On the morning of the ninth day of the seventh lunar month, in the vast training grounds outside the residence of Teng Qingshan in Yicheng.
"Brother Honghou, is today the ninth?"
"Mmm, the ninth." Teng Honghou nodded, looking at the slightly thinner youth beside him. At Teng Qingshan's manor, there were a full 914 youths studying martial arts. Due to the sheer number, six youths were assigned to each room, and Teng Honghou and the boy next to him were neighbors sharing a bed frame.
Over three months, the two youths had become like brothers.
"A'Xin, don't lose heart. As long as there’s a sliver of hope, don't give up. I've told you the essentials of the Three-Body Stance and the Monkey Fist. You’re doing very well already... perhaps, during practice today, you might break through," Teng Honghou encouraged the thin youth.
Fang Xin was nine years old, but his physique was weaker than his peers. When he traveled from Jiangning Commandery to Yicheng, Fang Xin’s feet were covered in blisters; he had grit his teeth and endured the entire journey.
However, his innate constitution was weak, so he had never managed to generate Neijin (Internal Force). After every group practice, Teng Honghou would give Fang Xin extra coaching, helping his friend. With Teng Honghou’s assistance, Fang Xin had managed to catch up to him in mastering the Monkey Fist and the Three-Body Stance.
But still, no Neijin had manifested.
In these three months of internal martial arts practice, the youth named Fang Xin’s physical fitness had slightly improved, and his skin had tanned.
"I will definitely break through."
"I will definitely break through, I must, I absolutely must become a powerhouse like Senior Jing Yi," Fang Xin clenched his fists, chanting silently in his heart. His childhood experiences had long instilled in him an absolute yearning for strength. And this grand recruitment of disciples by Teng Qingshan was clearly a broad, smooth road leading them toward becoming powerful figures!
To miss such an opportunity would likely mean a lifetime of regret!
"It’s already the ninth of the seventh month. We've been here for three months."
"Mmm, today is the last day of practice. If I still haven't developed Neijin, I’ll have to pack my bag and leave tomorrow."
Some youths on the training grounds were whispering softly; many of them had already lost hope.
"Master is here."
"Master is here."
The training ground instantly fell silent, not a single youth daring to utter a sound. At that moment, Teng Shou, dressed in long trousers and a vest, emerged from the inner court with Teng Qingshan, clad in a white robe, and Li Jun, in a purple dress, heading towards the outer training grounds. If Teng Shou exuded the aura of a wild beast, then Teng Qingshan was like a sword sheathed in its scabbard—refined and elegant.
"It’s Senior Jing Yi."
"Look, it really is Senior Jing Yi." The 914 youths couldn't help but erupt into a murmur, but at a cold glance from Teng Shou, every youth immediately quieted down. Yet, all of them looked with fervent gazes toward Teng Qingshan in the white robe, who appeared like a graceful young master.
These youths all knew... Senior Jing Yi before them was far more formidable than the legendary innate experts.
At the very front of the training ground.
Teng Shou stood respectfully beside Teng Qingshan, speaking in a low voice, "Master, these 914 youths—those who have cultivated Neijin so far are over there on the left, ninety-two youths in total. Most of them achieved Neijin by the end of the second month and the beginning of the third month. In the second half of the third month, the number of those achieving Neijin dwindled, and for the day before yesterday and yesterday, not a single person broke through."
"Ninety-two?"
Teng Qingshan's gaze swept downwards. The 914 youths were divided into two groups: those who had cultivated Neijin practiced together, and those who hadn't practiced together. However, when Teng Qingshan looked over, almost all the youths puffed out their chests with effort, their eyes blazing with light.
"These youths..." Teng Qingshan perceived excitement, adoration, and yearning in those gazes.
The yearning to become powerful!
Those who could sign up, endure the forced march from Jiangning Commandery to Yicheng—how could they lack the heart to aspire to greatness?
"This is better than I expected, ninety-two." Teng Qingshan revealed a slight smile. "That’s almost a ten-to-one ratio... Oh, when Guiyuan Sect assisted in the recruitment, they already eliminated youths with poor body balance and flexibility. If we account for those who failed the initial registration tests, that means roughly one out of twenty youths is suited for practicing internal martial arts."
This ratio satisfied Teng Qingshan.
After all, in his past life’s society, the probability of cultivating Neijin through internal martial arts was much lower. Firstly, the physical quality of ordinary people in his past life could not compare to the citizens of the Nine Provinces Continent. Secondly, the spiritual energy in the atmosphere of his past life was insufficient. This accounted for the difference between the two worlds.
"The eighth day of the fourth month!"
Suddenly, Teng Qingshan spoke, his voice not loud, yet it resonated in the ears of every youth, who held their breath to listen carefully.
"You all endured the trek of over three hundred li to arrive here. Starting from the ninth day of the fourth month, all 914 of you began cultivating my unique set of fist techniques... And today, the ninth of the seventh month, is the final day of your fist practice. As stated beforehand—"
"Today, you can practice diligently as usual. Your master, 'Teng Shou,' will also be here to instruct you."
"And tomorrow, among the 914 of you, anyone who has not cultivated Neijin will be sent back to Jiangning."
Teng Qingshan's cool gaze swept into the heart of every person, "Remember, this final day determines whether you stay to cultivate with me, or leave." Teng Qingshan’s voice seemed to possess a strange magic, constantly echoing in the minds of the youths. Many clenched their fists, filled with extreme yearning.
"Begin practice." Teng Qingshan instructed Teng Shou, then turned with Li Jun and walked away, leaving the outer court.
"Hah!"
"Kiai!"
Back in the inner court, Teng Qingshan clearly heard the sounds of exhalations and inhalations from the outer court. The youths' breathing seemed to have suddenly grown much stronger.
"Qingshan, what you just did?" Li Jun chuckled.
"Just some minor tricks," Teng Qingshan smiled. The last sentence—he had used his powerful Shen (Spirit/Mind) to semi-hypnotize the group of youths, awakening and amplifying the yearning within them. In truth, hypnotism was a minor technique; consider the Divine Monk 'Su Mengte' from Mount Tianshen, whose mere gaze could influence innate experts.
Back outside Hongtian City, Su Mengte had used his voice to influence nearly 80,000 cavalrymen who were ready to die. It was only later that the 'You Shijin' brothers used their voices to rouse their own soldiers.
It was not difficult for Teng Qingshan to exert a slight influence on these children.
...
When evening approached.
"Master, Master," Teng Shou ran over with a look of pleasant surprise, reaching the side of Teng Qingshan, who was sitting cross-legged on the inner court training ground.
"What is it?" Teng Qingshan opened his eyes.
"Master, today, four more youths broke through," Teng Shou reported. "Perhaps your words took effect; four people managed to generate Neijin in their bodies on this final day."
Teng Qingshan smiled faintly.
The pressure of three months of effort culminating on the last day was immense, and his semi-hypnosis and guidance had amplified the youths’ craving. Four breakthroughs were within his expectations.
In the dormitory of these youths.
The bed, which spanned over three zhang (about eight meters), occupied nearly half the room's area. Aside from the edges used for storing items, a total of six youths slept on this single platform bed.
"Haha, I did it, I finally broke through!" A handsome youth was jumping excitedly in the dormitory.
He was one of the four who broke through today. Breaking through on the final day, the joy was unimaginable.
Teng Honghou was currently accompanying the thin 'Fang Xin.' Fang Xin was curled up on the bed, leaning against the wall, tears welling up in his eyes. Beside him, Teng Honghou whispered, "A'Xin, don't be sad. Actually..." Teng Honghou wanted to say something but couldn't find the words for a moment.
Tomorrow, he would have to part ways with Fang Xin.
Between the two of them, one might become a powerhouse on the Nine Provinces Continent, while the other might remain a bottom-rung individual.
"Brother Honghou, don't say it," Fang Xin shook his head, pursing his lips.
Teng Honghou’s heart stirred, and he quickly said, "Tomorrow is the final decision day. Maybe you’ll break through tonight."
"Tonight?"
Fang Xin looked up, his eyes brightening.
On the night of the ninth of the seventh month, quite a few youths did not sleep but practiced their martial arts in the darkness, all longing... to cultivate Neijin before the results were announced tomorrow.
...
The morning of the tenth day of the seventh month was fresh, typical of midsummer, but while some of the 914 youths were in high spirits, the vast majority felt heavy-hearted. Despite practicing all night, none of the youths felt sleepy; everyone assembled on the training grounds.
Silence!
At the very front of the training ground stood four figures—their Master 'Teng Shou,' the revered Senior Jing Yi, Senior Jing Yi’s wife, and... the Sect Master of Guiyuan Sect, 'Zhuge Yuanhong.'
"Today is the tenth day of the seventh month!"
Teng Qingshan looked at the 914 youths and announced loudly, "Those among you who have cultivated Neijin may remain and cultivate even more profound fist techniques, gaining greater strength. Those among you who have not cultivated Neijin must return to the Yuan Sect. From last night until now, has anyone else cultivated Neijin?"
Many youths glanced around.
Silence, complete silence.
No one had broken through all night.
"As expected," Teng Qingshan thought to himself. "With such immense mental pressure, and without my semi-hypnotic assistance, how could they break through?"
"Very well. This means that you have a total of 96 people who have cultivated Neijin. The remaining 818 I will ask the people of Guiyuan Sect to escort back to Jiangning." As Teng Qingshan's words began, many youths on the training ground immediately shed tears, some even sobbing aloud.
Three months of effort!
The yearning to become a powerhouse!
They had failed!
After all, besides Teng Honghou, the oldest was only ten.
"Men shed blood, not tears," Teng Shou suddenly roared, immediately causing many youths to stop crying.
"Three months," Teng Qingshan spoke. "For the three months you have been here, today... all 914 youths, along with your master Teng Shou, and I, will practice the Three-Body Stance together one last time. The very last practice!"
Teng Qingshan assumed the starting posture of the Three-Body Stance.
Immediately, Teng Shou assumed the starting posture too, and the 914 youths present all mimicked the starting posture in unison.
"Hah!"
"Kiai!"
Including Teng Qingshan, everyone executed the movements one by one. Many youths endured their tears while practicing. The 818 youths knew they had failed; they had been sentenced, and amid their sadness, they felt an unprecedented sense of relief, free from burdens and pressure. Especially at this moment, led by Teng Qingshan, everyone's fist technique seemed better than ever before.
In terms of mastery level, Teng Qingshan was clearly far above Teng Shou.
One punch, then another...
"This is the last time." The thin youth 'Fang Xin' was also immersed in the practice. Knowing he had failed, the psychological pressure vanished. At this moment, mimicking Teng Qingshan, his fist technique faintly showed a hint of true essence.
Unbeknownst to him, a trace of Neijin had just been born within his body...
"Hah!"
"Kiai!"
The resounding shouts of the youths echoed throughout the entire training ground, soaring straight toward the heavens.