Chapter 3

After the meal, everyone gathered again at the central training ground. This time, Zhou Tantai did not come, but instead, over a dozen members of the Sun Moon Divine Sect arrived. As soon as they arrived, they instructed everyone on how to line up properly.

Once everyone was in position, they were taught how to stand in a horse stance. Everyone was very obedient, and soon, a neat formation of five or six hundred people was formed, each person diligently holding their horse stance.

Dongfang Sheng and Dongfang Bai were positioned in the second row facing the stone platform, which was a very good spot, allowing them to clearly see every movement on the platform.

Although standing in a horse stance is easy, doing it well is very difficult, especially for a group of children who need to maintain the stance without deforming their posture. Even Dongfang Sheng, with his adult mindset and strong willpower, could not hold it for long. However, he knew that the horse stance was the foundation of all foundations and had to be done well, so he gritted his teeth and persevered.

He also encouraged Dongfang Bai to keep going. Despite her young age, she had a strong will and did her best to mimic the stance.

The next half hour passed under the stern instructions of the dozen Sun Moon Divine Sect members. Everyone's legs trembled with fatigue, and they would sit down to rest before continuing.

Finally, Zhou Tantai appeared on the stone platform. He observed everyone's performance without comment, merely letting out a light hum. Although it was just a light hum, everyone in the crowd heard it clearly, and their attention was immediately drawn to him.

Dongfang Sheng's eyes brightened as he looked at Zhou Tantai. The light hum likely used the legendary internal strength, otherwise, it would not have been heard so clearly by so many people.

Seeing everyone's attention on him, Zhou Tantai scanned the crowd below and called out loudly:

"Listen carefully to what I say next. Whether you understand it or not, you must remember it well. The opportunity for you to be trained here, to practice martial arts, to have enough food, and to have the chance to become someone important, all of this is given to you by the Sun Moon Divine Sect. So, you must cherish this opportunity, train hard, and repay the Sun Moon Divine Sect in the future. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" the five or six hundred people replied in unison, as the dozen Sun Moon Divine Sect members had instructed them to do.

A hint of gratitude appeared in everyone's eyes. The name "Sun Moon Divine Sect" was now firmly planted in their hearts. Although they did not know much, they understood that the Sun Moon Divine Sect had given them all these opportunities.

"Good, I'm glad you understand. Now, let me explain the rules here. From now on, what I say is the rule. Whatever I say, you must do. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Good." Zhou Tantai nodded and continued in a somewhat fierce tone, "Here, besides my words, there are no other rules. What does that mean? It means that each of you is everyone else's opponent. You can fight, brawl, steal food from others, and even drive people out of the room you share to sleep alone. All of this is allowed. However, it all depends on your strength. If you are strong, you can take what you want and bully others. If you are weak, then you are out of luck. Do you understand?"

"Yes, yes!" The crowd replied somewhat fearfully, clearly shaken by Zhou Tantai's words.

However, the orphans and beggars, though frightened, soon had a different look in their eyes, and they began to regard their surroundings with clear caution.

"Brother!" Dongfang Bai, who was standing next to Dongfang Sheng, looked at him with a fearful expression and called out softly.

Dongfang Sheng nodded slightly at Dongfang Bai, signaling her not to worry. Zhou Tantai's words did not surprise him, but he did not expect them to be announced publicly. This was actually better, as it would make things easier in the future.

"Alright, you don't need to worry now. You have one month to strengthen yourselves. After one month, what I said will be allowed. Also, I want to make it clear that when you fight or steal from others, the person you target cannot be more than two years younger than you. For example, if you are ten years old, you cannot steal from anyone younger than eight. You cannot cripple or kill anyone. However, younger people can steal from older ones. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Many of the younger ones looked relieved, knowing that Zhou Tantai's words were greatly beneficial to them. After all, the age difference is not something that can be easily overcome in a short time, and they had little confidence in fighting someone three or four years older.

"Good. Now, let me explain your training plan. Starting today, every morning, you will run and practice the horse stance, followed by learning a set of boxing techniques," Zhou Tantai said loudly.

Dongfang Sheng's spirit lifted, knowing that the main event was about to begin.

"This set of boxing techniques is the beginning of everything. In this world, to practice martial arts, you must cultivate internal strength. To cultivate the first thread of internal strength, you must extract it from your body. How to extract it is through this set of boxing techniques. I will demonstrate it now, so watch carefully."

Although few in the crowd understood Zhou Tantai's words, they all knew that what he said was very important. When they heard that he would demonstrate the boxing techniques, their eyes widened. Although they did not understand martial arts, they knew that to become stronger and not be bullied, they needed to learn martial arts.

Dongfang Sheng was no exception. He understood Zhou Tantai's words clearly and now knew how the first thread of internal strength was extracted.

The first thread of internal strength is extracted from the body, so the body must be strong to extract it. The boxing techniques that Zhou Tantai was about to demonstrate would not only strengthen the body but also help extract internal strength.

Therefore, Dongfang Sheng was particularly focused, and the fatigue and soreness from the horse stance seemed to disappear.

On the stone platform, Zhou Tantai was ready. He spread his legs slightly, bent his knees, clenched his fists, and placed them at his waist, his back straight, forming an incomplete horse stance. A heavy aura emanated from him, making everyone tense.

It seemed that Zhou Tantai was taking his time to ensure everyone could see clearly. After a moment of tension, his body leaned forward slightly, his center of gravity distributed between his feet, and he was poised to strike.

"Ha!"

His exhalation was like a thunderclap, and the crowd's ears rang. Zhou Tantai's right foot stepped forward, and his right fist struck out with a powerful momentum. His left foot then swept forward, landing, and his right foot followed with a whip kick, his left fist striking simultaneously.

Subsequently, Zhou Tantai's hands, legs, and entire body seemed to transform into deadly weapons. Each move was fierce and overwhelming, leaving the crowd in awe and gasping in amazement.

After about ten minutes, the set of boxing techniques was completed. Zhou Tantai seemed satisfied with the crowd's amazed reactions, which improved his mood. He called out loudly, "This set of boxing techniques is called the Sun Moon Fist, a foundational technique perfected by the successive leaders of the Sun Moon Divine Sect. It consists of eighty-one moves. If you practice it well, you will certainly cultivate internal strength.

"In the next ten days, someone will teach you this set of boxing techniques. You must memorize these eighty-one moves in these ten days. After ten days, I will come to test your progress. The better you perform, the greater the rewards and the more auxiliary spirit medicines you will receive. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" The crowd replied excitedly, while Dongfang Sheng closed his eyes, replaying the eighty-one moves of the Sun Moon Fist in his mind.

Indeed, it was eighty-one moves, and Dongfang Sheng had memorized them all in just one demonstration, each small movement remembered with perfect clarity.

In his previous life, Dongfang Sheng had an excellent memory, and after being reborn, he found his mind particularly sharp and clear, with a memory that was truly photographic.

Now, Dongfang Sheng was continuously replaying the eighty-one moves of the Sun Moon Fist in his mind, trying to understand the purpose of each move.

For example, why did a punch follow a kick? What was the relationship between the two? Soon, Dongfang Sheng understood that this set of boxing techniques was not only a good way to strengthen the body and extract internal strength but also a combat technique. Each move could not only strengthen the body but also defeat the enemy.

Dongfang Sheng continuously analyzed these moves in his mind, while also paying attention to Zhou Tantai's words, particularly curious about the spirit medicines he mentioned.

However, he did not dwell on it too much, knowing he would find out eventually. For now, his focus was entirely on the eighty-one moves of the Sun Moon Fist. Although his comprehension was strong, the Sun Moon Fist was extremely complex.

The purpose of each move? Which part of the body each action strengthened? How to counter an attack from an enemy? And so on, it was very complex.

When Zhou Tantai left, Dongfang Sheng had only understood about five percent of it. He knew it would take time to fully understand, so he opened his eyes and continued to hold the horse stance.

After all, before practicing the Sun Moon Fist, the horse stance and running were the best ways to strengthen the body. Even after practicing the Sun Moon Fist, these two exercises were still very beneficial for building a foundation, which is why the Sun Moon Divine Sect had them run and practice the horse stance every day.