During lunch, Leon, still curious about cultivation and its implications, decided to learn more by asking the villagers if they knew anything about it. However, when he mentioned cultivation, he was met with puzzled looks—no one seemed to understand what he was talking about. Determined, Leon tried to rephrase his question in simpler terms. After several attempts, he asked why some adults were stronger than others and capable of hunting creatures outside the village. This question finally resonated, sparking a clearer discussion among the villagers.
Mrs. Lin, who had been listening intently, chimed in with a tale that seemed to echo the essence of Leon's inquiries. "Long ago," she began, gathering the villagers around, "there was a legend here in Fangwood Hamlet about a woman who trained her body to an extraordinary level. She somehow managed to form what was described as a 'core' inside her body, filled with a strange, powerful energy."
The villagers nodded, some recalling faint echoes of the story from their elders. Mrs. Lin continued, "With this core, she possessed almost godlike powers. While she lived here, she often spoke about how physical strength was the foundation of all power. She even taught the villagers a set of physical exercises meant to enhance strength and speed up the growth of this inner power."
Leon listened intently, his eyes widening with each word. Mrs. Lin sighed, a hint of regret tinting her voice, "Unfortunately, after she left, the complete knowledge of these exercises was lost. What we have left are only fragments of her teachings. Over time, even these fragments have become incomplete."
She explained that the remaining exercises were not suitable for everyone. Only a few within the village had the aptitude to practice them, and even among those few, the talent was rare. "That's why," she concluded, "our villagers can only protect our hamlet and hunt in nearby areas. We lack the profound strength and abilities that the legendary woman tried to pass down."
Leon absorbed the information, understanding more about the limitations and challenges faced by his community. This revelation about the lost techniques and the vital importance of physical training aligned closely with his recent experiences in the Graveyard Garden and the cultivation insights he received from Twig.
Fueled by this new knowledge and the realization that he might possess a unique opportunity to revive and perhaps even complete these lost techniques, Leon's determination to explore and master his cultivation abilities deepened. He silently vowed to find a way to uncover more about the mysterious core formation and its potential to bring strength and protection to his village.
As lunch concluded, Leon's mind buzzed with ideas and possibilities. He was beginning to see how his secret adventures in the Graveyard Garden could have profound implications not just for himself but for the entire community of Fangwood Hamlet.
As Leon resumed his work in the field, the story of the village's lost physical training techniques sparked his curiosity even further. Eager to learn more and potentially unlock the abilities that had been described by Mrs. Lin, he began to inquire among the villagers about how he might learn these exercises.
One of the villagers, seeing his genuine interest, explained, "Oh, it's no big secret, really. If you're interested in learning, you just need to talk to Chief Han. He's the keeper of what's left of those exercises. The training is made public to anyone who shows the potential and willingness to learn."
The villagers around him nodded in agreement, and one added with a hint of pride, "And you know, our Chief Han was once the best practitioner of those exercises. He was the strongest among us. Age may have caught up with him, but don't underestimate him. He still holds more strength and skill than most of us combined."
Their words stirred a mix of admiration and excitement in Leon. The thought that Chief Han himself, despite his aging appearance and the heavy responsibilities he shouldered, was once a powerful figure due to these exercises, gave Leon a surge of hope. It affirmed his belief that if he could learn and master these techniques, he too might harness similar strengths to protect his sister and contribute more effectively to their village.
Motivated by this discovery, Leon decided that once the day's planting was done, he would seek out Chief Han and ask to be taught the exercises. This decision marked a significant step in his journey—not only was he exploring the mystical aspects of his cultivation in the Graveyard Garden, but he was now ready to embrace the physical training that might enhance his capabilities in the mortal world.
As he planted each seed with renewed vigor, Leon's thoughts were filled with plans of approaching Chief Han. He was aware that learning from the chief would require dedication and might expose more about his sudden growth and strength, but the potential benefits—strength, protection, and perhaps the revival of lost knowledge for the entire community—outweighed his reservations. This was a path he felt compelled to follow, driven by the need to protect, to learn, and to grow.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, marking the end of another laborious day in the fields, Leon felt a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. He had managed to plant an impressive thirty seeds, a feat that not only marked a personal best but also brought him a measure of admiration from the villagers. Their nods and smiles fueled his enthusiasm, though it also cast a shadow of confusion over some, particularly Mei, who watched her brother with a blend of pride and perplexity.
"I talked to some of the villagers," Leon confessed to Mei as they cleaned their tools. "They said we could learn some of the old physical training techniques from Chief Han. It's supposed to be really beneficial."
Mei, wiping the sweat from her brow, paused to consider his words. After a moment, she nodded, her decision firm. "Let's try it, Leon. If it's something that can make us stronger, it's worth a few hours each night. The best-case scenario, we gain something invaluable. Worst case, we lose a few hours of sleep."
With determined steps, they walked to Chief Han's house. The chief, a robust man with a presence that commanded respect despite his age, welcomed them with a cautious but intrigued expression.
"Physical training, huh?" Han mused, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "It's been a long time since anyone showed interest in those old techniques. What you're asking isn't easy, and much of the knowledge was lost over generations. What remains is fragmented, a series of movements that don't quite flow together anymore."
Leon's eyes were earnest. "We want to try, Chief Han. Even if it's hard, we want to learn."
Chief Han's gaze softened, and he nodded slowly. "Very well. Let's start tonight. I'll show you what I know, but prepare yourselves—it's not like the training exercises you might imagine."