Chapter Thirty-Four: Proper People Keep Diaries

“Don’t aim too high; wait until you can skillfully control half the fusion rate before thinking about the future.”
From Chang Suian’s words, it was clear that to achieve a second awakening, one must reach at least fifty percent fusion with their first guardian spirit while in the demonized state.
“Any other questions?”
The new recruits shook their heads.
“Then today’s training is over.”
As Chang Suian finished speaking, the armored soldiers who had left earlier returned and led everyone through another inspection before finally leaving the building of the Demon Training Grounds.
“Huai Shan, we truly made the right choice coming here.”
On the way back to the dormitory, Guo Tingyu couldn’t suppress his excitement. “My master once said the only way to increase the fusion rate of demon power is through constant combat to stimulate it.”
“I never imagined the Yingzhou Army would use electric currents to simulate a sense of crisis and provoke fusion. And that mysterious potion—whatever its formula, just one session of training is equivalent to a week of my own efforts. I’m about to break through two percent!”
So, even after finishing the awakening, Tingyu had never surpassed two percent fusion.
In the final moment of training, Du Huaishan distinctly felt himself and the Four-Horned Demon fusing to the degree of two out of a hundred.
It seems I have quite a talent for fusion.
Whether it’s because of traversing worlds or the crimson illusion, I can’t say.
But what fascinates Du Huaishan most is how, in the demonized state, demon power enhances the heart’s pumping strength, essentially reinforcing the nervous system, cardiac muscle fibers, and bodily fluids. It’s truly miraculous.
Returning to the dormitory, Tan Hai, Wu Ming, and several others immediately crowded around, chirping with endless questions.
Anyone would be curious about tonight’s extra training.
Fortunately, Chang Suian hadn’t instructed them to keep it secret, so there was no harm in sharing.
Even if outsiders learned the Yingzhou Army used electric currents and potions to boost demon fusion, they couldn’t easily replicate it—the size of the current, which body part, how to stimulate, and the potion’s recipe, all these are trade secrets.
Given the current medical standards on Blue Star,
It's advanced enough to have invented X-ray machines,
but basic wound infections can’t be handled, and antibiotics probably won’t appear for another decade at least.
So, to research their own voltage and current data,
without thousands of trials, it’s simply impossible.

“I envy you all, getting to train your demon power so early. As for us, well…”
A rarely spoken member of Squad Eight, half-lying on his bunk, sighed casually.
Even if they later acquired guardian spirits, their fusion rate would still lag behind Du Huaishan, Guo Tingyu, and the first batch of trainees.
But life was never truly fair.
Wu Ming is naturally bigger than Tan Hai, Guo Tingyu richer than most.
“So put in the effort!”
Tan Hai was philosophical about it; making it this far was already a stroke of luck. “Huai Shan, want me to boil some water for you?”
Du Huaishan thanked him.
He went to the table, took out a notebook and pen, and began summarizing today’s training.
Keeping a training log was important,
much like how top students take notes.
Many insights and data might be clear today, but forgotten tomorrow.

“An Guo, Year 5, November 16. First day of new recruit training at the Army Lecture Hall. Five class sessions: physical fitness, knowledge, balance and orientation, strength and combat, and demon power.”
He listed the topics.
Du Huaishan began jotting down the key points of his understanding for each:
“Physical fitness relates to the duration of the demonized state—must strengthen the basics, perhaps buy sandbags for weighted running; theoretical knowledge is the core to combating demons—study diligently and ask questions; mobility and grappling require strong directional sense—my weakness, I must focus on improving it.”
Du Huaishan suddenly recalled the training programs often discussed by his pilot friend.
Most required specialized equipment, but some were simple: dynamic vision training!
Just frequently using his eyes to quickly track objects—horizontal, instantaneous movements—could supplement his retina’s tendency to blur with high-speed objects.
“The form and intent boxing taught by Instructor Chang is practical. The moves, when practiced solo, not only strengthen muscular force but also promote muscle growth—a great path to getting stronger. I expect weapons training soon. Unfortunately, army-style martial arts inevitably sacrifice much; I fear there’s little chance to experience true martial arts.”
At this point, Du Huaishan’s mind conjured the image of the slender, agile female soldier with her hair in a bun.
From her swift completion of the balance orientation test and her use of massage oil for stretching, she was clearly a genuine martial artist.

I wonder if I’ll ever have the chance to interact with her more deeply.
“Demon power is miraculous and should be my top priority, the training I devote most energy to. However, Instructor Chang said fusion rate is closely linked to physical fitness, which brings me back to the starting point. I need to quickly find the balance between my body and demon power. Tomorrow I’ll weigh myself again, and start paying attention to my diet.”
For the final section, Du Huaishan circled two keywords and drew two arrows between them.

“Huai Shan, the hot water’s ready.”
“Thanks, just leave it, I’ll do it myself.”
Du Huaishan took the hot water, found a wooden basin among his personal belongings, mixed seven parts hot to three parts cold, and soaked his feet. “Ah…”
The heat flowed from the soles of his feet through the acupoints, rushing to the crown of his head, instantly washing away the fatigue of the day’s training.
“Huai Shan, what are you writing?”
Tan Hai noticed the densely packed notebook on the table, words like ants crawling everywhere, and was curious.
“Just keeping records, like a diary…”
Du Huaishan replied casually. There wasn’t anything confidential—just personal summaries and reflections, nothing unsuitable for others to see.
Besides, these notes were tailored to him. Even if others saw them, they wouldn’t be of much use.
“Hey! Huai Shan, you have such a hobby? Clearly you’re from a good family!”
Wu Ming picked it up, scratched his head. “But your handwriting—most of it I’ve never seen before, looks like you’re drawing talismans…”
“I’m nowhere near Tingyu’s level, just a half-baked amateur…”
Du Huaishan had resorted to digital notes since university, so his handwriting was poor, a mixture of simplified script and joined strokes. No wonder the others couldn’t recognize it.
Guo Tingyu smiled, “Huai Shan, don’t flatter me. If you want to learn, I can teach you!”
“Time for rest! Recruits, hurry up and turn off the lights and get to sleep!”
Before Du Huaishan could reply, the clock struck ten, and the soldiers on duty in the dormitory building began shouting in the corridors, lantern in hand.
“All right, we’ll talk later!”
Du Huaishan closed his notebook, poured out the footbath water, turned back to his bunk, and slipped under the covers.