“Tenfold Return to the Aperture is merely the limit of physical body tempering, but it is not the end of cultivation.” Henry Young said in a deep voice, “If one can break through the tenfold life-and-death barrier, one can enter the Dao through martial arts and become a legendary immortal.”

“Immortal?”

These youths looked confused. Before the great calamity, although they practiced martial arts in their own villages and towns, they had never heard of martial immortals.

The tales of immortals and demons were like myths.

“Immortals have shed the shackles of the flesh, possess countless magical abilities, can fly through the air, control swords to kill, manipulate water and fire... They travel the land, slaying monsters and demons, protecting our human world.”

“It is precisely because of the many immortals that our human race can dominate this world, allowing countless ordinary people like us to live in peace and prosperity.” There was a look of longing in Henry Young’s eyes.

All this knowledge had been taught to Henry Young by his instructors and teachers, but even he didn’t know much about the legendary immortals, so he didn’t elaborate further.

“Though you have suffered from the great calamity, the empire has good policies. Soon, resettlement villages will be established for you, and you will be cared for until you are sixteen.”

“When you turn sixteen, joining the empire’s garrison will be your best path, but the minimum requirement for the garrison is Body Tempering Level Four, and you must achieve it before the age of twenty.”

“I don’t demand that you all become martial artists, but if you wish to one day slay the demon race to avenge your parents and loved ones, or to rebuild your families, then work hard in your cultivation and at least meet the minimum requirement for the garrison. At the very least, become a true warrior. Do you understand?” Henry Young’s sharp gaze swept over each youth.

As he spoke, he deliberately circulated his internal force, making his voice boom like a great bell, causing the youths’ eardrums to ache faintly.

“Understood.” Many of the youths couldn’t help but shout.

All these youths were over twelve years old. In this world where sixteen is adulthood, they were no longer children. They understood reason and knew well the importance of martial strength.

Henry Young nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice, “Body Tempering Fist, First Form, prepare.”

If a family was wealthy and resourceful, they could eat spirit rice, take spiritual medicines, and cultivate precious immortal manuals to lay a foundation in martial arts.

If not, then the Body Tempering Fist was the best choice. As long as one worked hard enough and was diligent enough, it was possible to generate true qi from flesh and blood and become a martial artist, or even a legendary immortal.

Even the most ordinary martial artist could become a hero of a town or county. If they achieved great feats in slaying monsters, they might even be granted a title and become nobility. This was the best path for commoners.

“First Form.” Henry Young said solemnly.

The first form of the Body Tempering Fist was actually just standing in a stance—the most common term was the horse stance. Though simple, it was the most basic and effective way to lay a martial foundation, discovered through generations of martial artists’ experience.

Some highly effective martial arts techniques consumed a lot of the body’s energy and blood. If nutrition couldn’t keep up, it would actually harm the body and damage the foundation.

Given the current physical condition of these youths, Henry Young could only have them practice the first form of body tempering.

One by one, the youths followed Henry Young’s instructions from previous days: gripping the ground with their feet, bending their bodies like horses, engaging all their muscles, looking straight ahead, and using the slight undulations of their whole body’s strength to exercise every part.

Henry Young walked among them, occasionally giving pointers.

The horse stance seemed simple, but there was a knack to it. One’s posture should resemble a horse, still yet ready to gallop, with its own secrets.

Though these youths were far inferior to martial academy disciples of the same age, they had all received basic martial training before the calamity and knew how to stand in a stance. A few had even achieved some success in body tempering.

In every county and town, the empire dispatched martial artists to patrol and teach the basics of martial arts.

Spreading martial arts throughout the land was the foundation of Da Qian’s nation, and one of its most important national policies.

Time passed.

Less than half an hour.

Many of the youths could no longer hold on.

Henry Young spoke at the right moment: “Stop!”

These youths had experienced great upheaval in their lives. Through martial cultivation, they could strengthen their will and bodies, but with insufficient energy and blood, they could not train for long.

In cultivation, excess is as bad as deficiency.

The youths all stood up. Through this period of practice, every part of their bodies had been thoroughly exercised, but they were also very tired.

“That’s enough for today. Go eat.” Henry Young announced.

“Food!”

“Let’s go, let’s go, time to eat.”

Though these youths matured early, they still had a child’s nature. Hearing about food, after so much training, they felt hungry and ran to the other side of the camp.

Watching these youths, Henry Young couldn’t help but smile.

“Henry Young, every time you come here, is it just to supervise them in the most basic body tempering practice?” Dressed in purple, Laura Clark had appeared behind Henry Young at some point.

“Mm.” Henry Young nodded.

“You should know, they’re a bit too old. In the future, it will be almost impossible for them to become martial artists. It will be hard for them to even reach Body Tempering Level Four.” Laura Clark couldn’t help but say.

“Yes, their chances of becoming martial artists are very low. But even if they can only reach Body Tempering Level Four, or even just Level Three, it’s still good.” Henry Young said softly, “Most importantly, I want them to see hope in life.”

Laura Clark was taken aback. “Hope?”