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--- Chapter 370 ---
Han Yuan and Na'er faced each other in an open dirt field. Na'er was gripping a wooden stick with a pointy end.
"Lower your front grip and firm up your rear grip. Use your front grip to guide the spear and your rear grip to power your thrust," Han Yuan instructed while calmly positioning the girl's hands.
Na'er nodded, feeling Han Yuan's strong grip strangely warm. "Yes, Big Brother!"
"Call me Coach or Teacher during training," Han Yuan replied calmly, prompting another nod from her.
Han Yuan then demonstrated spear stances after crafting a spear from some Purple Silver Grass. "The four basic stances of the spear are neutral, low, high, and rear..."
"Each of these is fundamental to your training, so make sure to incorporate them into your routine."
"Yes, Teacher!" Na'er slowly imitated Han Yuan's spear stances one by one. Although she found it somewhat challenging, being a clone of the Silver Dragon King granted her a high level of comprehension.
After a few minutes, Na'er mastered them all. Han Yuan observed her rapid improvement but chose not to praise her.
He simply smiled and continued, "There are only seven spear moves you need to learn: stab, lunge, butt-strike, poke, beat, parry, and hook."
"Learning them is easy, but mastering them is not."
"Watch me first."
Under the admiring gaze of the little girl, Han Yuan calmly executed four offensive and three defensive spear moves. Each movement followed a strange rhythm, making him appear to be dancing across the field.
Each move created a swishing sound, shifting the airflow around him despite his minimal use of strength or spirit power.
Eventually, Han Yuan stopped, and Na'er couldn't help her eyes from sparkling with awe.
"T-Teacher, that was amazing!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with admiration.
Han Yuan chuckled, "You can master them too, Na'er."
"However, I need to remind you of something..." he continued.
"The spear is not just a tool. From now on, I want it to become a part of yourself."
"Feel every grain and ridge of your spear, the friction it creates against your palms, and the energy you put into it."
"Now, do three sets of every move I just demonstrated."
"Uh, sets?" Na'er tilted her head, confused.
"A set means twelve repetitions," Han Yuan replied patiently. "You can do them slowly."
"Oh!" Na'er nodded solemnly, as if grasping something new.
"Then, Teacher, Na'er will start!"
Han Yuan retreated a few meters and watched Na'er as she practiced the seven basic spear moves, observing every adjustment she made for comfort.
As the training went on, Na'er struggled with stability compared to Han Yuan. However, it was normal because she's just a kid.
"You're quite strict with her, huh?" a voice said nearby.
Han Yuan glanced at the person beside him and responded, "If she wants to be strong, this much is nothing."
"Heh, Young Master, you're actually a good teacher," Bi Ji giggled at Han Yuan. Dressed in a black and green maid outfit, she held a tray of drinks and snacks. "Here, have some refreshing lemonade."
"I'll pretend you didn't say that," Han Yuan rolled his eyes and picked up the glass of lemonade. "Wait, this lemonade..."
"Ah, I made it with 65,000-year-old Ancient Lime, 30,000-year-old Misty Sugarcane, 78,000-year-old purified Spring Water, and 40,000-year-old Ice Spirit Cubes," Bi Ji replied proudly.
"..." Han Yuan was speechless.
Since Bi Ji became his 'intern' maid, she had been doing her job very well, perhaps excessively. After all, this lemonade alone would cost a fortune outside, but Bi Ji went through all that effort merely to ensure Han Yuan's enjoyment.
And this wasn't a one-time occurrence. Bi Ji had prepared such delights countless times in the twelve hours since she became a maid.
"Just pretend I didn't ask," Han Yuan said helplessly.
Bi Ji giggled. "What do you want for lunch, Young Master? Although my cooking skills are still improving, I can still make delicacies that humans crave."
"Uh, prepare some meats and veggies for us," Han Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Na'er is still growing, so she needs more nutrients."
"Very well," Bi Ji nodded gently, placing the tray on a rock bench before disappearing from Han Yuan's sight.
After a while, Na'er finished her routine and gasped slightly, drenched in sweat.
"Have a drink first," Han Yuan offered her a glass of lemonade. "Control your breathing and relax your tense muscles."
Na'er stared at the refreshing lemonade, swallowing hard. She looked up at Han Yuan's silver eyes and felt warmth in her heart. "T-Thank you, Teacher."
She sipped the lemonade, the sour sweetness tingling on her tongue as it flowed down her dry throat. She trembled with joy. "It tastes so good..."
Han Yuan patted her gently. "Drink slowly."
"Mm~!" Na'er hummed happily.
They rested for a few minutes, allowing Na'er to regain her stamina. Han Yuan instructed her to do three more sets of spear moves, and this time, he noticed the clear improvement she had made in such a short span.
'This rate of improvement is getting better and better, but this shouldn't be the effect of Silver Dragon King's will alone.' Han Yuan observed Na'er silently. 'Then, it must be that.'
Han Yuan glanced at the empty air near him and saw that a system panel got updated every five seconds. 'My new cheat.'
[Ding! You have taught your new disciple the way of the spear!]
[Teaching Ability +1]
[Ding! You have taught your new disciple the way of the spear!]
[Teaching Ability +1]
[Ding! You have taught your new disciple the way of the spear!]
[Teaching Ability +1]
[Ding! You have taught your new disciple the way of the spear!]
[Teaching Ability +1]
[Acquired Skill: Teaching (Grandmaster Rank) - (Proficiency: 69/100)]
[Acquired Skill: Teaching (Grandmaster Rank)]
[Description: This skill may increase the speed of imparting knowledge or skill to others, but the rate depends on the targets' talent themselves!]
[Effect: As a Grandmaster, you may impart knowledge and skill ten times quicker than a normal teacher could. At the same time, you may slightly influence the target's values and emotions based on your teachings!]
The new cheat ability, Han Yuan obtained from the 'void', is none other than the proficiency meter.
However, this wasn't an ordinary proficiency meter, as every improvement gained through it truly counts. Even if Han Yuan did something half-assedly, his proficiency will still go up.
At first, Han Yuan only tested this cheat by repeating his actions, whether it was refining pills, making artifacts, helping spirit beasts purify and refine their bloodline, or even basic hygiene care, which would reward him with a better and more efficient version of his base skills.
Han Yuan's teaching ability is impressive enough, considering that he can turn Dao Academy into a holy land for the commoner spirit masters, who want to change their fates, turning even the worst trash martial souls into powerful ones.
So, previously, the [Teaching] skill was already graded as a master. But as Di Tian stayed in the Star Dou Forest and also taught the spirit beasts how to operate the array formations and use flame seeds, his skill upgraded to Grandmaster Rank.
Under the effect of the Grandmaster [Teaching] skill, the progress that Na'er made in spear technique is very fast.
It was so fast that even the Silver Dragon King questioned her reality under the Lake of Life. Was her talent that good?
Yet, Han Yuan didn't focus on the improvement, but rather on the other effects of the Grandmaster [Teaching] skill, which allowed him to affect the values and emotions of others.
How is this different from brainwashing? No, no, this is definitely teaching!
Even then, Han Yuan must admit that education was not much different from indoctrination.
Although the result is different, one teaches you how to think, and the other teaches you what to think.
Also, Han Yuan wasn't so immoral as to do something like that to others, at least not to his allies.
Han Yuan gazed at Na'er and amusingly thought, 'Na'er isn't my enemy, so I will only teach her [How to Rebel Against the Love-Brained Dragon King 101] after this.'
'This will be the key to your own freedom in the future.'
'I hope you learn well.'