I shook my head, not dwelling on the topic, and looked at the large vat before me. "Are these enough?"
"More than enough!" Chen Feifei smiled. "I can see your control over the Divine Shepherd's Power has improved again..."
"I feel it too. Remember to share some with them," I said.
"Don't worry, there are several large vats outside already," Chen Feifei replied with a smile.
"Then let's begin!" I said with a grin.
Chen Feifei nodded, waving her hand to dispel the barrier. "Everyone, we're going to start working now!"
At these words, the remnant souls that had been pacing and chatting happily within the Soul Suppressing Monument all turned around simultaneously, their expressions becoming solemn.
The next moment, everything plunged into darkness.
I found myself back on the training platform, with Zhou Ran standing before me once more.
"This time, I will use my full strength!" Zhou Ran declared. "To ensure the intensity of the training, I will also use the Water of Life to maintain my condition. In other words, every time you fight me, you will face my peak state!"
"Alright!" I nodded.
"Also, don't worry about the time flow. The effects are the same as before; even if you die, you can be resurrected with full health!" Chen Feifei's voice echoed.
"Okay!" I replied.
"All of us will watch your battles and desperately search for your weaknesses. When the next person fights you, we will target your weak points specifically!" Chen Feifei continued. "And everyone will fight with their full power!"
"This time, you will face hell-level difficulty!"
My expression grew serious. "That's precisely what I want!"
Zhou Ran fell silent, energy surging around him. "Then, we can begin!"
The battle commenced.
In this place, I completely forgot the concept of time, and also the concept of myself.
In my heart, there was only the fight.
Again and again, I was pushed to my limits, then improved, defeating one opponent after another.
Now, during my rest periods, I had no one to chat with, so I used this time to read martial arts techniques.
Moreover, I now possessed four elemental powers, so I had to adapt and understand them as quickly as possible.
When facing different situations, I needed to be able to skillfully employ elemental power. This would significantly enhance my combat effectiveness.
I have a great strength: when I set my mind to something, I dedicate myself to it wholeheartedly.
Just like now, I've decided I must improve my strength as quickly as possible, so I will give it my all.
Similarly, I am well aware that Lin Chun and the others are not resting either.
Because I have also left them the Water of Life.
Although most of the resources are being channeled towards me, the cultivation progress of others will not lag too far behind.
Furthermore, through this period of understanding, I know that they also possess an inner dedication towards cultivation.
It is precisely because of the convergence of so many favorable conditions that I need to work even harder.
We have hope for victory, the possibility of defeating the Heavenly Dao, so we cannot afford to stop here.
Time ticked by, and I defeated one opponent after another.
When I defeated the final opponent, Zhou Ran reappeared before me.
"Have I finished a round?" I asked.
"Yes!" Zhou Ran replied. "But it's still not enough!"
"Mm," I nodded.
"Next, you need to defeat me within a set time limit!" Zhou Ran said, his tone filled with relief.
In a way, they had witnessed my entire growth.
From the beginning, when they didn't need to exert much effort to defeat me, to later, as I gradually grew and could use various skills and abilities to defeat them.
Then, to the point where I could defeat them with ease, and now, to the extent that defeating them within a specific timeframe has become the benchmark.
I could sense their inner joy and excitement, not because of the defeat itself, but because of my growth.
"I understand. Let's begin!" I said.
The first time I defeated Zhou Ran, it took twenty minutes.
The second time, it took seventeen minutes.
The third time, it took sixteen minutes.
...
When I defeated Zhou Ran within five minutes, he stopped.
"Essentially, everything we could teach you, we have. Everything you could learn, you have learned," Zhou Ran said with a smile. "Next, you can face the next opponent..."
I bowed respectfully, then bent down in a deep bow. "Thank you, Master!"
Zhou Ran's body stiffened, and for a moment, I thought I saw tears welling up in his eyes.
"Good! I accept this title of Master!" Zhou Ran took a deep breath. "You've worked hard!"
"This is what I should do!" I said earnestly.
Then came the second opponent.
For each opponent I defeated within the time limit, I had basically learned everything they had to teach.
Each of them had taught me so much, therefore, they were all my masters.
I don't know how much time has passed, but when Chen Feifei stood before me, I felt a sense of daze.
"Lu Ziye..." Chen Feifei looked at me. "You are truly outstanding..."
"It's because you have all been helping me!" I said sincerely. "Without you, I would have likely died in the battle against Vici..."
Chen Feifei smiled. "Next, you just need to defeat me within five minutes. After that, none of us here will be your opponent anymore. Everything we can teach you will have been taught."
I nodded seriously. "I understand!"
"Then let's begin directly. I know time is precious," Chen Feifei said.
This battle was exhilarating. I lost count of how many times I died before finally meeting the requirement.
Within five minutes, I defeated Chen Feifei. Chen Feifei lay on the ground, laughing heartily.
Tears streamed from the corners of his eyes, but his smile never faded.
"Thank you, Master!" I said respectfully.
"Good!" Chen Feifei sat up. "I never thought I'd see this day... but I'm very happy..."
"Me too!" I smiled. "How much time has passed outside?"
"One month!" Chen Feifei replied.
One month. This duration was still within acceptable limits.
Previously, during the first completion, only half a day had passed outside. Now, an entire month had gone by.
How much time had I spent inside?