Chapter 44: Basic Training
Chapter 44: Basic Training
With Zhao Xiangyu's introduction, the people present treated Jiang Cheng with respect.
However, what would happen after Zhao Xiangyu left was anyone's guess.
Jiang Cheng didn't pay much attention to this and followed Zhao Xiangyu to a quiet spot.
"Jiang Cheng, today I'll teach you the foundation training, also known as 'Ultimate Standing Posture'. First, put your sticks aside."
Jiang Cheng took out two short sticks from behind and placed them on the ground a few meters away.
"Done, Zhao Xiangyu."
"Good, let me explain it to you."
Zhao Xiangyu nodded.
"The foundation training, or 'Ultimate Standing Posture', is a standing practice with both legs spread slightly wider than the shoulders, toes pointing forward, and the body lowered into a horse stance."
As Zhao Xiangyu spoke, he demonstrated the posture.
"The degree of knee bend can vary; it depends on your physical condition. The smaller the angle, the lower your body, and the more challenging it is. When you start practicing, you can use a high posture, but it shouldn't be completely upright; it must maintain a certain angle. Keep your head and neck straight, body upright, shoulders relaxed and elbows hanging, chest slightly inward, waist relaxed and hips lowered, abdomen drawn in and hips contracted, as if sitting upright on a stool, hands circling around your chest, embracing a tree.
Then, stand still and don't move. The longer you can maintain this, the better. After a certain amount of time, you'll experience various physical reactions, like swollen, sore, or even trembling legs. When this happens, stop and rest for a while. Come, imitate my posture."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng followed his movements, his legs spread shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and arms encircling his body.
Zhao Xiangyu walked over and adjusted Jiang Cheng's posture slightly, "Straighten your back, yes, like that. Lift your legs a little higher. Since you're just starting, don't go too low; otherwise, it'll be challenging to last for a few minutes."
"Okay, stay still like this until you can't hold it anymore."
Zhao Xiangyu stood to the side, observing as he spoke, "Practice this for half an hour, and then I'll teach you the Billowing Exercises, which is also a fundamental training like the foundation training. Through rotation, wrapping, and stretching, it enhances your body's flexibility, suppleness, and coordination. Billowing Exercises are usually done before practicing fist forms, as a preparation. Once you master the foundation training and Billowing Exercises, you can formally learn the fist techniques. Compared to the subsequent routine exercises, these fundamentals are crucial.
He expressed his admiration.
Jiang Cheng listened attentively, his gaze occasionally shifting to the proficiency panel in front of him.
Inwardly, he wondered, "I've been practicing the Ultimate Standing Posture for almost two minutes now, and my posture should be considered standard, especially with Zhao Xiangyu watching over me.
Why hasn't the Ultimate Standing Posture been unlocked yet?
Is it that the time isn't enough?"
Another minute passed, and Jiang Cheng gradually felt the pressure.
Each passing second seemed like an eternity.
"Can't hold on anymore?"
Zhao Xiangyu smiled at Jiang Cheng's struggle, "If you can't endure it, he said, "take a break. For a beginner, lasting three minutes is already impressive."
Jiang Cheng gritted his teeth and persevered.
After an unknown amount of time, the proficiency panel finally displayed several lines of information.
Ultimate Standing Posture Experience Points +1
Ultimate Standing Posture Skill Unlocked
[Ultimate Standing Posture: Uninitiated (0/100)]
Only then did Jiang Cheng feel like a deflated balloon, his entire body relaxing.
"Good job! You lasted almost five minutes."
Zhao Xiangyu's eyes shone with approval.
It seemed that Jiang Cheng, by becoming an advanced member, was genuinely committed to learning something.
Not far away, someone waved at them.
"Zhao Xiangyu."
Zhao Xiangyu nodded at the person.
"You take a two-minute break, I'll come find you later."
"Okay."
Jiang Cheng smiled.
Then, his gaze fell on the panel.
It only added a little experience after five minutes.
That hundred points of experience, equated to 500 minutes, or over eight hours. Without eating or drinking, it wasn't considered a long time.
But Jiang Cheng hoped it could be shorter.
"It's probably because my legs were too high. Next time, I'll try a lower stance and see if it increases the difficulty. With the same five minutes of practice, the experience gain will definitely be more."
After a two or three-minute break, seeing that Zhao Xiangyu was still demonstrating the fist techniques, Jiang Cheng decided to practice on his own.
After all, he had the panel, and as long as he knew how to start practicing, the rest would fall into place naturally.
"This Jiang Cheng is quite diligent."
Zhao Xiangyu glanced over during a break.
He didn't know if it was just a fleeting enthusiasm.
In the past, there were many who, after becoming advanced members, were full of motivation. They came earlier than anyone in the morning and left later than everyone at night.
But after two or three months, they started to be absent.
Towards the end, they would renew their memberships, but basically stopped coming.
Lowering his stance, Jiang Cheng immediately felt it was much more strenuous.
But there was still no information on the panel, so no matter how strenuous it was, he had to persist.
After a long time, a piece of information finally appeared on the panel.
Ultimate Standing Posture experience points +1.
At this, Jiang Cheng could no longer hold on and exhaled as he relaxed.
After a two-minute rest, Jiang Cheng started standing in the posture again.
Unknowingly, more than half an hour passed, and the experience points for Ultimate Standing Posture had increased to 5.
Just as Jiang Cheng was about to continue, Zhao Xiangyu's voice sounded, "That's enough for today. Let's end the foundation training here. Generally, half an hour of standing in the posture is enough. It's best not to exceed an hour. The key is to persist every day."
"As Zhao Xiangyu says," Jiang Cheng replied hastily.
This was true for most people.
But not for him.
However, this was something he couldn't explain to others.
"Next, I'll teach you the Billowing Exercises, which will help you loosen your muscles and bones."
After completing a set of the Billowing Exercises, Jiang Cheng immediately felt much more relaxed.
And on the panel, a new skill was unlocked.
【Billowing Exercises: Uninitiated (1/100)】
The experience gain was also minimal, but it was much easier than standing in the posture.
Jiang Cheng pondered whether to go back and max out this skill.
"That's enough, Jiang Cheng. Let's end the morning practice here. Since you're just starting to practice the fundamentals, it's not good to practice for too long." Zhao Xiangyu revealed a gentle smile.
"As Zhao Xiangyu says, it's getting late. I should go back and prepare. By the way, Zhao Xiangyu, can we also come to practice in the evening?"
"Of course. The closing time for the gym is at ten o'clock. Just leave before then, and the gym also has shower facilities. All members can use them for free."
"That's wonderful."
Jiang Cheng said sincerely.
With the martial arts gym membership card, he felt safer walking in the slums at night.
The gym had more space, and various weapons were displayed in the distance.
As for taking a hot shower, it was indeed a convenience, saving Jiang Cheng's grandma from having to boil water.
(End of Chapter)
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