Chapter 18: Part 18 - Training
With a binding oath, if Zhu Zhuqing ever breaks her promise, her martial spirit will disappear. This is extremely fatal for a spirit master, which is why this type of oath is rarely used, as it provides no advantage to the user in any situation.
"Since you're so brave, there's no turning back now. Once we arrive at the training ground, we will start immediately."
Zhu Zhuqing nods in understanding.
"Brother Fan, what about me? I also want to become strong under your guidance."
"It's not a problem if you want to."
"Alright."
On the other hand, Ning Rongrong is not very interested since she is a support-type spirit master. However, the main reason is that she is afraid of getting hurt. As the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she has been pampered by her two grandfathers, so she has never felt pain in battle since no one in the sect dares to touch a single strand of her hair.
Because of this, her father, worried about her upbringing, took the risk of offending her grandfathers and allowed her to leave the sect to learn and build her character.
Not long after, they finally arrive at the training ground. Su Fan immediately looks at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing while Ning Rongrong sits under a large tree, watching Su Fan train them.
"Alright, the first thing I will teach you is tree climbing."
Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu stare at Su Fan in confusion, as if making sure they didn't mishear him.
"Brother Fan, that's an easy task!"
"Su Fan, are you joking?"
"Watch what I do next."
Su Fan then places his foot horizontally on the tree before walking up to the top and back down again. The three girls are stunned to see Su Fan standing so steadily while walking on the tree.
"Brother Fan, you're amazing!"
Zhu Zhuqing nods in agreement with Xiao Wu's words. Seeing their training, Ning Rongrong becomes curious and approaches Su Fan.
"Su Fan, I want to train too!"
Su Fan looks at Ning Rongrong with an annoyed expression.
"Do you remember what you did this morning? Where's your sense of guilt?"
"I thought you had already forgiven me."
"Of course not, and I will get back at you in the future. Remember that. Now get in line if you want to train too."
Ning Rongrong pouts but still obeys Su Fan. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing glance at each other, curious about what Ning Rongrong did to make Su Fan so mad.
"Next, I will explain the theory to you. To climb a tree with your feet, you need to send your spirit power to your feet. When you do, you will feel like your spirit power is hitting something which is surface of the tree. At that moment you must grip that surface with your spirit power. That way you will be able to walk on the tree."
"So what we have to do brother Fan?"
"Now, try walking up the tree while continuously sending spirit power to your feet. Whoever make it to the top will get a gift from me. Now three of you can start!"
The three of them begin training, but instead of walking as Su Fan instructed, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing start by running up the tree, while the one who annoyed him the most—Ning Rongrong—actually listens and follows his instructions. As a result, the two girls reach the top using speed rather than the correct technique, which disappoints Su Fan.
'These two girls… Are they even listening to me?'
Su Fan then picks up a bamboo stick and grips it. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing turn to him with proud expressions on their face.
"Brother Fan, how did we do?"
Without responding, Su Fan forms a hand seal and in an instant electricity runs through the bamboo and into the ground, shocking Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zap!
"AH!!!"
"You'd better walk properly if you don't want to get struck next time."
"Brother Fan, why are you being so strict with us?"
Su Fan doesn't answer Xiao Wu and simply forms another hand seal around the bamboo he's holding and shocking them again.
"AH!!!"
"Don't think I'll go easy on you during training just because we're close. If you think like that I'll make the punishment even worse."
"Brother, you're so mea—"
Before she can finish, Su Fan lifts the bamboo stick again and almost use the lighting style again but Zhu Zhuqing immediately grabs Xiao Wu and runs away from him.
"Xiao Wu, you'd better not argue with Su Fan anymore, or we'll get struck by his lightning again."
"Wuwuwu! This is the first time Brother Fan has been so harsh on me."
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong follows Su Fan's instructions exactly. Seeing how he punishes the others, she starts sweating nervously.
'Su Fan even struck the two of them… What about me? Will he strike me with a lightning from the sky if I make a mistake? No, I can't afford to mess up! I have to follow his orders exactly!'
From then on, the three girls start training seriously, following Su Fan's instructions. Falling repeatedly from the tree becomes routine. Ning Rongrong, who was initially afraid of pain is now too distracted by the fear of Su Fan's "lightning punishment" and never complain or misbehave in his watch.
"Why did I have to anger Su Fan earlier if this is what I get in return?"
Feeling miserable about her situation, Ning Rongrong occasionally glances at Su Fan, who is still focused on her as if waiting for her to make a mistake so he can strike. Knowing Su Fan put his attention on her make her can only cry on the inside. They continue training for three whole hours, just practicing walking on the tree, until they eventually collapse from exhaustion. They lie beside the tree breathing heavily and drenched in sweat. Their faces and clothes are covered in dirt from falling repeatedly.
If Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Fatty saw this scene, they probably wouldn't be able to keep their pants on and immediately they throw it to the sky as if they don't need it.
'Their training went well. Especially Ning Rongrong, who doesn't dare defy me. Probably because she's afraid of my revenge. Letting her train with us wasn't a waste. If we keep this up, I might get the chance to catch a little bit of interest from her.'
"You all did well. Today's training is over, and we will continue tomorrow. Since you've trained under me, backing out is not an option. I hope none of you will be late tomorrow. If you are…"
Su Fan then uses Chidori on a rock, instantly causing it to explode. Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing gulp, while Ning Rongrong trembles in fear.
"You can clean yourselves up first in the river. I'll wait for you in the cafeteria and I'll personally cook for you all."
Instantly, the girls' gloomy expressions brighten up a little when Su Fan say he's gonna cook for them while Su Fan just walks away leaving them behind.
To Be Continued...