Chapter 8, Cultivation (Part 2)

According to Lancelot, this high-intensity training method, if adhered to for three months, can essentially meet the standard requirements for a novice warrior's fighting spirit. In contrast, a gradual approach may take more than two years to achieve the same results

However, this quick-fix method can only bring limited improvements each day. It requires relentless practice day after day, year after year, to see significant results through gradual accumulation.

This is the application of fighting spirit

Given Gong Hao's current rate of progress, he may reach the standard in just one month. It is uncertain whether this remarkable speed of improvement is due to his exceptional talent or the intensity of Lancelot's training regimen.

Lancelot let out a long sigh

But my lord Lancelot, it has only been twelve days since then. With my current strength, I fear I am still not capable of dealing with that venomous python

However, none of these are significant. There are other training sessions that caused him pain to the point of nearly dying.

Hammering the Wooden Stake: Within five hundred punches, he must break a hardwood stake as thick as an arm with his fists; otherwise, he must start over. Each time, his hands are left bloodied and bruised, with skin torn and flesh exposed, even revealing the stark white of bone. Yet, even so, if the stake is not broken, he must continue to strike.

Block and Dodge Training: In simple terms, it means having Lancelot give Gong Hao a thorough beating. This guy's punches and kicks are as fast as lightning, making it virtually impossible for Gong Hao to block or evade. However, Lancelot insists that even when a fist is coming towards his face, he must not close his eyes, but rather do everything possible to capture his own movements, while also trying to sense the presence of fighting spirit in his body under such tense conditions. This is a high-intensity training method aimed at enhancing his reaction and physical coordination.

Lancelot's pale face finally broke into a smile from this flattery, but he still replied coolly: "Who says the use of fighting spirit is complex and vast? In fact, nothing is simpler than martial skills. Whether it is the generation and application of fighting spirit, or the use of martial techniques, the skills of combat are not complicated at all. The world of martial artists never venerates complexity. Simplicity and practicality are what truly matter. Just like this sword."

Although it was indeed very painful

Although it is merely a slight increase in fighting spirit, even a low-level warrior would find it insufficient to unleash a single sword strike or a flash of light from a book. However, when manifested in a frail twelve-year-old child, the changes it brings are earth-shattering. Gong Hao clearly felt that his strength had nearly doubled compared to before.

If the power unleashed by a high-ranking warrior is akin to a surging river, then the circulation of fighting spirit within the unfortunate Shuyi is like the tiny droplets of water from a faucet

Continue your training according to the method I provided, and in eighteen days, it should be nearly complete. Those who are just beginning to practice fighting energy always make the fastest progress

How many individuals can engage in such high-intensity, excessive training day after day, year after year

Lancelot is like a complete devil; he does not care at all whether Gong Hao can endure the intense training he has devised

Gong Hao understood that it was indeed a contest of wills

He attempted to grasp the airflow, but this current always vanished without a trace in a very short time

Lancelot's expression suddenly changed as he grabbed Gong Hao by the throat: "Hey, kid, don't be too greedy! You are just a servant! Do you really want to become a true warrior?"

In this situation, Gong Hao finally understood why it was necessary to enhance his fighting spirit through this training method

It is your own request to learn the application of fighting spirit; how can you succeed without enduring some hardships

In this manner, various means, almost every type of training could take Gong Hao's life, yet Lancelot employed all methods simultaneously, not even allowing him a moment's rest

Young man, between you and this fellow, only one can emerge alive. I wish I could save my chef, but unfortunately, this is the way of samurai training. Those who do not experience life and death will not achieve breakthroughs

If he continues training in this manner, he believes that his physique will become increasingly robust

However, some individuals who possess true perseverance and determination through rigorous training often find themselves unable to become outstanding warriors due to the lack of guidance from esteemed masters, thus remaining unrecognized throughout their lives

This time, he no longer relied on the simple method of physical training.

Compared to Lancelot's vast and robust fighting spirit, the small amount of fighting spirit generated within his own body seemed as weak as a firefly compared to the sun and moon. In the past, Gong Hao might not have even noticed its existence.

Gong Hao was able to feel the effects so quickly mainly because the internal fighting energy in his body was weak, and even a slight increase could be felt. Once the fighting energy becomes more robust in the future, it is possible that even after a year of hard training, the growth will be limited. This is akin to the difference between 1 plus 1, which represents a 100% increase, and 99 plus 1, which only represents a 1% increase. The amount of growth in fighting energy is fixed, and as one's own strength increases, the rate of growth will slow down even further. Once the fighting energy becomes more robust in the future, it is possible that even after a year of hard training, the growth will be limited. This is akin to the difference between 1 plus 1, which represents a 100% increase, and 99 plus 1, which only represents a 1% increase. The amount of growth in fighting energy is fixed, and as one's own strength increases, the rate of growth will slow down even further

Certainly, the assessment of a high-level warrior is not solely based on the flow of fighting energy within the body; it also encompasses the techniques of utilizing fighting energy, combat skills, and the application of martial arts, all of which are equally important. However, all techniques ultimately rely on fighting energy as a foundation, and they also depend on diligent training.

During the diving training, Lancelot personally held Gong Hao's head underwater, forcing him to experience the sensation of internal energy through his body while on the verge of suffocation

However, after enduring Lancelot's relentless onslaught, he gradually began to sense the characteristics of the fighting spirit, allowing him to swiftly grasp its pulse and quickly utilize the methods Lancelot had taught him to feel and experience it

Gong Hao was nearly gasping for breath as he said: "M-Master... I just want to learn how to use fighting energy to resist the poison of the venomous python. I mean... if I accidentally get sprayed by it, at least I can use fighting energy to buy some time to use the antidote. I believe you wouldn't want the lowly servant you trained with your own hands to die like this, would you?"

However, Lancelot showed no mercy; each time Gong Hao collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, he would kick him fiercely and loudly scold him to get up, threatening to behead him otherwise

You may yearn to become a powerful warrior, to stand at the pinnacle of human martial arts, to achieve an immortal existence, to wield a sword that traverses the world, undefeated and solitary in your invincibility. Yet, in all your seeking, the essence of that yearning is the glory and aura behind the strength, rather than the arduous and painful sweat of daily training

The application of fighting spirit is actually quite simple. The methods to enhance fighting spirit are, in themselves, a form of its application. Humans use fighting spirit to restore physical strength and heal the body. However, this method is the most primitive and is considered passive

The answer is very few

Lancelot suddenly drew his sword, and a bright light of snow-white brilliance burst forth, radiating like the sun

In life, regardless of the ideals one holds regarding books, suffering should never be the goal of pursuit

However, it is strange that every time Lancelot kicks Gong Hao, Gong Hao feels as if a warm current flows through his foot, entering his body and helping him quickly regain his strength

However, it is easy to say, but difficult to do

This time, he must directly eliminate this terror wolf

This is because excessive training is, in fact, harming the human body; only stronger fighting energy can provide a protective effect. The instinct of life is self-preservation, so the fighting energy within the body will spontaneously grow rapidly due to this phenomenon. If previously Gong Hao could not sense its existence, it was partly due to his lack of substantial experience with fighting energy, and partly because the fighting energy within him was simply too weak. However, as it gradually grows stronger, sensing it becomes much less difficult. Especially as Lancelot continuously infuses a trace of fighting energy into his body, moving through the meridians, allowing him to grasp the existence of this energy more clearly. If previously Gong Hao could not sense its existence, it was partly due to his lack of substantial experience with fighting energy, and partly because the fighting energy within him was simply too weak. However, as it gradually grows stronger, sensing it becomes much less difficult. Especially as Lancelot continuously infuses a trace of fighting energy into his body, moving through the meridians, allowing him to grasp the existence of this energy more clearly

He hopes for the former, but upon reflection, he feels that the latter is more likely.

It was the sudden surge of sword light from Lancelot's sword that severed the tree, but his speed of action was so swift that an ordinary person could not discern his movements at all

Lancelot wouldn't be applying the standards of high-intensity training used for his Sky Warriors to himself, would he

The intense training rapidly drained every ounce of energy from Gong Hao's body, to the extent that in the initial days, he was unable to stand up, let alone complete a single training session.

In fact, with the meager amount of fighting spirit within him, it is already commendable that he can sense its existence, let alone utilize it. After all, he has only been practicing for a few days. However, Lancelot does not concern himself with this.

Gong Hao is unable to control his fighting spirit freely.

He locked Gong Hao in a cage, allowing him to be confined with the terror wolf that had chased him for three whole days, causing him to circle the lake a full thirty times.

The hellish training relentlessly tormented Gong Hao's body and mind

However, it may be due to Lancelot's fighting spirit, or perhaps the effects of intense training, but gradually, Gong Hao indeed felt a subtle flow of unusual energy within his body

The happiness that people pursue is always the result rather than the process

Lancelot smiled slightly: "That's right. Don't you want to learn the application of fighting spirit? This is the application of fighting spirit and books."

Regardless of the circumstances, during the twelve days of training, Gong Hao had already distinctly felt the presence of fighting energy within his body

If the enhancement of fighting spirit is merely arduous and poses a relatively low level of danger, then Lancelot teaching him the application of fighting spirit is nothing short of premeditated murder

Nevertheless, he is still very grateful to Lancelot

Unfortunately, it did not belong to him; rather, it was given to him by Lancelot, with the sole purpose of allowing him to recover slightly before continuing to strive desperately.

Gong Hao finally understood what it meant to seek out one's own suffering

Lancelot once said that every person on the Wind Whispering Continent is born with a trace of weak fighting spirit, which is a gift from heaven, and may also be a result of their existence in a magical land. However, this gift is quite limited and does not serve much purpose. Nevertheless, high-intensity training places the body in a constant state of consumption and regeneration, and the fighting spirit within, when continuously utilized, will experience a certain degree of growth

When his physical strength was completely exhausted, he could distinctly feel that a trace of fighting spirit within him was rapidly transforming into the power in his body, supporting him to continue training. He continuously consumed that meager fighting spirit generated within him, relying on his tenacious will to overdraw everything he had. The self-protective function of life then came into play, and thus, an endless stream of fighting spirit was activated.

He put down Gong Hao: "The application of fighting spirit, well... it's actually quite simple. You are a clever lad, but I worry that once you learn to release your fighting spirit, you might also pick up other things without guidance. I certainly do not want to cause trouble for Hines"

It is somewhat chilling

This is why it is said that the greatest talents of a warrior are diligence and hard work—overtraining leads to a noticeable increase in fighting spirit, but how many can truly persevere? It is important to understand that the growth of fighting spirit does not occur simply because one collapses from exhaustion once; rather, even when one is exhausted, one must continue to train, remaining in a state of suffering and torment at all times. A few instances of fatigue will never easily lead to an increase in fighting spirit energy. It is important to understand that the growth of fighting spirit does not occur simply because one collapses from exhaustion once; rather, even when one is exhausted, one must continue to train, remaining in a state of suffering and torment at all times. A few instances of fatigue will never easily lead to an increase in fighting spirit energy

People are always wise; if you spend a lifetime pursuing martial arts and reach the pinnacle, but are left with only a few years to enjoy life, it is evidently an unwise transaction

Almost every renowned warrior on the mainland has utilized such training methods as depicted in the *Illustrated* books. As their fighting energy increases, they continuously enhance the intensity of their training. If the consumption of physical strength does not reach an overload standard, the body's self-protective awareness will not consequently generate greater strength.

His expression does not seem to suggest that he is joking at all

This is why, although everyone has the potential to become a high-level warrior, very few ultimately reach the pinnacle. The vast majority of people, after reaching a certain level, will no longer adopt such self-torturous methods to enhance their fighting spirit. Even if they do, it is often inconsistent, akin to fishing for three days and sunbathing for two, rendering the effectiveness nearly negligible. Gradually, the method of slowly improving through mental techniques has become the mainstream approach

However, Lancelot was no longer interested in teaching him

You have mastered the training methods of fighting energy, and you can basically sense its existence. From today onwards, I will not teach you anything further

However, esteemed adult, I hope you can teach me some additional techniques for the application of fighting spirit

Jian Mang, trained through blocking exercises to keep his eyes on the opponent's weapon even in the most dangerous situations, suddenly captured the moment when Lancelot made his move.

Therefore, the Wind Sound Continent is not lacking in individuals who can rapidly grow to level 4 or above within a few years, but it is severely lacking in those who, step by step, have reached the pinnacle of human glory, despite spending decades without breaking through to level 5 or 6, often referred to as "geniuses".

As the saying goes, rapid progress is often due to a low starting point

Wishing you good luck

The sword was drawn, the sword was sheathed, and he seemed to have not moved at all, yet a large tree not far away suddenly fell down

In addition to being chased by the terrifying wolf, Gong Hao must perform extreme training methods such as doing five hundred weighted squats, five hundred weighted pull-ups, crawling three thousand meters with weight, and executing one thousand powerful side kicks every day

To actively utilize the energy of fighting spirit, one must not only sense and strengthen the fighting spirit but also take the initiative to control the flow of energy, directing this power towards one's specified needs

The meaning behind his words... Gong Hao quickly collected his thoughts and said: "Esteemed Lord Lancelot, I am merely a humble servant. The reason I was able to sense the existence of fighting spirit in just a few days is entirely due to your exceptional guidance. The application of fighting spirit is a vast and mysterious discipline, and I believe it is no less complex than alchemy. How could someone like me possibly master it without a teacher?" The application of fighting spirit is a vast and mysterious discipline, and I believe it is no less complex than alchemy. How could someone like me possibly master it without a teacher?