Chapter 33: Elders Hate This One Trick...
The first half of Elder Long’s lecture went into teaching the disciples how to stand properly, how to sit properly for meditation, and the poses they could sleep in for optimal results from passive cultivation methods like practicing a breathing technique.
"Breathing methods are one of the core pillars of building a martial foundation. Unlike other aspects of the curriculum, your breathing technique is something you cannot just practice a dozen times a day and move on.
"To condition your physique for improvements, for stable stances, and for movement techniques, your breathing technique must be practiced at every waking hour. It has to be practiced so intensively that even when you sleep, your body automatically adjusts to that same rhythm!"
Elder Long scanned the sweaty, red-faced disciples around him with a somewhat provocative smile on his face.
"The less sincerity and perseverance you show in practicing your breathing technique, the slower your growth as a martial cultivator will be. So, among the first group of disciples to be removed from my advanced lectures, the majority will be those who failed to put their heart and soul into their breathing techniques."
A tentative hand rose from the sea of disciples, attracting everyone’s eyes. Elder Long frowned, clearly displeased by the interruption into his rhythm, but he did nod and prompt the disciple to speak.
"Elder, many of us have been cultivating for several years. Those among us who pursue the martial path naturally practiced breathing techniques provided by our family or purchased from somewhere..."
Elder Long silenced him with a lazy gesture.
"What you practiced outside doesn’t matter unless you’ve had exceptionally rare attainments in those paths. Now that you’re a disciple of Crimson Snow Sect, you must naturally cultivate a breathing technique that’s up to our standards.