Chapter 7: New Connections
Time passed swiftly, and Lin Tian slipped into his new routine with ease. A month had gone by since his father set off in search of a soul ring. In that time, Lin Tian made small but significant adjustments to his life, incorporating both meditation and calisthenics into his daily schedule. A trip to the school library had opened his eyes to the importance of a strong body, and it made sense—this was, after all, a world where martial prowess governed fate.
He structured his workouts with the precision of an adult, dividing exercises into motion groups: push, pull, legs, and core. This method mimicked the training regimens of elite warriors and military forces, conditioning the body with practical movements needed in everyday life. Though he didn't yet know what martial soul awaited him—whether it would be his mother's spear or his father's Sky Azure Vine, or something else entirely—he knew strength would always serve him. If his soul was suited for combat, it would give him a solid foundation. If not, well, a strong body would at least help him escape dangerous situations.
Lin Tian understood that overtraining at his age could be detrimental. Excessive exercise risked stunting his growth, undermining long-term gains. "Better to build a foundation than burn out," he reminded himself.
Monday - Push Day
Lin Tian's voice echoed the plan in his mind as he prepared for the day's workout. His beginner-level routine unfolded like a script:
Warm-up (5 minutes): Anything light—jumping jacks, jogging, or skipping.
- 3 x 10 Kneeling Push-Ups: A minute of rest between sets.
- 3 x 10 Incline Push-Ups: Done on a low stool, just tall enough for his short frame.
- 3 x 8 Standard Push-Ups: A technique from his previous life—shoulder-width apart.
- 3 x 8 Triceps Dips: Using the same small stool.
- 2 x 8 Incline Push-Ups: Cooling down from the session.
After stretching out his muscles to promote recovery, Lin Tian sat back, satisfied with his efforts. This routine gave him a sense of control, a small but essential victory.
With his mother busy at the academy, Lin Tian had plenty of time to himself. While he preferred the quiet solace of the library, his mother had different ideas. Recently, she'd taken to introducing him to her coworkers' children, hoping he'd form friendships.
With his mother often busy at the academy, Lin Tian had plenty of time to himself. While he preferred the quiet solace of the library, his mother had different ideas. Lately, she had introduced him to the children of her colleagues in hopes of getting him to socialize, hoping he'd form friendships. Despite her best intentions, Lin Tian found it difficult to connect with kids his age.
I get along fine with my parents, but what am I supposed to do with them? he thought in exasperation. He recalled the noisy, tantrum-prone children he'd seen around the city and inwardly cringed. Pretending to be a child around his parents was one thing, but dealing with children felt... exhausting.
His mother's voice echoed in his mind from that morning's breakfast:
"Xiao Tian, be nice! Xiao Wang and Xiao Jian are a bit older, but you're a clever boy, I'm sure you'll be great friends."
Reluctantly, Lin Tian made his way to the meeting point—an open hill behind the academy. When he arrived, two children were locked in mock combat with sticks.
"Instant Sword Strike!" one shouted, slashing the air dramatically.
"Hah! Feel the might of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda strike!" the other retorted with equal enthusiasm.
Lin Tian couldn't help but chuckle to himself, picturing Ning Rongrong summoning her martial soul then recklessly charging with her support-type pagoda. He shook his head at the absurdity of it.
"That's not even a real move! Everyone knows the pagoda is only for support," the first child protested.
"I don't care! You always pick Sword Douluo when we play. It's not fair!" the second grumbled.
"Fine, but my parents both have sword martial souls! I need to practice swords too."
As Lin Tian stepped closer, the children noticed him. The first child, a silver-haired girl, turned to him.
"Who are you?" she asked, her eyes sharp with curiosity.
"I'm Lin Tian. My mum told me to meet you here. Were you playing as Sword Douluo Chen Xin?"
Her expression brightened. "Yeah! Sword Douluo is my idol! He was the strongest attack Douluo three thousand years ago!"
The girl's lively features caught Lin Tian's attention—silver twin-tails framed her confident smile. She radiated a tomboyish charm.
"Lin Tian? Oh, you're Director Lin and Teacher Yue's son, " the second child intervened. He was well dressed, with a serious demeanor giving him the air of a scholar. .
"That's me." Lin Tian smiled, offering a polite nod.
"Anyways, Sword Douluo was the best, right? He had techniques that didn't even need soul rings!" Ye Jian gushed.
"Oh yea, I'm Ye Jian. Sister Yue told me about you a while ago. She told me you're three, so you'll awaken your martial soul in three years."
'Sister Yue, huh?' Lin Tian mused, twitching slightly. If you call my mother "sister," what does that make you? Aunty?
"Errr…don't mind Xiao Jian, she's just like that. By the way, my name is Wang Jia," the newly introduced Wang Jia intervened.
"I don't mind, she's just speaking her mind," Lin Tian shook his head. He honestly preferred people who were straightforward and spoke their minds.
"I'm older than you so just call me Ye Jie," Ye Jian waved her hand. ['Jie' means older sister in Chinese]
"He was amazing," Lin Tian agreed. "But there were others just as strong."
"Like who?" Ye Jian's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Sea God Tang San."
"That doesn't count! He became a god!" she pouted.
"Okay, then. Tang Chen," Lin Tian said calmly.
"Who?" she tilted her head, clearly puzzled.
"Level Ninety Nine Titled Douluo, grandfather of the Sea God and former patriarch of the Haotian Clan," Lin Tian introduced.
"What? Is that true Xiao Jia?" Ye Jian looked to Wang Jia for confirmation, who shrugged. "I think that's true, but I'm not entirely sure."
"Hmph, I'll reluctantly believe you for now. You don't look like a liar," Ye Jian harrumphed.
"You'll see. And soon, I'll awaken my sword martial soul and become the strongest attack Douluo, just like Sword Douluo!" she declared with pride.
Lin Tian chuckled softly. "Have you started training for it?"
"No," she admitted. "My parents said it'd be a waste if I didn't awaken a sword martial soul."
Lin Tian nearly choked on his own breath. What do you mean, 'waste'? You can still train with a regular sword! He couldn't wrap his head around the rigid thinking of Soul Land's society, where everything revolved around martial souls.
"Er... What about running? Do you train for endurance?" he asked.
"Not really. I just run around when I play with Xiao Jia. Does that count?"
Lin Tian sighed internally. These people… They don't train their kids until their martial souls awaken? Even if someone awakens a weak martial soul, having a strong body would still be beneficial!
"That sounds more like playing. I mean running for training," he clarified.
"Ugh, boring," Ye Jian grimaced.
Outwardly, he smiled. "But don't you like winning?"
Ye Jian's eyes flickered with excitement. "Winning?"
"If you train now, you'll beat everyone else once school starts. You could be unstoppable—just like Sword Douluo."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she imagined the scenario. "Unstoppable… just like Sword Douluo..."
"Exactly," Lin Tian whispered, sealing the deal with a knowing smile.
"Alright! Let's train now!" Ye Jian exclaimed, already bouncing with energy.
"Can I join too?" Wang Jia asked thoughtfully. "It makes sense. Better to be prepared, right?"
Lin Tian smiled warmly at him. This one's sharp—still young enough to think freely, not yet bound by tradition.
"The more, the merrier," Lin Tian replied. "Let's start with some light jogging."
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