193: Chapter 193 Cruel Cultivation

Beijing, a secret underground training base.

Ever since Zhang Xiaochuan and the other elites stood out from the military's rigorous selection process, they had all been stationed here.

This exclusive cultivation base was a specialized Ethereal Energy training ground. It was built in haste by the Blue Star Defense Department's headquarters, which urgently allocated manpower and resources after learning that Dongda had selected a large number of top-tier cultivation talents.

To build this cultivation-nurturing base, the Blue Star Defense Department had truly spared no expense. Constructing the core Ethereal Energy field alone consumed five Long Tail-class Great Lizard phantom energy stones, supplemented by twenty Iron Head-class Great Lizard phantom energy stones. Such a massive investment of rare resources kept the entire base filled with dense Ethereal Energy, continuously accelerating the soldiers' Ethereal Energy absorption and physical strengthening.

At this moment, within the base's training grounds, gifted soldiers selected from across the military were undergoing high-intensity training under instructors dispatched by the Blue Star Defense Department. The core of Ethereal Energy cultivation lay in absorption, and absorption efficiency was inherently tied to individual talent. However, after a long period of exploration, the Blue Star Defense Department had summarized a method to forcibly increase the speed of Ethereal Energy absorption—what everyone was currently practicing was the Exhaustion Cultivation Method.

As the name suggested, this method involved completely squeezing out the body's physical energy, pushing practitioners into a state of extreme fatigue where they were exhausted and their consciousness was nearly blank. At this point, the body would enter a state of unconscious deep relaxation, subsequently absorbing the surrounding Ethereal Energy frantically on its own to compensate for the energy deficit. This achieved the rapid tempering and strengthening of the physique through Ethereal Energy.

This almost masochistic cultivation method was so harsh that even the Death Warriors watching from the side found it excessive, calling it self-mutilation cultivation. Yet, the results were undeniably astounding, leaving no room for doubt.

Three days had already passed since Zhang Xiaochuan arrived here.

In just three short days, he had truly learned what "devil training" meant. Compared to the current intensity, his past daily training in the army was like child's play, not even worth mentioning.

The instructors at the base showed absolutely no mercy, being ruthless to the extreme as they endlessly squeezed the last drop of physical strength from the soldiers. Take basic running training, for example: there was no set distance or time limit, only one command: keep running until physical strength was completely exhausted and one collapsed unconscious on the ground; only then could they stop and rest.

Even with such severity, the three days of devil training allowed Zhang Xiaochuan to clearly sense his strength rapidly transforming. On the first day, he ran for less than an hour before his vision went dark and he fainted from exhaustion. But upon waking, his body felt no soreness or discomfort; instead, he was filled with abundant energy. When he ran at the same speed again, he could actually last for a solid hour and a half.

Through this daily cycle, in just three days, the current Zhang Xiaochuan could maintain a steady running pace for a full three hours before reaching the edge of exhaustion. His physical fitness had undergone a world-shaking improvement; whether it was explosive power, running speed, or core strength, he was a completely different person compared to three days ago, having achieved a total metamorphosis.

Initially, many soldiers were full of resistance and complaints toward this inhuman training method. But as the changes in their bodies became visible to the naked eye and their strength soared, all complaints gradually dissipated. Becoming stronger was a pursuit etched into every soldier's bones. Seeing their growth so clearly, everyone instead ignited a full fighting spirit, each of them putting in their best effort and doubling down on their training.

On this day, just as Zhang Xiaochuan slowly woke up from his exhaustion-induced coma, he found a group of research doctors gathered around him, talking in low voices with various expressions.

"The power of Ethereal Energy is truly incredible! I've been watching this young soldier the whole time. In less than four days, his physical fitness has more than doubled according to the latest test!" an old doctor said, his voice full of amazement as he looked at the test report in his hand.

"Isn't it? It's just a pity that phantom energy stones are too precious. The base's security is extremely tight, and those guards are completely unyielding. We don't even have a chance to get near the core area. I really want to study this legendary source stone up close!" another doctor said with a face full of regret, his tone revealing an irrepressible longing.

"Stop your wishful thinking! The higher-ups issued clear orders long ago: these are non-renewable, rare strategic resources. Every piece used is one less available. They concern the defense power of all humanity; how could we be allowed to study them at will? Just focus on doing the physical monitoring!" a nearby doctor immediately dampened his spirits, grumbling helplessly.

Listening to the doctors' discussion, Zhang Xiaochuan's lips curled into a faint smile. He stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and stepped back onto the training ground without hesitation. He was currently the fastest-improving person among this batch of selected soldiers, and he would never allow anyone to surpass his lead.

However, no one noticed that within the crowd, a refined-looking middle-aged doctor wearing gold-rimmed glasses was quietly watching Zhang Xiaochuan's departing back. A trace of gloomy, obscure light flickered in the depths of his eyes, as if he were secretly plotting something.