Third floor of the Spirit Library. The training books on the shelves here were noticeably sparser. There were no longer as many versions tailored to different spirits, and improved techniques were also rare. Most of them were insights and training experiences from other Spirit Masters regarding those techniques.
Su Hao didn’t wander around. He went straight to the water-type technique section, then approached a pointing roly-poly spirit. He asked about the location of "Water Path." The roly-poly hopped forward a few steps, then tilted its body, its eyes and finger pointing in a certain direction.
…
"Water Path Technique Introduction Manual." Su Hao set down the small booklet. The introduction to the technique in it was far more detailed than what was online. It also included brief training essentials. "Too bad, it didn’t trigger the technique unlock." Of course, even if it had, to save some intelligence points, he’d still buy the detailed, official training book.
He operated the screen beside him. [Technique 'Water Path' Training Method: Purchase requires 3 credit points and 100,000 Dragon Country yuan. Proceed?] [Please select payment method: ① Student Card (credit points); ② Dragon Country Bank Card; ③ WeChat QR Code Payment; ④ QQ QR Code Payment…]
Su Hao, naturally… Chose to pay with regular currency. Credit points were too precious to waste.
Afterward, he went to the general technique section and spent 60,000 to buy "Cloud Step."
He didn’t check the two purchased technique training methods immediately. Both were sent back to the villa’s computer. Not his own laptop, but the desktop computer provided in every dormitory. It could connect to the school’s internal network. In truth, he could have just stayed in the dorm and bought the techniques directly on the computer. But since he was in university, not visiting the library felt like missing out on a bit of ceremony.
…
The next day. Su Hao had already unlocked two techniques. [Cloud Step: Unlocked with 2 (7) intelligence points] [Water Path: Unlocked with 3 (9) intelligence points]
The discount was significant. First, his knowledge base had grown compared to before—he was even more of a top student. Second, the training methods bought from the library were very detailed. The video alone was two hours long… and he watched it at 1.5x speed. He reviewed until one in the morning, just barely finishing all the training methods for both techniques.
So, Su Hao slept until nine the next day. After a free and delicious breakfast at the student cafeteria, he headed straight to a training ground he’d picked out the day before. —Sky Dome Waterfall.
This training ground was one of Whale Island University’s popular training spots. It effectively tempered a spirit’s physique. Perfect for training the Water Scale Beast. While learning techniques, it could also become tougher—double the satisfaction.
Sky Dome Waterfall was over ten kilometers from the dormitory area. Considering the Water Scale Beast would be training later, Su Hao didn’t ride it. Instead, he took a self-driving campus shuttle there.
"Beep! Destination, Sky Dome Waterfall Training Area reached…"
Outside the training area, Su Hao spotted the massive waterfall from afar, cascading down the towering peak like a celestial river from the heavens. He couldn’t resist. He pulled out his phone and took a photo. Looking at it, he thought, "Too far. I need to get closer."
He stepped forward a few paces. Then a few more. And was stopped by a spirit.
It was a Blade Leaf Warrior. The final evolution of this spirit hadn’t been discovered yet, so even though the Blade Leaf Warrior was only a first-stage evolution, this one was already at the peak of the elite level. It was guarding the entrance.
Standing upright, the Blade Leaf Warrior pointed to a signboard nearby. [Sky Dome Waterfall Training Area Ticket: 0.3 credit points per spirit] [Group Package: 1 credit point for five spirits] [Weekly Pass: 1.5 credit points per spirit (7 days)] [Monthly Pass: 5 credit points per spirit (30 days)]
Su Hao: "???" There was an odd sense of déjà vu. But he knew training areas charged fees.
Just past where he’d walked, there was a ticket booth… but he’d been too busy taking photos to notice. The staff inside the booth was slumped over, asleep. ‘Still sleeping at this hour…’
Su Hao walked up, observed for a few seconds, and figured it wasn’t some senior instructor, so he knocked on the glass window. Knock, knock, knock— Knock, knock, knock—
The staff member jolted upright. Seeing it wasn’t a spot check but a student, they let out a relieved sigh. "Buying tickets? Three? Regular, weekly, or monthly?"
Su Hao’s gaze swept over his three spirits. The Water Scale Beast needed training at Sky Dome Waterfall; if suitable, he might get a monthly pass. The Flame Down Crow could also train here for a few days. Only the Dream Mist Butterfly wasn’t a good fit. But leaving the little one here alone was even worse. It was only 0.3 credit points anyway.
"Gu-nuo gu-nuo gu-nuo!" The Dream Mist Butterfly shook its head frantically. It didn’t need this. If it spent credit points to go in, could it avoid training? It wouldn’t fall for that, gu-nuo!
"Hmm…" Su Hao pondered for two seconds. "Alright, fine." He let it be. After all, such a big spirit couldn’t just get lost, right? Even if it ran off, he could just summon it back.
…
Across the entire Whale Island, the special training grounds were arranged like branches sprouting from a tree trunk. There was only one path leading to Sky Dome Waterfall. As he approached, the air grew damp. The rumbling sound of the waterfall’s splashing water echoed. The Water Scale Beast let out joyful cries. In contrast, the Flame Down Crow seemed a bit downcast.
"These are things you have to overcome," Su Hao said.
The Flame Down Crow’s current killing moves were powerful, but their weaknesses were too obvious. Severely countered by water… in a humid environment, it might not even be able to enter its Flame Feather stance. Just like now.
He needed to temper some "resistance" into the Flame Down Crow.
Stepping on the bluestone-paved path, Su Hao walked closer, gazing at the cascading waterfall, increasingly awestruck. The waterfall crashed into the water, sending up clouds of white mist. On the pool’s surface, circular platforms were faintly visible. They were spaced out at varying distances.
The closer to the waterfall’s core, the greater the impact force. Bathing in the waterfall infused with spiritual energy was especially effective for tempering the physique… so when Su Hao arrived, he saw other spirits.
A Ten Thousand Vine Tortoise extended its vines like a suspension bridge, with the other end clinging to the cliff behind the waterfall. It was likely honing its vines.
Besides that, there were Golden Armor Warriors, Tide Croak Kings, Giant Armor Crabs, and more. Most spirits were training on their own. There weren’t many Spirit Masters present.
Su Hao spotted a familiar face from afar—probably seen during the college entrance exam—but couldn’t recall the name. He glanced and then ignored it. But a figure in the waterfall caught his attention.
The person wore only a pair of boxer shorts, his muscles like carved rock, sharply defined. He stood on a platform beneath the waterfall, letting the violent torrent batter him without moving an inch.
Behind the muscular man was his spirit, a Great Ape. The final form evolved from the "Thumb Monkey" to "Strong Gorilla" and then to "Great Ape." Its black fur had faint traces of gold. Its thick arms, Su Hao thought, were broader than his own—no, broader than the entire Water Scale Beast.
The Great Ape was doing a series of calisthenics under the waterfall, showing off its explosive muscles. Su Hao couldn’t help but swallow. "Senior at Whale Island University is terrifying!" This wasn’t the vibe he wanted!
Su Hao retreated to another side, found a spot with a more moderate water impact, and patted the Water Scale Beast. "You’ve been watching for a while. You should understand. Go try it."
Water Scale Beast: "???" What am I supposed to understand, shi-ru~?
— Two chapters released together today. Please support when it goes premium tomorrow~~~