Chapter 74: Physical Training
His mind stirred slightly, and he immediately felt that it was possible to mobilize his energy and break through the seal forcibly with his current cultivation level. However, without a doubt, if he did so, Mu Yunyu would sense it immediately.
This made him recall his training in his past life when he also did similar physical endurance trials with his companions.
Without the aid of the Mysterious Heaven Technique, he could only rely on his physical strength.
Tang San was small and slender, skinny even. This was actually due to him deliberately controlling his physical development using the Mysterious Heaven Technique. Even though he was eating fairly well and training a lot, he had to avoid standing out too much, especially in Wind Wolf Town.
However, after arriving at the Redemption Society, his safety was assured, so he no longer planned to suppress his physical development. Especially with Mei Gongzi in Kali City! He knew his wife wouldn't have any memories of their past life. In this life, if he wanted to win her heart again, he would have to pursue her anew. This was not an easy task, especially since Mei Gongzi was so beautiful and he was so ordinary. He needed to develop well first, at least to look more attractive.
Du Bai beckoned Tang San over and stepped out along with the other senior brothers and sisters, following the path behind the Redemption Society and entering the mountain forest.
The back mountain wasn't too steep, but progressing with the added weight was still not something normal children could do. With that said, although Tang San had suppressed his physical growth, his actual strength was in fact quite high. Naturally, having once been a God King, he understood the importance of physical strength. The higher one’s cultivation, the stronger a body was required to sustain it. The body was the vessel of energy; the bigger and tougher it was, the more it could hold.
The Mysterious Heaven Technique was particularly good at tempering the body, so although he was rather slender, his strength completely belied his size.
The senior brothers and sisters walking ahead carried heavier weights but still looked agile and moved quickly along the back mountain.
This back mountain was about a thousand meters high, and the climb from the Redemption Society was nearly seven hundred meters. Fortunately, the terrain was relatively gentle and not too difficult to climb.
The last three to return would go without food, and they had to return before noon. That was the requirement for the physical training class.
"Besides this outdoor training, what else do you do in the physical training class?" Tang San asked Du Bai, who was beside him.
Du Bai nodded but did not speak.
"What other methods are there?" Tang San was still curious.
Du Bai smiled wryly. "Don't talk. Conserve your strength. You'll find it tough in a bit."
Tang San also smiled slightly. "Okay, let's go."
When they had climbed over the first mountain, Du Bai's forehead was already slightly sweaty. However, he was surprised to see that Tang San showed no signs of strain, even though the latter was smaller than him and was participating in the physical training for the first time.
At this point, the differences in physical endurance among everyone were not yet apparent, and the weight they carried varied based on their own weight. Thus, everyone was essentially moving forward together.
Descending the mountain was no easier than climbing up due to their additional weight. The downhill path was rather steep, and it required careful control of their posture and strength. A single misstep could lead to a fall.
Although Tang San did not see the figure of Mu Yunyu, he could faintly sense that the teacher was nearby, following them.
Moreover, it was likely that the teacher's focus was on him, the newcomer.
The path became relatively flat after descending the first mountain and along the mountain hollow. The thorns and grass on the road were trampled flat, indicating it was a frequently traveled route.
Those at the front began to speed up, and thanks to the burden of their weights, panting sounds soon emerged from within the group.
Tang San and Du Bai were still at the back of the team, with Du Bai clenching his teeth and maintaining a steady pace to minimize his physical exhaustion.
Tang San followed beside him. The forty-kilogram weight was not too much of a challenge for him right now.
As they began to ascend the second mountain, the differences started to become evident. Some senior brothers and sisters at the front began to accelerate, while the sweat on Du Bai's forehead just kept accumulating.
However, Tang San did not speed up, merely following beside him silently.
Whenever Du Bai glanced at him, he noticed that although Tang San was moving at the same pace, he seemed noticeably less fatigued, and he’d hardly sweat at all.
By the time they reached the peak of the second mountain, Du Bai's breathing had become noticeably unsteady.
"If you can, go ahead without me," Du Bai said.
Tang San shook his head. "I'm just barely keeping up with you. How are you doing?"
Du Bai smiled wryly. "Every physical training class is an excruciating ordeal for me! Thankfully, I don't need to participate in the practical combat classes. I'll rest once we return in the afternoon. But if you keep following me like this, you might miss dinner."
"That won't happen. Let's push through together. Give me some of your weight."
Du Bai immediately said, "No need, I can manage alone. Although Teacher Yu's requirements are high, they are for our good, and we all know it. No matter how tough it gets, we can't cut corners."
Tang San looked at him in surprise, gaining a newfound respect for his junior brother.
At the first meeting, Du Bai seemed somewhat eccentric, but to Tang San's surprise, he showed considerable perseverance in training and learning.
"Then let's both keep going," Tang San encouraged him.
As they continued on their way, Du Bai's physical exertion was evident, while Tang San still “managed to keep up.” The figures of those ahead gradually disappeared, leaving them at the back.
A hundred kilometers of mountainous terrain and flat land were entirely different concepts, especially with their special abilities sealed.
Du Bai's stamina had declined severely by the time they reached the fourth mountain.
"Go on without me," Du Bai said somewhat helplessly. "Honestly, I usually don't get back until the evening. If you're physically able, I'll tell you the way."
Tang San pondered momentarily and said, "Let me carry you along."
Du Bai still shook his head. "No, I must rely on my own strength."
It was at this moment that a pleasant voice sounded. "He’s right, you don't need to bother about him. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose of your physical training."
Tang San and Du Bai saw a blur before their eyes, and the next instant, Mu Yunyu had already appeared before them without a sound. She flicked her wrist, and two shadows flew toward Tang San.
Tang San instinctively reached out to catch them, realizing they were two weights.
"Here’s two more weights for you. Go ahead on your own. Here's a map." She tossed a rolled-up map to him.
Tang San silently put the weights in the pockets of his own vest, then looked at Du Bai, who waved at him.
"See you at the academy then." Tang San bowed to Mu Yunyu, got up again, and quickly climbed the mountain.
Watching his noticeably faster and agile figure, Du Bai opened his mouth and couldn't help saying, "Everyone seems to be about the same size. How does he have so much stamina?"
Mu Yunyu said irritably, "Because he has a stronger foundation. Get up quickly unless you want to be whipped."
As she spoke, she somehow produced a whip and swung it in the air with a cracking sound.
"No, Teacher Yu, I'm going!" Du Bai struggled to his feet and continued forward laboriously.
No longer following Du Bai, Tang San accelerated his pace. The sixty kilograms of weight on him were not too burdensome, especially since he had been conserving his energy while moving slowly with Du Bai. Now, he rapidly moved forward with long strides.
As his physical energy was consumed, his body began to heat up, and his breathing grew heavier. The circulation of blood in his body, the stimulation to his physique, and the mental strain that came together with the depletion of his stamina brought him a strange sense of pleasure, like a thorough and satisfying venting.
His speed increased even more. Occasionally, he glanced at the map, then at the sky, to determine his location; then, he continued to move forward rapidly.
However, as it turned out, his time with Du Bai had put him not just at the back of the pack, but quite far behind it as well. It wasn’t until he neared the destination that he finally saw Cheng Zicheng.
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