Chapter 1029: Chapter 1028: Guiding the Next Generation (Part 2)_1
"I have seen the Villa Master!"
Since the establishment of Wuling Villa, Shi Xiaole spent very few days here on average every year, and many of the villa’s experts had only seen him from a distance. Now, disregarding the urge to stop the younger disciples, they all stepped forward and bowed their heads in salute.
"Everyone, there’s no need to be so polite."
What reached their ears was a magnetic, deep male voice. As everyone lifted their heads, they couldn’t help but brighten their eyes. They were far away last night, and although martial artists have better vision than ordinary people, it was still not as genuine as watching from a close distance.
To be fair, this was a man who far exceeded the standard of handsomeness, appearing to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. However, that confidence and composure in his every move made people instinctively trust him.
Right now, as he stood there casually, he seemed to have the whole world under his feet, and yet he didn’t give off an oppressive vibe. Everything about him seemed natural and easygoing, which made people admire and adore him even more.
"The Villa Master wakes up so early."
After only a moment of silence, the experts of the villa felt the pressure and didn’t want the scene to become awkward, so one of them asked with a smile, only to make things more embarrassing with their question.
At the Dragon Gate Realm, a martial artist’s vital energy greatly increased, and resting for two 2-hour periods each day would ensure abundant energy. For someone like Shi Xiaole, it was estimated that even going half a month without sleep would not bother him, making such a question seem rather low-level.
Fortunately, Shi Xiaole didn’t mind and instead said, "You’ve worked harder than I have, being up earlier."
A group of experts hastily replied that it was not hard work. Not quite familiar with each other, they didn’t know how to strike up a conversation, not knowing whether to speak or stay silent. They just stood there, sweating bullets.
Meanwhile, on the plaza behind them, the ordinary disciples had spontaneously gathered together and were moving toward this side. Noticing the commotion, one of the experts quickly turned and shouted, "The Villa Master is here, what are you doing?"
The crowd stopped in its tracks. The few older boys in the lead were clearly timid, but one of them, his face flushed with courage, said in a low voice, "We, we wanted to see the Villa Master."
"How audacious! Instead of diligently practicing martial arts, you act so foolishly. What if you delay the Villa Master’s important affairs? What then? Go back at once!"
Among the many teaching experts, a leading instructor spoke sternly.
The ordinary disciples were greatly disappointed, drooping their heads and dragging their feet as they turned to leave. Some, thinking they were unnoticed in the crowd, cast furtive glances at Shi Xiaole, their faces full of admiration.
Shi Xiaole found it amusing and thus asked, "Children, what martial arts are you practicing?"
Upon hearing this, the leading older boy was the quickest to respond, promptly saying, "Villa Master, I am practicing the Great Day Heavenly Sword Skill, and I have already achieved some success!"
The others were not slow either, each one quick-witted.
"Villa Master, I’m practicing Cowherd 108 Sticks."
"I’m practicing Meteor from the Sky."
"I’m learning Fight Shift Star Move."
"..."
"Villa Master, I have nearly perfected the Moon Concealing Sword Technique, I heard that you also practiced this sword technique in the past."
"Zhao Senior Brother has no shame, claiming to have nearly perfected it when he hasn’t even reached small success yet, and still can’t beat my Empty and Clear Fist."
"Zhang Junior Brother, you’re talking nonsense. Why don’t we have a match right here and see if my Moon Concealing Sword Technique can break through your Empty and Clear Fist."
In front of their idol, a bunch of ordinary disciples instantly turned into crazy fans, scrambling to report the martial arts they cherished, thus the whole scene turned into a chaotic babble.
Some of the children got so heated that their ears and necks turned red, feeling like they were being embarrassed in front of their idol, ready to have a showdown at the slightest disagreement.
The instructors couldn’t bear to watch, but noticing Shi Xiaole’s amused expression, they held back the scolding that was on the tip of their tongues and quietly observed the scene.
Of course, if Shi Xiaole were to become furious, thinking that they hadn’t taken good care of the children, they had already noted the few little rascals leading the pack and were ready to punish everyone, with an additional half 2-hour period of extra training.
Hmph, let’s see if they learn their lesson!
"Child, what’s your name, and how old are you this year?"
Shi Xiaole looked at the little boy who claimed to be practicing the Moon Concealing Sword Technique.
The little boy, around eleven or twelve years old, was stunned on the spot when he was called out, looking left and right, as if he couldn’t believe it. The other children quieted down too, and after a moment, when the little boy was sure he was the one being addressed, he stuttered, "I, I’m Zhao Zizhao, eleven years old this year."
"Hmm, could you please show me your sword technique?"
Shi Xiaole asked in a gentle voice.
Zhao Zizhao was still in a daze when his instructor had already walked briskly away, shouting urgently, "Zizhao, what are you dazed for? Practice the Moon Concealing Sword Technique properly!"
"Oh, oh..."
Zhao Zizhao began to swing the wooden sword. At first, because of the tension, his movements were completely rigid and deformed, and his expression was also very wooden. It made the instructor’s eyelids twitch with worry, fearing Shi Xiaole would blame him for poor teaching.
Later on, Zhao Zizhao gradually got the hang of it. Although he did not master the essence of each move, he had the right form. Having finished a set, he twirled the sword flower and looked down at his toes, nervously waiting for Shi Xiaole’s evaluation.
The instructor was even more nervous, drenched in cold sweat.
"Only eleven years old, and you have the sword technique to a small degree of mastery, not bad. But the essence of the Moon Concealing Sword Technique lies in the word ’conceal’; the feints and the real strikes should not be overly defined..."
Shi Xiaole gave a gentle critique, not forgetting to offer pointers. This time, without needing the instructor’s reminder, Zhao Zizhao respectfully said, "Thank you, Villa Master, for the guidance!"
"When I think back, I hadn’t reached this level at the age of fifteen, Zizhao, keep striving."
Shi Xiaole said with a smile.
That wasn’t really a lie; at the age of fifteen, Shi Xiaole had just crossed over and only had the second layer of Hidden Qi, with the Moon Concealing Sword Technique, which was a second-rate skill, still unknown to him.
But Zhao Zizhao’s face flushed with excitement. Oh my, what did the Villa Master just say? He told me to work hard. I have been praised by the Villa Master, hahaha...
"Villa Master, rest assured, I will definitely work doubly hard, I will not let you down!"
Zhao Zizhao felt an overwhelming fighting spirit throughout his body and even started to regret, thinking that if he had practiced even harder before, pushed a little more, perhaps his performance could have been even better.
After Zhao Zizhao stepped down, Shi Xiaole named several more children. The called children were both delighted and nervous, trembling all over.
Fortunately, Shi Xiaole took this into account, allowing several to practice at the same time, thereby distributing the pressure off individuals. After a session of practice, having received Shi Xiaole’s instruction and encouragement, each child was high-spirited and brimming with pride.
The instructors also shared in the glory and heaved a sigh of relief. After all, if the performance had been poor, it would have been their faces lost. Even if Shi Xiaole did not say so, they would not feel good about it internally.
Looking at these innocent and endearing children, Shi Xiaole was full of emotion.
He himself had struggled to even get a third-rate high-quality secret manual when he was young, while the children of Nine Heavens Mountain, even those who were ordinary disciples, started with second-rate martial arts.
And some exceptionally gifted elite disciples began with first-rate low-quality martial arts, starting much higher than the average person. As for why not to teach top-quality first-rate martial arts, without sufficient experience and insights, practising such profound martial arts would be harmful rather than beneficial; they required an appropriate transition.
Thus, even top-notch forces couldn’t afford to teach first-rate high-quality martial arts to core disciples from a young age; a foundation had to be laid and enough accumulation was required.
One could imagine, disciples cultivated in such a manner, coupled with elixirs, guidance from masters, would find it hard not to outshine their peers in the future.
"Children, the resources you enjoy are much better than what I had. Any one of you, taken at random, could easily beat me at the age of fifteen and bring me down."
Facing pairs of admiring eyes, Shi Xiaole spoke, causing all the children to laugh, and the corners of the instructors’ mouths lifted as well.
"You are all pillars of Nine Heavens Mountain, the core strength that allows Nine Heavens Mountain to stand in the Martial World without being bullied. Children, I, as well as all the owners, elders, and instructors of Nine Heavens Mountain, are willing to pay any price to create a peaceful and stable environment for you; we only hope you seize the opportunity to thrive."
"I look forward to the day when you become renowned experts in the Martial World, broadly acclaimed knights-errant in the martial community. The future and glory of Nine Heavens Mountain will need to be defended by you!"
As he reached this point, the expressions of the instructors changed, and the children’s little faces tensed up, feeling the trust and expectation in Shi Xiaole’s words. They felt a heavy responsibility on their shoulders, and their chests burned with passion, each filled with an indomitable sense of mission.
"I hope that one day, you can carry the name of Nine Heavens Mountain to every corner of the world, so that anyone who hears these three words will give a thumbs up. You must let the whole world hear, know your names, and the name of Nine Heavens Mountain!"
Shi Xiaole’s gaze swept across each small face; every ordinary disciple he looked at seemed to be infused with a powerful and surging force that ceaselessly shook their hearts.
"Do you have the confidence?"
Shi Xiaole asked, word by word.
"Yes!"
The many children shouted in unison, using the loudest voices of their lives.
"Today, I am fortunate to guide you here, and one day, you will guide the next generation. I hope that one day, perhaps when I am no longer here, you can continue to glorify and pass down Nine Heavens Mountain from generation to generation. Do you have the confidence to do it?"
"Yes!"
The children’s faces were flushed; their blood was boiling. Their still youthful voices carried a resonant determination and resolve, like a torrent eager to tear through the blue sky and white clouds.
For these children, the happiest thing in this world was to be trusted and needed by the biggest idol in their hearts. Previously, they practiced martial arts just for the sake of practicing, but now they knew that they were indispensable parts of Nine Heavens Mountain, and they needed to work tirelessly for Nine Heavens Mountain.
