The morning sunlight bathed the training grounds of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, where Marco was conducting special training with Osler and Ye Lingling. After several days of recovery, Osler's injuries had completely healed, and he was now fully focused on practicing leg techniques under Marco's guidance.
"Pay attention to integrating your waist and stance—power should originate from the dantian," Marco demonstrated while explaining. "The advantage of the Nether Leopard Martial Soul lies in speed and agility, but you must learn to maintain balance and precision during high-speed movements."
Osler earnestly mimicked each movement, his training uniform soaked with sweat, yet his eyes remained exceptionally focused. Nearby, Ye Lingling activated her Nine Heart Begonia Spirit, providing healing assistance and mental support for both of them.
At the edge of the training field, other team members watched them with envy. Yu Tianheng, Dugu Yan, the Shi Family Brothers, and others were engaged in routine training, but their gazes frequently drifted toward Marco's group.
"The captain is personally guiding their training..." Shímò said enviously. "No wonder Osler is improving so quickly."
Shímó nodded in agreement. "Yes, the captain's training methods must be special. Look at how rapidly his strength has grown and how versatile his combat skills are—he must have unique secrets."
Dugu Yan whispered to Yu Tianheng, "Tianheng, should we ask the captain for guidance too?"
A flicker of longing flashed in Yu Tianheng's eyes, but he hesitated. "The captain is currently training Osler and Lingling. It wouldn't be right to disturb them..."
Marco noticed the envious looks from the team members. He smiled slightly, paused the training, and waved everyone over. The team members gathered around excitedly, their eyes filled with anticipation. Marco looked at them warmly and said, "This is a training method I've recently developed, focusing on the meticulous control of Soul Power. I believe it will benefit everyone."
Yu Tianheng asked in pleasant surprise, "Captain, are you really willing to teach us?"
Marco nodded. "We're teammates—helping each other is only natural. This training method is divided into several stages, and I've only just completed the first stage myself."
He led everyone to a grove of trees beside the training field, where many tall trees stood. Marco walked up to a thick tree trunk, turned to the group, and said, "The first stage is called 'Tree Climbing' training."
Under the puzzled gazes of the team, Marco concentrated his Soul Power on the soles of his feet, leaped lightly, and actually walked vertically up the tree trunk! He moved as if walking on flat ground, step by step toward the treetop, then effortlessly descended upside down.
"Wow!" the team members exclaimed in amazement, astonished by this seemingly impossible way of walking.
Marco explained, "This requires precisely attaching Soul Power to the soles of your feet, creating a subtle adhesive force with the tree trunk's surface. The key lies in the fine control of Soul Power output—too much, and you'll damage the tree; too little, and you'll fall."
He then led everyone to a small lake at the edge of the training field. "The second stage is 'Water Treading' training, which is more difficult than tree climbing. I haven't mastered it yet."
Marco attempted to concentrate Soul Power on his soles and gently stepped onto the water's surface. As his foot touched the water, ripples formed, but he didn't sink. However, when he tried to take a second step, his Soul Power control faltered, and with a "plop," he fell into the water.
The team members couldn't help but laugh. Marco leaped out of the water, shaking his head with a smile. "See, I'm still not ready for the second stage. Treading water requires permeating Soul Power into the water molecules around the soles of your feet, perceiving and stabilizing the water's structure—it's much harder than tree climbing."
He explained the training techniques in detail: "First, you must learn to evenly distribute Soul Power across the soles of your feet and sense the subtle connection with the contact surface. Then comes precise control of Soul Power output—it should feel as natural as breathing. Finally, you must learn to maintain this control while moving, which is the most difficult part."
Dugu Yan asked curiously, "Captain, what's the practical use of this kind of training?"
Marco replied seriously, "It's very useful. Precise Soul Power control can make your Spirit Abilities more accurate, consume less energy, and become more powerful. For example, with Tianheng's Thunder Dragon Claw, if Soul Power control were more refined, it could reduce unnecessary consumption and improve accuracy."
"And," he added, "this training also enhances your perception and mastery of Soul Power, which helps in breaking through bottlenecks."
The team members listened with great interest and began attempting the tree-climbing training. For a while, the training ground was filled with laughter and cheerful voices as everyone supported and guided each other, creating a lively atmosphere.
Yu Tianheng was the first to grasp the trick. Though he couldn't move as freely as Marco yet, he could already stay on the tree trunk. The Shi Family Brothers, due to their Martial Soul characteristics, had some foundation in Soul Power control and could last longer on the tree.
Osler, leveraging the agility of his Ghost Panther Martial Soul, progressed rapidly and was soon able to take a few quick steps on the trunk.
Although Ye Lingling wasn't skilled in physical techniques, under Marco's patient guidance, she managed to barely stand steady on the trunk. She cautiously tried, her voice carrying a coquettish tone: "Brother, this is so hard... Hold me a little."
Marco smiled and supported her arm. "Take it slow, feel the flow of Soul Power in your soles. Yes, just like that..."
"You're so amazing, Brother~" Ye Lingling said sweetly. "You can perform such a difficult move so well."
Dugu Yan practiced with extra seriousness. The Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul demanded high Soul Power control, making this training particularly beneficial for her. She tried repeatedly, slipping off again and again, but never lost heart.
"Ah!" Suddenly, Dugu Yan cried out and fell from the tree trunk. Everyone thought it was just a common mistake and were about to tease her when they noticed her lying on the ground, her face turning pale!
"Yanzi!" Yu Tianheng was the first to rush over, picking up Dugu Yan in a panic. "What's wrong? Don't scare me!"
The team members gathered around, seeing Dugu Yan with closed eyes, purple lips, and rapid breathing—clearly something was wrong with her body.
Marco's heart sank, thinking to himself, "These symptoms... Could it be the backlash of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison? In my past memories, both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan suffered greatly from the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison. Has the backlash started already?"
He quickly stepped forward, releasing the flames of the Azure Flame Phoenix from his palm, carefully covering Dugu Yan. The Azure Flame gently enveloped her, immediately emitting a "sizzling" sound as if burning something invisible.
Yu Tianheng watched Marco nervously, his voice filled with concern. "Captain, that flame... won't it harm Yanzi?"
Marco replied calmly, "Don't worry, my Azure Flame has healing and purification effects. It won't harm her."
Everyone watched nervously, fearing the Azure Flame might hurt Dugu Yan. Surprisingly, although enveloped in flames, Dugu Yan showed no sign of pain. Instead, her complexion gradually returned to normal.
Sure enough, within moments, Dugu Yan's breathing steadied. Her eyelids fluttered slightly before slowly opening.
"Yanzi! How are you feeling?" Yu Tianheng asked urgently, tightly holding her hand.
Dugu Yan looked around in confusion: "What... what happened to me?" She tried moving her body and suddenly showed a surprised expression, "Strange, I feel so light... as if some heavy burden has been lifted."
After carefully assessing her condition, she became even more astonished: "I really do feel light! That heavy sensation inside my body has disappeared!"
Marco thought to himself: "As expected, the Phoenix flames are purifying the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison in her body. The Azure Flame Phoenix's fire possesses purification properties that just counter the corrosion of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison."
"It's good that you're alright," Marco said with a smile. "You should have seen how worried Tianheng was when you were unconscious."
The other team members joined in the teasing: "Yeah, Tianheng was so anxious he almost cried!"
"We've never seen Tianheng so flustered before!"
"It seems someone truly cares about someone else~"
Both Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan blushed and lowered their heads, but their hands remained tightly clasped. Dugu Yan whispered to Yu Tianheng: "Thank you, Tianheng."
After a moment, Dugu Yan looked up at Marco and said sincerely: "Captain, thank you. Not only for saving me, but for making me feel... as if I've been reborn."
Marco waved his hand: "No need to thank me, we're teammates after all. However..." He paused thoughtfully, "When you return, you should ask your grandfather to examine your condition. What just happened was somewhat abnormal - have your grandfather check what might have caused it."
Dugu Yan nodded: "Yes, I will. Grandfather has been researching some new medicine recently, saying it might help my cultivation."
Marco's heart stirred, knowing Dugu Bo was likely researching methods to counter the Jade Phosphor Serpent Poison, but he didn't elaborate, only reminding her: "Regardless, be careful. Physical issues are no small matter."
During the subsequent training, everyone became more serious. Through this small incident, the team members not only learned new training methods but also deepened their understanding of each other and their sense of belonging to the team.
Watching the seriously training team members, Marco felt gratified. He knew the Royal Fight Team was gradually growing stronger - not just in power, but even more so in team spirit and cohesion.
As the sun set in the west, training concluded. Though exhausted, the team members wore satisfied smiles. Today's training had not only taught them new techniques but also let them experience the team's warmth and strength.
Marco and Ye Lingling walked side by side on their way back to the dormitory, their shadows stretching long in the setting sun.
"Brother, today's training was so interesting~" Ye Lingling said softly, her voice carrying a hint of coquetry. "That method of Soul Power control is helpful for my healing too."
Marco smiled and patted her head. "Indeed, precise Soul Power control is beneficial for any Soul Master. Especially for a Healing-type Soul Master like you—it can improve treatment efficiency and accuracy."
Ye Lingling nodded, then suddenly asked, "Brother, where did you learn that training method?"
Marco paused briefly, images from his past life flashing through his mind, but simply replied, "I figured it out myself. I believe there are still many possibilities in how Soul Power can be utilized, waiting for us to explore."
"Brother is so amazing~" Ye Lingling's eyes shone with admiration as she gently held Marco's arm. "You must teach me more in the future~"
Marco chuckled. "Alright, as long as you're willing to learn, I'll teach you everything I know."
He understood that these training methods were merely the beginning—countless more possibilities awaited exploration in the future.