The four primary methods of Spiritual Ability application—Refining, Wrapping, Condensing, and Emitting—were clearly outlined in the Spiritual Energy Introductory Manual distributed to all new recruits.
These techniques formed the foundation of a Spirit Power User's combat system.
Refining strengthened the body from within.
Wrapping allowed spiritual energy to coat and reinforce the exterior.
Condensing focused energy into concentrated points for explosive output.
Emitting projected spiritual energy outward for ranged techniques.
Though the manual provided only the basics, exceptionally gifted Trainees had already begun experimenting with these methods. A handful of them could now apply Spiritual Ability with noticeable skill and control.
Among them was the twin-tailed girl in the black training uniform—Mo Guanguan.
When her turn came, she stepped forward calmly, her boots crunching against the training field's gravel. Her gaze flicked briefly toward the pile of Logs stacked beside the truck. Each one weighed more than one hundred jin. To most of the newly Awakened recruits, even lifting one required effort.
Mo Guanguan curled her lips faintly.
A surge of Spiritual Energy flowed through her body—not wild or excessive, but refined and precise. Unlike Shao Han's earlier display, which had burst outward in obvious force, her control was subtle and efficient. She directed the energy only toward the key muscle groups required for lifting and stabilizing the weight.
The three-meter Log rose smoothly and settled against her shoulder.
She adjusted her posture slightly, ensuring the balance was perfect. Then she glanced toward the line of Cadets already beginning their run.
With a playful smile, she pushed off the ground.
A small cloud of dust erupted behind her as she shot forward like an arrow loosed from a drawn bowstring.
Within seconds she overtook the slower runners, her pace steady and light despite the burden. She passed Shao Han with ease, her expression unbothered.
However, when she drew level with Shen Moran at the front, she slowed slightly.
She had no intention of taking first place.
Letting someone else break the wind and reduce air resistance was simply smarter. Running behind a pace-setter conserved energy—especially over a long-distance trial.
From the sidelines, Instructor Xie Yingxue observed everything carefully. She nodded faintly and made a note in Mo Guanguan's evaluation file.
Good control. Smart tactical awareness. Efficient energy usage.
Not bad at all.
Meanwhile, farther back in the line, Zhuo Yun and Lu Yan shot resentful looks at Zhao Mu.
Earlier that morning, Zhao Mu had dragged them out for a ten-kilometer dawn run. While Zhao Mu seemed perfectly fine afterward, their legs were still aching from the unexpected training.
Now they were expected to carry heavy Logs during another run?
This was pure torture.
Zhao Mu noticed their glares and could only offer a helpless but encouraging grin.
"Endure it," he mouthed silently.
Finally, it was Zhao Mu's turn.
He stepped forward toward the truck—but instead of reaching for a Log, he halted sharply and raised his voice.
"Reporting!"
The sudden shout drew attention from every direction.
Even Shen Moran and Shao Han turned their heads in surprise.
Shao Han frowned. "What's he up to now?"
Zhang Biao strode forward with long steps, his heavy boots thudding against the ground.
"If you had a question, why didn't you ask earlier?" he barked. "Speak!"
Zhao Mu's posture was straight as a spear. His voice rang clear and steady.
"One Log is too light. Request permission to carry two!"
For a moment, silence.
Then gasps erupted across the field.
Two Logs?
Each one weighed over a hundred jin. Together they would approach three hundred jin—possibly more depending on moisture and density.
Even with Spiritual Ability reinforcing their bodies, most recruits were struggling with just one. And no one knew how long the Instructors intended to make them run.
Was Zhao Mu insane?
Shao Han's expression darkened.
"Has competition fried his brain?" he muttered coldly.
Zhao Mu was only at Dou Level 2. His Spiritual Ability was far weaker than Shao Han's Dou Level 9.
During the Entrance Trial, Zhao Mu had outperformed him—but that had been due to superior mastery of application techniques, not raw power.
Now that many recruits had begun grasping Condensing, Zhao Mu's advantage was shrinking.
So where did he get the confidence to act so arrogantly?
Nearby, Meng Qiuqiu covered her mouth in shock.
"Is Brother Xiao Mu crazy?" she whispered. "Yesterday he told me not to show off on the first day. Why is he doing exactly that?"
But Zhao Mu wasn't acting out of reckless pride.
He had a goal.
First place awarded fifty academic credits.
If he was going to compete, he might as well aim to dominate.
Besides—
With his Strength proficiency at 175 and the second-stage of Innate Divine Strength unlocked, he could lift four hundred jin without even using Spiritual Ability.
Two Logs were well within his capability.
Zhang Biao's eyes gleamed with fierce interest.
Whether Zhao Mu truly had the ability or was simply being a show-off didn't matter. Either way, it would make for excellent training.
"Fine!" Zhang Biao barked. "Give him two!"
A burly Discipline Department Member stepped forward and dropped both Logs across Zhao Mu's shoulders without ceremony.
The weight crashed down heavily.
For an instant, Zhao Mu's knees bent slightly under the sudden pressure.
The field held its breath.
But he steadied himself almost immediately. His spine straightened. His stance stabilized.
A satisfied feeling surged through him.
Now this was weight.
Inwardly, he activated his ability.
"Innate Divine Strength—activate."
He had already felt the morning drill was too easy. This was the perfect opportunity to sharpen his body further.
The harsher the training, the faster his proficiency would increase.
"Hup!"
With a sharp exhale, he launched forward.
The ground trembled faintly under his first step.
The crowd stared as if witnessing something unnatural.
Then someone suddenly shouted:
"Wait—he's not using Spiritual Ability!"
The revelation sent another wave of shock rippling outward.
No aura shimmered around Zhao Mu's body. No visible reinforcement.
He was relying purely on physical strength.
Three hundred jin.
Even veteran soldiers would struggle to lift such weight without assistance—yet Zhao Mu was running.
Running.
Mo Guanguan and Shen Moran instinctively glanced back.
They met Zhao Mu's relaxed expression as he closed the distance between them.
Mo Guanguan's pupils shrank slightly.
"Innate Divine Strength…?"
Few Spirit Power Users invested heavily in pure physical training. Spiritual Ability was far more versatile and efficient.
Zhao Mu looked like a rare anomaly.
A monster among Spirit Power Users.
He quickly drew level with Shao Han.
With a friendly smile, he said lightly, "Not so impressive, Dou Level 9 genius."
The tone was casual.
The impact was not.
Shao Han's jaw tightened.
The one person he absolutely refused to lose to was Zhao Mu.
"What are you acting smug for?" Shao Han snapped. "Let's see how long you can keep that up!"
Though he tried to sound confident, the contrast was undeniable.
Beside Zhao Mu—who looked as though he were carrying two bundles of straw—Shao Han suddenly appeared strained.
Zhao Mu chuckled and wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"Take it easy back there," he said cheerfully. "I'm about to lap you."
Before Shao Han could respond, Zhao Mu surged forward again.
Light and Agile Steps activated.
His body became feather-light, movements fluid and smooth. The technique reduced unnecessary energy waste while increasing speed.
Despite the crushing weight on his shoulders, he seemed to glide across the ground.
Within seconds he overtook Shao Han completely.
Wind resistance increased as he moved into open air—but Zhao Mu welcomed it.
Resistance meant challenge.
Challenge meant growth.
Inside his mind, the proficiency bar for Innate Divine Strength inched upward steadily.
This method of training—combining heavy load with dynamic movement—was far more effective than simple weightlifting.
Excitement surged through him.
He passed Shen Moran.
Then Mo Guanguan.
Neither could respond before he had already pulled ahead.
The recruits behind watched in stunned silence.
Two Logs.
No Spiritual Ability.
And accelerating.
Dust trailed behind him like smoke from a cannon shot.
At the front of the pack, Zhao Mu grinned.
Now this—
This was fun.
And it was only the beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)