56 You are Average!

Pushups, sit-ups, squats, swimming, running. Starting from the simplest training methods, Han Li started training and strengthening his body.

It had been a week since the Awakening Ceremony and every day had become a cycle of training for the trio.

Yue Li and Liyue would be training their balance and self-control while their Sparks were out and Han Li would be training his body somewhere else.

He had greater plans for his body, but for now, his training's main focus was to build and perfect his strength, agility, endurance, and overall flexibility.

Those were the basic capabilities of a good body after all.

Running, swimming, calisthenics, weightlifting, and an overall circuit training would take up most of his schedule from now but that would in turn improve his capabilities.

It was easy to do exercises like jumping jacks or weightlifting even without fancy equipment, just using boulders, ladders, and other readily available items as makeshift gear was enough.

As the sweat rolled out off his forehead and his hands struggled, Han Li still pushed his body up and said in a struggling tone, "Eighty-nine!"

With a deep breath, he went down and his hands were already screaming for him to stop.

But as in any training, the mind will always be the one to give up first before the body.

Han Li endured and pushed up once more.

"Ninety!" he said with a gulp and fell on his back to the side.

His whole body was sweaty and his white training dress was sticking to his skin. But a calm smile formed on his face. Once again, he had slightly surpassed his limits. But if he tried more, that would only harm him.

Feeling the heavy beating of his heart calm down, he looked towards Yue Li and saw she was calmly meditating under a leafy tree's shade.

He then looked towards Liyue who was standing straight with a spear on her hand. He said with a calm tone, "Those who rely on weapons like spear has to be stable in their legs but nimble with their bodies. The wind might hit you, waves might slam against you, and when it does so, you either move like the wind and wave or resist it. That's the way of weapons!"

Hand clenching around the shaft, Liyue became even stabler.

Nodding, Han Li sat up in a meditative lotus position and released his own spark. His senses slowly spread to the surroundings and soon, everything in a 3-meter diameter came to his vision as if he had an eye on all sides.

20:57

It was a weird sensation but that made him feel a sense of calm.

He liked to spread his senses after intense training since those were mostly vulnerable moments and having once lived under a hoard of enemies, being cautious had become a part of him.

But now, he was just doing it for the sake of it.

They were currently in the dark jungle outside the city and training in a clearing around there. This place had a good ambiance and enough space to train without alerting or annoying others.

During the past seven days, Han Li had maxed out his Body Cultivation Talent and made it "High" — According to his calculations — and was now stuck.

He didn't have a simple way to directly absorb soul energy except by using his spark on a woman who was both a failure at evolving and lustful.

But he hadn't had any great progress with Li Yao yet and he was not hurried. So, his Spark was stuck at 3 Baby Fist Sized and he would have to make his Soul "High" talent to make it 4. And if it reached 4, it would automatically become 5 since two high talents will make someone a Sacred talent.

Nevertheless, he was not at all hurried since even if he got Sacred Talent right at this moment, it was not like he would start his Evolution Attempt any time soon. After all, he had to make his body much stronger before that.

So, he was patient and calm. There was no need to rush anything in any way. He could just train at this pace and by the time he reached his desired body, they would also be ready for his advances.

Thinking such random things, 2 hours passed.

Feeling his body loosening up after the meditation, Han Li opened his eyes and was not surprised to find Yue Li and Liyue sitting under the shade eating blackberries.

"Is your meditation complete?" Han Li asked while looking at Yue Li.

Taking a deep breath, Yue Li nodded.

"Liyue, give her the vegetables."

Liyue was sweaty because of the workout and wanted to rest a bit, but she nevertheless, stood up and took a cloth pack tucked on a low branch and gave it to Yue Li.

"There are some thorns on some of the fruits we picked, be careful," Liyue said while sitting back down. She had stood straight for too long.

"Take your knife and cut the vegetables like you would usually," said Han Li.

Yue Li unwrapped the clothing, careful to avoid the thorny fruits and vines inside. She then took out some vegetables and began cutting tomatoes with her knife.

It was with the same grace that she had when she usually cooked food for Han Li at home but the difference was that she was in an uncomfortable position and a deep blue spark of power was shining on her palm harmlessly. The spark that was 5 baby fists big, the gentle twist of her wrist after every cut piece. It was effortless and simple as if she was just doing the same thing as she used to for years — cutting vegetables.

Smirking, Han Li nodded inside. She had reached 'Average' proficiency in the Knife for an Awakened. Even while the Soul Sense messed with her perception, she could still focus on one knife and cut things like the senses were no issue.

She had also become used to her senses with the process. It was no longer a hindrance to her life but a support.

Even using other tools than a knife, even if she used her senses, it would be the same. She won't be completely stuck and unable to move like before.

"Good job," he praised, "Even though the knife is something you used your whole life, reaching average proficiency in a week is quite a commendable achievement."

It was not a monstrous achievement like the extreme geniuses from far away who could come to terms with their senses and handle tools as easily as her currently in one go but it was a nicer than what most people could achieve.

Yue Li broke out of her concentration and looked at the knife in her hands. She could feel her confidence rising; she clenched the hilt hard.

She almost had the urge to yell "Sugoy!" and she did.

Han Li's smirk grew, "How do you feel?"

"I couldn't even move well with the senses a week or so ago and now Bam! I am a pro."

"Not so professional but nice nonetheless," he nodded, "Liyue's progress isn't bad either. In two or three more weeks with your progress and you should reach the 'Average' level in spear."

Liyue asked, "Now, what should I focus on?"

Pondering, Han Li said, "You don't have any prior experience with a spear even if it is without using Soul Sense. So, for a while, don't use your Starlight Spark and just train without anything."

Liyue nodded.

Then Han Li focused his gaze on Yue Li and said: "Mom, your focus next should be on reaching 'High proficiency' with the Knife. That's the proficiency where you don't have to focus on the knife and can still cut things naturally like your entire focus is on it."

Yue Li's cheeks puffed. She hadn't even celebrated the progress and he is making her focus on the next thing? Where did he learn all this anyway?

But still, she was interested in reaching the 'High' level. That sounded much cooler than merely 'Average'.

"And also, you will start your body training from tomorrow. The body is as important as the soul, mind and anything there is if you want to become an elite cultivator," He said with a dry chuckle and Yue Li's eyelids twitched.

A cold wind passed by the forest, cooling their tired bodies.

"…I am not a brute like you in any sense." she asked, slightly fearful: "Do you think I can do all that you are doing? That kind of training just gives me goosebumps."

Han Li asked calmly, "Do you think it's so easy to walk on the cultivation path?"

Turning silent, Yue Li glanced at Liyue for support. She had supported the girl so much, she would support her too… right?

Liyue looked at her and blinked. Then looked away in fear.

Even though a small smile tugged the corners of her lips.

Yue Li couldn't help but be speechless. This girl still feared talking to Xiao Li!

Displeased by the wimpy behavior of the two, Han Li said calmly, his red eyes shining: "From now on, there will be punishment for failing to achieve my expectations and slacking. And I bet you won't like it."

Yue Li just puffed her cheeks while the silent Liyue blushed behind her ears.

What type of punishment?

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