After an unknown amount of time had passed, Zhang Xiaohua's mind stirred, and he turned his divine sense toward his tent. The nine disciples were all seated around the entrance, occasionally peering inside and whispering among themselves. Looking across the stone-walled enclosure, there were not many disciples still moving about. The night had gradually deepened.
A smile appeared at the corner of Zhang Xiaohua's lips. He opened his eyes and called, "Senior Brothers, it's cold outside. You should come into the tent and rest."
Hearing Zhang Xiaohua's call, the disciples brightened and filed into the tent. Lu Chaoxian said with a smile, "Junior Brother Ren has finally emerged from seclusion."
"Emerged from seclusion?" Zhang Xiaohua froze.
"Isn't that right?" Lu Chaoxian scratched his head. "I've always heard that people like you, who cultivate Internal Energy, often have to enter seclusion. You fear being disturbed most during that time. At best, it causes Qi Deviation; at worst, it costs you your life. Though we were all sleepy beyond measure just now, none of us dared disturb you."
The others beside him also wore envious expressions. Indeed, this young junior brother cultivated Internal Energy, entirely unlike ordinary fist and foot techniques. Pill-Refining Hall had always encouraged its disciples to practice martial arts, and the library even held basic techniques, including beginner-level Internal Energy Cultivation Methods. Unfortunately, they had all missed the best age for cultivation. Even if peerless Martial Arts Cultivation Methods were laid before them, they would be no different from a pile of wastepaper. Thus, they had no choice but to lower their heads before this junior brother, who was so much younger than them, hoping he would lend a hand in times of danger. If they too could cultivate Internal Energy and become formidable martial artists, how wonderful would