A week had passed.
The first rays of morning light filtered through the windows of the sect master's residence. Shaurya, still lying on his bed, slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, adjusted to the brightness, and then sat up with a long stretch.
"Hhh... I guess I've been sleeping for more than a day," he murmured lazily.
Ding! A mechanical chime rang in his head. The system interface appeared before him.
System Notification: Correction, Host. You are not sleeping for one day.
Shaurya chuckled and smiled. "Oh really? Guess I'm overthinking."
System Notification: Don't be so happy. You were sleeping for an entire week.
His eyes widened. "What?! An entire week?!"
In a flash, he got out of bed and dressed. Moments later, he stepped outside, blinking against the sunlight. His eyes landed on the training ground where his disciples were diligently practicing. Just then, Elder Wu noticed him.
"Sect Master!" Elder Wu exclaimed.
Everyone turned. Cheers erupted.
"Master, are you alright?"
"Master, you finally woke up!"
"We thought something had happened to you!"
Shaurya raised his hand gently. "Calm down, everyone. I'm completely fine. Just... overslept a little."
He sat under a nearby tree as Elder Wu and Guard He Ta approached. He Ta knelt before him, guilt shadowing his face.
"Master... I'm sorry. I failed you. I couldn't protect you or stop Gu Tang."
Shaurya's voice was warm and steady. "Don't be discouraged. If you hadn't fought Gu Tang and weakened him, I wouldn't have been able to defeat him. You did well."
He handed each of them a small pill bottle.
"You two deserve to cultivate in peace now. Go and focus on your growth."
The two nodded, deeply moved, and walked away.
Shaurya stood and approached his disciples.
"So, my dear disciples, listen carefully. Elder Wu will not be training you this week. He's going into seclusion."
Disciples exchanged glances.
"But don't worry," Shaurya continued. "Because I will be training you myself. Just remember—my training won't be easy."
Every disciple straightened with resolve.
Lee Bie stepped forward. "Master, we are not afraid of anything! We're ready for any challenge!"
Xiao Rui added, "Yes, Master! Bring it on!"
Shaurya smirked. "Oh really? Then I suppose I'll increase the difficulty level."
With a flick of his hand, a massive staff materialized—long, golden, and glowing like the mythical Monkey King's weapon.
"You all—two hundred and one disciples—come at me. Together. Right now."
Everyone froze.
Xiao Rui blinked. "Master... what are you saying?"
Luo Chen objected, "Master, if we all attack you at the same time, you'll get hurt!"
Lee Bie nodded. "Yes, Master. We've become strong after all that training."
Shaurya raised an eyebrow. "Oh yes. Good that you stopped me. I was about to say something very wrong."
Xiao Rui smiled. "Of course, Master."
Shaurya added casually, "Only the male disciples will battle me. Female disciples—train among yourselves. I don't hit females unless it's absolutely necessary."
Xu Ran folded her arms. "Master, are you underestimating us female disciples?"
Shaurya quickly clarified, "Don't misunderstand me. Like I said, I don't hit females unless it's absolutely necessary. It's against my principles. A man must follow his principles."
The girls nodded in understanding. Su Quan chuckled. "Let's go to the stands and watch Master beat these dumb boys."
The female disciples laughed and walked away.
Infuriated, the male disciples gripped their weapons tightly.
Xiao Rui roared, "Let's go, boys!"
"Master, don't blame us if we hurt you!" Luo Chen teased.
Shaurya grinned. "Oh really? Then I won't go easy on you."
The battle began.
One hundred and sixty male disciples charged toward Shaurya at once.
He smiled and spun his staff. With swift, fluid movements, he dodged every strike and appeared before Luo Chen.
"You were going to injure me, right?" he asked with a sly grin.
Luo Chen laughed nervously. "Master... I was just joking—"
BAAM! BAAM! BAAM!
Seconds later, Luo Chen soared through the air, crashing hard onto the ground.
What followed was a massacre—Shaurya-style.
No one could even land a hit on him. One by one, they were flung aside, groaning.
Wang Tian sat comfortably in the stands, munching on popcorn.
Muo Qian looked at him. "Hey, Senior Wang, why aren't you participating?"
He smiled. "I'm not foolish enough to jump into a beating."
Ten minutes passed. Every male disciple lay flat on the ground. Shaurya stood tall, balancing on his staff with one leg.
"You all are too weak. And you wanted to injure me?"
He glared.
"I was going to take it easy... but then some big-mouthed people decided to show off."
Everyone turned their eyes to Lee Bie, Luo Chen, and Xiao Rui.
"It was them! Beat them!"
The rest of the disciples formed a mob and pounced on the three.
Once peace returned, Shaurya clapped his hands.
"Alright, you all need serious training. Let me introduce something."
He gestured grandly. "Behold—the Gravitational Training Chamber!"
Everyone's eyes sparkled.
Wang Tian frowned. "We've seen this building for days but had no idea what it was."
"This chamber strengthens your physical body. Inside, you'll face intense gravitational pressure—nine floors, each stronger than the last. Special training awaits at each level."
Gasps echoed.
"Thanks to dimensional formations, it has endless space. You all can train here together."
He flung the doors open. "Go on. Inside."
They entered.
BOOM! The pressure hit—10x gravity.
Most disciples dropped to their knees. Shaurya strolled in effortlessly.
Wang Tian and Luo Chen exchanged glances.
"Let's see who lasts longer," Luo Chen smirked.
"You're going to lose again," Wang Tian replied.
An hour passed. Most lay on the ground.
Wang Tian stood, breathing heavily. Luo Chen, on one knee, admitted, "I lose... again."
Three more hours passed. Only a few remained—Wang Tian, Luo Chen, Xu Ran, Su Quan, Muo Qian, Lee Bie, Xiao Rui, Xiao Lian... and their mighty leader, Shaurya.
Eventually, even they fell—except Wang Tian and Shaurya.
After another hour, Wang Tian exited the chamber.
Everyone was stunned.
"Senior, you lasted six hours!"
"You're amazing!"
They cheered as Wang Tian smiled humbly.
Meanwhile, inside, Shaurya had moved to the second floor.
20x gravity.
He sat cross-legged, cultivating in silence.
The next morning.
Everyone gathered.
"Where's Master?"
"I haven't seen him..."
Suddenly, the chamber doors creaked open. Shaurya stepped out, drenched in sweat, breathing heavily.
"Wait... Master was inside this whole time?"
"For twenty-five hours in 10x gravity?"
Shaurya smiled. "Wrong. I was on the second floor—20x gravity—for nineteen hours."
Gasps filled the air.
He collapsed. "Bring me... Oran herb..."
Xiao Rui quickly handed it over. Shaurya munched it, recovered instantly, and stood.
"Let's begin training."
"No, Master, please!"
"Not in the mouth!"
"Not the back!"
Their screams echoed across the mountains as the sun shone brighter.
---
In a distant, luxurious mansion, a dark figure sat on a throne. Blue hair, red eyes, muscular frame—his aura brimmed with fury.
He clenched a glass in his hand, which shattered from his grip.
"Who dared to harm my family?" he roared.
Several guards bowed before him.
"Go. Find the killer. I don't care who he is. I will crush him!"
The guards bowed and retreated.
His eyes burned with rage.
"I don't care who you are. I, Gu Yang, will destroy you."
To be continued...
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