Before long, Yang Xiong had codified a specialized training regimen for himself. Recognizing that his six-year-old skeletal structure could not yet sustain heavy external weights, he pivoted his focus toward comprehensive calisthenics.
At the heart of his routine was running. In Yang Xiong's estimation, running was the ultimate foundational exercise; it was the most efficient way to simultaneously hone his speed, sharpen his reaction times, and expand his physical endurance.
He supplemented this with functional movements: hoisting small barbells, utilizing light dumbbells for targeted muscle isolation, pull-ups, and push-ups. He even incorporated swimming to build low-impact strength. None of these exercises were complex, yet they were perfectly calibrated for a developing six-year-old frame.
His mornings remained dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. In his previous life, he had been a mere spectator of the Douluo novels and anime. It was only after stepping onto the soil of this world that he truly grasped the staggering vastness and profound depth of this reality.
The Douluo World was a tapestry of Spirits so diverse they bordered on the impossible. Some were so unique they seemed to scoff at the laws of science, achieving Heaven-Defying effects that could turn the tide of fate in a heartbeat.
The Spirit Beasts were even more varied. Depending on their species and age, these creatures underwent distinct physical metamorphoses, their power levels discernible only to those who knew how to read the subtle biological tells of their hide, bone, and aura.
However, his family's library was a shallow pool, and the explanations within were far from exhaustive. He realized that if he wanted the true secrets of the world, he would have to find them within the Sect's hallowed archives.
Afternoons were when Yang Xiong's true work began. During these hours, he pushed his physical limits with a singular, grim determination. He trained until his Qi was spent and every pore wept sweat, exhausting himself completely before finally collapsing into the restorative heat of his medicinal bath.
From that day forward, an attendant shadowed his every move: Liu Yu, the son of their nanny, Li.
Liu Yu was in his early twenties, standing a solid 1.8 meters tall. His frame was tempered and lean, a result of his years spent serving on the patrol team where combat proficiency was a requirement for survival.
Tragically, though Liu Yu had Awakened a Spirit, he possessed zero Innate Soul Power. The path of a Spirit Master was forever barred to him, leaving him to find his way through the world as an ordinary man.
Within the Yang household, he functioned as a guard and a personal valet for Yang Xiong, handling the logistical minutiae of the boy's life, from running errands to preparing specialized equipment.
Each afternoon, Liu Yu would prepare the medicinal bath in advance, standing watch over Yang Xiong's training sessions with a careful eye. His presence was a safety net, ensuring the boy didn't push his young body into a state of permanent injury.
Yang Xiong was indifferent to the prospect of his training methods being observed. These were simple exercises, after all; the true "essence" of his path was still a distant horizon.
Moreover, Liu Yu had once been his father's subordinate and was considered beyond reproach. Yang Lin would never have allowed a man of questionable character into their inner circle.
Since he had intensified his body tempering and begun the medicinal baths, Yang Xiong noticed a subtle shift in his nightly Meditation. The speed of his energy circulation had increased. While it still paled in comparison to a genius born with a top-tier Spirit, the pace seemed to quicken day by day, fueled by the rising vitality of his strengthening physique.
After half a month of this grueling cycle, the day finally arrived for his formal education to begin.
Under Yang Lin's personal escort, Yang Xiong stepped onto the grounds of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School's academy for the first time. This was the forge where the Sect shaped its future disciples.
The campus was staggering in its scale. Though its primary purpose was the instruction of low-level Spirit Masters, it sprawled across hundreds of acres. The buildings were grand monuments of stone and timber, interspersed with numerous small arenas designed for combat drills.
According to Yang Lin, the Sect spared no expense in its curriculum. They recruited highly knowledgeable Spirit Masters as instructors and employed dedicated specialists for every subject. Even the security was airtight, a silent reminder of the Sect's importance.
The academy housed students ranging from six to fifteen years old. A select few would depart between the ages of twelve and fifteen for Advanced Spirit Master Academies—much like his elder brother, Yang Wei. Having reached Level 21 by age twelve, Yang Wei had been sent by their father to a prestigious institution in Heaven Dou City.
The Sect's commitment to these children was absolute. It was rumored they maintained a controlled population of docile, low-level Spirit Beasts, ensuring that every student could conveniently absorb their first spirit ring the moment they were ready.
These beasts were generally standard species, ranging from one hundred to six hundred years in age—the ideal threshold for a disciple to secure a hundred-year first spirit ring. For those requiring rarer species or specialized attributes, the Sect possessed its own private Spirit Beast forest, a luxury only the most powerful factions could afford.
Yang Xiong was assigned to Grade One, Class One. As he crossed the threshold of the classroom, the air was thick with the high-pitched chatter of children introducing themselves and forming social cliques.
A stern-looking elder sat at the podium, his nose buried in a thick tome. He was clearly the class teacher.
Yang Xiong navigated the noise and took a seat in the back row. Between his past life and his present maturity, he felt no desire to mingle with six-year-olds. He had no common ground with them, and their childish antics held no interest for him.
Just as the bell was set to chime, the door opened and a small group entered. Leading them was an elegant middle-aged man with a handsome, refined face. He looked to be in his forties, and every gesture he made exuded a polished, scholarly grace. Behind him stood an old man with hair and a beard as white as fresh snow. Yet, despite his age, the elder's skin was as smooth and delicate as a newborn's, and he wore a robe of immaculate, blinding white.
Yang Xiong's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected the heavyweights of the Sect to attend a mere primary school orientation.
These two were unmistakable: Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo, the twin pillars who upheld the glory of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
Trottering beside Ning Fengzhi was a young girl with delicate features. Dressed in the finery of a little princess, she possessed a doll-like cuteness that masked the legendary temper she would eventually develop.
The teacher at the podium shot to his feet the moment they entered, bowing so low his head nearly touched the wood. "Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Elder Sword!"
The students followed suit, their voices a ragged but respectful chorus. "Greetings, Sect Master! Greetings, Elder Sword!"
In the hierarchy of the Sect, these two were more than just leaders; they were the objects of absolute faith.
Ning Fengzhi offered a slight, graceful wave of his hand. "Please, everyone, ease your hearts. I am primarily here today to settle Rongrong into her studies. I hope you will all treat her as part of your family."
"You are the future of our School," he continued, his voice warm but resonant. "It is my hope that you will cultivate with diligence and soon become the pillars upon which our Sect stands."
The classroom erupted in a fresh wave of excitement. For many of these children, this was a brush with living legends.
To the class's surprise, after Ning Rongrong chose a seat, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo didn't leave. Instead, they found seats in the back, settling in with a casual ease that belied their terrifying power.
Once the room settled, the teacher cleared his throat. "Hello, everyone. I am the head teacher for Grade One, Class One, and I will be overseeing your growth from this day forward. My name is Lin Gong. My Spirit is Bamboo, and I am a Level 54 Support System Spirit King."
"Today is our first day together," he said, scanning the room. "Let us begin by getting to know one another. You will be living and studying as one body from this point on."