Soon, five or six people came to stand before their instructor, Hong Gang.
Bai Ziyue and Zhang Guoyi exchanged a glance, also approaching with anticipation.
"Stand properly."
Hong Gang extended his hands behind his back, looking at the eight individuals before him, "The Zen Meditation Posture is the fundamental External Forging Technique of our Sunburst Gang.
Although this External Forging Technique is basic, it is very important. It can enhance your Qi and Blood and consolidate your power.
Once you develop power, your strength will be vastly different. Only then can you be considered a Martial Artist, recognized in the Jianghu.
However, I must especially remind you that the Zen Meditation Posture is not to be passed on to outsiders.
Not only the Zen Meditation Posture, but every Martial Arts technique you learn here must not be passed on. If you are found out...
Hehe, even if I don't trouble you, the Law Enforcement Disciples of the Sunburst Gang will."
At that time, you can only pray that you can run far away."
He smirked coldly, but his eyes subtly twitched with a hint of fear.
It was clear that he was very wary of the Law Enforcement Disciples, perhaps even afraid of them.
None of the apprentices spoke; their tightly pressed lips were the only indication of their nervousness.
"The pose of the Zen Meditation Posture is very simple. Even if you are a new apprentice, you should have remembered it by watching others practice.
So, next, I will teach you the method to circulate power within."
Hong Gang, his face stern, continued speaking.
Bai Ziyue felt a stir of excitement inside; finally, he was about to formally begin martial training.
He didn't notice that the other apprentices did not show any joy; instead, their faces were tense with nervousness.
"Stand in the Zen Meditation Posture correctly, and I will transmit power to you."
Hong Gang moved to stand in front of an apprentice.
The apprentice hurriedly assumed the Zen Meditation Posture, with feet neither too wide nor too narrow, waist and legs aligned, hands partially extended.
"Transmission once every ten days; this is your third time, right? After three times, if you still haven't mastered the Zen Meditation Posture, you don't need to come again. You can report to Qian Ming and become a miscellaneous disciple."
As he spoke, Hong Gang slapped his hand on the apprentice's body.
Bang!
A muffled sound echoed, and a special force immediately surged into the apprentice's body.
This alien force caused immense pain, contorting his face in agony.
"Carefully feel the changes in this force."
Hong Gang said indifferently and then moved to the second apprentice.
Without a word, he sent another slap.
"Ah..."
This apprentice couldn't withstand the pain, crying out miserably.
"Hmph, no tolerance at all. How can you train in martial arts? You don't need to come next time; you're unqualified to receive my transmission."
Hong Gang said coldly, directly revoking the apprentice's qualification for future transmissions.
If he didn't master the Zen Meditation Posture this time, it was basically impossible for him to succeed later.
The apprentice's face turned pale. He was almost in tears from the grievance but dared not make a sound, silently persisting in the stance, carefully feeling the changes within, hoping to master the technique.
After that, during the transmission, no one dared utter a sound, even grunts of pain that couldn't be suppressed terrified the apprentices, fearful of being reprimanded.
Soon, Hong Gang stood before Bai Ziyue.
Well prepared, Bai Ziyue assumed the Zen Meditation Posture, his body taut, lips firmly pressed together.
Bang!
With a muffled sound, Bai Ziyue immediately felt an extremely hot force surge into his shoulder.
This force seemed to have a powerful destructive capability, rampaging through his body.
He endured, making no sound, as if a long time passed, as if just an instant, this force finally dissipated, vibrating in a unique rhythm.
"This should be the mystical power circulation of the Zen Meditation Posture."
Bai Ziyue thought excitedly to himself, carefully sensing the rhythm, and adjusted his stance accordingly.
One quiver, two quivers, three quivers…
The power gradually weakened. Bai Ziyue felt deeply regretful, but quickly regained his focus, familiarizing himself with the sensation, striving to mobilize his Qi and Blood according to the rhythm.
After an unknown length of time, Bai Ziyue exhaled deeply and opened his eyes.
Almost impatiently, he looked at his Attribute Panel.
Name: Bai Ziyue
Strength: 0.51 (No growth)
Speed: 0.51 (No growth)
Physique: 0.52 (No growth)
Martial Arts: Zen Meditation Posture (Uninitiated, No growth)
Soul Energy: 795
"Finally, the Martial Arts section is not blank."
Bai Ziyue exclaimed with joy.
Though he hadn't mastered it, he saw the hope for rapid improvement.
From the Attribute Panel, he could easily deduce that once he mastered the Zen Meditation Posture, he could leverage his Soul Energy to elevate it to Small Success, or even higher levels.
Moreover, just starting the training had already resulted in a measurable, albeit limited, improvement in his Strength, Speed, and Physique.
Clearly, the limitations on growth evident on the Attribute Panel only applied to natural limits, while Martial Arts could break these barriers.
"Next, you will train on your own. If you can maintain the stance absolutely still unto the point of sweating profusely, forming water droplets, then you will have mastered the Zen Meditation Posture.
If you achieve this within ten days, you can directly advance to become an Inner Sect Apprentice. If within thirty days, you will retain the status of Outer Disciple, remain at the branch to continue martial training.
The gang will invest considerable resources in nurturing you and after five years, you may become official gang members, receiving monthly stipends and many opportunities for extra earnings through various tasks.
But if you fail to master it within thirty days, then report to Qian Ming as a miscellaneous disciple.
Whenever you achieve Small Success in the Zen Meditation Posture, you will then have the opportunity to return to the branch to learn other Martial Arts."
Seeing that everyone had awakened, Hong Gang gave customary instructions, extended his hand behind his back, and left directly.
"Ziyue, how do you feel? It hurts so much here,"
Once Hong Gang left, Zhang Guoyi finally dared to approach, pointing at his shoulder with a pained expression.
Just like Bai Ziyue, his coarse cloth garments had been torn by Hong Gang's slap.
Through the tear, Bai Ziyue could clearly see the purple and blue mark on Zhang Guoyi's shoulder.
"I can manage."
Bai Ziyue forced a smile; he was in no better shape than Zhang Guoyi. Perhaps due to his fairer skin, the areas struck showed not only large purple patches but also some blood oozing out, looking quite terrifying.
However, he knew Hong Gang wasn't deliberately targeting them. The Air Transmission, though painful and highly damaging to their bodies, would help them master the Zen Meditation Posture faster. The benefits outweighed the costs.