The morning sun bathed the Outer Academy in a pale gold, and the wind carried a chill across the vast courtyards. Whoosh… hiss… thump… Every sound seemed amplified here, from the clatter of training staffs to the rhythmic stamping of feet on stone platforms. For Luo Yun, Zhen Wei, and Fang Rui, the day marked the first true test of their year in the Outer Academy.
Master Han Qiu stood at the entrance to the Outer Hall, his presence commanding silence. "Today, you begin your formal training in the Outer Academy. You will refine your bodies, test your limits, and prepare for advancement to Stage 2 of Body Tempering. Remember, every movement counts. Weakness will not be forgiven."
The Outer Hall was vast. Sunlight streamed through the high windows, illuminating rows of training platforms. Senior disciples moved across them like shadows—some lifting enormous logs with ease, others striking dummies with precise, controlled force. Many were Stage 2 or Stage 3 Body Tempering disciples, their bodies honed to a degree that made the novices' progress seem fragile in comparison.
Thump… clang… scrape… whoosh… The sounds of effort and power filled the air. Luo Yun's heart raced. He had survived the first year, but this place felt like a different world. Every breath he took reminded him of the gap between him and the senior disciples.
"Keep your focus," Zhen Wei whispered beside him. "We'll observe first. Learn their rhythm before trying ourselves."
Fang Rui nodded, his eyes scanning the outer disciples carefully. "Notice their breathing, how they control their movements. That's how you refine your body efficiently."
Luo Yun stepped onto an assigned platform. His first task was weighted log lifting, a technique designed to measure endurance and refine muscle fibers for Body Tempering. The log felt heavier than anything he had handled in the inner academy. Grunt… thump… His arms shook violently as he lifted, sweat running down his brow. Every second felt like a battle between his will and the limits of his body.
A senior disciple approached, his movements calm but deliberate. He was a Stage 2 Body Tempering disciple, tall and muscular, with a sharp gaze. "Your form is weak," he said, his voice cold. "Breathe with your movements. Feel the weight, don't fight it blindly. Control, or you will break."
Luo Yun adjusted his stance, recalling the lessons from the inner academy. Slowly, deliberately, he synced his breathing with the lift, feeling the strain shift from his arms to his core and legs. Thump… scrape… The log steadied. He completed the repetition, panting but victorious.
Nearby, Bai Feng observed silently, a faint smirk playing on his lips. Though naturally talented, even he respected the tenacity Luo Yun displayed. "Interesting," Bai Feng muttered, almost to himself. "This runt… he might actually survive this year."
After log lifting came stance endurance exercises. Students were required to hold difficult positions for hours, building muscle density and internal energy flow. Luo Yun's legs burned, his arms quivered, yet he focused on body refinement, feeling every fiber strengthen with each moment. Thump… hiss… scrape… The wind and clatter of the Outer Hall echoed his effort.
Throughout the day, instructors moved among the students, correcting posture, monitoring progress, and noting weaknesses. Each correction was precise, leaving no room for error. Luo Yun absorbed every piece of advice, silently correcting mistakes while observing the senior disciples nearby.
By midday, fatigue set in. Luo Yun, Zhen Wei, and Fang Rui retreated to a shaded area for a short break. Fang Rui opened his small bag, pulling out the herbs and tonics provided by the academy. "Use these wisely," he said. "They're enough for recovery, but nothing more. Over-reliance will slow refinement."
Luo Yun nodded, sipping a bitter tonic. He felt warmth flow through his body, easing muscle strain slightly. He knew that careful resource management was as important as physical training here.
The afternoon session began with combat simulations, but without weapons—purely testing body control, reflexes, and internal strength. Clap… thump… whoosh… Luo Yun faced off against a fellow novice, testing his balance, reaction speed, and ability to withstand force. Each strike and block was measured. Even a slight mistake could throw off his posture and energy flow.
A Stage 2 senior observed the bout. "Good reflexes," he commented, "but your stance is too rigid. Flow with the motion. A body that fights itself will always lose." Luo Yun adjusted immediately, learning to allow movement without losing core stability.
Bai Feng watched the session with interest. While he remained aloof, he could not help but recognize that Luo Yun's adaptability and perseverance were exceptional for a first-year Outer Academy student.
Evening fell, and the Outer Dormitory courtyard became quiet. Whoosh… hiss… thump… The wind carried the residual energy of the day's exertion, swirling dust and leaves across the stone pathways. Luo Yun sat with Zhen Wei and Fang Rui, reviewing the movements and corrections they had received.
"This is just the beginning," Zhen Wei said softly. "We survived the first year, but this… this is different. We have to refine faster, stronger, or we'll fall behind."
Fang Rui nodded. "We need to watch the senior disciples carefully. Learn from them, but don't overstep. And most importantly, we keep improving ourselves."
Luo Yun clenched his fists. He could feel the fire of determination burning in his chest. The Outer Academy was merciless, but he had survived worse. Clap… scrape… thump… The sounds of the distant Outer Hall reminded him that every day would test their endurance, body, and spirit.
That night, Master Han Qiu made his rounds, observing the novices. He stopped briefly at Luo Yun's side. "Persistence is your greatest ally," he said quietly. "Talent may carry some, but only those who endure, refine, and control themselves will rise."
Luo Yun absorbed the words silently, letting them sink deep into his resolve. The path ahead was long, and the Outer Academy would be relentless. But for the first time, he felt that survival alone was no longer enough. He had to grow stronger, faster, smarter, or the senior disciples and rivals like Bai Feng would leave him behind.
Whoosh… thump… clang… scrape… The sounds of training, wind, and stone continued through the night. For Luo Yun and the other novices, sleep came fitfully, filled with dreams of refinement, struggle, and the challenges awaiting in the vast Outer Academy.
Tomorrow would be another day of testing, but Luo Yun felt ready. One year of survival had forged his spirit, and now the real journey of martial cultivation had begun.