Chapter 11: Realms_1
"As Master said, Junior Brother, you've only just begun your martial training, and your age is a bit advanced. Compared to others, laying a solid foundation is even more crucial for you."
While leading Chen Yuan to a group of fellow disciples, Zhao He continued introducing, "These Junior Brothers here are all focused on foundational training. For now, according to Master's instructions, you'll train with them under my guidance. I hope you'll adapt quickly and find your footing."
Chen Yuan observed the apprentices gathered in the area.
At that moment, they were all warming up and stretching their muscles. Upon seeing Zhao He arrive, they greeted him respectfully, addressing him as Senior Brother.
Earlier, when Chen Yuan had been waiting for Zhao He in the courtyard, he had already taken note of the general situation of the apprentices at the martial hall and overheard some information.
He understood that the apprentices in this particular area were either newcomers with average talent or those who had failed to solidify their foundations and hadn't made much progress.
In simpler terms, they were the "tail-enders."
Zhao He's decision to place him here was self-explanatory.
However, Chen Yuan didn't mind this arrangement.
With the aid of the Huangting Jade Manual, an extraordinary artifact that assists in cultivation, he didn't lack teaching resources—he only needed access to complete martial arts techniques.
Who he trained with wouldn't hinder his progress.
"I'll follow Senior Brother's arrangements," Chen Yuan responded earnestly.
Zhao He nodded slightly.
Perhaps because Chen Yuan had arrived early to wait for him, Zhao He had a favorable impression of him and offered some words of comfort: "Although your age is a bit advanced, foundational martial training relies on consistent effort over time. It doesn't place excessive demands on one's innate talent. As long as you train diligently, acquiring some self-defense skills shouldn't be too difficult."
"All right, join the group now."
Chen Yuan stepped into the group.
The apprentices, seeing that he had come with Zhao He, acknowledged him with brief greetings, even though they didn't recognize him.
"Clap, clap!"
Zhao He walked to the front of the group, his expression serious, and clapped his hands. "Form up!"
The apprentices quickly arranged themselves in a neat formation, leaving a gap of two body widths between each person.
Chen Yuan imitated them and positioned himself at the edge of the group.
"Chen Yuan, the Junior Brother who came with me earlier, is a new disciple. From now on, he'll train alongside you all. Since you've joined before him, you are now his Senior Brothers. Take care of him."
"Yes," the apprentices replied in unison, turning to glance at Chen Yuan.
"The current hour is when Yang energy is most vigorous, making it the best time to practice martial arts. Save your chatter for later. For now, as usual, we'll go through the Small Swallow Wing Fist routine."
Facing the group, Zhao He assumed the starting stance for the Small Swallow Wing Fist.
The apprentices followed his lead.
Chen Yuan, having studied the Huangting Jade Manual the previous night, had thoroughly practiced and memorized two of the forms, mastering their movements with precision. While he had only broadly reviewed the overall thirty-six forms, he had gained a clear understanding of their structure.
As he moved, his motions were swift and fluid.
Zhao He's gaze landed on him, and he couldn't help but feel a hint of surprise at how adeptly Chen Yuan executed the movements.
The level of proficiency Chen Yuan displayed was vastly different from what Zhao He had observed the day before.
Back then, Chen Yuan could only recall and perform nine forms, and even then, his stances were barely adequate.
Among the newly joined apprentices at the Swallow Wing Martial Hall, Chen Yuan's aptitude could only be considered average.
Ordinarily, after a single night without guidance, one's memory of the forms would naturally become hazier. Chen Yuan shouldn't have been able to execute the stances with such ease today.
"Could it be that Junior Brother Chen Yuan actually has some talent for martial arts? Perhaps his poor performance yesterday was simply due to nerves in front of others?"
Most of the apprentices at the Swallow Wing Martial Hall came from impoverished backgrounds, and their personalities were naturally more reserved.
In the past, there had been disciples who had secretly made significant progress in their training but performed poorly when demonstrating their skills in front of Master Li Yue.
This thought made Zhao He focus more intently on Chen Yuan.
If Chen Yuan's aptitude truly stood out, even though his age was advanced and his physique mostly set, he might still have a chance to complete his foundation and formally apprentice under Li Yue, becoming Zhao He's peer as a Senior Brother.
Still, Zhao He chose not to delve into Chen Yuan's situation for the moment.
If Chen Yuan truly was someone who performed poorly in front of others due to a reserved personality, practicing together with the group was an excellent opportunity to observe his actual abilities.
Thus, Zhao He directed part of his attention toward Chen Yuan while continuing to lead the junior brothers through the Small Swallow Wing Fist routine.
However, by the time the entire sequence was completed, Zhao He could no longer contain his curiosity.
"Sun Xiang, you take over leading the junior brothers to continue practicing. Stick to the usual half an hour, and then each person should train with the stone locks. I'll check back shortly."
Zhao He retracted his stance and gestured to a student at the front of the formation.
Then, without delay, he quickly approached Chen Yuan.
His gaze was intense, as though he had just discovered a piece of gold.
"Junior Brother, after you left the martial hall yesterday, did you return later to seek someone's guidance in practicing the fist techniques?"
Chen Yuan had been reflecting on the errors in his execution of the movements based on the insights provided by the Huangting Jade Manual, intending to correct them in his subsequent practices.
When Zhao He suddenly addressed him, Chen Yuan was momentarily taken aback.
Realizing that Zhao He's interest was likely piqued by his performance during the practice, Chen Yuan's thoughts stirred.
When gathering information about the martial hall earlier, Chen Yuan had learned about the distinctions between personal disciples, ordinary disciples, and entry-level apprentices in most martial halls.
Entry-level apprentices were typically taught only the basics, such as foundational martial arts and strength-training techniques.
Only after showing sufficient progress and passing the martial hall's evaluation could they become ordinary disciples and gain access to more advanced teachings.
As for personal disciples, they had the privilege of learning the hall's secret techniques.
Chen Yuan, possessing the Huangting Jade Manual, had no need for external instruction and merely sought to learn as many martial arts techniques as possible to build a solid foundation.
This would also ensure that, in the event of unforeseen circumstances requiring him to leave the hall, he would still have viable options.