Calculation

Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan were well aware of the concept of self-created soul skills. They had seen Le Zhengyu and Tang Wulin use them in the soul master competition, taught by Zhuo Shi. But Anping made it sound so simple, and they were doubtful. If it was that easy, why were there so few people in the world who could create their own soul skills?

Seeing their disbelief, Anping said, "Don't take my word for it. Let me show you. We'll start with Xiaoyan's soul skills."

As he spoke, a star wheel appeared under Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan's feet, followed by starlight chains. In an instant, Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan were bound by the starlight chains.

Anping said, "Try to break free and see if you notice any difference from Xiaoyan's first soul skill."

Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan didn't need Anping's prompt. They struggled to free themselves, but to no avail. However, they soon realized something was different. Anping's soul skill didn't have the same time limit as Xiaoyan's.

Anping then mimicked Xiaoyan's other soul skills, one by one. They were identical to Xiaoyan's, but even more powerful.

After that, Anping imitated Le Zhengyu's soul skills. Then he randomly demonstrated some other soul skills he had seen before, leaving Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan amazed.

Finally, Anping did something that stunned them even more. He filled the entire courtyard with golden light, and Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan felt the familiar sensation of the angel domain that Le Zhengyu had used before.

When Anping stopped, Le Zhengyu exclaimed, "Is this really possible?"

He wasn't doubting his own strength, but what Anping did went against everything he knew. He thought that soul skills and domains were based on martial souls.

Anping's martial soul was neither a star wheel nor an angel, but he could use their soul skills. How could they do the same?

Anping nodded slightly and said, "It is possible. What I did was based on your own potential. As long as you study hard, you can do it too."

He wasn't lying to them. What he showed them was what they could achieve after learning the meditation method he gave them.

Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Does that mean that the soul skills from the soul rings won't matter anymore?"

Anping nodded slightly and said, "For you, soul skills are still important. You have to work hard if you want to be as good as me."

They didn't need Anping to tell them that. They knew it wasn't easy, but they had a goal. Ever since they learned the meditation method from Anping, and later got the fairy grass, they had surpassed most of their peers.

In the following time, Anping and Gu Yuena taught Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan how to control the energy in their bodies. Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan were both smart and quick learners, and they made good progress. But they knew that reaching Anping's level would take a long time. They were realistic about their abilities.

After finishing the morning practice, Le Zhengyu said with some embarrassment, "Energy control has improved our strength. Isn't it time to teach us some actual combat skills?"

Le Zhengyu didn't really need to improve his actual combat ability in a hurry. He just wanted to surprise his grandfather, who had said he would visit Tianhai City soon.

Anping agreed to Le Zhengyu's request without hesitation. He took Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan to the courtyard, but he didn't start teaching them right away. Instead, he asked, "What do you think is the most important thing in actual combat?"

Le Zhengyu answered without thinking, "Of course it's experience. Actual combat is the best way to learn. It's common sense that experienced soul masters can challenge stronger opponents. Isn't that why the students of Shrek Academy are so famous? Because they have more practical experience."

Anping shook his head slightly and said, "That's true, but my method may be different from what you've learned before, so you have to be prepared."

Xu Xiaoyan asked with some confusion, "Different? Isn't the best way to improve your actual combat experience to fight more people and learn from the battles?"

Le Zhengyu nodded. That was what they had been taught, and that was the method accepted by everyone in Douluo Continent. Now Anping said his method was different, and they both looked at him curiously, wondering what he would say.

Anping explained, "Actual combat is indeed the best way to improve your strength, but what I want to teach you now is something else, which is what to do in battle."

Before Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan could ask, Anping continued, "The other thing I'm talking about is calculation. In battle, you have to learn to calculate. You have to learn to calculate every move of your opponent."

Hearing this, Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan frowned slightly, and Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Can such a thing be calculated?"

Anping nodded and said, "Of course it can, but it's not easy to calculate every move of your opponent. This involves many factors, such as a person's personality, current status, and your relationship with them."

"But you don't have to do this right away. The first thing you have to do is to judge what a person is going to do by their movements and energy changes. Take the simplest example, a sword-wielding arm. If they pull it back, then their next move is most likely to stab you."

"For a soul master with the Blue Silver Grass Spirit, if you see them directing their energy underground, they probably want to use control skills, such as Blue Silver Coil, Blue Silver Cage, and so on."

Xu Xiaoyan nodded and said, "We know that, but physical attacks are easy to see. Energy attacks are harder to judge."

Gu Yuena touched Xu Xiaoyan's head and smiled, "That's why the first thing we teach you is energy control. Haven't you noticed that as you become more proficient in energy control, your perception of various energies also becomes better and better? Aren't you becoming more sensitive?"

Hearing Gu Yuena's words, Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan thought about their training during this period, and realized that their perception of various elements had indeed become more sensitive. They understood then why Anping hadn't started teaching them actual combat skills right away, and they nodded in agreement.

Anping said, "That's it, so what you have to do next is to practice with each other, but during the battle, you have to pay special attention to each other's movements and the surrounding energy fluctuations. And of course, you also have to learn how to hide your intentions from your opponent."

"In addition, you can also try to calculate the other party's behavior, but you don't have to be too pushy about this. This requires you to have strong computing power, and there is no need to rush."

Le Zhengyu and Xu Xiaoyan nodded and began to sparring in the courtyard. However, due to the venue, they did not use too much soul power and focused on what Anping said. Anping and Gu Yuena went back to do their own things.

~~

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