C19 Sect Master Ye Tian

The morning flew by as Wu Shanbao, under the watchful eye of Elder Chen, quickly committed the Taoist Fist techniques to memory. With a bit more practice, he should be able to master them completely.

"Wu Shanbao, join the main group now and practice with them. Do not stop unless I say so," Elder Chen commanded, pointing towards the group after noting Wu Shanbao's progress.

"Understood." Without hesitation, Wu Shanbao acknowledged the order and made his way to the group, eventually stopping beside Shen Hu at the rear.

"Hey, Shanbao, you're back so soon?" Shen Hu's eyes were wide with astonishment. He remembered spending an entire day under Elder Chen's tutelage before being allowed to join the group, so Wu Shanbao's swift return was quite surprising to him.

While onlookers cast curious glances at Wu Shanbao, he seemed oblivious to their stares and continued to diligently practice the Taoist Fist.

"You're really impressive, Shanbao," Shen Hu remarked, initially skeptical of Wu Shanbao's skill level. But as he watched Wu Shanbao execute each move with precision, he couldn't help but express his admiration.

Wu Shanbao responded with a friendly smile, choosing to let his actions speak for themselves.

The Fist Technique training stretched on until noon. Even Liu Yun, who was at the forefront, was soaked with sweat, and the rest were no different.

Having recently recovered his strength, Wu Shanbao found the intense training session particularly exhausting. As Elder Chen signaled the end of the practice, he collapsed onto the ground, utterly spent.

His stomach rumbled in protest, signaling that the two steamed buns he had eaten for breakfast were long gone.

Shen Hu, also feeling the strain, managed to stay on his feet. He helped Wu Shanbao up, panting heavily, "Come on, let's grab something to eat in the dining hall."

"Alright." Wu Shanbao glanced over to see Elder Chen walking away on his own and quickly turned to Shen Hu with curiosity, "Brother Hu, what's on the agenda for this afternoon?"

"Typically, we spend the mornings training with Elder Chen and the afternoons are for self-guided cultivation of our chosen techniques. But today's Sunday, and there's a lecture by the Sect Master. You're in luck; you get to hear the Sect Master's teachings on your first day."

"Does the Sect Master give a good lecture?"

"Absolutely. After the last lecture, I felt like I had ascended to a new level," Shen Hu chuckled, guiding Wu Shanbao toward the dining hall.

The complimentary dishes were similar to the morning's offerings, with the exception of a steamed bun replaced by a stuffed bun and the clear soup swapped for vegetable soup, albeit with scant vegetables floating on top.

Wu Shanbao didn't mind. The food couldn't compare to what he had at home, but since he no longer had that harmonious family, he had given up on longing for those extravagantly priced meals. Yet, as he ate the steamed and meat-filled buns, a bitter sweetness filled his heart as he involuntarily recalled the last meal his mother had made for him.

That delicious, unforgettable farewell meal.

Thinking of his parents brought tears to Wu Shanbao's eyes, but he fought them back, constantly reminding himself to stay strong.

After the meal, Wu Shanbao felt some of his strength return. Noticing his body felt more powerful, he was pleasantly surprised. "Brother Hu, do you think I've reached the Body Refining Realm now?"

"Based on the True Dao's initiation standards, if you can perform the Daoist Fist Technique flawlessly, you've met the Body Refining Realm's criteria. You've been practicing all morning; you've definitely achieved the standard," Shen Hu explained.

"That's fantastic," Wu Shanbao said, his face breaking into a contented smile.

"By the way, Shanbao, now that you've reached the Body Refining Realm, you can choose your own cultivation technique. True Dao offers many techniques for us to practice for free. How about I find some time to go with you to pick one out?" Shen Hu offered kindly.

Wu Shanbao's heart leapt with excitement at Shen Hu's suggestion. Indeed, reaching the Body Refining Realm meant he could begin cultivating the Breeze Fan Technique. He was eager to discover the secrets of this impressively named technique.

"I actually have a cultivation technique that my family prepared for me, so I don't think I'll need to choose another," Wu Shanbao responded quickly.

Shen Hu paused, slightly taken aback. He had gleaned a bit about Wu Shanbao's family from the chatter of others during practice and felt a deeper sympathy for him. Yet, it wasn't surprising that someone from such a distinguished family would have a technique passed down to them.

Reflecting on this, Shen Hu nodded in agreement, "That would indeed be ideal."

After dining, most people settled into the chairs in the dining hall for a rest, while a few opted to practice their cultivation techniques.

Wu Shanbao was quite excited about mastering the Breeze Fan Technique, but the current setting was somewhat noisy and not conducive to focused cultivation. Thus, he had no choice but to quell the eagerness within him and closed his eyes for a brief respite.

It wasn't until the bell sounded once more that Shen Hu ushered Wu Shanbao into a grand hall.

The hall, towering at five meters, could easily accommodate hundreds of people. Dim candlelight flickered within, mingling with the scent of burning incense, momentarily transporting Wu Shanbao to what seemed like an ethereal realm.

Shen Hu chose a central spot and took a seat with Wu Shanbao.

Upon entering the hall, there was an unspoken consensus to maintain silence, as if any disturbance might shatter the tranquil ambiance.

At the heart of the hall sat an elder with white hair and beard, his eyes closed, seemingly in repose.

Shen Hu quietly gestured towards him and whispered to Wu Shanbao, "That is Ye Tian, the Sect Master of our True Dao."

Wu Shanbao's gaze lingered on Ye Tian, sensing no trace of an aura emanating from him. He appeared as still as a sculpture, and the mere sight of him prompted Wu Shanbao to think of a phrase: profoundly inscrutable.

Truly befitting of a Sect Master.

As the hall filled with over a hundred people, Wu Shanbao noticed a subtle movement from Sect Master Ye Tian, who then calmly opened his eyes and gently clapped his hands.

With that simple gesture, the hall seemed to grow brighter.

"The teaching will now commence. I ask for silence from everyone," declared a voice imbued with authority, echoing through the hall. Wu Shanbao felt an invisible weight from the voice, rendering him motionless.