Chapter 15: Training Hall

The next day, at the entrance of the training hall.

Last night, with a sufficient supply of Qinggang Jade, Chen Xuan successfully used the 'Gluttonous Stomach' to increase Wukong's strength from 'Civilian Level 1' to 'Civilian Level 4'.

Today, they needed to do some training to familiarize themselves with the sudden surge in power.

By the way, they wanted to see how effective the new 'Phantom Racial Skill' would be after the addition of the phantom attribute...

(o°⌓°o) Master, is there something good over there?

The Stone Monkey, riding on Chen Xuan's shoulder, curiously pointed to a crowded ice cream stand.

"It's just ice cream."

Chen Xuan casually replied, "If you want to eat, I'll buy you some after the training, but be aware that eating ice cream in this weather can easily cause a cold, and don't blame me if you get diarrhea."

✧٩(ˊωˋ*)و✧ I'm not afraid of diarrhea. Let's hurry up and train!

The Stone Monkey waved its little fists excitedly.

Before entering the training hall, Chen Xuan took out the 'Golden Scale Trouble-free Card' from his collar, wanting to see if it could actually attract someone's appreciation and reward him with a million or two.

However...

The golden material seemed to only give the impression that he comes from a wealthy family.

At this moment, a man who looked like a coach enthusiastically ran over and tried to make a sale, "Hey, do you want to sign up for private lessons?"

"No need. I prefer to train by myself."

"Why not take a look? Our coaches here have extensive experience, and the teaching quality is just as good as those Daoist School coaches, but at least half the price. Many students here have excellent exam scores."

Daoist Schools were, in fact, similar to training halls, both offering training and guidance venues.

But there were significant differences between the two.

Training halls could be established with sufficient funding, while Daoist Schools could only be founded by school-level Spirit Binders.

Only when a Spirit Binder reached the school level would they be considered as having found their own path, and thus qualified to establish their own faction.

Different Daoist Schools had distinct teaching systems.

For example, the famous signature program of the Furong City 'Sichun Daoist School' was Four-handed Wing Chun, a martial art developed specifically for spirits like 'Four-Armed Strange Ape' and 'Wild Boxing Kangaroo,' based on the Wing Chun style.

A solid martial art, coupled with the power of racial skills or talisman skills, could produce incredible offensive power!

In addition to that, Daoist Schools provided exclusive promotion channels, allowing excellent students with average backgrounds to have opportunities to be mentored by the Masters and receive support in resources and connections.

So, when compared, Daoist Schools were more like ancient sects, while training halls resembled profit-oriented gyms.

"No need, thank you."

Chen Xuan firmly declined, not pausing his steps.

However, the coach seemed unwilling to let this potential big spender slip away, and couldn't help but scan the hall for someone.

Upon seeing a familiar face, his eyes immediately brightened, and he quickly approached Chen Xuan, saying, "Hey, how about I arrange a match for you to test your strength?"

"Is it free?"

Chen Xuan's brows raised, cautiously asking.

"Absolutely free,"

The coach patted his muscular chest to guarantee, "This is our training hall's occasional sparring service, no extra or hidden fees, so don't worry."

After staring at the coach's eyes for a while and finding that he didn't seem to be deceiving him, Chen Xuan nodded in agreement, "Alright then."

Having settled the match arrangements with Chen Xuan, the coach then jogged to the resting area and affectionately put his arm around a short teenager's shoulder:

"Qian Duo, do me a favor will you?"

"Nope,"

Qian Duo immediately rolled his eyes, "My dad will pick me up soon for the Daoist School. I don't have time to waste here."

"Just a little favor, it won't take much time."

The coach pointed to Chen Xuan, who was standing not far away, from a concealed angle, "See that kid? You two should have a match and dampen his enthusiasm."

Upon hearing this, Qian Duo stealthily glanced at the Stone Monkey on Chen Xuan's shoulder, and then directly refused:

"No, I'm already at Rank 6 in the Civilian class, what's the challenge in fighting him, who is only at Rank 4? Plus, I am a student of the Jinfeng Daoist School, and as a swordsman, I should only wield my sword against stronger opponents."

"But doesn't the 'swordsman spirit' include wielding the sword to protect the weaker as well?"

The coach said with a solemn face, "As the saying goes, it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish. By giving him advice through this opportunity, aren't you helping him become stronger?"

"Wow, I discovered that you really can talk. You can even make black seem white."

Qian Duo leaned back in surprise, "No wonder my dad said you are a talented person, holding the sales champion title for half a year, and no one has shaken it."

"Hey, that title is just because my boss appreciates me."

The coach laughed and waved his hand, "Besides, from another perspective, if you win with your overpowering strength, won't this stimulate his competitive spirit, prompting him to forge ahead and achieve steady progress? In this way, our country will have more talents who are like the stones in the middle of a river. This is a great way to accumulate good karma! Not only that..."

"Stop, stop."

Qian Duo quickly raised his hand to stop him from continuing. With no choice, he stood up, "Let's go, quickly arrange the arena, and I'll finish it quickly."

"Alright~"

The coach immediately led the two of them to a fighting arena in high spirits.

"Since my Sword Mantis is slightly higher in level than your Stone Monkey, I won't use the Talent Talisman in fairness. Is that okay?"

Qian Duo looked at Chen Xuan, his face full of inquiry.

Right next to him, a silvery mantis about waist-high clicked its mouthparts, lightly licking its sharp swords-like limbs.

[Sword Mantis, Gold Based Demon Spirit, Racial Rating: 3 stars]

[Floating Ironclad Youth, a dirge of madly interwoven sword shadows. Thousands of green leaves cut through the wind, leaving no dragging sound in their urgent flight.]

"Alright."

Chen Xuan nodded.

Although the opponent's Sword Mantis was at Rank 6 in the Civilian class, 2 whole levels higher than the Stone Monkey.

But don't forget that Wukong is not an ordinary 2-star Stone Monkey - he's a full 4 stars!

When calculating the Spirit's combat power, the racial rating is a significant factor.

For example:

A 1-star Rank 1 Civilian class Spirit has a standard combat power of 10, so when it rises to Rank 6, it's 60.

By this logic, a 3-star Rank 6 Civilian class Sword Mantis has a combat power calculated as 60×3, equal to 180.

For a 4-star Rank 4 Civilian class Stone Monkey, the combat power is 40×4, equal to 160.

The difference in combat power between the two is only 20 points, which isn't an absolute advantage. Therefore, the contest will depend on their experience and skill.

(;OдO) Master, are we really going to fight? I'm not scared, but I think fighting is not good, it hurts harmony...

The Stone Monkey held onto Chen Xuan's clothes nervously.

Seeing it being like this, Chen Xuan sighed, squatted down, and touched its head while continuing his coaxing:

"Wukong, you may not remember, but when you fought your way from Lingxiao Palace to the South Heavenly Gate, there was actually a Heavenly General holding two swords. Since he was afraid of getting beaten, he had to follow you from a distance without daring to stop you."

"After that, that Heavenly General was demoted by the Heavenly Emperor to the human world to undergo reincarnation due to his negative work attitude. Look, in this lifetime, he has become the Sword Mantis opposite us."

"Back then, it couldn't hurt a single hair of yours, and now it's even more powerless after the reincarnation. It's practically the weakest of the weak."

"So, just use your advantage of having hard hair and swing your fists mindlessly. It definitely won't be able to beat you."

"Besides, we have a health insurance card. If you get hurt, I can take you to the pediatric department, so don't worry."

The Stone Monkey's eyes grew brighter as it listened, and by the end, its back straightened with confidence as it confidently said:

(｡・`ω´･) Since it's an enemy, there's no helping it. I, the Great Sage equal to Heaven, will not be polite!

Before the fight even started, it bounced around like a boxer, even occasionally throwing a punch while making a 'Whoosh' sound...