Duan Rong felt as if he had been in a dream throughout the night...
He "saw" a shadowy figure, rather muscular, practicing saber techniques with his back to him.
Initially, the movements were awkward, often unable to follow through, but gradually became more proficient, increasingly smooth.
Not only could Duan Rong see his movements, but gradually, as if through introspection, he could "see" the flow of his inner breath.
Moreover, the way his inner breath circulated while standing in pile formation was entirely different from when practicing saber techniques...
"This is... the Inner Power Heart Method of the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber!"
Duan Rong suddenly awoke, surrounded by the rising and falling snores, with moonlight shining through the tattered window, casting a silvery glow by his side.
The clarity in Duan Rong's mind was sharp; he immediately flipped off the bed.
He walked into the yard, picked up a tree branch from the corner, and naturally assumed an opening stance.
From the opening stance, he astonishingly performed the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber technique, one move after another, faster with each practice!
Duan Rong grew increasingly excited; at this moment, he was as familiar with the saber technique as if he had been practicing for years!
Upon completing one round, Duan Rong did not stop, continuing with the second round, growing clearer in mind as he executed the technique as if it were etched into his brain.
"Saber marks the heart's seal, thousands of insights in one night..."
Just as Duan Rong grew more exhilarated, the thumb-thick tree branch in his hand suddenly snapped with a crack.
Duan Rong abruptly stopped, noticing a slight ache in the muscles of his right arm.
Fortunately, the branch could not withstand the force and snapped; had he continued, his right arm muscles would surely have been strained.
Duan Rong pondered briefly, understanding the reason behind it.
Though he had directly gained Entry Level Five Tigers and Sheep Saber experience through devouring the Artifact Spirit, his physical condition remained unchanged; he was still weak.
Given his current frail physique, there is no way he could sustain the attack intensity of the Entry Level Five Tigers and Sheep Saber.
However, building physical strength is a slow process, to be approached gradually, without haste.
What Duan Rong is contemplating now is another issue: the Inner Power Heart Method of the Five Tigers and Sheep Saber, specifically the completely distinct ways in which inner breath circulates during pile stance and practice.
Duan Rong distinctly experienced the flow of inner breath in the dream, but now when he wishes to initiate the practice, he finds no approach to start.
"Inner breath?"
Duan Rong contemplated for a while and began to stand in Complete Round Pile Skill.
If Zhao Mu were here at this moment, he would surely be surprised, as Duan Rong's pile stance was almost as standard as his.
As for this Complete Round Pile, Zhao Mu had stood it for three whole years, whereas Duan Rong had been in the Escort Agency for just over a month.
Duan Rong attempted to cultivate inner breath through pile stance because during pile stance, the variation in inner breath flow is significantly reduced.
The manner in which inner breath circulated during pile stance was vividly imprinted on his mind; as long as he finds a way to start, he certainly can set it in motion.
However, he could not capture the presence of inner breath at all.
Duan Rong stood for a while, his body began emitting heat; he could distinctly feel energy channels surging like waves, yet his consciousness could not intervene.
"What's going on here? Can't find the way..."
Duan Rong suddenly halted the pile skill, began pacing in the yard, deep in thought.
He pondered for a while, attempting pile stance once he had a thought, failing, stopping to think again, repeating until the eastern horizon showed a hint of dawn.
At this point, three figures yawned and emerged from the Servant Disciple dormitory.
Duan Rong didn't turn his head to look, knowing who they were.
It was Kong Bin, Li Chong, and Zhang Zheng, who had formed a small group long ago.
Kong Bin, with a burly build and profound demeanor; Li Chong, exceedingly tall, yet frivolous; Zhang Zheng, seemingly somewhat shorter in comparison to the other two, yet he was the most agile and alert.
Since entering the Escort Agency, the trio had been rising one hour early every morning for practice.
Servant disciples, in addition to evening practice, have many tasks to accomplish, often ending the day with sore muscles.
Muscle recovery requires time, and adequate sleep is essential.
Being able to wake up an hour early every day requires determination, and is not easy.
At least, Duan Rong's former self couldn't achieve this.
Typically, those more talented than you will strive harder than you do.
They receive positive feedback and can foresee results; why wouldn't they put in the effort?
Whereas you often encounter one setback after another, until you either give up or transform!
The trio was slightly stunned to see Duan Rong standing in pile stance, rising even earlier than them.
Li Chong sneered, took a step forward, and said, "Oh, isn't this Duan Rong?"
Li Chong's tone was taunting, which Duan Rong naturally heard and consequently ignored.
Li Chong, seeing Duan Rong ignore him, twitched his facial muscles and mocked, "What? Seeing the assessment is about to happen, and now you're thinking of catching up last minute! What's the use? Wanting the impossible, you really think you can be selected as an apprentice?"
Though Li Chong was a man, he wore a silver ring on his right ear, having been raised as a girl for fear of not growing up.
His family used to be quite affluent, he was spoiled from a young age, but later, as his family fell into hard times, they sent him here to the Yuan Shun Escort Agency as a servant disciple.
Duan Rong, having struggled in the corporate world in his past life, had no patience for such naive idiots, so he always ignored them.
Seeing that Duan Rong seemed unfazed by his taunts, still motionlessly standing in Complete Round Pile, Li Chong was momentarily filled with rage. "Duan Rong, I'm talking to you, don't you hear me? You talentless wretch, destined to be a servant for life, what are you putting on airs for here?"
Li Chong, finding Duan Rong apathetic towards him, could barely contain his anger, and looked ready to strike when Kong Bin suddenly held him back by the shoulder.
"Brother, let him practice his way, while we practice ours, no need to stoop to his level. If a fight breaks out, and injuries result, punishments will follow!"
"Brother Bin, look at him standing there, I greet him and he acts like he doesn't hear!"
Kong Bin glanced at Duan Rong, whose head was emitting hot steam, and with pile stance quite standard, he felt slightly astonished and said, "Assessment is imminent, avoid causing trouble!"
Having said that, Kong Bin moved to a secluded corner of the yard and began pile stance.
Zhang Zheng also tapped Li Chong's shoulder and said, "Our goal is to be promoted to apprentice, other matters are irrelevant!"
After Zhang Zheng spoke, he practiced near Kong Bin.
Li Chong glared at Duan Rong's back, spat on the ground, and reluctantly began pile stance.
Though Li Chong acted high and mighty before Duan Rong, within the trio, he actually held the least authority.
Kong Bin was a man of few words and was talented, the core of the trio; Zhang Zheng was quick-witted, full of clever ideas.
Li Chong typically followed orders; without some martial talent, Kong Bin and Zhang Zheng wouldn't bother bringing him along.