Initial Training and Body Formation.
When Shen Xiang entered the Eternal Heaven Gate with great enthusiasm, he did not realize that this place was no ordinary training ground.
Outside, one year passed, but inside, time moved ten times faster. For Shen Xiang, ten years of suffering would become a trial that would shape his body, soul, and mind into something extraordinary.
On the first day, Shen Shizu gave him no chance to adjust. "If you want to become strong, you must experience this world in its harshest form," said Shen Shizu coldly, before throwing Shen Xiang directly into a lava pool that was boiling hot.
The sensation of the intense heat engulfing his body almost made Shen Xiang give up. However, even amidst the pain, Shen Shizu's voice was clear. "Remember, pain is your best teacher. If you cannot withstand this, then you are not worthy to survive in the outside world."
The following days were filled with inhumane trials. After managing to adapt to the lava's heat, Shen Xiang was thrown into an ice pool that froze him to the bone, where each breath felt like sharp knives piercing his lungs.
Not yet done, he had to endure a thunder pool, where bolts of lightning struck his body relentlessly, and lastly, a poison pool, which nearly caused him to lose consciousness.
Although his body was shattered countless times, this training strengthened his physical foundation. Within the first five years, Shen Xiang reached the physical strength of a peak Immortal Ascension Realm cultivator. However, Shen Shizu was never satisfied.
"Your body is indeed strong," said Shen Shizu one day, "but without a sharp mind and a strong soul, you will not survive for long."
---
Soul and Mind Training.
In the sixth year, Shen Shizu began shifting the focus of Shen Xiang's training from the body to the soul and mind. This training was far more challenging because the enemy Shen Xiang had to face was not an element or physical force, but himself.
Shen Shizu took Shen Xiang to an illusionary realm, a place where his deepest fears and worst memories were brought to life. In one illusion, Shen Xiang saw his family being destroyed by unknown enemies. The sound of their screams was so real that Shen Xiang nearly succumbed to despair.
However, Shen Xiang learned to confront these illusions. With each illusion he overcame, his mind became sharper, and his control over his emotions grew stronger.
"Only by mastering your mind can you master the world around you," Shen Shizu said after one of the most difficult training sessions.
The pinnacle of soul training came with the spiritual lightning trial. Shen Xiang had to sit still under a barrage of lightning for an entire year. Each bolt of lightning contained enough energy to destroy the soul, but Shen Xiang endured. When this trial ended, his soul had been strengthened to its very core.
---
The Eternal Heaven Gate Library.
On the final day of training, Shen Shizu took Shen Xiang to the Eternal Heaven Gate Library, a magnificent pagoda with ten floors filled with knowledge from across the universe. Although Shen Xiang had visited this place frequently to study during his training, the library still left him in awe.
"In this place, techniques do not choose just anyone," Shen Shizu said. "When you enter the second floor, stand on the podium and let your fate speak for itself."
Shen Xiang ascended the stairs to the second floor with a pounding heart. As he reached the podium in the center of the floor, a magical scene unfolded. The entire floor lit up, and millions of books floated in the air, forming a mesmerizing pattern. Shen Xiang felt small in the face of this wonder, but nine selected books began to move toward him.
Each book emitted a different light, as though revealing its unique essence:
1. Primordial Chaos Tome: Qi Cultivation.
2. Ancient Body Strengthening Technique: Body Cultivation.
3. Divine Soul Technique: Soul Cultivation.
4. Heaven Dual Cultivation Technique: Special Technique.
5. Heaven Refinement Technique: Alchemy.
6. Heaven Forging Technique: Artifact Forging.
7. Heaven Formation Technique: Array Formation.
8. Basic Sword Technique: Sword Art.
9. Basic Spear Technique: Spear Art.
When he descended to the first floor carrying the nine books, Shen Shizu appeared astonished. "Nine books? Your luck is extraordinary. Next, drip your blood onto each book."
Shen Xiang followed Shen Shizu's instructions and dripped his blood onto each book. As the books merged with his body, he felt a wave of vast information flood his mind. It took nearly a full day to comprehend everything he had just learned.
---
The Treasure Room and Farewell.
After ten long years of intense training, Shen Xiang's body, mind, and soul had undergone a profound transformation. Each trial, no matter how grueling, had shaped him into a formidable cultivator.
The physical strength he had gained in the lava, ice, thunder, and poison pools was beyond what any normal person could achieve, and his mind had been sharpened through countless illusions and spiritual trials.
His time in the Eternal Heaven Gate had made him stronger in ways he never thought possible.
Finally, Shen Shizu deemed it was time for him to leave. She took him to the Treasure Room and handed him three cosmic bags filled with spiritual stones, pills, rare herbs, and powerful artifacts—everything he would need for the years ahead.
"Take these with you, Shen Xiang. They will sustain you on your journey," Shen Shizu said, her voice a mix of pride and concern.
Shen Xiang, filled with gratitude, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Senior Sister Shen, for everything you've done for me. I will become strong, and one day, I will repay your kindness."
Before he left, Shen Xiang couldn't resist adding, "And when I become powerful enough, I'll make you mine."
Shen Shizu smiled, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Fufu~ When you return, I'll make sure to beat you so badly that you won't be able to get out of bed for a whole month."
With that, Shen Xiang left the Eternal Heaven Gate, carrying his new knowledge, skills, and hopes for the future. The real challenges awaited him in the outside world, and he was more ready than ever to face them.
The end of his training was not the end of his journey, but the beginning of a new chapter in his quest for strength, glory, and perhaps, love.