Wang Hao finally reached the endpoint, and with his team, they arrived at the temple—now their training grounds, new home, and shelter.
There were bedrooms for each contender, and the dining hall was filled with food to replenish their energy, from protein-rich meats to fiber-rich dishes, all prepared and ready for consumption.
As morning came, the team descended the mountain once more to reach the central temple, where the overseer would announce their schedules. The journey this time was easier; the beasts and wildlife avoided the middle temple, unlike the four others.
Upon arrival, they saw the other groups already lined up. The middle temple, unlike the others, had no gravity-amplification arrays, making the ascent to the temple far easier.
Reaching the summit, all groups were present and ready. As the temple doors opened, a yawning sound echoed—it was the overseer, who appeared tired and barely glanced at the groups.
"Well, since you're all here... yawn... let's talk about your schedule," she said lazily. "For the first two weeks, each group will practice a manual, which will be different depending on your team. If anyone other than the leader defeats the leader in a duel, that person will take the leadership role."
Wang Hao noted that this was a clever way to prevent the leaders from slacking while giving the followers a chance to rise. He could see the dissatisfaction among the group members, as they felt the only advantage the leaders had was being the first to enter the realm. Naturally, they were discontent.
Wang Hao knew the leadership position held an advantage when it came to winning the fake spiritual root. The closer one got to the top, the better the outcome.
He glanced at the other leaders, recognizing that they too understood the stakes. Not only would they lose their advantage if they performed poorly, but they would also lose face.
In this world of Gu Masters, where power reigned supreme, reputation, honor, and pride were paramount—very different from Earth.
The overseer continued, "The manuals will either focus on swordplay or kung fu. Pick your poison," she said casually.
"As for your schedule, the first two weeks will be dedicated to practicing and studying the manuals. After that, the first test will be a race through the Babmboo Forest. Your job as a leader is to either pass or ensure your team passes before the others. The point of this exercise is to familiarize you with the terrain. This island is dangerous, but those dangers can be opportunities if you know how to use them."
The overseer wasn't done speaking.
"After a year of training and practice, the leader at that time will participate in a duel. The winner of that duel will be awarded the second part of the manual they've been studying."
Wang Hao recalled Long Ao mentioning that the first trial would be about training, while the third trial involved advancing through martial arts ranks, yet both started simultaneously.
The delay in advancing through the martial path was meant to build a solid foundation. For instance, advancing from third-rate to second-rate martial artist involved strengthening one's muscles, body, and soul, as well as developing a deeper understanding of combat.
That night, as the team returned to the temple, each member held a manual in hand.
The Azure Dragon team's manual was called Dragon Fist, First Phase.
In his private chamber, Wang Hao sat on the floor with the manual spread out in front of him. He began practicing the different stances: the Rising Dragon, the Hidden Dragon, and the Thrusting Dragon stances.
To master martial arts, one needed to have a firm grasp of the basics. With a solid understanding of their body's limits, a practitioner could then execute the stances with precision.
Wang Hao knew that if he didn't quickly comprehend this manual, one of his followers might surpass him and take his place as leader. In this competition, there were no allies—only competitors. He couldn't trust anyone or rely on them, only use them.
The first race was coming soon, and Wang Hao needed to understand the manual before the others. Mastery of it would advance him to a third-rate martial artist, allowing him to last longer in a sprint and strike harder against foes—be they beasts or humans.
He stood barefoot, rehearsing the stances, but the true way to advance was through controlled breathing.
Wang Hao breathed in and out, but nothing happened. His posture was correct, his mind clear, and his breathing was steady, but he couldn't feel the flow of energy. He couldn't grasp it.
Was this his lack of talent? What was the point of trying? Even if he became a first-rate martial artist, he could never match a Gu Master. Their powers were mystical, far beyond the limits of the body.
Even if this training was meant to enhance his physical condition to handle a fake spiritual root, could he trust them? He didn't even know the name of the organization behind it all. What if this was just a farm for human bodies to feed Gu?
In this world, Gu could become stronger if placed in the right conditions. Some Gu thrived on human blood, leading Gu Masters to create farms where they raised humans for sacrifice to strengthen their Gu. What if this place was nothing more than a farm?
In a world where power ruled, Gu Masters would sacrifice villages, even their own flesh and blood, for a small advantage.
Wang Hao had never walked the martial path before because Gu Masters had suppressed it. Even though martial artists could never kill a Gu Master, rebellions were still possible if mortals found ways to strike back.
This organization, whoever they were, had techniques, manuals, and a system for advancing in the martial path. That made Wang Hao wary. This place was not simple. Even the existence of a hidden dimension beneath the water pond hinted at a strong and powerful force behind it all.