Chapter 23: The Shock of Torturing Instructor Wang! A New Ability Entry!

Chapter 23: The Torture Instructor's Shock! A New Ability Entry!

*Thwack!*

The thick iron rod collided with flesh and blood, emitting a loud, resounding strike. Cui Ze’s body trembled slightly, his brain instantly registering a clear, sharp pain at the point of impact. However, it wasn't as intense as he had imagined.

"Huh?" Just as Cui Ze was puzzled, Instructor Z paced forward and swung the iron rod again. *Thwack!* It struck him once more. This time, Cui Ze nearly staggered; the area where the iron rod hit burned with a stinging sensation, as if he had been sliced by a sharp blade.

"Hiss—" Cui Ze widened his eyes and drew a sharp breath.

The next blow followed immediately. The strength and pain of the third strike fell between the first and the second—heavier than the first, yet lighter than the second. It touched upon the very edge of Cui Ze’s endurance. One bit more, and he wouldn't be able to bear it; one bit less, and the effect would be mediocre.

He was a master of torture!

With the three strikes concluded, Instructor Z stood leaning on his rod and said to Cui Ze, "I have tested the limits of what your body can currently accept. Now, take a one-minute break! You remember those few techniques I mentioned to you yesterday, don't you?"

Cui Ze ground his molars; the pain from just a moment ago hadn't fully dissipated, but he gritted his teeth and replied, "I remember, Instructor! I even practiced them privately a few times yesterday."

Instructor Z didn't ask for the results of Cui Ze’s practice. Or rather, he had no expectations at all. Even the most gifted Navy soldier couldn't possibly make progress on their first attempt at *Tekkai* (Iron Body)! If Cui Ze could actually do that, Z would eat the very iron rod in his hand as if it were a chocolate bar!

"Very good." Instructor Z nodded with satisfaction and began to explain the more comprehensive knowledge of *Tekkai*. "When I strike you with the iron rod in a moment, remember to practice the techniques I taught you yesterday. Also, pay attention to your breathing rhythm, your muscular output, and so on. Remember! You are practicing *Tekkai*, not just passively taking a beating!"

Cui Ze committed each of the new points Instructor Z raised to memory, reciting them silently several times to ensure he wouldn't miss anything.

"Now, keep everything I taught you swirling in your mind!" Instructor Z lifted the iron rod again, gripping it tightly. "I’m starting!"

Cui Ze took a deep breath, nodded at Instructor Z, and immediately activated his own capabilities.

*Beast Breathing: Total Concentration!*

*Tekkai!*

The thick iron rod whistled through the air, striking Cui Ze’s body with a roar, but this time, it didn't produce the loud, slapping sound from before.

*Thud!*

The iron rod struck as if hitting a layer of thick, dense leather, producing a dull, muffled impact.

"How is this possible!?" Feeling the rebound force traveling from the iron rod to his palms, Instructor Z was dumbfounded. What this kid just used… was actually *Tekkai*!

...

The torture master's iron rod training lasted for a full hour. Under the dual enhancement of his "Wild Body" and "Tenacity" talents, Cui Ze quickly adapted to Instructor Z's "Armor-Stacking Training."

Not only that, but his "Beast Breathing: Total Concentration" also saw a significant improvement. As for "Tekkai," which had not yet fully formed into an ability entry, Cui Ze became much more familiar with how to execute it.

The only issue was that his "Durability" attribute couldn't quite keep up. Repeatedly practicing *Tekkai*, especially in conjunction with "Beast Breathing," was still too taxing for the current Cui Ze.

After the "Armor-Stacking Training" ended, a breathless Cui Ze was drenched in sweat, his skin, flushed bright red from the strikes, even emitting a certain oily luster. Muscles, tough guys, iron rods, and sweat.

However, the exhausted Cui Ze was unaware that the shock in Instructor Z’s heart far outweighed his own fatigue.

*In such a short amount of time, he was able to push Tekkai to this level…* Instructor Z gripped the shaft of the iron rod so hard he almost left fingerprints in the solid metal. *This kind of talent! It’s truly terrifying!*

*I’m starting to think that the rumors circulating in the training camp for over a decade—that someone could fully master all Six Styles during their time here—aren't a joke! They are the truth! At Cui Ze’s current rate of practice, half a month? Ten days? He might be able to display a true Tekkai by then, right?*

Instructor Z groaned inwardly. *This is genius! This is just like Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan… a monster!*

Standing in place, waiting for the next strike, Cui Ze couldn't hear the familiar whistle of the iron rod. He looked up, confused, to find Instructor Z staring at him. The expression on the old torture master’s face startled him—a mixture of shock, awe, envy, and grief. It was such a strange look, especially coming from a muscular man with a "nasal hair mustache."

Cui Ze felt a shiver run down his spine and gave a dry laugh. "Ah, haha, Instructor Z, are we not continuing today's training?"

"That's enough training for you today." Instructor Z snapped back to reality. "Your stamina won't be able to handle the later parts of the training for now."

Seeing the old torture master had come to his senses, Cui Ze breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Understood, Instructor. I’ll be off, then."

"Hmm. Report back to the advanced physical training room tomorrow afternoon!" Z said in a deep voice. "Also, you need to increase your training for basic physical stamina!"

"Yes," Cui Ze replied briefly.

Leaving the advanced physical training room, Cui Ze dragged his weary body back to his quarters. After a quick cold shower and a change into clean clothes, he hurried toward the warship's galley. The *Tekkai* training had consumed too much of his energy; if he didn't want to be weak-kneed while gutting fish later, it was best to replenish his energy first.

In the galley, Cui Ze devoured his food while checking the gains from today's training. Just after the *Tekkai* practice ended, he noticed a new notification in the corner of his light screen. Opening it, he found exactly what he expected.

[After undergoing training, you have acquired the E-rank ability entry: "Forceful Attack"! ]

[E-rank Entry: Forceful Attack]
[Effect: Having undergone training, you now know how to strike in a way that causes the enemy greater pain.]
[Evaluation: Practice makes it hurt.]

"...Regarding the strange fact that I was receiving defensive training but acquired an offensive ability."

After finishing a sufficient amount of food, Cui Ze crossed the galley hall and entered the kitchen's ingredient processing room. An unexpected person was waiting for him there.

"Hina? Why are you here?" Cui Ze looked with surprise at the beautiful, pink-haired Navy girl standing amidst the cluttered ingredients. "Did you receive a chore assignment to work in the kitchen?"

"This was our agreement!" The gentle smile on Hina’s face suddenly stiffened. "Did you forget, Cui Ze? Two days ago, Hina agreed with you that I would come to the galley to work with you! To keep a big eater like you from stealing the ingredients."

"I really wouldn't steal any… never mind." Cui Ze had no intention of arguing with the girl, so he waved at her. "Let’s start gutting the fish together!"