and unable to cope, suffering immensely.
After half an hour, Yang Xiong was lying on the ground, nearly unable to move, when Bone Douluo finally spoke again. "Warm-up training is over. Next, I'll teach you a crucial point: the essence of defense training is to cultivate your body's ability to withstand impact. Whether through bone training or body tempering with medicine, the goal is to improve your resilience."
Bone Douluo's figure flashed, and he quickly appeared in front of Yang Xiong, gently tapping him on the chest.
Yang Xiong felt that there was no way to dodge. His soul power seemed to be instantly suppressed, and even his martial soul couldn't be summoned.
Bone Douluo waved his hand, and eight massive men, each holding a heavy iron club, appeared from outside.
Yang Xiong felt a sense of foreboding. He quickly said, "Teacher, you don't mean for me to fight these people while my soul power is suppressed, do you?"
Bone Douluo looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Do you think you can still fight them in your current state? These people have different martial souls and abilities, and their main purpose is to train you in taking hits."
Before Yang Xiong could reply, the eight men with iron clubs charged at him, their strikes powerful and well-coordinated.
Yang Xiong initially wanted to resist, but with his soul power suppressed, he could only block their attacks with his hands.
The men weren't ordinary at all. Every strike came at a tricky angle, targeting his weak points, especially his joints and head.
Soon, Yang Xiong's body was covered in various wounds. His entire body ached, and he couldn't dodge due to their flawless teamwork.
Bone Douluo, meanwhile, had drifted to the edge of the training ground and was leisurely sipping tea.
After an hour, Yang Xiong was completely exhausted. His entire body felt like it had been pummeled, and his skin was bruised and purple. His hands were shaking as he lay on the ground, looking miserable.
Bone Douluo finally approached him and nodded. "Your physical condition is quite good. Today was just the first day, and it was the easiest day. Tomorrow, you'll need to endure two hours of this."
Before Yang Xiong could respond, he was dragged into a blood-red bath by soul power. The liquid didn't seem to be made of herbs but rather appeared to be the blood of a soul beast, fresh and vivid.
Though Yang Xiong had gone through Body Tempering with Ice and Fire before, the blood-red liquid began to boil inside him, feeling like it was burning, but completely different from fire and toxins. It felt as if his body was being dissolved.
As Yang Xiong endured the pain in the bath, Bone Douluo nodded. "You're lucky. The sect recently captured several thousand-year-old Bone Serpents. Their poison and blood are excellent materials for body tempering. Normally, only Soul Emperors can endure this, but it seems to have some effect on you."
Before Yang Xiong could respond, Bone Douluo released a surge of power, completely submerging Yang Xiong's head in the blood-red liquid.
After half an hour, the liquid in the bath had become lighter.
Yang Xiong finally managed to crawl out, but before he could react, the eight strong men with iron clubs began attacking him again, this time with even more force.
...
After being tormented by Bone Douluo for the whole morning, Yang Xiong was left on the ground, barely alive.
But with Bone Douluo's departure, the suppression of his martial soul and soul power slowly began to dissipate. Despite the torment, his body felt more sore than when he fought against Wuhun Hall.
Yang Xiong could only sigh, feeling utterly helpless. He strongly suspected that Bone Douluo was targeting him specifically.
(END CHAPTER)
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