System: "Sigh, this system has it tough. Actually, the Dog Beating Staff isn't supposed to split; it affects its performance."
Hearing Su Ming mention Sage Mode, both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong finally remembered what it was. They had nearly forgotten about it. Even though they had some knowledge of Sage Mode from the diary, they listened intently as Su Ming explained it in more detail.
Having Su Ming explain it in person made things much clearer. According to him, Sage Mode's "natural energy" was essentially the life energy found in all things in nature—plants, trees, the sea, and more. Su Ming explained everything he knew about it.
His understanding of natural energy was limited, but he speculated that it was similar to the "energy" needed for the Spirit Bomb in Dragon Ball. However, whether that was true or not, he'd have to experience it himself.
Both Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu understood that Sage Mode was powerful, but it also had its limitations. They weren't sure how Su Ming planned to overcome those, but they trusted him completely.
After explaining everything to the two, Su Ming entered his mental space to seek assistance from Ah Yin.
"Ah Yin, you're in sync with me, so you should know that when I start training, I'll need to concentrate my spiritual power, which means I won't be able to sense the outside world. I'll need your help," Su Ming said, gazing at Ah Yin's stunning face.
Normally, Su Ming wouldn't disturb Ah Yin because he knew she hadn't yet realized the truth about Tang Hao. Pushing too much would be counterproductive, so it was better to focus on the present and work on her later.
Ah Yin understood Su Ming's thoughts and didn't say much. This was the first time Su Ming had asked her for help.
"Don't worry about your training. I'll set up a large amount of Blue Silver Grass outside the wooden house you built. If anyone approaches, the grass will sense them and alert me," Ah Yin replied softly.
Su Ming nodded and exited his mental space.
At this time, Tang Hao had likely left Shrek Academy to attend to his own business, so allowing Ah Yin to use a bit of Blue Silver Grass for surveillance shouldn't be an issue. Even if Tang San sensed something, he wouldn't know that it was his mother, Ah Yin, summoning the grass. At most, he'd just feel a vague familiarity.
With everything in place, Su Ming retrieved a long-forgotten jar of toad oil from a corner of his Soul Tool.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were puzzled. Su Ming was training alone, so why did he need them to stand by? They didn't question him, though, trusting that Su Ming had his reasons.
It was Su Ming's first time using toad oil to train Sage Mode, so he was a bit nervous. He dabbed a small amount onto his arm, and before long, small warts began forming on his skin. Both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were shocked.
"Su Ming, what's happening to you?" they asked, alarmed.
Su Ming was also a bit surprised by how quickly the toad oil took effect, but he remained calm. "It's normal. Don't worry. But be ready! Before I fully turn into a toad, make sure to hit me with the staff. If you don't, I might turn into a stone toad permanently!"
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu nodded seriously, understanding the gravity of the situation. Su Ming was entrusting his life to them, and they were determined not to let him down.
Realizing it was time to begin, Su Ming performed a hand sign and said, "Wood Style: Wood Clone!"
With a burst of smoke, nine identical copies of Su Ming appeared.
Both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were stunned once again—Su Ming could create clones!
Su Ming carefully calculated their tasks. Ning Rongrong could handle watching over three to four clones, while Xiao Wu, with her ability to teleport, could manage six to seven. Nine clones were Su Ming's current limit; any more would interfere with his training. Besides, if too many clones started turning into toads at once, the two girls wouldn't be able to keep up.
Of course, these nine wood clones were of much lower quality than those of the First Hokage from Naruto. After all, these clones were purely for training purposes. If he needed higher-quality clones, Su Ming estimated that he could only create one or two at his current level.
Despite their shock, both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong focused on monitoring the clones, ready to act. Once any of Su Ming's clones showed signs of transforming into a toad, they would strike immediately.
Thanks to Su Ming's high physical resilience, the blows from Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu's staffs didn't immediately cause the clones to disappear.
However, Su Ming had underestimated the effects of the toad oil. While he could sense the natural energy around him, he couldn't control it, and the energy flooded into him at an alarming rate.
Within the first minute, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong had already struck the clones over twenty times!
Whenever they hit one, they'd immediately have to rush to the next. They exchanged glances, realizing just how difficult Sage Mode training really was.
No wonder Su Ming had mentioned in his diary that he wouldn't dare train without the Dog Beating Staff. In just one minute, they had already seen the terrifying power of natural energy.
While both girls had plenty of stamina as soul masters, Ning Rongrong began to worry. At this pace, Xiao Wu would be fine, but could she really last the entire day?
An hour passed, and both Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were feeling exhausted, but they didn't dare lower their guard for even a second.
Ning Rongrong now fully understood how hard Su Ming had worked over the past few days. She had only been at this for an hour, but Su Ming had endured several days of this while teaching her!