The next day, Zhang Xiaohua practiced the Big Dipper Divine Fist just as he had before, without sensing the slightest difference. But when he finished the fist art and was about to return to the pill chamber, he saw Valley Master Nie and Elder Zhang hurrying over from the inner valley, talking animatedly as they walked.
Zhang Xiaohua rubbed his nose and looked toward the sky, blocked from view by the mountain walls, feeling utterly speechless. The sun seemed to have only just risen in the east, while it was still pitch-dark here. Even if they wanted to squeeze labor out of him, there was no need to be this impatient! The roosters had not even crowed yet—cough, cough, he had forgotten. There were no chickens in Hui Chun Valley's inner valley, only the chirping of birds.
Seeing Zhang Xiaohua standing before the pill chamber, Valley Master Nie hastened a few steps forward and cupped his hands. "Young Hero Ren, you rose quite early."
Zhang Xiaohua returned the salute and said, "No helping it. I have a life of toil. Once dawn comes, I cannot sleep anymore, always thinking about what needs to be done today."
Valley Master Nie chuckled without responding. Elder Zhang raised the jade case in his hand and said, "No matter how early you rose today, Young Hero, Valley Master and I rose earlier. Hui Chun Valley's records state that herbs are best harvested before the dew disappears, so the two of us got up before daylight..."
Zhang Xiaohua froze. "There is actually such a consideration? How did I not know?"
"How many days have you been in the field? There are still plenty of things you do not know." Elder Zhang showed no mercy in his blow.
Valley Master Nie said, "This is a rule