Chapter 245 - Progression Falls (1) (2/2)

Zero wiped the drool away with his robe sleeve and grinned. ”Why do we need all these then?”

”We're going to bathe in it while training.”

There was a funny silence as student and master stared at each other. The birds flew away from the strange atmosphere building in the air and even the forest bugs fell silent.

For Zero, he hated baths as much as he hated brushing his teeth. Although he did them daily whenever possible, it wasn't his favourite time of the day. This trial keeps getting worse and worse. Not only was he made to overcome his fear of potentially becoming the void again, but now, he also had to endure bathing sessions while cultivating under the second waterfall. What was it going to be like with the Regression Falls? Would he be made to do Math in freezing water?

Hua Tuo couldn't make out the weird expression on his student's face but he was willing to bet that Zero was thinking about something ridiculous again.

”Can I ask what's the final stage of this trial?” Zero asked in the most cautious manner Hua Tuo has ever heard from him.

The physician blinked. ”It's going to be normal meditation,” he answered and omitted the part about having to tie Zero to some rock while he meditated. Also, the coldness that Zero has to learn how to overcome would be more difficult than the heat from Progression Falls.

Zero sensed that Hua Tuo isn't telling him everything but normal meditation did sound reassuring. At least he wouldn't be required to do Math. The look of relief on his face made Hua Tuo even more perplexed. Just what kind of training did Zero have in mind? Hua Tuo didn't think that he was a terrible teacher. He didn't exactly torture Zero during the training session, did he?

Hua Tuo froze and thought back on his actions. He didn't torture Zero, right? Ignoring the boy at the initial stage to force the teenager to think of a way to acknowledge his fears and make him face them head-on isn't it, right? He didn't answer because he didn't want to give Zero a leeway out again but he would save him regardless even if he failed. This shouldn't count as emotional abuse... right?

Zero tilted his head to the side in confusion. ”Shifu, are you alright? You suddenly look very pale.”

Hua Tuo chuckled nervously and patted Zero's head gently. ”Don't worry, I'm alright. Let's go gather the herbs together. I'll make you some handmade noodles in pheasant broth later.”

Zero rejoiced. It wasn't often that his teacher offered to cook. Pheasant broth noodles were one of Zero's favourite dishes apart from steamed dumplings. Hua Tuo would cook but he always made Zero help out. For his teacher to want to make a meal all by himself without having Zero to help out was a real reward.

Without waiting to be told twice, Zero went to grab the harvesting medical basket and Hua Tuo heaved a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Zero wasn't very hard to bribe. Even as a teenager, the kid still had some childishness left in him.