The first half of Elder Long's lecture went into teaching the disciples how to stand properly, how to sit properly for meditation, and the poses they could sleep in for optimal results from passive cultivation methods like practicing a breathing technique.
"Breathing methods are one of the core pillars of building a martial foundation. Unlike other aspects of the curriculum, your breathing technique is something you cannot just practice a dozen times a day and move on.
"To condition your physique for improvements, for stable stances, and for movement techniques, your breathing technique must be practiced at every waking hour. It has to be practiced so intensively that even when you sleep, your body automatically adjusts to that same rhythm!"
Elder Long scanned the sweaty, red-faced disciples around him with a somewhat provocative smile on his face.
"The less sincerity and perseverance you show in practicing your breathing technique, the slower your growth as a martial cultivator will be. So, among the first group of disciples to be removed from my advanced lectures, the majority will be those who failed to put their heart and soul into their breathing techniques."
A tentative hand rose from the sea of disciples, attracting everyone's eyes. Elder Long frowned, clearly displeased by the interruption into his rhythm, but he did nod and prompt the disciple to speak.
"Elder, many of us have been cultivating for several years. Those among us who pursue the martial path naturally practiced breathing techniques provided by our family or purchased from somewhere..."
Elder Long silenced him with a lazy gesture.
"What you practiced outside doesn't matter unless you've had exceptionally rare attainments in those paths. Now that you're a disciple of Crimson Snow Sect, you must naturally cultivate a breathing technique that's up to our standards.
"Moreover, I will teach you all a technique tailored for weapon arts, not the typical sort. And I will teach it right now! So sit down, all of you, and pay attention!"
Hundreds of disciples plopped onto their butts instantly, fearing being targeted by the senior disciples again. They were still prowling at the edge of the flattened mountain peak, looking for prey with bad body postures.
Han Xuhan, sandwiched between Xuanyuan Zhou and Xiao Wu, became excited. Was he finally about to step onto the path of a cultivator today?
Breathing technique, here I come!
"Where is that residential attendant accompanying disciple Zhou? Come here!"
Elder Long's loud summon brought him back to reality. And reality was harsh.
Of course he'd get barred before it even began. Face sour, Han Xuhan stood up and went over to the man, knowing fully well what was coming.
Unlike old Elder Ning, Elder Long didn't bother to handle the matter with tact. For some reason, he seemed to have become a little angry the moment he noticed Han Xuhan had been sitting beside Xuanyuan Zhou.
"Boy, the breathing method I'm going to teach here is a signature cultivation technique of the sect. So it isn't for you. But if you want to pursue the martial path, who am I to stop you?
"Go to the archives and get yourself a technique that's available for someone like you. I'll guide you if you can show me some potential with it. And don't let me see you in my lectures when I'm discussing this breathing method."
"Of course, Elder. Thank you for today's teaching. I'll take my leave."
For the second time in the day, Han Xuhan walked out of a lecture. In a way, this wasn't a bad thing for him. He could make it to the next lecture before everyone else, and rest his legs!
The third lecture, fortunately, was to be held on a nearby mountain. Han Xuhan reached there ahead of schedule even after walking at a leisurely gait.
Finding nobody present in the guest hall, he could only wait. Yet, even after his peers who had attended Elder Long's full lecture began to walk into the hall after a while, there was no sign of this Elder.
Xuanyuan Zhou made a beeline in his direction the moment she came in. Seeing her guilty face, Han Xuhan felt an urge to tease her.
"My lady, I have scouted this place already. My conclusion is that either the Elder who's supposed to teach us forgot about this class, or maybe he has something troublesome to deal with. Would you prefer it if I went out looking for him?"
Xuanyuan Zhou gritted her teeth and said, "You don't have to take the role so seriously, martial brother Xuhan. You know I was just teasing you in the morning, right?"
"Then I don't have to wake up every morning before the sect's bells and visit your hut like you ordered me to..?" Han Xuhan asked innocently.
He had expected her to agree awkwardly, but she seemed to think of something and doubled down instead.
"What's wrong with waking up in proper time? Besides, you're my only acquaintance in this sect. Isn't it a good idea to stick together and help each other?"
Lowering her voice, she then added, "If you're feeling aggrieved about being chased out of the lectures, don't worry; I'll teach you everything they taught me, secretly, of course!"
Han Xuhan couldn't hide the shock in his heart.
"You know that you could get expelled for that, right? I don't know the rules well, but I can predict that the sect wouldn't take the violation of such a rule lightly."
Xuanyuan Zhou snickered.
"Then you better keep your mouth shut about it. Or would you prefer to cultivate all by yourself, my dear attendant?"
"My mouth is sealed, my lady," Han Xuhan immediately replied with a sly grin.
Right at that moment, his system flared up again! This time, he didn't even have the energy to feel surprised or happy.
At this rate, it was going to be difficult even to keep track of how many quests he had at the same time, let alone completing them quickly.
[ Detected that host has established a passable connection with a child of destiny. Issuing Quest... ]
Inside the silver book of Secondary Storylines, a page displayed the new data. But Han Xuhan's delighted smile froze abruptly when he read the very first line.
[ Quest Name: Xuanyuan Zhou's First Research Subject ]