Getting Started

The vast training hall fell silent, broken only now and then by a faint peal of thunder.

In that stillness,

Zhang Fusheng noticed none of it.

As he cultivated the Spring Thunder Breathing Technique, he recalled what Senior Sister Chen—Coach Chen—had said.

The Spring Thunder Technique, the Lotus Flower Stance, and the Dense White Bone Contemplation formed a trinity. The Spring Thunder Technique and the Dense White Bone Contemplation in particular complemented one another by nature: one gave life, the other brought destruction.

Most crucially, the foundation of the Spring Thunder Technique lay in [bones].

Breathing drove the body's two hundred and six bones, bringing them into the rhythm and cadence of the first thunderclap of early spring. From there, it stirred the blood and qi throughout his body, advancing the Mysterious Factor—bones!

Zhang Fusheng had not even visualized [Bone-Born Light]. He had merely observed his own body rotting and decaying, becoming weathered white bones, before using the Spring Thunder Technique to shake those bones.

And just like that, the Spring Thunder Technique had entered the gate.

The thunderous tremors of his sinews and bones continued without end. To his senses, the Mysterious Factors around him swept in like a gale, seeping into his body through all thirty-six thousand pores.

Then, amid the intermittent thunder of his sinews and bones, they were sent through his entire body in a steady rhythm, truly intercepted and retained within Zhang Fusheng's body.

He was transforming in silence.

No, it was more than that. The Spring Thunder Technique and the White Bone Meditation were far more than this. The former brings life, the latter destruction—but the latter itself contains the endless cycle of life and death.

That's it. The first thunder of early spring awakens all things lying dormant, yet it is still thunder. It can shatter forests, split gold and stone, and ruin vitality!

Both contain the true essence of life and destruction.

Die first, then live. Break first, then stand anew. Destroy first, then preserve!

Thoughts raced through Zhang Fusheng's mind.

Again and again, he observed himself rot into white bones before flesh grew back over them. Again and again, he used thunderous vibrations to scatter his blood and qi, only to blast forth new vitality.

More and more Mysterious Factors gathered, dissolving into his flesh and blood amid the trembling of his bones!

Who knew how much time had passed.

When he opened his eyes, the training hall was empty once more. Only a young woman with flaming red hair remained, her arms folded as she silently watched him.

"Senior Sister Chen."

Still holding the Lotus Flower Stance, Zhang Fusheng hurriedly straightened up.

"I got carried away."

"That is what enlightenment is like."

Chen Yuque looked Zhang Fusheng over from head to toe and said approvingly,

"I checked the records. You only came to the martial arts school yesterday, and you only learned the Dense White Bone Contemplation yesterday. Yet now, it seems you have already entered the gate of the White Bone Meditation. Then you suddenly attained enlightenment, and even the Spring Thunder Technique entered the gate with it."

After a pause, she clicked her tongue.

"You mastered the White Bone Meditation in one day. You mastered the Spring Thunder Technique and the Lotus Flower Stance in mere minutes afterward. Another little monster. It's truly hard to talk to gifted freaks like you."

Zhang Fusheng's lips twitched. A gifted freak?

One day, he too could be called a gifted freak?

"It's almost noon. Go eat first."

Chen Yuque glanced at her watch and said calmly,

"I'll tell Master about you. But Master may not necessarily accept you as a disciple. Talent is not the most important thing on the path of cultivation. Do not grow arrogant because of your talent. Among the people I have seen, there are several whose talent surpasses yours by several times."

Zhang Fusheng hurriedly cupped his fists.

"There are heavens beyond heaven, and people beyond people. I understand that principle."

"Mm."

Chen Yuque nodded slightly. She was usually not one for many words; she had only said so much because this young man might become her junior brother.

Though the possibility was not especially high.

After taking in that heaven-defying junior sister, Master no longer had much desire to accept more disciples.

Thinking of that true monster, Chen Yuque let out a faint sigh.

"There are no cultivation classes this afternoon, so consolidate your progress on your own. For a warrior's First Refinement, you only need to simply dissolve the Mysterious Factors into your skin and flesh. Only after the First Refinement should you consider cultivating techniques. Eat some nutritional supplements lately, and soak in medicinal baths."

She offered him guidance.

"The shorter the interval between fully taking Mysterious Factors into your body and retaining them, and stepping into the First Refinement, the greater the benefits will be in the future. If you can reach the First Refinement within a month, your prospects will be boundless."

"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister Chen."

"Go eat."

Chen Yuque nodded crisply, turned, and left.

After she departed, Zhang Fusheng stood alone in the training hall. He took several deep breaths, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

I actually brought the Breathing Technique to the entry level by myself.

The shorter the time before entering the First Refinement, the better?

He pondered for a moment, and a decision formed in his heart.

He still had fifty-one years of Breathing Technique cultivation time remaining.

It was time to use it.

I'll head home again. I can also study [Bone-Born Light] while I'm at it. Maybe if I visualize light growing from the bones before practicing the Spring Thunder Technique, the benefits will be even greater!

As he thought, he walked out of the training hall, then paused in slight surprise.

His two roommates, Zhou Quan and Wang Xiangnan, were waiting outside.

"Brother Fusheng, you're out?"

Zhou Quan stepped forward and heartily threw an arm around Zhang Fusheng's shoulders, his smile as warm as could be.

"Who would've thought Brother Fusheng was such a martial arts prodigy? Come, come, come, let's go to the cafeteria. Let's get those nutritional supplements into us first!"

Zhang Fusheng had just been about to refuse, but at the words nutritional supplements, his heart stirred. A simple, honest look appeared on his face as he nodded woodenly.

Zhou Quan's smile grew even brighter.

They arrived at the second-floor cafeteria.

The three of them requested a small private room. No sooner had they sat down than Zhou Quan called over a cafeteria worker.

"Three High-grade Nutritional Supplements. No—two high-grade portions, and one special supply portion."

He handed over his Student Card, then turned back with a cheerful smile.

"High-grade nutritional supplements are good, but Brother Fusheng, you've probably just retained Mysterious Factors in your body for the first time. The sooner you reach the First Refinement, the greater the benefit. You need a special supply portion!"

"Special supply?" Zhang Fusheng asked curiously. "What's special about it?"

He glanced at the quiet Wang Xiangnan. A trace of obvious envy flashed across the latter's face.

Zhou Quan waved a hand grandly.

"It's nothing rare. High-grade nutritional supplements generally use superior medicinal herbs along with the flesh and blood of rare beasts. One serving is only three thousand yuan."

"As for the special supply, it's better. It uses Star Beast Meat. A little pricier—just tens of thousands."

This time, Zhang Fusheng was truly shocked.

"Tens of thousands? Star beasts?"

Naturally, he knew about star beasts. They were savage beasts that lived amid the cosmic sea of stars. But hearing about them was one thing; he had never seen one, much less eaten one.

Zhou Quan casually waved his hand.

"It's nothing. If Brother Fusheng partners with me in a little business, what does special supply nutritional supplement even count for? We could eat one and toss ten away without feeling a thing!"

After a pause, he patted Zhang Fusheng's shoulder, his smile radiant.

"Of course, Brother Fusheng should definitely focus on cultivation for now. Don't worry, I won't force you."

Zhang Fusheng did not answer. He merely kept up his simple, honest expression as he cast an intentional yet seemingly careless glance at Wang Xiangnan.

The latter pressed his lips tightly together.

What exactly does Zhou Quan see in me?

And what kind of business is it?

Whatever. I'll mooch this meal first!

The top floor of the martial arts school.

"A genius?"

The old School Master thought back for a moment.

"Oh, that little fellow from yesterday. He brought the White Bone Meditation to the entry level? Mm, not bad."

His expression remained flat, as though such things were commonplace, without the slightest ripple.

Chen Yuque presented him with a cup of tea and said with a smile,

"Master, you don't plan to take him as a disciple? Though our junior sister is a pearl and jade before us, he entered the gate of the White Bone Meditation in a single day and night. His talent is even better than mine."

The old School Master waved a hand.

"One or two more makes no difference. Having the three of you is enough. You know my current condition. I no longer have the energy to train another disciple."

Chen Yuque looked as though she had expected that answer.

"You still have no clue how to cultivate the White Bone Meditation to Perfection?"

"Mm."

The old School Master nodded heavily.

"Visualization techniques are the foundation of cultivation, and the weightiest foundation at that. I can only hope that the three of you will reach Great Accomplishment in the White Bone Meditation soon."

Chen Yuque shook her head.

"Great Accomplishment is far too difficult. Talent is only secondary. The most important thing is that one needs at least ten years to nurture the spirit."

"Those so-called 'geniuses' outside who step into [I Observe as I Should Be] at twenty-something, or even eighteen or nineteen, merely took shortcuts to a false Great Accomplishment. For example, Chen Nuanyu."

The old School Master gave a soft hum, then changed the subject.

"Oh, right. Your Eldest Senior Brother's distant relative—the one working as a handyman at the martial arts school. Your Eldest Senior Brother said he was frightened by something at the school yesterday, left utterly distraught, and was sent to the hospital by his family for treatment. Go find out what happened."

"Yes, Master." Chen Yuque nodded crisply. "I'll visit the hospital later."