Chapter 34: Training the Soul

Jia Yuan lay in the tent on a comfortable mattress designed

to help alleviate weariness. However, Jia Yuan was unable to savor the

refreshing feeling of lying on something so comfortable, because he was

fighting a battle in his mind.

He was very conflicted as to why he wanted to train and be

strong.

He really wanted to be able to say that he had some noble

mission, such as he wished to defend the innocent and erase evil in the world.

(Such superhero)

But he knew in his heart that saying so would be a lie. He

simply didn’t care about who he didn’t know. And why should he?

What about a more selfish reason then? The strong are

revered on the Continent of the Five Elements. If he were to be stronger than

all, then he would be respected (and feared) by all!

But Jia Yuan understood that respect was a shallow reason to

train for.

After tossing and turning for the majority of the night, Jia

Yuan finally gave up and went to sleep.

A few hours later, he woke to the smell of delicious meat

and some assorted vegetables.

Not only had Guo Huo prepared food for the time he and Jia

Yuan would be staying in the crater, but he had prepared very high quality,

nutritious food to boost Jia Yuan’s training.

Still in the tent, Jia Yuan quickly drew a Fire Pill and an

Absorption Level Soul Pill from the box in his ring, and popped them into his

mouth.

Feeling a burst of energy, Jia Yuan quickly left the tent

and saw the wondrous meal in front of him.

Truly, one of the best things about being with Guo Huo was

because of the meals. Not only were the ingredients of high quality, but Guo

Huo was also a very adept chef. Each chunk of meat was mouthwateringly

succulent, and the vegetables were unvaryingly crisp and delicious.

As Jia Yuan tore his way through the meal, Guo Huo asked, “Did

you figure out why you want to be strong?”

Jia Yuan sighed, for he had expected the question to come,

and proceeded to answer. “Teacher, the only reason that I can think of that is

definitively true in any situation, is that the only way to be able to do

anything I want, is to be the strongest person in the world.”

“But if I am strong to the point where there is not another

soul in the world who can challenge me, then I will have obtained true freedom.”

“I will be able to eat what I want, have what I want. I will

be able to depraved as I want, or as kind as I want.”

With that, Jia Yuan awkwardly ended. What he had finally

said, was truly a selfish answer. He wanted to be strong so that nobody else

could tell him what to do!

Guo Huo stared at Jia Yuan. The child’s answer was different

than what he had expected… but he could tell that it was not a lie.

“If that is your true reason for desiring strength, then so

be it. I accept this answer of yours.”

“Now, let’s talk about what you will be doing today. You will

be meditating today to train your soul. Furthermore, we will train your depth

of soul. For now, just finish eating. When you are done, I’ll give you

instructions for the training."

Guo Huo stared at Jia Yuan. The child’s answer was different

than what he had expected… but he could tell that it was not a lie.

“If that is your true reason for desiring strength, then so

be it. I accept this answer of yours.”

“Now, let’s talk about what you will be doing today. You will

be meditating today to train your soul. Furthermore, we will train your depth

of soul. For now, just finish eating. When you are done, I’ll give you

instructions on how to get the most out of this meditation training.”

After Jia Yuan finished eating, Guo Huo brought him away

from the pool of fire. After walking around aimlessly for about a minute, he

abruptly stopped.

Jia Yuan was completely confused. Since there was dense mist

throughout the crater, he had no idea where he had been brought to.

“Alright, meditate here until you can sense the pool of

fire. Then, use that to make your way back to camp.”

With that, Guo Huo disappeared into the mist.

Faced with this task, Jia Yuan grumbled. “How the hell am I

supposed to be able to sense stuff like that?”

“Hey, old man! At least tell me how to sense the pool!”

But Guo Huo didn’t respond.

Gah.

Jia Yuan sat down and began meditating as he usually did.

However, he did his best to try and broaden his mind in hopes of finding the

pool of fire.

Just about 10 meters away, Guo sat by the pool of fire, suppressing

his laughter. He had led Jia Yuan around the mist in circles. Of course he

wouldn’t give Jia Yuan such a huge task as to use his soul to detect the waves

of energy emitted from the pool of fire from so far away.

He had started with a fairly reasonable distance – but Jia

Yuan didn’t know that.