On the second day, before dawn, Bai Ziyue was awakened by the creaking sound of the door opening.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that the other children in the dimly lit room were already up and starting their busy day on the large bed board.
Because both he and Zhang Guoyi had applied to learn martial arts today, Mr. Qian did not assign them any tasks.
However, Bai Ziyue also quickly got up and put on his clothes.
"Ziyue, what time is it now?"
Zhang Guoyi was awakened by Bai Ziyue's movements and opened his eyes.
"It's just after 3:00 AM. Mr. Qian also mentioned yesterday that by the end of this hour, some apprentices would already be practicing martial arts in the training ground. We should head over early to learn as much as we can."
Bai Ziyue said as he swiftly got out of bed.
According to the calculations of his previous life, 3:00 AM would be between four and six o'clock. He always knew that in every era, there were diligent people, and even if people started training at six, he didn't want to miss out because of laziness.
"Then wait for me."
Zhang Guoyi hurriedly got up as well.
Half an hour later, the two of them went together to the training ground.
The so-called training ground was actually a flat courtyard with some weight-lifting stone blocks in the corners and a weapons rack on the edge.
Of course, the rack didn't have any real bladed weapons but rather wooden replicas of knives, spears, swords, and such.
Bai Ziyue thought they had arrived early enough but was surprised to find someone who had arrived even earlier.
In a corner of the training ground stood a teenage boy practicing a stance.
The stance he was practicing was completely different from the static post Bai Ziyue had imagined; it was a dynamic post.
His feet were firmly planted in a non-standard position, but his body was moving rhythmically, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, sometimes up and sometimes down, sometimes like a person riding a horse, sometimes swaying like a snake, extremely flexible in his movements.
"Hey, there's someone there..."
As it was still somewhat dark, Zhang Guoyi only then noticed the boy in the corner and quickly spoke up, wanting to approach, but was stopped by Bai Ziyue.
The boy was practicing martial arts and deliberately standing in the corner, clearly not wanting to be disturbed. Approaching him would only be asking for trouble.
So the two stood on the other side, carefully observing the boy's training.
The boy's movements were fluid and natural, but in essence, they were very simple steps. Bai Ziyue quickly memorized them.
Beside him, Zhang Guoyi had already started mimicking and practicing the movements.
However, it was clear that no matter how much he practiced, to Zhang Guoyi, his movements were far inferior to the boy's, as if missing a certain charm.
"The movements aren't difficult, but obviously martial arts are not that simple."
Bai Ziyue frowned slightly.
He could see that the boy's movements were very natural, each action not so much deliberate but driven by an internal force.
"Power! It must be an internal circulating power."
Bai Ziyue speculated.
Although he had never practiced martial arts, he was quite knowledgeable, and after analyzing it, he arrived at a conclusion.
But this conclusion wasn't necessarily good news for him.
Because if he didn't understand the method of circulating that power, it would be impossible to truly learn this pile skill.
"You'll never master the Zen Meditation Posture like this."
At some point, the boy had finished his practice and, seeing the two of them, walked over instead.
"May I ask the senior brother's name? Kindly guide us."
Bai Ziyue was startled, then pleased, and quickly spoke up.
"I am Qin Shaoping, I've just been here a few months earlier than you, no need to be so formal.
You must be new apprentices to the Sunburst Gang. New apprentices can only learn this Zen Meditation Posture. Only after achieving Small Success in the Zen Meditation Posture and transforming the static post into the moving post will you be allowed to practice other self-defense martial arts."
The boy waved his hand modestly and explained.
Bai Ziyue realized and then said expectantly, "Seeing Senior Brother Qin's practice, it's evident that you've transformed the static post into the moving post. Can you teach us the Zen Meditation Posture?"
"The true essence of the Zen Meditation Posture lies in the word 'Zen'.
Zen does not mean standing still; it involves the internal circulation of power. Only by following the power's circulation throughout the body can you train the flesh and enhance your Qi and Blood.
Although I have reached Small Success in the Zen Meditation Posture, I cannot guide you in this training.
There are instructors here every day to guide our practice. They have all perfected the Zen Meditation Posture and can transmit power from a distance.
When you find an instructor, he will naturally transmit the power to you. Once the power enters your body, practicing the Zen Meditation Posture will become much easier.
Generally speaking, with three to five times, you'll be able to reach the entry level."
Qin Shaoping waved his hand and smiled as he spoke.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Qin, for your guidance."
Bai Ziyue was not disappointed upon hearing this and hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Knowing his practice was completely futile, Zhang Guoyi also ceased his practice.
So the two of them stood aside once more, looking enviously at Qin Shaoping's practice.
This time, Qin Shaoping practiced a Fist Technique. With his shifting footwork, Powerful Qi burst out.
His movements were equally simple, nothing extraordinary, but at that moment, Bai Ziyue no longer had the idea of memorizing and trying them out later.
Because his Fist Technique surely involved the circulation of power, without understanding the intricate circulation of power, the punches thrown would be empty and lifeless, mere brute force with no real power, and might even cause self-harm.
As time passed, more people began to gather in the training ground.
Most of them were boys eight or nine to a dozen years old.
They were mostly Outer Disciples who had already been practicing the Zen Meditation Posture. Upon arriving at the training ground, they rarely greeted each other and immediately assumed the stance, beginning their Zen Meditation Posture.
Among them, Bai Ziyue noticed with surprise that Qin Shaoping's progress was the fastest among them all.
In the practice of the Zen Meditation Posture, besides Qin Shaoping, who had achieved the transformation from the static post to the moving post and reaching Small Success, only two others had done so.
However, these two were clearly one or two years older than the average apprentice.
Moreover, in terms of the fluidity of the moving post, these two were far inferior to Qin Shaoping.
"Senior Brother Qin is indeed a natural talent.
But considering his dedication and early start, such achievements are normal as well."
Bai Ziyue had heard that Qin Shaoping had only been here a few months before them.
"Master Hong Gang is here."
Suddenly, an apprentice spoke, and Bai Ziyue saw a robust, burly man approaching from afar.
"It's him!"
Bai Ziyue's eyes flashed as he recognized that this so-called instructor was the fat man who had been standing behind the Logistics Steward Zhang Bo yesterday.
At this moment, with an indifferent expression, he walked into the training ground, coldly scanning everyone and said, "Those who haven't yet learned the Zen Meditation Posture, step forward."