Chapter 24: Spirit Power Trainer Gu Yali
"The average spirit power training card provides approximately ten different methods. The power of the human soul is confined within the body; only by thoroughly liberating both body and mind can this innate energy be unleashed.
"I have no issues; I must return to my training." I had never felt a sense of belonging among these eccentric individuals, so after grasping what I needed to know, I rose to leave.
"Regarding the combat prowess of the giant spider monsters, aside from my psychic explosion, I must have gained other abilities. Otherwise, my burst of psychic energy alone would not suffice to manifest such formidable holy power. What, then, is that silvery aura?" Upon exiting the Wolf King's quarters, I felt my stomach rumble. I had not eaten anything all day, and the battle had drained much of my energy.
"I should check the cafeteria to see if there's any food! If this continues, I'll starve by tomorrow!" Fortunately, the training camp's cafeteria was not as inhumane as the bald instructor Weir, and even though mealtime had passed, food was still being served. However, the offerings were no longer complimentary; a meal that would cost no more than five coins at a street vendor was now audaciously priced at five hundred demon coins. After swiping my card, I faced a portion small enough for just two or three bites, and my anger flared. I slammed my hand down on the cafeteria table, glaring viciously at the cook.
Perhaps my previous duel in the cafeteria had made an impression, for after a moment of standoff, the cook begrudgingly dished me three times the rice and generously ladled a spoonful of potato and beef on top. Satisfied at last, I found a table and began to eat heartily. Once I had devoured my meal, I patted my stomach contentedly, only to notice another student who had also missed mealtime.
This student was considerably taller than I, yet not as brawny as the Wolf King. Their figure was quite slender, and they wore the military cap I had casually discarded after donning my uniform with perfect precision, causing me to take a second glance. This was the first time I had seen anyone wear a military cap in the training camp; even the bald instructor Weir preferred to go bare-headed. Out of sympathy for sharing a five-hundred-demon-coin meal, I called out loudly, "Hey! How did you fare against those giant spiders today?"
The student hesitated momentarily upon hearing my greeting, then shook their head, continuing the battle against their meal. For reasons I couldn't fathom, I plopped down directly across from them and rambled on, "I blasted a fiery red spider and fortuitously obtained a spider legion rune stone; I barely managed to survive today. Someone even told me that the Demon-Binding Mercenary Corps never uses its members as cannon fodder—how ridiculous! I can't believe I once believed such nonsense..."
"The Demon-Binding Mercenary Corps indeed never recruits useless members!" A cool, crisp voice came from across the table. The student looked up slightly, and the first thing I noticed was a pair of sapphire-like, sparkling eyes. Next was a high, sculpted nose and a perfectly chiseled face reminiscent of a marble statue. Their long red hair cascaded elegantly down, instantly making me realize I was in the presence of an exotic beauty.
"I am Gu Yali, a formal member of the Demon-Binding Mercenary Corps. We do not use our members as cannon fodder; we simply do not recruit such individuals!" This red-haired beauty stood proudly, casting a cold glance over her shoulder before departing without another word.
In that moment as Gu Yali rose, I suddenly felt the air, once weightless, grow heavy as a mountain. I couldn't even budge a finger. A bone-chilling cold surged from my tailbone, shooting straight to the crown of my head. It was not until long after Gu Yali had vanished that I realized I was drenched in sweat beneath the weight of that icy presence.
"Is this what they call killing intent? This woman possesses an incredible aura!" Once I regained my ability to move, I sprang up and dashed out of the cafeteria. However, the training camp was eerily quiet; the red-haired foreign beauty known as Gu Yali had long since disappeared. As my power continued to grow, the arrogance lurking within me had begun to rear its head, transforming into something almost reckless. That moment of confronting Gu Yali had rendered my proud strength utterly laughable; had she chosen to strike, I would have had no chance to resist.
"So I truly am this inadequate. I wonder when I will attain the strength that is rightfully mine." Despite acquiring a plethora of chaotic abilities, they seemed to lack any promising potential. My nameless martial arts card was incomplete, and my psychic abilities were perplexing; I had no clear path to steady improvement. "As long as I persevere, I can certainly become stronger and secure the wish fruit to return home! After all, she is a formal member of the Demon-Binding Mercenary Corps; it is no shame for me, a novice just entering the Demon Island, to be outmatched."
Returning to my quarters, I felt invigorated and began to motivate myself. I then opened the Book of Demons and utilized the spirit power training card. A gentle light enveloped me, and I found myself in a vast room.
To my astonishment, standing at the center was the red-haired beauty, her fiery locks shining like flames, her sapphire-like eyes sparkling brilliantly, with long, elegant legs and an expression as cold as ice... and that exotic, perfectly chiseled face was the very one I had just encountered. "Gu Yali!" The red-haired beauty who appeared in the spirit power training card's realm was indeed the same person I had met in the cafeteria.
"I am your spirit power trainer. What you see is merely an illusion I left within the training card. Now, let me assess your combat abilities; I will gradually increase the intensity of my attacks, and you will strive to withstand them!" Gu Yali's apparition spoke succinctly, immediately adopting an aggressive stance and unleashing a slicing palm strike towards me.
This illusion clearly did not recognize me, and the aura she emitted was significantly weaker than that of the real Gu Yali. Yet her agile movements made it hard to believe she was merely a phantom.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone