Stronger from Earth-Chapter 78: Hypnosis

At six in the morning, Shi Lei got up. He felt full of energy and his strength seemed inexhaustible. He couldn’t wait to rush to the Martial Arts Hall.

In his excitement, he practiced the Thirty-Six Techniques at home, loosening his tendons and bones, but didn’t exercise further because Assistant Instructor Wei Zequan had reminded him to conserve his energy.

Today was Friday, and he didn’t go to class. Yesterday was the same. Every day after returning home, he made up for cultural lessons through educational videos.

This arrangement came after many negotiations between his parents and the school. In fact, many ambitious kids followed this pattern: attending school for three days a week and using the remaining time for training, although their academic scores couldn’t be too poor, or else they’d be forced back to school.

"My talent isn’t great. Only by diligently cultivating to reach the Bone Refining Realm can I join the army. Then, life at home would drastically change.

I really envy those students favored by the teachers. Their progress in the Thirty-Six Techniques is much faster than mine, and they receive considerable care. They should join the Martial Dao class in middle school and receive excellent training then."

People who practice cultivation have sharp minds. Even though training occupies much time, their learning efficiency is particularly high. Thus, the higher one’s cultivation level, the better their academic performance.

The school indeed has a Martial Dao class, focusing mainly on Martial Dao cultivation, with cultural lessons as complements. It’s far superior to regular students having just one or two martial arts classes daily.

But there aren’t many in the Martial Dao class; it’s truly a case of choosing one out of a hundred. Students whose progress is too slow are repeatedly expelled. The school demands geniuses and practices an elite education on the cultivation path, disregarding those with below-average talent.

Most students in the Martial Dao class will eventually reach the Refining Organs Realm. Those with outstanding talent receive special treatment, with dedicated teachers guiding them. They can aim for the Blood Exchange Realm and even higher levels in the future.

These individuals form the foundation of the Federation Government and military—those who receive care are talents.

However, Shi Lei wasn’t among them.

What he aimed for was merely to meet the enlistment standards through hard work and eventually join the military to change his destiny.

"Brother, Miaomiao is off to school." A girl with twin ponytails ran over, leaping onto Shi Lei.

"Miaomiao, get down quickly. That’s so unladylike." Shi Lei addressed his seven or eight-year-old sister. He put on a stern, adult-like demeanor, but his sister, Shi Miao, wasn’t buying it.

"No way, no way!"

...

My sister is very cute, and my parents are very good. They’ve all cut back on expenses to support my training, and life has begun to get simple and austere.

I must work hard.

"Immortal Martial Combat Hall, here I come!"

Shi Lei was filled with youthful vigor and arrived at the Immortal Martial Combat Hall at a quarter past seven, only to find that the instructor was already there.

Instructor Wang was indeed very tall, looking about 1.9 meters, and his muscles were so robust that he probably could kill a bull with a single punch.

However, the burly Instructor Wang was sitting in meditation, motionless just like yesterday; it seemed he had been practicing before Shi Lei arrived.

Shi Lei observed the instructor with reverence and gratitude, but suddenly, Instructor Wang’s voice surprised him.

"Posture Stance!" Wang Xuan instructed coolly.

"Yes!"

Hurriedly, Shi Lei dropped his backpack, firmly set his posture, and started the posture stance.

He held his posture, not daring to be distracted, though he didn’t understand why the instructor had him doing it. If this went on for an hour, he’d be exhausted, and training would be hard to continue.

However, he couldn’t disobey the instructor’s orders.

Many people were practicing in the martial arts hall, the sound of fists and kicks occasionally ringing out, but once Wang Xuan sat there, Shi Lei was completely undistracted.

Seated like a stone, with a clear mind, external disturbances naturally dissipated.

"Instructor Wang’s breathing is very long."

Facing Wang Xuan, Shi Lei found his mind at peace merely by looking at the instructor, and listening to that long and deep breathing sound, he unconsciously immersed himself.

Inhale—exhale, inhale—exhale.

Following the unique rhythm, Shi Lei’s mind emptied. He only felt his body naturally rising and falling, full of vitality, without a trace of fatigue.

As time passed bit by bit, the martial arts hall filled with more people, and Wang Xuan’s students arrived one after the other; most came ten minutes early, while some arrived just on time.

Seeing the meditating instructor, no one dared disturb him. After Assistant Instructor Wei Zequan arrived, he organized them into lines, keeping the quiet.

"When did this kid arrive? Why is he holding a stance? And doing it so well, carrying a certain charm? He’s much better than yesterday.

Could it be that the instructor is giving him special coaching?" Someone wondered.

"I came at 7:30, and Instructor and Shi Lei were already here. He’s been holding that stance for at least half an hour, seemingly not tired at all," said a student who arrived early.

Eight o’clock arrived.

Wang Xuan opened his eyes and stood up, looking around. No one dared speak a word.

"Shi Lei, line up." Wang Xuan said in a deep voice.

"Huh?" Shi Lei suddenly awoke from the mystical stance realm, a bit lost. He didn’t know what had happened, but hurried to line up upon hearing the instructor’s command.

It was then he realized he had maintained the posture stance for over forty minutes, yet he felt it had only been a few minutes; he was unaware of time passing.

Checking his body, he was not at all tired; instead, he felt mentally fresh, even more so than before the stance.

"How’s that possible?" Shi Lei was perplexed. Was this still the stance he knew?

He pondered a lot, eventually shifting his gaze to the instructor as if seeking verification, but Wang Xuan’s expressionless demeanor gave nothing away.

At that moment, he heard Instructor Wang speaking: "Coming to the Immortal Martial Combat Hall, your goals vary—some seek to strengthen the body for longevity, some pursue combat techniques to enhance practical ability, and some aim for cultivation advancement to reach higher realms in the future.

Courage, strength, technique; techniques serve as the foundation, strength is the cornerstone of battle, and courage is the key to unleashing power.

As my students, I will teach you techniques and fist techniques, improve your strength and physique, boost your courage. With gains in these three areas, your tuition is worthwhile."

Shi Lei nodded to himself; being able to increase his strength would satisfy him. To learn some effective martial arts techniques would make the endeavor rewarding. As for enhancing courage, he didn’t know how that was measured, as intrinsic things were hard to gauge.

"Today, I’ll teach you the Mixed Element Stance, stance training to build strength and fortify your blood and energy, which you should be aware of."

Wang Xuan demonstrated the stance, explaining the essentials to these students, and after more than ten minutes, the thirty-plus individuals started to take form.

Suddenly, Wang Xuan’s demeanor transformed, becoming as warm and gentle as the sun, like a spring breeze caressing their faces, naturally relaxing their alert minds.

"You are all my students. By listening to me, you’ll gain something from it. Relax. You’re all doing well. This is a good start."

Wang Xuan’s divine aura emanated, changing the previous stern demeanor to one that made these students unconsciously trust and comply with his commands.

As he corrected each student’s stance, five minutes passed. Wang Xuan, like a most intimate friend, posed no harm, and the students felt no awe, no fear, but instead felt as if in a comfortable harbor, more at ease even than at home.

Wang Xuan nodded. The divinity refined in the Glazed Realm had a powerful influence, effortlessly breaking through these youngsters’ mental defenses, gradually lowering their alertness.

In the process, they unknowingly experienced hypnosis by him.

(Requesting recommendation votes.)