Chapter 24: Starting with the Wuji Stance
"No matter what martial art you pursue, true mastery never comes easily. Especially for someone like you - you can handle a bow, but beyond that, you're completely green."
"You'll start with foundational training. Only after mastering the basics will I teach you actual techniques. This will test your patience more than archery ever did. We're talking years of dedication, maybe even a lifetime. Still think you're up for it?"
The limping man fixed Chen Fan with a piercing gaze.
Chen Fan inhaled deeply. "I am."
"Good. Let's see if that resolve holds."
His voice remained flat, though privately he acknowledged the young man's potential - with such determination and natural talent, this disciple might actually exceed expectations.
"Uncle Zhang..."
Zhao Feng stepped forward, fists clenched. "I want to learn too."
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
The others quickly joined the chorus. In their harsh world, who wouldn't leap at the chance for strength?
The instructor showed no surprise. "One student or ten makes little difference. What matters is who remains when the novelty fades."
Eager oaths filled the air. Zhao Feng stood silent, ambition burning in his eyes.
"Enough." The limping man raised his hand. "We begin now."
Chen Fan swallowed hard. So it starts.
"All martial paths begin with stance training. Neglect this, and your kicks will falter, your punches miss their mark - all effort wasted. Master your foundation, and true power follows."
The group nodded vigorously, anticipation written on every face.
"First comes the Wuji Stance - the root of all stances. Only after conquering Wuji can you attempt Taiji. Master Taiji, and we progress to Taijiquan itself."
The instructor's voice took on a ritual cadence. "For the truly ambitious, Three Bodies Stance awaits - mother of all variations. Grasp this, and doors open to Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, even the Five Animal Forms."
Murmurs of dismay rippled through the group.
Wuji to Taiji to Three Bodies? How many years would this staircase demand?
"Second thoughts already?" The limping man's laugh held no humor. "This is neigong - internal discipline! Fists without foundation are leaves in the wind. And we haven't even discussed hand forms, footwork, or leg techniques! Last chance to walk away."
His gaze swept across them. "Step forward if you're committed."
Chen Fan moved first, face calm. Zhao Feng appeared at his shoulder. After shared glances, the others followed.
"Interesting." The instructor's smile didn't reach his eyes. "No quitters? Good. Assume Wuji Stance. We hold for one hour before tackling hand forms."
The posture seemed deceptively simple - feet together, arms loose, chin tucked. Chen Fan's eyes flickered to his mental display:
[Wuji Stance: lv0 (0%)]
His pulse quickened. What abilities might emerge at first mastery?
"Clear your mind!"
The bark came just as the limping man passed. Chen Fan flushed - how did he always know?
Bystanders gawked at the motionless figures. Minutes stretched like taffy.
Initial confidence ("This is just standing!") curdled into agony ("My legs! Is that an ant colony in my hair?") before collapsing into despair ("How much longer?!").
"Ten minutes in and already breaking?" The instructor's scoff cut through groans. "Martial arts weeds out the weak. Better to quit now than waste my time."
Chen Fan suppressed a grimace. Their teacher's tongue proved sharper than his gaze.
Another ten minutes halved their numbers. The limping man dismissed each dropout with a jerk of his chin. "Rest. Others may follow."
Silence.
By the thirty-minute mark, only Chen Fan and Zhao Feng remained. The latter's jaw muscles stood out like cable wire.
Not again, Zhao Feng vowed. He'd lost once in archery - never again.
Meanwhile, Chen Fan studied his interface in dismay. Forty minutes invested, yet only 4% progress? At this rate, reaching level one demanded sixteen hours of torment!
Outwardly still, his mind raced. Basic Archery had been simpler - just arm strain relieved by those calloused massages. This? Every muscle screamed. Could he even manage a second session today?
Days to master Wuji. Months for Taiji. Years for everything else... When would actual combat training begin?
His attention shifted to the morning's haul: 17 experience points. Pouring these into Archery offered meager gains. But applied to Wuji...
