Chapter 6 - 5: Stance Training and Breathing Techniques
In a courtyard approximately three to four hundred square meters in size, over thirty people were ceaselessly practicing martial arts. Their movements involved fist strikes, grasping techniques, and lifting heavy stone disks. With Jiang Shu’s current level of expertise, he could clearly see that among these thirty-odd people, only a few had not yet reached the Qi Blood Transport realm. At this realm, one no longer needed cotton clothing for warmth. Between each movement, their Qi and blood surged like waves, and their limbs and spine moved dynamically in all directions, like a fully drawn bow, exhibiting impressive momentum.
He watched for a while before taking off his jacket, carefully wrapping it around a small bag of lime powder and an electric baton, and placing them on the edge of the courtyard. Although these martial techniques were not exquisite, they clearly carried more lethal intent compared to the Martial Arts styles from his previous life and Xuanxing. Jiang Shu practiced as he learned, spinning towards an empty spot, closing the distance in an instant, and thrusting his palm out, which morphed into a claw in one fluid motion.
"Elder Qiu has risen. Silence," a voice called out.
Suddenly, from the room on the south side of the courtyard, a door creaked open a crack. A Maid with a pleasant face hurried out; her voice was somewhat soft. Upon hearing this, all the apprentices practicing in the courtyard stopped with extreme quickness, adjusted their breathing, and stood quietly in place.
Martial arts halls in Pingling County rarely accepted official Disciples. They mostly took in apprentices who wore regular practice uniforms and trained in the outer courtyard. These apprentices paid ten taels of silver monthly for training fees and could only receive instruction from their master every few days.
"My surname is Qiu. You can call me Teacher Qiu or Elder Qiu."
The voice arrived before the man. The aged voice seemed to echo right beside everyone’s ears, vibrating their eardrums. Only then was the door to the room fully opened.
The old man stepped out slowly. His body was slightly stooped, and he was only about 1.6 meters tall. But each step he took shook Jiang Shu’s spirit, as if a gaunt, hungry tiger were approaching a sheep.
"Martial Arts is like climbing a high mountain or wading through deep waters. Without great perseverance and a grand spirit, one cannot reach its heights or traverse its depths. Even for the first realm, the Skin Grinding Realm, one must engage in long-standing stake practice, extended breathing exercises, Qi Blood Transport, and train the skin using inner strength."
"Today, I felt an impulse to demonstrate. Someone, come forward."
The moment Elder Qiu finished speaking, an apprentice in a black training uniform quickly stepped forward, holding a stone disk before his chest. The stone disk weighed about two hundred and fifty kilograms. The apprentice activated his stance, rooting himself to the spot. With his waist and stance unified, he circulated his Qi and blood and, with a loud shout, lifted the stone disk to his chest.