Stronger from Earth-Chapter 77: Impoverished Kid

Wang Xuan sat cross-legged on the ground, pondering the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield, a cultivation technique for reaching the Vajra Realm, valued at a fortune.

The simplified version of the Golden Bell Shield in the Limit Realm sets a foundation for practicing the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield. By integrating the Golden Bell Shield into this technique, lengthy basic training can be skipped.

"The Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield, once cultivated, grants the defense and strength of a Divine Elephant, dramatically transforming the physique, greatly enhancing the body’s resilience.

I have cultivated the Golden Bell Shield to its limit, benefiting immensely by proving effective in battle numerous times. Practicing the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield now is undoubtedly a wise choice."

With the Golden Bell Shield as a foundation, Wang Xuan easily grasped the theory of the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield, finally beginning his training.

Utilizing the cultivation method of the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield, he gradually transformed the achievements of the Golden Bell Shield, forming the power of the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield.

Time ticked by, and Wang Xuan’s aura started radiating outward, rapidly growing like wild grass, soon becoming a towering tree, imposing like a roaring, running giant elephant, charging forward with unmatched force.

Over thirty trainees, upon hearing Wang Xuan’s instruction, obediently began the posture stance, setting their forms in specific poses in place.

Some were in the Mixed Element Stance, some in the Wuji Posture, and some in Tai Chi Stance, each different, bodies subtly fluctuating with breathing and heartbeat.

Ten minutes passed, and these trainees still held on. Given they paid hefty fees to enter the Immortal Martial Combat Hall to learn, naturally they had some foundation. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Twenty minutes, thirty minutes elapsed, and less than half of the trainees trembled, continuously grumbling about Wang Xuan. Notably, a single afternoon’s fees required over a hundred Star Yuan, yet Wang Xuan taught them nothing useful, only had them doing posture stance.

Was this just idling the day away, or did this instructor lack any real skills, merely deceiving them?

These trainees entertained varied thoughts, their gaze fixed on Wang Xuan, a towering, powerful figure, seemingly robust.

On closer inspection, they noticed Wang Xuan’s skin appeared exquisitely smooth like fine jade, envied by a few female trainees. Despite a resolute face, he looked remarkably young, only around twenty years old.

Such a young instructor? Could he just be pretending?

Forty minutes in, a trainee, unable to persist, collapsed to the ground, drenched in sweat. Following one, several others who couldn’t hold on also quit.

After an hour, only a dozen trainees continued, some with better foundations, some with weaker foundations but a steadfast will.

Observing Wang Xuan, they unknowingly discovered the instructor’s aura was deepening, causing their bodies to instinctively shiver with fear — an instinctive response to danger.

Although sitting cross-legged without any motion, these trainees seemingly witnessed a roaring giant elephant at any moment ready to trample.

One by one, trainees retreated, increasingly distant from Wang Xuan, adding mental pressure to those persisting in the stance. Not everyone remains undaunted amidst looming crises, even knowing Wang Xuan’s aura is merely posturing, they still felt fear.

Suddenly, these trainees noticed Wang Xuan opened his eyes, where a flicker of light instantly exerted intense pressure through his gaze.

Such oppressive gazes swallowed their heart-spirit, akin to a blade descending from above, prompting self-preservation instinctively pulling them away.

In realization, they discovered they retreated several meters away compared to before.

Despite the distance, their instinctive dread toward Wang Xuan persisted.

At this moment, Wang Xuan had integrated the Golden Bell Shield into the Divine Elephant Golden Bell Shield, although the transformation wasn’t entirely completed yet. Upon completion, his physique could further improve.

Witnessing their performance, Wang Xuan clearly assessed the trainees’ foundations and willpower.

"You, you, you... stand to the left. You, you, and you... stand in the middle. As for the remaining, stand on the right."

Those with weak foundations and lacking resilience, unable to persist, Wang Xuan deemed them unlikely to train intensively or have high future expectations — they were ordinary folk. Those with relatively good foundations but average resilience were mediocre, possibly evolving in the future. Yet, regardless of foundation, those with a resilient will were expected to some extent.

Trainees, clueless, wondered how they got divided into three groups.

They simply stood in a stance!

Then Wang Xuan spoke up: "Today’s training ends here. Come back tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, don’t be late."

With that, he left directly, while Assistant Wei Zequan showed nothing but respect, piquing trainees’ curiosity.

Clearly, this Instructor Wang was unlike other instructors.

Yet some trainees sighed, feeling today was wasted. Besides discovering an exceptional instructor, they gained little else.

Pained by posture stances, their muscles sore, trainees left in groups, discussing the formidable Wang Xuan.

A lone figure advanced swiftly, seemingly unfazed by fatigue from the stance, some trainees knew him as He Lianshan, with remarkable physique, the best performer before.

But he seemed too proud, indifferent to other ordinary trainees.

As trainees gradually left, Assistant Wei Zequan noticed a child still sitting on the ground. He remembered the child insisted on standing for an hour, though initially collapsing was able to stand again, barely holding on for two hours altogether.

This youth appeared twelve or thirteen, dressed two tiers below other trainees, indicating unfavorable family circumstances.

Bearing hefty Martial Arts Hall fees may force the whole family to skimp and endure hardship for a long while.

The youth’s face was pale, far weaker than the rest, having stood until exhaustion, depleted, not yet recovered.

Yet the youth now smiled broadly, relishing the moment, for Wang Xuan had placed him in the first tier, an acknowledgment.

"Shi Lei, why are you grinning? Aren’t you going home yet?" Wei Zequan inquired.

Shi Lei responded cheerfully, "I’ll rest a bit more." Exhausted, he needed rest.

"Rest well overnight. Tomorrow’s formal training requires optimal condition; otherwise, instructors won’t be pleased, alright?" Wei Zequan advised, noting some trainees overtrained after going home, adversely affecting the next day’s training.

"Understood."

After resting awhile, Shi Lei dragged his weary body home.

"Dad, Mom, I’m back."

Returning home, Shi Lei smiled, his mother busy in the kitchen, the aroma of dishes wafting, his father watching TV after work, his sister studying.

Parents asked about the day, Shi Lei didn’t mention the tough stance work but repeatedly expressed joy from the instructor’s satisfaction with his performance.

This acknowledgment was his day’s greatest gain, leaving him fully content.

Despite his poor foundation, standing among top-tier trainees like He Lianshan proved his perseverance earned acknowledgment from the instructor.

"That’s commendable, but take care of yourself, don’t overdo it," his father cautioned.

Shi Lei nodded firmly, "Understood."

Yet he secretly thought, given his family’s tight situation, sacrificing for his training, he couldn’t afford to slack off.

Except for effort and tenacity, compared to others he lacked any advantage.

"Shi Lei, you must press on! Keep pushing!"

The youth encouraged himself, happily dining with family, cleaning up afterward, then sat at the desk to review his homework.