Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Lin Xia nodded, somewhat satisfied with her awareness.

"Last and most importantly, I'm taking you with me not to make you my appendage or a burden."

"I hope you can grow up and become strong enough to take control of your own destiny, and even... have the ability to change what you want to change. This process will be long and painful. Are you ready?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, looked directly into Lin Xia's eyes, and said clearly, word by word:
"I'm ready, Brother Lin Xia. I will work hard to become stronger than everyone else!"

Looking at the flames burning in the girl's eyes, Lin Xia seemed to see the small figure who stubbornly cultivated under the moonlight by the window in the cold West Garden.

This indomitable will is perhaps her most precious asset.

"it is good."

Lin Xia finally showed a hint of approval.

"Then let's start with the basics."

The next two weeks of the trip became the most important and fulfilling introductory lesson in Zhu Zhuqing's life.

Lin Xia was not in a hurry to teach her advanced soul skills or techniques.

He deeply understands the importance of a solid foundation, especially for someone like Zhu Zhuqing who lacked systematic and healthy guidance from a young age.

He first systematically outlined the basic knowledge framework of the Soul Master world for her.

The explanation is detailed: Soul power is not generated out of thin air, but originates from the combination of the source of life and the energy of heaven and earth.

It introduces common elemental attributes and their interactions, with a special emphasis on the "shadow" and "agility" characteristics inherent in the Netherworld Cat Martial Soul, guiding her to think about how to better suit herself.

The theory of spirit rings discusses the age, type, and characteristics of spirit beasts, as well as the limits of spirit ring absorption, the importance of compatibility, and the possible directions of spirit skills brought about by different spirit rings.

He solemnly warned Zhu Zhuqing not to blindly pursue high-age soul rings, but to prioritize one's own development path.

As for the application and development of martial spirits.

Lin Xia was referring to breaking the Zhu family's limitation of only pursuing the "Starry Night Wife" combat template.

Lin Xia inspired her to think about more possibilities for martial spirits.

Is the "Shadow" attribute of the Netherworld Cat only usable for assassination?

Is extreme speed only useful for offense?

Could it be used for evasion, reconnaissance, or even a prototype of short-distance spatial movement?
He encouraged her not to be bound by fixed ideas, but to use her heart to feel the information conveyed by the martial spirit itself.

Lin Xia emphasized the importance of a strong physique for Soul Masters, especially for those with agility-based attack abilities.

He taught a modified version of a body-building method suitable for laying a foundation—not a profound soul technique, but a method that slowly and solidly tempers muscles, bones, skin, and membranes through specific breathing, stance training, and simple movement combinations, enhancing strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Zhu Zhuqing studied with utmost seriousness, meticulously practicing even the simplest movements, often practicing until her whole body was soaked in sweat without stopping.

In the quiet mountain forest where they camped one night, Lin Xia gestured for Zhu Zhuqing to sit cross-legged.

"Close your eyes, concentrate, and circulate the soul power cultivation method you are familiar with."

Lin Xia's voice was deep and guiding.

Zhu Zhuqing did as instructed and quickly entered a meditative state. However, the thin soul energy in the air made it extremely difficult for her to condense, and she frowned slightly.

Just then, Lin Xia extended a finger and gently touched her brow.

hum!
A pure, gentle yet boundless stellar power, like a gentle stream, flowed slowly into Zhu Zhuqing's body through Lin Xia's fingertips.

This force is not forcibly instilled, but rather carries a sense of guidance and nourishment.

Zhu Zhuqing was suddenly jolted! She had never felt such pure and advanced energy before!

This power was a hundred times stronger than her own meager soul power, yet it was exceptionally gentle, like cool spring water flowing over a dry riverbed, instantly nourishing her nearly depleted meridians.

Guided by this power, her own weak soul power seemed to have found its backbone and began to circulate in her body at an unprecedented speed and along a more optimized route!
What's even more amazing is that this stellar power seems to have a kind of "purifying" and "tempering" effect.

Zhu Zhuqing could clearly feel that some extremely subtle impurities and stagnation in her soul power, which she herself had not even noticed, caused by long-term cultivation in a poor environment, were being slowly washed away and dissolved by this cool and vast power!
This is a fundamental improvement and streamlining!

Although the process was extremely slow and the effect was negligible, far less significant than when Lin Xia absorbed the Star Core Tear herself, it was nothing short of a transformative baptism for Zhu Zhuqing, who had a weak foundation and had never been exposed to top-level energy before!

A faint, holy silver glow appeared on her small face, and her body trembled slightly, not from pain, but from a kind of comfort and satisfaction that came from the instinct of life.

"Don't get distracted. Remember this feeling, remember the path this power flows through your body."

Lin Xia's voice rang out at the right time, pulling her back from her shock.

Although this tempering with the power of the stars was short-lived and had limited effects, it opened a door for Zhu Zhuqing to a higher level of understanding of power, and laid a foundation for her future that was far more solid than that of her peers.

During their journey, Young Gilas also became Zhu Zhuqing's companion.

The little guy seemed to really like this girl who had a touch of shadow in her air and was hardworking and earnest.

While Zhu Zhuqing practiced the monotonous physical training movements next to the camp, Young Gilas would squat beside her, tilting his little head to watch, occasionally letting out a "yoji" sound, as if cheering her on!

After the wheels rolled over the last slightly bumpy stretch of dirt road, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

The golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the majestic and imposing city, which seemed to be built from countless metal components.

The iconic gray-white steam clouds that rise day and night from the towering chimneys of Gengjin City now appear less industrial and more homely under the glow of the sunset.

"Wow……"

A soft, childlike exclamation of surprise came from the car window.

Zhu Zhuqing pressed her entire face against the glass, her deep, dark eyes sparkling as they reflected the steel forest before her, a world so different from her childhood environment.

The prosperity of Xingluo City is a noble elegance with strict order and profound heritage, while the grandeur of Gengjin City is an overwhelming industrial pulse full of power and rhythm.

Huge metal gears slowly rotated on the city gate tower, and shops lined both sides of the street. The signs were mostly shaped like hammers, anvils, or ores. The air was filled with a faint smell of coal, metal, and machine oil, as well as the tempting aroma of food.

"Brother Lin Xia, what's that? It has such a big wheel!"

She pointed to a giant transmission flywheel hanging outside a factory in the distance, her voice filled with childlike curiosity.

"That's the power flywheel that drives the forging hammer." (End of Chapter)