Days in the Training Camp

Inside the Ninefold Tower, Jiang Fang introduced Luo Feng, "The most important features of the Ninefold Tower are, of course, the 'Challenge Room,' 'Trial Room,' and 'Gravity Room' on the ninth floor! These three rooms are constructed based on treasures unearthed from ancient civilization ruins. The seventh and eighth floors also house many training rooms, such as the 'Gravity Room' replicated by our Earth scientists. While not as effective as the ancient civilization's Gravity Room, they're still far better than having none at all."

"Beep!"

The elevator doors opened.

They walked along the ninth-floor hall towards the training rooms.

"From the 1st to the 30th of each month, the Trial Room and Gravity Room are used by students for training. During these 30 days, from 12 PM to 1 PM daily, this one-hour period is for rest. Typically, if there are new probationary students undergoing assessment, it happens during this hour," Jiang Fang explained.

"And this month is March, which has 31 days. On the 31st, both the Gravity Room and Trial Room are empty," Jiang Fang said, leading Luo Feng to the entrance of a room.

Luo Feng had already entered the other two rooms on the ninth floor, the 'Trial Room' and 'Challenge Room.'

A beam of light swept over Luo Feng and Jiang Fang.

"Beep!"

The door opened, and both Luo Feng and Jiang Fang entered the room.

"This is the Gravity Room, the one discovered from the ancient civilization ruins," Jiang Fang stated. Luo Feng carefully observed the room. Its walls, floor, and other surfaces were made of a yellow and black alloy. The entire Gravity Room felt unique because of this strange alloy.

"Our Earth scientists still haven't figured out this alloy," Jiang Fang said, pointing to the alloy on the wall. "Even beings beyond a War God can't leave a single mark on these walls."

Luo Feng was startled, noticing a slightly concave fist print, about five millimeters deep, on the adjacent wall.

Jiang Fang's eyes sparkled with a hint of reverence: "This fist print was left by our Earth's strongest individual, Hong. Among those who transcend a War God, only the Dojo Master could leave a fist print on this wall. No one else can do it! The Dojo Master is the strongest on Earth."

"Beep!" Jiang Fang pressed a switch nearby.

"Your physical fitness is at the Beginner Tier Warrior level. 9x gravity should be close to your limit." With that, Jiang Fang quickly pressed a button to increase the gravity, and the numbers on the display screen changed rapidly—

2, 3, 4, 5...

"Buzz~~~"

An invisible force instantly enveloped every part of his body. He couldn't even exhale. The gravity value quickly rose from 8 to 9. Luo Feng felt his vision blur, and he immediately knelt to the ground. His heartbeat pounded like a drum, and the sound of blood flowing was like a rushing river. Everything was incredibly clear.

"How do you feel?" Jiang Fang asked Luo Feng.

Luo Feng struggled to stand, his face pale, his body swaying: "I just feel incredibly heavy all over, my heart is pounding painfully, and breathing is very difficult. Every part of my body aches." Although Luo Feng carried a Blood Shadow Blade, under 9x gravity, it felt like around 1000 kilograms.

But carrying such weight was nothing compared to the pain his blood vessels and internal organs experienced under 9x gravity.

"Luo Feng, do you understand the importance of the Gravity Room for warriors?" Jiang Fang, still conversing casually under 9x gravity, asked.

Luo Feng looked at Jiang Fang.

"Warriors absorb cosmic energy, converting it into genetic energy, which their bodies then absorb to improve their genes and strengthen their physique!" Jiang Fang exclaimed. "However... each cell in the body becomes saturated after absorbing a certain amount. It can't absorb any more!"

"The more a person exercises, the more they eat."

"It's the same principle. Only when every minute part of the body, down to the cells, participates in exercise, will the cells absorb a much greater amount of genetic energy," Jiang Fang mused. "However, with normal training, even if it feels exhausting, it's very difficult to activate every minute part of the body."

Luo Feng nodded; he understood this principle. It was why the higher the stage of the Ninefold Thunderblade, the faster one's physical fitness improved.

"But the Gravity Room is different!"

"The gravity in the Gravity Room acts on every single part of you—your muscles, bones, blood vessels, internal organs, down to your cells, and even molecules and atoms!" Jiang Fang explained. "Gravity is omnipresent, so it naturally acts on the most minute details."

Luo Feng's eyes lit up.

Yes, gravity indeed acts everywhere.

"Therefore, in the Gravity Room, especially at your limit of gravity!" Jiang Fang smiled. "Even if you stand still, every cell in your body is subjected to gravity, resisting it, consuming energy! This is far more effective than any other training method."

"Exactly," Luo Feng couldn't help but nod in admiration.

Jiang Fang smiled: "Of course, if combined with cultivation, the effect is even better! You could say... two hours in extreme gravity in one day is equivalent to ten days of normal training!"

"Ten times?" Luo Feng's eyes widened.

Damn!

If he relied on the Gravity Room, what used to take him three years to become a 'High-Tier War God Mental-Force User' would now only take three or four months?

"However, there's only one of these Gravity Rooms," Jiang Fang continued. "Even the Thunder Dojo's elite training camp doesn't have one. One training room for 183 students. How much time do you think you'll get?"

Luo Feng was speechless.

"So, the higher your ranking, the more time you get to use it," Jiang Fang went on. "The 'Gravity Room' our Earth scientists replicated has a gravity range of 1x to 3x. Meaning, you can only use up to 3x gravity. When training in a Gravity Room, the closer you are to your limit, the better the effect."

"This Gravity Room unearthed from ancient civilization ruins has a gravity range of 1x to 1000x!" Jiang Fang exclaimed. "It's much stronger than our replicas."

"1000x?" Luo Feng's eyes widened. "Who can withstand 1000x gravity?"

"Of course, this so-called 1x to 1000x is what we've set on the display after our modifications," Jiang Fang said, pointing to the screen. "Do you think ancient civilizations used Arabic numerals? The display counter, switches, and so on have been modified by us. Of course, we couldn't change the main components."

...

There was only one ancient civilization Gravity Room, so how long could a newcomer like Luo Feng use it?

The Earth-replicated Gravity Rooms, while limited to 3x gravity, were numerous. The entire training camp had ten such replicated Gravity Rooms.

...

"Luo Feng, as a newcomer, you're ranked 183, which is an odd number. So, for the first 28 days of April, on odd-numbered days, you'll join other students in the Wilderness to hunt monsters! Earn battle points. On even-numbered days, you'll stay in the training camp to study and cultivate. I'll guide you then," Jiang Fang instructed.

"Yes, Teacher," Luo Feng nodded.

In the training camp, he had to seize every opportunity to absorb knowledge and strengthen himself!

...

Night, 11 PM.

Luo Feng, in his bathrobe, sat in his study, looking at his laptop.

"Rank 1, April: 90 hours in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 90 hours in the Trial Room."

"Rank 2, April: 60 hours in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 60 hours in the Trial Room."

...

"Ranks 11-30: 6 hours in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 6 hours in the Trial Room."

"Ranks 31-50: 4 hours in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 4 hours in the Trial Room."

"Ranks 51-100: 2 hours in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 2 hours in the Trial Room."

"Ranks 101-End: 1 hour in the ancient civilization Gravity Room, 1 hour in the Trial Room."

Luo Feng looked at the last line of numbers below, a wry smile on his face.

He was a newcomer, ranked 183. For the entire month of April, he could only use the ancient civilization Gravity Room for 1 hour? And the Trial Room for 1 hour?

"Only one hour. How great for the top-ranked, a full 90 hours. On odd-numbered days, he goes out to hunt monsters. On even-numbered days, he's in the training camp, cultivating intensely for 15 days each month. He can spend 6 hours daily in the ancient civilization Gravity Room and 6 hours in the Trial Room. It would be hard for his strength not to improve quickly," Luo Feng thought enviously.

In the ancient civilization Gravity Room, spending just 2 hours a day was equivalent to 10 days.

Not to mention someone spending 6 hours a day.

"Fortunately, April is my first month in the training camp, and I have a special privilege. I can take one Trial Tower level assessment," Luo Feng mused.

The Trial Tower level assessment was a privilege granted to every new student in their first month. The time spent on the Trial Tower assessment was not counted towards their allocated time. For example, Luo Feng only had 1 hour in the Trial Room for April. But for the Trial Tower level assessment, Luo Feng might spend 40 minutes, making his total an hour and 40 minutes.

Some spent a long time on this level assessment, others a short time.

"My blade technique is still quite rudimentary."

"I'll train hard this month and take the Trial Tower assessment on the 26th," Luo Feng thought. Since he was the only new student in April, Luo Feng could choose any day between 12 PM and 1 PM to take his level assessment.

...

April 1st arrived in a flash, marking Luo Feng's official days in the training camp.

On April 1st, Luo Feng, along with 91 other students, headed to City 1001, a city in the Wilderness about 300 kilometers from the training camp. This city's designation was personally set by Hong, the founder of Hongning Base City. All students had to hunt monsters in this city.

Furthermore, a dedicated satellite monitored City 1001.

The training camp had strict rules—

1. Unauthorized trading of monsters, giving monster materials to other students, or helping other students increase their battle points: expulsion upon discovery.

2. Infighting, killing other students: execution upon discovery.

"Whoosh!"

The Blood Shadow Blade flashed, and the head of a mountain-like Pack-carrying Deer flew off.

"The monster species in this Western Asia region are completely different from those in the heartland of my Huaxia Nation," Luo Feng was like a fish in water in the Wilderness city. He had practiced his blade techniques amidst monster hordes, so while other students worried about being surrounded, Luo Feng had no such fear.

Therefore, Luo Feng's efficiency in hunting monsters was very high, and he earned many battle points.

...

"Blade techniques and sword techniques are divided into four levels: Basic, Proficient, Mastered, and Intent. You need to build a solid foundation for me now! Practice your blade techniques for two hours every day in the replicated Gravity Room! And two hours in the Blade Technique Training Room! And practice more when you get back! How can you succeed without a solid foundation?"

"When you practice, you also need to use your brain and think carefully! How can you achieve fluid, continuous movements!" Jiang Fang commanded.

"Yes, Teacher!"

...

In the Gravity Room, in the Blade Technique Training Room, in the underground secret room of Jiangnan Pavilion.

Every day, Luo Feng was engrossed in practicing his blade techniques. He also used his mental force to sense the trajectory of his blade swings. With the meticulous sensing of his mental force, Luo Feng continuously improved and trained hard. "This kid's progress is truly astonishing, but it's not strange for someone in this training camp to be a prodigy," Jiang Fang, though surprised, placed even higher demands on Luo Feng.

Various training methods were continuously added to Luo Feng's regimen.

...

Daily genetic energy cultivation, of course, could not stop!

Only when his whole body felt completely exhausted would Luo Feng occasionally chat with his family and Xu Xin via his laptop.

"Luo Feng, you seem quite tired?"

"Not tired, seeing you makes me not tired at all," Luo Feng said, smiling at Xu Xin during their video chat.

"I didn't expect you, Luo Feng, to be so good at witty remarks now."

...

Luo Feng was completely immersed in his days at the training camp. There were many geniuses here, many far more powerful than him! In terms of Mental-Force Users, there were dozens in the elite training camp, and many were stronger than him in mental force. In terms of blade techniques, movement techniques, and force exertion, there were also those stronger than Luo Feng.

Some in the training camp could exert four times their body's force.

Several had reached the Intent level in movement techniques.

Luo Feng's blade technique was, in fact, at the bottom of the training camp.

However—

"Luo Feng's movement technique and body force exertion were already his advantages. His progress in blade technique, while not the absolute best in the training camp, is certainly top-tier. I believe he'll soon enter the second stage of blade technique," Jiang Fang was very satisfied with this disciple. "In two or three years, Luo Feng could very well challenge for a spot in the top ten of the training camp."

...

Luo Feng was like a sponge, desperately absorbing knowledge in this training camp. He was making progress in all aspects: physical fitness, blade techniques, and movement techniques. This rate of progress was far faster than when he was figuring things out alone! Moreover, many War God teachers in the training camp frequently held classes!

Even Inspectors gave lectures!

...

April 26th, morning.

Jiangnan Pavilion, Luo Feng's study.

"It seems really hard to get to the top of the Black Dragon Ranking," Xu Xin sighed during their video chat.

"It is very hard," Luo Feng nodded.

For nearly a month, besides sleeping and occasionally video chatting with family and Xu Xin, all his other time was dedicated to cultivation!

His progress in this past month was astonishing!

"There are so many geniuses in this training camp. William, whom I defeated, is only ranked around 150 on the Black Dragon Ranking. Most new students in their first year are ranked 150 or lower. It's incredibly difficult to break into the top 120, let alone the top 100," Luo Feng said.

Xu Xin smiled: "Then you're already doing very well, Luo Feng."

"It's alright, I just couldn't break into the top 120," Luo Feng shook his head. In these 26 days, his monster hunting efficiency rivaled that of students who had been there for three or four years, coupled with his combat amplitude of 4.48 (2.8 multiplied by 1.6). Yet, his points on the Black Dragon Ranking still hadn't pushed him into the top 120. However, he was still higher than William!

"Luo Feng, don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"You're already very strong. Didn't you say you're ranked second among the batch of students who just entered the training camp this year?" Xu Xin comforted him. "And according to what you said... your combat amplitude is far more than 4.48. After your Trial Tower level assessment, your combat amplitude will increase, and maybe you'll break into the top 100."

"From what I've heard, those who can break into the top 100 immediately upon entering the elite training camp are truly remarkable individuals," Xu Xin exclaimed.

Xu Xin's background meant she knew quite a bit about the elite training camp.

"Today is your Trial Tower level assessment, good luck!" Xu Xin made a small fist in the video.

"Hehe," Luo Feng grinned.

"Good luck, watch me."

The higher one climbed in the Trial Tower, the higher their rank.

When he passed the B-level test, his Trial Tower level automatically became 1.6. Now that his speed had surged and his blade technique had improved, his Trial Tower level would definitely see a significant leap.

...

At 11:50 AM, Luo Feng chatted with his parents for a while longer.

Then, Luo Feng, dressed in casual clothes, leisurely walked out of Jiangnan Pavilion alone. Coincidentally, Zhao Ruo was returning from outside and smiled, "Luo Feng, going for lunch?"

"Already eaten," Luo Feng smiled.

"I just checked the Black Dragon Ranking, and your rank is 126. Junior Brother, you're truly amazing. I only managed to get into the top hundred," Zhao Ruo teased. Luo Feng grinned: "Senior Sister, you should be careful. My goal is to break into the top hundred in the short term!"

"Short term? How short? Two months, three months?" Zhao Ruo raised an eyebrow.

"I'll talk to you later, I need to go now," Luo Feng didn't say much more.

No one in the training camp, except Xu Xin, knew about his decision to take the Trial Tower level assessment at noon on April 26th.

With that, Luo Feng walked towards the Ninefold Tower.

Along the way, many students greeted Luo Feng... students respected strength, and Luo Feng had managed to reach rank 126 in his first month in the training camp. Although the points ranking wouldn't finalize until midnight on the 28th, this already showed Luo Feng's strength.

Only 19 years old, and already so powerful.

What about the future?

So, many of these students, from South America, North America, Europe, Africa, and other places, had good relationships with Luo Feng.

...

On the ninth floor of the Ninefold Tower, six Black students had just finished their Trial Tower and Gravity Room training and were sparring.

"Hey, Luo Feng, why are you here at noon?" one of the Black students who spoke Mandarin called out. The other five Black students didn't speak Mandarin. A smaller proportion of these African students understood Mandarin, even though Mandarin was now widely spoken globally.

"Something came up," Luo Feng smiled and walked towards the Trial Room. The Trial Room scanned Luo Feng, confirming his identity.

"Click!"

The Trial Room door automatically unlocked, and Luo Feng gently pushed it open and entered.

"Trial Room? How can he enter the Trial Room after 12 PM?"

"It's impossible to enter the Trial Room!" The six Black students spoke fluently in their African dialect.

"Ah, that Luo Feng is a new student. April is his first month here, and new students have the privilege of a Trial Tower level assessment in their first month."

"Hasn't he taken the Trial Tower level assessment yet? It's already the 26th!"

"He definitely hasn't, otherwise students can't enter the Trial Room between 12 PM and 1 PM."

"Oh my god, his Black Dragon Ranking is already over 120 without even taking the Trial Tower assessment. How high will he rank after the assessment? Could it be in the top hundred?"

"A newcomer breaking into the top 100 in their first month?"

"Quick, let's go to the Black Dragon Ranking. The ranking will surely refresh soon."

"Quick, let's go!"

"To the Black Dragon Sculpture."

The six Black students chattered excitedly, all utterly shocked, and quickly rushed down the stairs towards the Black Dragon Sculpture at the main entrance of the training camp. It was almost impossible for a newcomer to break into the top hundred in their first month at the training camp, and anyone who achieved such a miracle had an astonishing future.

Could it be...

Another person was about to enter the training camp and immediately break into the top hundred?