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Chapter 71: Weighted Obstacle Runp
🕑 Added 2024-11-05 19:58:13 +0000 UTCFacing the new training ground No. 3, Yang Podi began running with weights on his back.
First up was a 100-meter sprint, a straight path requiring completion at maximum speed.
Next was a deep pit, with a diameter of over two meters, where he had to jump in and quickly climb out, testing his arm strength.
Then came the sewer crawl, consisting of tube-like objects with a diameter of less than a meter and a length of 20 meters, requiring him to crawl through quickly using his body strength.
Following that was the balance beam, where he had to climb a small one-meter-high step to reach a 30-meter-long beam made of a 20-centimeter-diameter log. It required precise balance, or falling off would mean starting over.
After that came the five-step pile, with five irregularly placed stakes, each spaced more than a meter apart, requiring continuous stepping to cross.
Next was a square water pool over 30 meters wide, which required him to swim across quickly, a challenging task given the weight on his body, demanding both endurance and balance.
Then came a mud pit with low netting, requiring him to crawl swiftly while staying low in the mud.
The next obstacle was the high-rope swing, where he had to climb a 30-meter-high spider-web-like rope structure. The ropes swayed as he climbed, making it difficult to gain leverage and requiring precise control over his strength.
...
After running one full lap, even Yang Podi felt the challenge. The difficulty was much higher than running with simple weights, reminding him of a saying from his previous life's military: "Better to run five kilometers than 400 meters on an obstacle course."
Simple running was indeed less punishing than a 5,000-meter run. While a 3,000 or 5,000-meter run tests one's lungs and muscles, obstacle courses push the limits of one's entire body and spirit, as completing all sections is extremely difficult, testing one's willpower.
The rest of the group found it even more grueling, particularly the two girls, who risked injuries with each misstep.
After multiple starts and stops, everyone had barely covered 10 kilometers by evening, and even Yang Podi hadn't reached the goal of 50 kilometers.
Everyone was left battered, muscles sore, and drenched in sweat, feeling almost completely exhausted.
Seeing their condition, Teacher Li Xiang quickly arranged for the five of them to take individual medicinal baths next to the training ground, with separate baths for the males and females.
During the baths, except for Yang Podi, the other six fell asleep directly in the tubs, a testament to their enormous physical exhaustion.
After the bath, everyone rushed to the dining hall like a pack of starving wolves.
By evening, everyone except Ye Lingling, who was weaker, had recovered somewhat.
The evening schedule remained the same as the previous day, with everyone heading to the Spirit Arena for battles. Given Ye Lingling's current condition, she hadn't fully recovered but was present to provide healing support if needed.
Yang Podi also informed everyone that their future training would primarily focus on weighted obstacle running, with the weight gradually increased for each person. Their goal was to run until exhaustion, meaning they had to reach their physical limits.
Everyone pulled long faces upon hearing this. Yang Podi finally added, "Since weighted obstacle runs are so taxing, you'll rest for one day every seven days, with a five-day break every three months. During rest periods, you may engage in free activities but must not stop meditating."
Hearing this, everyone, including Teacher Li Xiang, breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that the intensity was manageable with planned breaks.
For three months, this routine continued, and everyone gradually adapted to the weighted obstacle runs. As soul masters, their physical resilience and adaptability were far superior to those of ordinary people.
After three continuous months of training, everyone's soul power increased by one rank: Niu Meng reached Rank 23, Bai Xiaofei and Tailong reached Rank 22, Ye Lingling reached Rank 26, Dugu Yan finally broke through to Rank 30, Yang Pingan to Rank 28, and Yang Podi himself to Rank 36.
Most importantly, everyone's physical abilities improved significantly. Notably, the two girls no longer fainted easily like they had initially, clearly indicating improvements in both willpower and physical strength.
The guys' muscles became more defined—not purely gym-built but like well-integrated whole-body muscle. The two girls' figures also improved, gaining a more shapely appearance.
After three months of battles in the Spirit Arena, Yang Podi now held a Purple-Gold Soul Fighting Medal. At the Soul Elder stage, he remained undefeated in both solo and two-on-two battles, becoming one of the quickest Soul Elders to obtain a Purple-Gold Soul Fighting Medal in the arena's history.
Yang Podi's training plans needed adjusting as he now held the Purple-Gold Soul Fighting Medal. Since there were no Soul Elders at this level in the Heaven Dou City Arena—or anywhere on the Douluo Continent—the arena could no longer provide him with challenging matches.
Over these three months, Yang Podi's combat experience, reflexes, adaptability, physical strength, and balance all increased significantly.
Both Yang Podi's own estimation and Teacher Li Xiang's analysis suggested that even within the Soul Ancestor rank, few could match him. What made this remarkable was that Yang Podi hadn't used any soul skills in the Spirit Arena so far. Relying solely on spear techniques and spear energy, he had won countless battles, an impressive feat.
Over three months, Yang Podi had participated in nearly 300 battles, averaging more than three per day, and earned over 5 million gold soul coins.
Yang Podi had become a star in the arena, with fans cheering each time he entered. Some even called him the strongest Soul Elder.
Some tried to cause trouble for Yang Podi, but Teacher Li Xiang, though merely a Soul King, was still a teacher at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. With three Contra Deans known for their protectiveness, few dared to provoke him lightly.
Dugu Yan had also confronted the troublemakers, who were left speechless. Upon learning that she was the granddaughter of Dugu Bo, they promptly apologized and fled, not wanting any trouble.
As Yang Podi prepared to leave with his Purple-Gold Soul Fighting Medal, a staff member approached him: "Mr. Yang Podi, if you have some time, the director of the Heaven Dou City Spirit Arena would like to speak with you in the office. Rest assured, your safety will be fully guaranteed."
