Lin Xun was continuously brutalized for an entire hour. He was beaten until his mind became somewhat numb and he could no longer feel any pain.

In this one-on-one training, Xiaoke did not display any of her true abilities. A few close combat techniques were all she used to repeatedly pound Lin Xun into the dirt.

To make a comparison, Xia Zhi’s battle techniques were simple, direct, and violent while Xiaoke focused more on the unpredictability factor. Her attacks were sneaky, vicious, and aimed to kill in a single strike.

Although it was a one-sided beatdown, the masochistic training rapidly increased his combat experience.

This was his reward: the higher the price he paid, the greater the benefits. Moreover, Xiaoke clearly wasn’t showing any restraint.

Lin Xun used to think that his Joint Disruption Art was amazing. However, he quickly realized that he had been far too naive after experiencing moves from a high-level combatant like Xiaoke.

However, this only ignited Lin Xun’s fighting spirit.

While being wrecked for an entire hour, he displayed astonishing willpower and comprehension. Although he was always beaten down each time, his combat instinct, tactics and techniques were slowly but clearly improving.

These changes were naturally observed by Xiaoke. Although she did not say anything, a subtle change was occurring in her heart.

She had not been optimistic about Lin Xun from day one. His cultivation was too low and his combat abilities were unremarkable compared to the other students.

Although he had not been eliminated on the first day, Xiaoke did not believe he had any chance of reversing his situation.

What’s more, Lin Xun’s results had been at the bottom of the group for the entire week!

It was only when Xiaoman kidnapped Lin Xun did he finally draw some interest from Xiaoke.

When Xu Sanqi told her that Lin Xun would be helping Old Mo redesign the Violet Hero Battleship and would no longer participate in the 39th Campground training exercises, Xiaoke immediately disagreed.

No matter how bad Lin Xun was, he was still her student. How could she allow him to be taken away by others?

Xiaoke had originally planned to take Lin Xun back last night. However, she changed her mind after overhearing his conversation with Xiaoman.

What right did Xiaoman have to train Xiaoke’s student?

She could also do these things!

This was how today’s one-on-one training session came about. Moreover, it was going to be a daily occurrence.

Xiaoke had not expected Lin Xun to have such strong willpower or such terrifying combat comprehension. These factors subconsciously changed her opinion of him.

Will this boy last till the end?

Xiaoke decided that she would watch and see.

“You have one hour to recover. After an hour, I will bring you to the 10th training field.”

She turned around and left. From start to end, she did not even look in Xiaoman’s direction.

……

Lin Xun heavily panted as he lay on the ground. His entire body was numb and there was a blank look in his eyes. Only his mind was exceptionally lively as he rapidly reviewed the training.

“Get up if you’re not dead. No one is going to pity you if you lie there on the ground.” Xiaoman walked over, crossed her arms, and looked at him with gloating eyes.

Lin Xun’s blank eyes gradually regained their light as he mumbled, “I have a feeling that my cultivation will break through in three days!”

Xiaoman was stunned. A tender expression appeared on her face as she looked at the young man’s bruised face and shining eyes.

At the end of the day, he was only a thirteen-year-old youngster. Who would easily admit defeat at this age?

Xiaoman squatted, retrieved a bottle of medicine, and began applying medicine to his wounds, “Why do you desire strength so much?”

Lin Xun did not reject Xiaoman’s good intentions. He sighed in comfort and replied, “To better survive.”

It was a simple reply which did not explain much but it tugged at Xiaoman’s heartstrings. She did not probe any further and silently tended to his wounds, her movements clearly much gentler than before.

An hour later at the 10th training field.

Equipped with a blade, Lin Xun fought against the golden flame spiders. His nimble figure was the picture of health and he looked as if he was overflowing with energy.

The medicine from Xiaoman was amazingly effective, allowing Lin Xun’s wounds to fully heal in an hour. Otherwise, he would not be able to endure such high-intensity training.

Xiaoke silently watched from the mountain peak.

“She treats the kid well. To think she’d even bring out the Black Jade Snow Melting Salve to help him recover from his wounds.” The fat middle-aged man had walked over at some unknown time.

Xiaoke frostily said, “It’s because she feels guilty!”

“What happened back then is not Xiaoman’s fault. We were too young and not much older than this kid. Why must you keep this grudge in your heart?” The fat middle-aged man displayed a complicated expression.

“Some mistakes can never be forgiven.” Xiaoke frowned, “Fatty, why have you come here to find me?”

The fat middle-aged man knew that Xiaoke did not wish to speak any further about this matter. He sighed and said, “The month-end exam has been finalized. The 39th Campground will fight the 40th Campground and the loser will be disbanded.”

Xiaoke raised her brow, “Isn’t the 40th Campground’s instructor Savage Wolf?”

The fat middle-aged man nodded, “Yes, it’s that cunning and devious guy. His campground has thirty-nine students and there are several noteworthy individuals amongst them. Based on numbers alone, your 39th Campground is already at a disadvantage.”

Xiaoke nonchalantly said, “Numbers are never the deciding factor. This is something I understand very well.”

The fatty middle-aged man worriedly said, “Xiaoke, if the 39th Campground is defeated, it will be disbanded and you will have to step down from your instructor position. You should know what that means.”

Xiaoke was silent for a moment. She looked at Lin Xun’s sweaty figure fighting below and said, “I was never interested in leaving Blood Kill Camp.”

The fat middle-aged man shook his head.

……

When night fell, Lin Xun was sent back to Old Mo’s warehouse and immediately crumpled into a chair like a pile of mud.

So exhausting!

He had been fighting golden flame spiders for more than an hour and had been on the verge of collapsing; he had nearly fallen unconscious from exhaustion.

The abnormally intensive training had left Lin Xun indescribably exhausted and numb.

Xiaoman had already prepared dinner. Lin Xun forced himself up and began to ravenously devour the food.

“Kid, we can craft the new aeth engine tomorrow. You’re indeed a genius. I have a feeling that it will definitely succeed as long as we follow your method.” Old Mo walked over in high spirits, his face filled with joy.

Lin Xun absent-mindedly acknowledged, “Old Mo, I won’t be able to help when you’re making the aeth engine. Everything will depend on you.”

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Old Mo was surprised, “You’re not going to take part?”

Lin Xun helplessly said, “I’m still a rune apprentice, how can I make rune arrays?”

Rune apprentice?

Old Mo’s eyes widened, “Kid, you’re bluffing me, right? You could come up with such a genius idea and draw so many complex rune array sketches, but you’re a rune apprentice?”

Lin Xun sighed, “Is there a need for me to demean myself?”

Old Mo was stunned. He suddenly let out a strange yelp and pointed to his nose, “If you’re a rune apprentice, wouldn’t that mean I’m even less skilled than a rune apprentice?”

Lin Xun could not be bothered to answer. The old man was way too competitive.

Old Mo stared at Lin Xun as if he was a freak and suddenly said, “Given your abilities, you could easily focus on being a rune master. If you do, your future will be filled with endless wealth, respect, and status. Why would you come to Blood Kill Camp for training?”

Lin Xun threw the question back, ‘What about you? Why do you stay in Blood Kill Camp?”

Old Mo’s expression immediately turned complicated as he irritably said, “I offended a rotten old bastard and was forced to come here. My situation is completely different from yours!”

Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed. Old Mo commanded high status in Blood Kill Camp and yet he had been forced to hide here? What kind of powerful figure had he offended?

After a long time, Lin Xun said, “We are indeed different. My goal for coming here is simple: it’s so that I will one day not be forced into the same circumstances as you…”

This answer might seem disrespectful to Old Mo, but he instantly understood and sighed, “If I had understood that at your age, things would not have become like this.”

He turned around and walked away, his thin figure giving off a bleak and lonely aura.

Lin Xun could not help but ask Xiaoman, “Who did Old Mo offend?”

“A very influential and powerful rune founder in the empire.” Xiaoman casually answered as if it was no secret.

A rune founder!

Lin Xun’s heart shook. That was an existence which was superior to even rune grandmasters. It was no wonder that Old Mo had been forced to hide here. Offending a rune founder had bigger repercussions than offending a Heaven Ascension expert!

……

From that day onwards, life became extremely structured and filled with hardship.

In the morning, he would discuss rune arrays with Old Mo and give suggestions for the remodeling of the Violet Hero Battleship aeth engine. In the afternoon, he would undergo various one-on-one training sessions with Xiaoke which could only be described as cruel and inhumane.

Even his nights were not spared. After a grueling day, he would force himself to meditate and cultivate to polish his spirit and martial dao… Under this intense schedule, Lin Xun often wished he could somehow double his time.

Three days later.

Lin Xun’s cultivation smoothly advanced, reaching the True Martial seventh layer, Little Cycle level!

The cultivation breakthrough brought his power to a whole new level: his aeth power alone was already comparable to a peak True Martial ninth layer expert.

Even Xiaoman could not help but be amazed by this. She stared deeply at Lin Xun and said, “You’re an irrational monster! I’m beginning to suspect that you might have some kind of unawakened talent in your body.”