Chapter 5

"Breathing, breathing! Yes, it's breathing. Whether it's the Sect Leader Zhou or the dozen or so followers of the Sun Moon Sect practicing the boxing techniques, their breathing seems to have a special rhythm." Dongfang Sheng suddenly raised his eyebrows and quickly said to himself.

Thinking about this, Dongfang Sheng relaxed his brows. This boxing technique was indeed not so simple. It not only required the eighty-one forms but also a special breathing method.

He had already done quite well to reach the beginner level without knowing the breathing method. Dongfang Sheng was proud that he did no worse than anyone else.

In fact, it was not just that he did no worse than anyone else. If Sect Leader Zhou knew about Dongfang Sheng's situation, he would definitely exclaim that he was a prodigy. The eighty-one forms of the Sun Moon Fist indeed required a special breathing method to fully develop the body and then extract the first thread of internal energy.

He had originally planned to teach the breathing method after everyone had memorized the boxing technique in ten days. The followers of the Sun Moon Sect, of course, followed Sect Leader Zhou's orders and did not reveal any information about the breathing method.

However, Dongfang Sheng actually managed to practice the Sun Moon Fist to the beginner level without the breathing method, which was simply unbelievable.

It should be known that any martial arts can be divided into four levels of cultivation: beginner, minor success, major success, and perfection. The gap between each level is very large, and the more profound the martial arts, the harder it is to cultivate. Basic martial arts like the Sun Moon Fist and the Arhat Fist are the easiest and most enlightening.

However, even the simplest, a child would need at least three months to reach the beginner level, even with a complete cultivation method.

Of course, talent, insight, resources, and guidance from a master can all affect the speed of cultivation, but it still takes at least a month. After all, children are still young, and their thoughts and character are not yet mature.

Although Dongfang Sheng had the advantage of an adult's mind, it must be said that his talent and insight were superlative. He managed to cultivate the incomplete Sun Moon Fist to the beginner level in less than ten days.

To be precise, it was just seven days, two days ago, that Dongfang Sheng reached the beginner level. After reaching the beginner level, the Sun Moon Fist had a certain practical combat ability and was no longer just a show.

At the same time, its effect on strengthening the body also rapidly improved. During these nine days, if Dongfang Sheng had not caught rabbits and other meat several times, he would not have dared to practice, as insufficient nutrition would have damaged his body.

Therefore, during these nine days, Dongfang Sheng practiced the Sun Moon Fist with restraint, not daring to practice too much. Even so, he often went hungry.

It can be said that if there had been sufficient nutrition, Dongfang Sheng's beginner-level Sun Moon Fist would have been more refined, possibly reaching the mid-beginner level, and his physical fitness would have improved even more, at least two levels higher.

However, even with various restrictions, Dongfang Sheng's strength, speed, and other aspects had improved at least two levels compared to nine days ago. His body looked much stronger, and his overall spirit seemed to have undergone a complete transformation.

Feeling the strength in his body, Dongfang Sheng looked forward to Sect Leader Zhou's inspection the next day. At that time, his cultivation would officially begin. Not only the breathing method of the Sun Moon Fist and the spiritual medicines for cultivation, but Dongfang Sheng also had greater ambitions.

...

The next morning, it was just dawn, around six o'clock, and five or six hundred people had already woken up and started running according to the plan.

Dongfang Sheng and Dongfang Bai had already woken up. During these ten days, every morning around 5:30, Dongfang Sheng would wake up Dongfang Bai, and the two would go to a secluded spot by the stream to wash up.

Dongfang Sheng, who had a bit of a cleanliness obsession, would take a bath at this time every day and also make Dongfang Bai wash, even though the water in the mountains was a bit cold. However, the two, who were used to hardship, did not mind the cold. Of course, although they were still young, they washed separately, with one washing while the other kept watch.

In the entire training base, besides the five or six hundred children being trained, there were only a few dozen followers of the Sun Moon Sect and a dozen or so old women who cooked and washed clothes.

Sect Leader Zhou had left ten days ago, as he had his own matters to attend to and could not stay in the training base all the time. Now, he had probably returned to the training base but had not yet appeared before everyone.

Apart from Sect Leader Zhou, the remaining people did not interfere with Dongfang Sheng and Dongfang Bai's actions, as long as they ran in the morning, practiced horse stances, and did not leave the mountain. There were few rules, so the two could come here to bathe with peace of mind.

After washing up, Dongfang Sheng pulled Dongfang Bai to start running.

"Xiaobai, is there any problem with the Sun Moon Fist?" Dongfang Sheng asked while running.

"No, don't worry, big brother, there's definitely no problem," Dongfang Bai said confidently, nodding her small head. However, she soon frowned, looking pitiful and a bit embarrassed, and said softly, "Big brother, I'm hungry again."

Hearing Dongfang Bai's words, Dongfang Sheng felt a bit helpless. During these ten days, Dongfang Bai had memorized all eighty-one forms of the Sun Moon Fist and had been practicing non-stop for several days, which naturally increased her appetite. Even though the two siblings occasionally caught small animals, it was not enough for both of them.

"Big brother is also hungry, but don't worry, the days of hunger will soon be over. As long as we perform well today and get the spiritual medicines, we will have enough nutrition to cultivate and won't have to go hungry anymore," Dongfang Sheng said calmly.

"Okay," Dongfang Bai clenched her small fist and nodded firmly, determined to get the spiritual medicines.

Seeing Dongfang Bai's determination, Dongfang Sheng looked forward to Sect Leader Zhou's test and inspection, but there was also a hint of seriousness in his anticipation.

Could his plan really be realized? Although Dongfang Sheng was confident, he could not help but think more about it, given his lack of strength.

About ten minutes later, everyone had woken up and started running and exercising.

After breakfast, instead of practicing horse stances as usual, everyone lined up neatly, waiting for Sect Leader Zhou to appear.

The expressions on everyone's faces were varied. Some were excited and eager, either because they were confident in their Sun Moon Fist or because they simply enjoyed the spectacle.

Others were worried and frowned, clearly not having learned the Sun Moon Fist well and lacking confidence.

The majority, of course, were excited, as they were young and enjoyed the excitement and wanted to show off, not hiding their excitement.

Dongfang Sheng and Dongfang Bai stood in the second row in the middle. Dongfang Sheng had a blank expression, while Dongfang Bai was very confident, often lifting her head to see if Sect Leader Zhou had arrived.

After about ten minutes, under everyone's eager anticipation, Sect Leader Zhou finally appeared.

"Ten days have passed, and it seems you all have done well! Very good. Today, I won't waste words. Next, those who are willing to be inspected, raise your hands," Sect Leader Zhou said loudly, scanning the crowd.

Everyone was taken aback by Sect Leader Zhou's directness. Then, some people were overjoyed, as they had not yet fully learned the Sun Moon Fist and were afraid to be inspected. Hearing that the inspection was voluntary, they were naturally happy.

Another part of the crowd was hesitant, as they had not learned the Sun Moon Fist well and lacked confidence in achieving good results, so they were unsure whether to be inspected.

As for the rest, they were confident in achieving good results and eagerly raised their hands. Dongfang Sheng and Dongfang Bai were among them, raising their hands without hesitation.

Under Sect Leader Zhou's stern gaze, more people raised their hands. Those who raised their hands and those who did not quickly divided into two groups. About two hundred people raised their hands, and the rest did not.

During this time, Sect Leader Zhou remained silent, watching without saying anything. After the two groups separated, he pointed at those who raised their hands and said loudly, "From today on, the meals of these people will be doubled."

"What! Double the meals!"

"Great, double the meals, I won't have to go hungry anymore!"

"Yes, my appetite has been increasing recently, and the meals were not enough. This is great!"

...

"Really? Why are their meals doubled?"

"Yes, is it just because they raised their hands?"

"If I had known the meals would be doubled, I would have raised my hand too. I wonder if it's still okay to raise my hand now?"

...

Sect Leader Zhou's words immediately caused a stir among the crowd. After ten days of training, they were no longer naive and had matured in many aspects.

Martial arts require nutrition, so they need to eat a lot. During these days, not only Dongfang Sheng and his sister but many others had gradually become hungry. They all knew that to enhance their strength, they needed to eat more.

Now that those who raised their hands would have double the meals, it naturally sparked much discussion, with some excited and others worried.

"Big brother, we can eat our fill!" Dongfang Bai was also very excited, her face beaming as she looked at Dongfang Sheng.

"Yes," Dongfang Sheng nodded slightly. Although he was a bit surprised that the meals would be doubled, he was not concerned about the meals. He was more concerned about greater benefits.

"Hmph!"

At this moment, Sect Leader Zhou suddenly let out a cold snort, like a thunderclap in everyone's ears. The sound pierced their minds, instantly making everyone deaf, their hearts pounding in their chests, and the discussions stopping. Everyone covered their ears, their faces showing pain.

After a few seconds, everyone gradually recovered. Looking at Sect Leader Zhou on the stone platform, 99% of the people had a heavy sense of fear in their eyes, clearly intimidated by Sect Leader Zhou's powerful display.

Dongfang Sheng, however, showed no fear in his eyes, only calmness and determination. Deep down, there was a hint of enthusiasm. If an unknown Sect Leader Zhou had such strength, how powerful were those famous figures?

Dongfang Bai, standing beside him, also showed no fear, only a sense of disbelief. How could Sect Leader Zhou's voice be so loud?

Her big, cute eyes were full of curiosity and a bit of envy.

"A bunch of good-for-nothings!" Sect Leader Zhou pointed at the three hundred or so people who did not raise their hands and shouted angrily.