The next morning, the Outer Sect Plaza was filled with new disciples. They stood in neat rows under the blazing sun, waiting for their first official lesson.
Li Ming yawned loudly, rubbing his eyes. He had stayed up too late last night trying to draw "cool poses" in the dirt, imagining how he would look once he became an unbeatable cultivator.
"Disciples!" Instructor Zhao barked, striding into the plaza. His sharp gaze swept across the group like a hawk. "Today, you will learn the Foundation Arts—the building blocks of all cultivation in Azure Sky Sect. Without mastering the basics, you are nothing but empty vessels."
The disciples bowed respectfully.
"First," Zhao continued, "we begin with Stance Training. You will hold the Horse Stance until your legs scream, your body shakes, and your soul questions its purpose. Only then will your foundation be firm."
Groans spread across the group.
Li Ming tilted his head. "Horse stance? How hard could that be?"
---
The disciples spread out, lowering themselves into the wide-legged position. Almost instantly, sweat poured, legs trembled, and teeth clenched.
Wu Jian, determined to regain his pride after yesterday's humiliation, gritted his teeth and held steady. His muscles bulged as veins popped out of his forehead.
"Endure!" he muttered. "I'll outlast them all!"
Li Ming dropped into the stance casually, humming to himself. "Oh, this? We used to squat like this in the fields while planting rice. Easy."
Minutes ticked by. One disciple collapsed, then another. Groans filled the plaza. Wu Jian was shaking violently, his pride the only thing keeping him upright.
But Li Ming? He stood calmly, hands behind his back, looking like he was enjoying a pleasant breeze.
The other disciples stared in disbelief.
"Is he… is he even sweating?"
"No way. My legs feel like they're breaking!"
"Maybe he really is a monster…"
Instructor Zhao raised an eyebrow. Strange. His aura circulation is smooth, too smooth… as if his body is naturally absorbing energy while holding the stance.
An hour passed. Then another. By the end, nearly every disciple had collapsed. Only a handful remained standing—Wu Jian trembling like a leaf… and Li Ming, still casually humming.
Zhao clapped his hands. "Enough! You, Li Ming. Step forward."
Li Ming straightened, brushing imaginary dust off his robes. "Yes, Instructor?"
The instructor studied him closely. "Not bad. You lasted longer than expected. But strength is nothing without technique. Next, you will demonstrate the Basic Fist Technique."
He gestured to a stone pillar at the edge of the plaza. "Strike it. Show us your control."
Wu Jian's eyes gleamed. "Hmph. He'll embarrass himself now."
Li Ming stepped forward, exhaling slowly. The Heavenly Breathing Method flowed through him, enhancing his body. He raised his fist, recalling the "Chicken Slayer Fist" he had accidentally invented during the puppet trial.
A grin spread across his face. "Time to look cool…"
He struck.
BOOOOOOM!
The stone pillar shattered into dust, collapsing in a thunderous crash. A shockwave rippled across the plaza, sending disciples stumbling.
Silence fell.
Wu Jian's jaw dropped. "That… that was supposed to be a basic technique!"
The disciples erupted.
"Did you see that?!"
"He pulverized it in one strike!"
"That's not basic—that's insane!"
Instructor Zhao's eye twitched. He coughed into his fist, pretending to be calm. "Hmph. Acceptable." But his gaze lingered on Li Ming, suspicious and curious at once. This boy… what is he hiding?
Li Ming dusted his hands, smirking. "Not bad, right?"
The disciples looked at him like he was a young war god.
Even Wu Jian, red-faced and shaking, couldn't muster a comeback. His fists clenched so hard his knuckles bled. I'll crush you one day, Li Ming… even if it kills me.
---
That night, back in the dorms, Li Ming collapsed onto his bed with a satisfied grin. His body was sore, but the jade slip pulsed warmly against his chest.
He whispered to himself, "Heh. Day one of training, and I already look like a genius. At this rate, I'll be unstoppable."
But as he drifted off to sleep, the jade slip glowed brighter than before. Strange symbols flickered in his mind—new secrets, hidden techniques waiting to be unlocked.
Unbeknownst to Li Ming, his journey was about to grow even more ridiculous… and even more dangerous.
Please comment.
Do not leave an offensive comment.