Chapter 8

"Xiyu..."

But we need to keep the line as a single output line: 【1】 "Xiyu..."

When greeting, Zhu Zhuqing's voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

This is the nickname Dai Xiyu asked Zhu Zhuqing to change to at yesterday's banquet.

Originally, Dai Xiyu wanted Zhu Zhuqing to call him more intimately, in order to continually strike at Dai Mubai.

But Zhu Zhuqing's personality meant she could not say those nicknames.

Finally, after the two discussed it seriously, they decided to keep it this way.

Dai Xiyu's skin wasn't that thin; he turned his head to look at the formation in the center of the courtyard and asked, somewhat surprised:

"Zhuqing, do you usually train here?"

Saying that, he also ran to beneath the mechanism and touched it with his hand.

The table underneath was made of metal, and one could feel its heft;

The water‑bucket‑sized mechanism pendulums above were wooden, hung upside down in a circle around the edge of the round platform.

Zhu Zhuqing chased up from behind and explained:

"This training platform has a total of 128 pendulums; once activated, they swing continuously to attack the center, while the practitioner stands in the middle dodging."

"The number of activated pendulums can be controlled; when all 128 pendulums are activated, being able to last the time of an incense stick without being hit by any pendulum signifies mastery of the training."

At that moment.

Another girl's voice sounded from the side:

"Only my father in the entire duke's manor can activate all 128 at once and last the time of an incense stick."

Dai Xiyu turned his head and saw several familiar figures.

They were his future mother‑in‑law and Zhu Zhuqing's third sister, Zhu Zhu Yue.

The one who had just spoken was Zhu Zhu Yue.

Only seeing, Zhu Zhu Yue continued: "How about it, Second Prince, want to give it a try?"

Dai Xiyu turned his head, looked at the huge training platform before him, and asked thoughtfully:

"Given the height of these pendulums, even if they're wooden, their striking power probably isn't weak, right?"

Zhu Zhu Yue nodded and said:

"That's natural; if an ordinary person is hit, they'll surely break bones and tear tendons. Even a soul master would suffer a serious injury."

Dai Xiyu smiled and said: "Then I'll pass, after all I'm a pure‑attack battle soul master; speed isn't my forte."

However, Zhu Zhu Yue curled the corner of her mouth and spoke softly:

"To combine with the Netherlineage and unleash the Nether White Tiger, one's agility can't lag too far behind; at minimum one must have the strength to withstand thirty‑two pendulums."

"Back then, the Eldest Prince trained for a long time for his elder sister, and only half a year ago he managed to pass thirty‑eight pendulums in one go."

That's exactly what we've been waiting for!

Dai Xiyu's gaze instantly became firm, and he said:

"If that's the case, I'll give it a try too! It's just a bit of injury; for Zhuqing, it's nothing."

Having said that, he again showed a confident look and continued: "Besides, I might not even get hurt."

Hearing Dai Xiyu say that, Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face blushed slightly.

Taking advantage of no one looking, she quickly turned her head away, pretending to look at a butterfly.

Even without turning around, Dai Xiyu could still know Zhu Zhuqing's emotional state.

【Gain from Zhu Zhuqing's fortune +200000】

The prompt in the upper‑left corner refreshed, indicating that Zhu Zhuqing's favor toward Dai Xiyu had increased again.

Dai Xiyu felt delighted inside and immediately leapt onto the training platform.

Actually, Dai Xiyu fully knew the rules of the Nether White Tiger and what Dai Weisi had done.

The reason he pretended not to know was to wait for Zhu Zhu Yue or Zhu Zhuqing to bring it up themselves.

That way, he could use a suppress‑then‑boost tactic to farm a wave of Zhu Zhuqing's fortune.

As things stand now, the goal has indeed been achieved, and even exceeded—twenty thousand straight into his pocket.

Seeing Dai Xiyu radiant with energy, Zhu Zhu Yue also felt a moment of dazed wonder.

Until yesterday, Dai Xiyu was still the good‑for‑nothing in everyone's eyes, not favored by anyone.

In just a day's time, Dai Xiyu suddenly became this outstanding.

Shaking her head, Zhu Zhu Yue asked:

"Second Prince, how many pendulums do you want to challenge? The number can be increased midway; you can start with a small amount to try."

Dai Xiyu thought for a moment and said: "Let's start with twelve."

"Twelve?!"

Zhu Zhu Yue was somewhat surprised, and even Zhu Zhuqing widened her eyes, looking at the training platform.

Just now, when Zhu Zhuqing trained, she had only activated twenty‑four.

Dai Xiyu, who had never before encountered this kind of training, was now trying twelve pendulums on his first attempt—already somewhat absurd.

If it were an ordinary soul master with insufficient protective soul power, the likely result would be lying in a hospital for a month unable to get out of bed.

Dai Xiyu nodded and said: "Let's start with twelve; if it feels insufficient, I'll have you add more."

Zhu Zhu Yue couldn't decide, and instinctively turned her head to look at her mother.

Although the duchess did not have the Nether Spirit Cat martial soul, she was also a powerful agility‑type soul master, and naturally knew the training platform very well.

After a moment's thought, the duchess nodded and said: "Then let's do as the Second Prince said—activate twelve pendulums."

The maid Wen Yan at the side immediately bowed in assent and ran to activate the mechanism.

As the hourglass turned and timing began, the pendulum also started to swing in rhythm.

The amplitude of the swing grew larger and larger, soon bringing with it a whooshing wind, and it shot straight toward Dai Xiyu in the center.

Dai Xiyu took a deep breath, gathered his soul power within his body, and began to dodge.

After his strength, endurance, and agility had greatly increased, Dai Xiyu felt little pressure facing this level of attack.

Now, all Dai Xiyu lacks is nerve reaction speed.

However, with only twelve pendulums so far, Dai Xiyu's reaction speed is more than enough.

Watching Dai Xiyu's agile movements on the training platform, several people below were secretly astonished.

Upon first contact with the training platform, being able to handle twelve pendulums with ease—only the word 'genius' can describe it.

However, their astonishment had only just begun.

In less than a minute, Dai Xiyu felt he could already handle it with ease.

Thus, he shouted, "It's a bit few; add six more!"

Adding six more makes eighteen.

Even with a Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, they usually increase in twos, never such a large increment.

The maid operating the mechanism couldn't help but turn her head again, looking toward the duchess.

The duchess stared at Dai Xiyu's figure and said without hesitation, "Just follow the Second Prince's order; add more—he's still far from his limit."

Having received the duchess's order, the maid no longer hesitated and directly activated the mechanism for another six pendulums.

Instantly, Dai Xiyu in the arena felt pressure, and the difficulty of dodging began to increase.

Actually, it's not that Dai Xiyu's speed can't keep up, but rather his reaction ability is lacking.

Whether the body is agile and nimble and the speed of reaction are not equivalent.

But for an agility attack-type soul master, both are indispensable.

(End of chapter)