Physical immortality begins with Bajiquan

The training ground is located on the left side of the outer courtyard of the martial arts school, where people practice stances and boxing.

To the right is the training ground, where fellow disciples can spar and rest in their spare time.

Near the inner courtyard, there are also medicine rooms, storerooms, kitchens, bathhouses, and other facilities, all of which can be used free of charge by any disciple of the martial arts school.

However, the inner courtyard behind is the master's residence, and only disciples who have entered the inner chamber are allowed to enter for meditation.

After walking around the outer courtyard for a while, Senior Brother Zhang Mingyuan led Qin Heng to the storeroom and got a brand new set of coarse cloth training clothes.

The two men emerged from the warehouse. Zhang Mingyuan looked at Qin Heng and said solemnly:

"Junior Brother Qin Heng, now that you've joined my Songxuan Martial Arts Academy, there are a few rules you must remember."

"The first rule is that no one is allowed to bully the weak or cause trouble. Disciples who have not entered the inner circle are not allowed to reveal the name of their sect when they are outside."

"Secondly, it is strictly forbidden for fellow disciples to fight each other! If there is a personal grudge, it can be resolved by open fistfighting outside the martial arts school. Private fights are not allowed at other times."

"Lastly, respect your teachers! In a martial arts school, the master is the most respected. Although not everything the master says is correct, you must listen to him."

"I've got it, Senior Brother."

Qin Heng memorized these rules one by one.

There are rules everywhere in this world. If you don't follow the rules of a place, you will be ostracized by the people there, or even punished.

Unless someone becomes so powerful that the rules cannot restrain them, then they themselves become the rules, and others have to abide by their rules.

Following closely behind his senior brother, Qin Heng walked to the training ground.

He saw that there were five people practicing their skills diligently on the stake, including a slender girl with double buns who looked even younger than him.

The dozen or so disciples below the stake were in small groups, some practicing their boxing techniques, others chatting with their arms crossed, but none of them took the initiative to come up and talk to Qin Heng, the newcomer.

Upon reaching the stake, the senior disciple left on his own, leaving Qin Heng standing alone.

After waiting a while, Mo Guangren strolled over with his hands behind his back: "I will personally guide you through your first time practicing on the stake."

"Thank you, Master!" Qin Heng bowed respectfully and replied.

After straightening up, he glanced at his senior brother, who had already begun instructing the disciples who were diligently practicing on the stake.

Judging from what my master said, it seems he will only take me along once, and I'll probably have to find my senior brother afterward.

But seeing how busy the eldest brother is, it's probably impossible to rely on him. It seems that in the future, he will have to rely entirely on himself.

Clearing his mind of distractions, Qin Heng focused his gaze on Mo Guangren.

"The foundation of my Bajiquan lies in this Bajiquan stance training, which is a fierce and violent martial art."

Mo Guangren walked up to Qin Heng, pointed at the disciple on the wooden stake, and said in a deep voice, "Eight Extremes, what is Eight Extremes? It means that when you unleash your power, it can reach the farthest places in all eight directions—that is Eight Extremes!"

"Our Bajiquan doesn't practice fancy moves or self-cultivation techniques; those are all useless. Martial arts training only involves two words."

He extended two thick, sturdy fingers and slowly uttered, word by word:

"kill."

Upon hearing this, Qin Heng's heart was immediately stirred, and an overwhelming excitement welled up within him.

In this world, even if there are so-called rules and laws, you still need to have the ability to kill before you are qualified to reason with those people.

Isn't this exactly what he wants to learn?

Mo Guangren continued, "The most important thing in martial arts training is to cultivate one's qi and blood. The upper stance circulates qi, and the lower stance nourishes the body with food, strengthening both qi and blood. The two complement each other, all for the purpose of cultivating one's own strength. Only with strength can one break through the barriers. Once one breaks through the barriers, one can step into the realm of Ming Jin martial artist."

Qin Heng felt as if he had been showered with sweet rain, and he remembered all these words. But suddenly, remembering something, he couldn't help but ask:

"Master, is it necessary to eat meat to supplement one's diet when practicing martial arts?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Guangren glanced at him indifferently without giving a direct response: "The Bajiquan stance training consists of four forms. Watch carefully."

Having said that, he sank his feet down, pushed off the ground with his toes, and suddenly rose up, landing steadily on the wooden stake without the stake moving an inch.

After taking his stance, Mo Guangren immediately adopted the Bajiquan stance: his head was pointing upwards, his feet were planted firmly in place, his arms were held loosely in front of his chest, his elbows were extended outwards, his legs were bent but not bent, and his whole body tensed up, making him appear as steady as a mountain and full of energy.

"Head resting on the blue sky, feet treading on the yellow springs, holding an infant in his arms, elbows supporting mountains."

His voice was deep and resonant. As he practiced the stance, he slowly recited the incantation. He continued practicing the stance three times before finally stopping and standing still.

"Come up and give it a try."

"yes!"

Qin Heng climbed onto the wooden stake using both his hands and feet, and after three attempts, he finally managed to maintain his balance. He then tried to imitate his master's posture and barely managed to assume a stance.

He muttered an incantation under his breath and began to twist his body, only managing to utter half a sentence: "Head above the blue sky, feet on..."

"Bang!"

He lost his footing and fell straight off the stake.

"Again," Mo Guangren said calmly, standing behind Qin Heng.

"Yes, Master!" Qin Heng scrambled to his feet and climbed back onto the stake.

He assumed the stance for Bajiquan (Eight Extremes Stance) and continued practicing.

Mo Guangren was right beside him, occasionally extending his arm, which was taut and as hard as refined iron, to tap his shoulders, elbows, waist, and knees.

Each strike was powerful and solid, causing Qin Heng's skin to sting, but he dared not dodge in the slightest and could only grit his teeth and hold on to the stake.

After an unknown amount of time, Qin Heng's forehead was covered in fine sweat, and his brand-new training clothes were soaked through and stuck to his body.

Every time I turned my body, the wet clothes rubbed against my skin, causing a stinging and painful sensation.

Just as he felt he was about to reach his limit, a golden light suddenly flashed in his mind:

[Destiny: Diligence is rewarded by Heaven; success is inevitable]

Bajiquan (Bajiquan Stance Exercise - Beginner Level 1/300)

"Not bad. He developed a feel for the stance in less than 15 minutes and can maintain it steadily on his own. His comprehension is quite good."

Mo Guangren nodded slightly. In the path of martial arts, one must consider not only one's physical constitution but also one's comprehension.

Although Qin Heng's physical constitution is poor, his comprehension is not bad. With diligence and a bit of luck, it is not impossible for him to become a master of Ming Jin.

In his eyes, a disciple with such talent was ultimately not worth investing more resources in.

Only those with excellent aptitude and exceptional comprehension are worthy of receiving your full instruction.

Of course, one's character is also crucial, but this is not something that can be discerned in a short time; it requires long-term observation to see it clearly.

"Keep practicing your stance training. If there's anything you don't understand, ask your senior brother."

Seeing that Qin Heng was already able to practice the stances on his own, Mo Guangren casually gave him a word of advice and then turned to leave.

"Yes, Master!"

Despite the aches and pains all over his body, Qin Heng began cultivating once more.

Before long, some disciples who had rested well began to climb onto the stakes, assume their stances, and begin practicing.

......

In the afternoon, Qin Heng dragged his heavy body to a quiet corner and slowly sat down, leaning against the wall.

He took out the dry food his sister had packed for him early that morning, swallowed it silently, and looked at the other disciples in the martial arts school.

Those disciples from wealthy families could eat three meals a day, each with meat to nourish their bodies.

Only a few people, like Qin Heng, could only eat two meals.

As he sized up the people around him, several pairs of eyes also fell on him from time to time.

Qin Heng noticed that the disciples in this martial arts school were all gathered in circles, and there were very few people like him who were all alone.

He took another bite of the steamed bun in his hand, and suddenly felt as if he had been struck by lightning.

After breaking the steamed bun open, a thick slice of glistening pork was found, which my sister had carefully hidden in the very center.

His cheek twitched almost imperceptibly, and a hot tear had just slipped from the corner of his eye when he quickly raised his hand to wipe it away.

After a moment of silence, Qin Heng swallowed the steamed bun and the crumbs in the cloth bag in a few large mouthfuls, and without resting, he resumed his cultivation.

In another corner, a gaze happened to take in the entire scene.

"Wow! That new junior's food must be delicious!" A clear, girlish voice suddenly rang out.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" the man with a long scar on his face asked, puzzled.

"I think he was so happy he cried."

"...Stop focusing on useless things, finish eating and get back to your stance training!"

The scarred man glanced at Qin Heng with a strange look, then turned around and reprimanded him in a deep voice.

In the training ground, Qin Heng began practicing the stances again and again, tirelessly.

He knew in his heart that once he embarked on the path of martial arts, there was no turning back.

His family has poured everything into paving the way for him; he either succeeds or he drags his entire family down with him.

He practiced until the sun was almost setting, and still showed no intention of stopping.

At this moment, the scarred man who hadn't left yet was somewhat surprised to see that Qin Heng was also practicing so late.

"Junior brother, while diligence is certainly necessary in martial arts practice, don't forget the time. It's getting dark, so you should head back soon."

Upon hearing this, Qin Heng finished his last set of movements and stopped.

Bajiquan (Bajiquan Stance Exercise - Beginner Level 6/300)

After the stake was lowered, he quickly cupped his hands in thanks:

"Thank you for reminding me, senior brother. I almost forgot the time."

The scarred man smiled upon hearing this, his tone softening somewhat: "It's alright. There are many thugs roaming the streets after dark, so just remember to avoid going out at night, Junior Brother."

After a moment's hesitation, he continued:

"My name is Guo Man, and I arrived two years earlier than you. If you have any questions in the future, you can come and ask me. My senior brother might not be available."

Before Qin Heng could reply, Guo Man turned and left.