"Stance must be firm!"
"Waist must be flexible!"
"Body must be relaxed!"
"Mind must be focused!"
"Shout your breath with spirit!"
"Hah!"
"Hah!"
Children as young as eight years old were shouting vigorously inside the morning mist. Sun has just risen and the smell of fresh dews was permeating the air.
The drill instructor was shouting basic martial arts instructions while repeating key points over and over. He walked back and forth in front of the rows of children while his sharp eyes were observing the kids.
"Wu Yan, keep your body low. If you can't do it move to the side and stand in horse stance for an hour!"
"Wu Mei, your punch is getting slower. Maintain the speed even if you are tired!"
"Wu Feng, what are you looking at?! Keep your focus to the front!"
"Yes master!" The kids shouted in reply.
Basic martial arts were mandatory for Wu Clan disciples in the qi condensation realm.
Inside the hall, a few elders sat in their respective chairs while looking at the kids training in the martial training field. Today they especially came together to observe the training of their Wu Clan disciples. One of them nodded with a smile, "good, they are very spirited and diligent. There are quite a few good seeds in this generation."
"Yes, and quite a few headache inducing ones too." Another elder frowned in a grimace.
Wu Zhuang Yan who sat on the master chair moved the cup cover around on top of his favorite ceramic teacup while blowing gently before taking a sip. "Hahaha, it was not quite a few, it was just one." After wiping his grey mustache with a napkin, Wu Zhuang Yan spoke with a laugh that is not a laugh.
"Uh, can not refute that." All of the elders in the hall smiled wryly.
Wu Zhuang Yan spoke again while stroking his long grey beard, "Wu Feng this naughty kid, his talent is good but he must be educated strictly with patience and discipline. We must not let him waste his talent or get ruined by unwholesome temptations."
"Yes, clan master. We will keep that in mind. This kid is playing around too much." An elder responded seriously.
An elder that has not spoken until now said, "speaking of which, isn't it almost time for that matter? Maybe we can send him to that place with some other kids to try."
"Right, right. Good idea. In that place he will soar like a carp crossing the dragon gate." The elders quickly nodded and joyfully gave their approval.
Wu Zhuang Yan only smiled wryly while slightly shaking his head. How can he not know that these elders just wanted to 'get rid' of this source of headache as quickly as possible?
Pant, pant. "Finally over. Old Ye, I am no longer a kid. Why I have to repeat this basic exercise every morning? I want to cultivate supreme techniques!" Wu Feng sat sloppily on the grass. His hands supported his tired body but his eyes were still full of spirit.
Wu Ye slapped Wu Feng's head. "Call me master, kid! Ten years old kid is still a kid. This is the basis of cultivation. An immortal has to start as a mortal. A journey ten thousand li started from a single step. If your foundation is bad you will never amount to much when you are old."
"I am still young." Wu Feng grumbled.
Wu Ye smiled. "And the more important it is for you to build a solid foundation."
"I know, master." Wu Feng's eyes glittered. Suddenly he pointed his finger to the sky. "Look, a phoenix is flying above!"
"Where, where?" The children that sat on the ground to rest all stood up and lifted their heads to look at the sky.
When he saw that Wu Ye also look up at the sky, Wu Feng takes the opportunity to use Shadow Step to slip away.
"Kid, you are still naive." Wu Ye grinned. He knew what Wu Feng did but he did not give chase. He only stood there and looking at Wu Feng's small back calmly.
"Ah", Wu Feng felt his left ankle being held by something. He lost balance and fell.
Hearing them, the other kids realized that Wu Feng tricked them to slip away from training. They looked over to see Wu Feng fall on the ground. A rope was tied to his left ankle and the other end was tied to Wu Ye's right ankle.
Wu Feng was furious. He shouted, "smelly old man, when did you tie this rope?"
Wu Ye's face darkened while he was walking over. He berated, "smelly brat! Now do you know the importance of foundation? Even an ordinary rope can undo your technique!"
The kids that were watching cheered. "Little monkey, you got what you deserved! Want to trick use again?"
"Yeah, punish him, teacher!"
"Give me a stool!" Wu Ye ordered.
A kid was running over with a stool. He wiped the stool clean with his sleeve then placed it on the ground. "Here, master Ye. The stool is ready."
Wu Feng's face reddened with fury looking at his exaggerated performance. "Leng Jing you traitor! Where is the camaraderie of fellow disciples? Where is the affection for fellow clan members?"
Wu Leng Jing who brought over the stool acted like he did not hear anything. He stood on the side, his hands clasped behind. He lifted his chin and looked at the sky with an aloof appearance.
The other kids were making a ruckus while grinning from ear to ear.
"Punish him, master."
"Slap his buttocks hard, master."
They swung their arms and jumping around adorably.
By this time Wu Ye already sat on the stool and placed Wu Feng on his lap. He said in an amiable tone like he was teaching a profound Dao.
"Disciples, repeat after me."
"Do not be like Wu Feng."
He then slapped Wu Feng's butt hard. The sound resounded crisply.
"Ao." Wu Feng cried.
"Do not be like Wu Feng." The kids repeated.
"We must build a solid foundation."
Slap.
"Ao."
"We must build a solid foundation."
"Do not be tripped by a mere rope."
Slap.
"Ao."
"Do not be tripped by a mere rope."
"We must not be slacking off in our training."
Slap.
"Ao."
"We must not be slacking off in our training."
Slap.
"Ao."
They recited solemnly like they were reciting a profound chant. But the resounding slaps created a strange rhythm that makes it like they were singing in a group instead. The alternating slaps and the "ao" sounds were like the sounds of instruments. The birds in the trees chirped cheerily and the sound of cicadas echoed in the Wu clan's courtyard as if they did not want to be left behind.
The chant and the 'ao' cries kept on for a while.
It was a peaceful morning.