Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

Early the next morning.

Just as dawn was breaking, everyone was awakened by a loud banging on the door.

"Everyone! Assemble at the training ground!"

The training ground was a large open space paved with gravel, with some simple equipment scattered around the edges. In the center of the field, the most conspicuous thing was a machine with a metal casing and a thick leather pad—it looked like some kind of punching power tester.

Two middle-aged men were already waiting in the room. One had a calm expression and held a notebook in his hand; the other had a stern look on his face, his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the assembled teenagers like a sharp blade.

The stern-looking man spoke first, his voice booming: "My name is Guo Hui. During the training period, I will be your instructor. Call me Teacher Guo, or Instructor Guo, whatever you prefer." He stepped aside to indicate, "This is Zhang Yong, Instructor Zhang."

From the crowd, someone cleverly called out, "Hello, Instructor Guo! Hello, Instructor Zhang!"

The others seemed to wake from a dream and started shouting along.

"Hmm." Guo Hui nodded slightly, but there was no smile on his face. "Some of you may have heard a little about the training of the Hyena Gang, while others may know nothing at all. Today, I will explain it to you from the beginning."

He paused, making sure everyone's attention was focused.

"The so-called training phase is when the Hyena Gang replaces the inner city to test whether you have the talent to become martial artists."

Over the next month, I will teach you an ancient yoga technique. Your task is to use this technique to complete the body tempering stage of your training.

Body tempering is an essential path to becoming a martial artist, and it consists of seven levels. Breaking through the fourth level makes one a quasi-martial artist.

If one can reach the fourth level of Body Tempering a month later, it proves that one has decent talent and is qualified to enter the inner city for further training.

If one can reach the third level, although one will not be able to enter the inner city, one can still stay and work in the Hyena Gang, which is also a way out.

"But if you can only stay on the first or second floor..." Guo Hui's eyes turned cold. "Then I'm sorry, go back to where you came from."

As soon as the words were spoken, the boys' expressions changed. They had risked physical damage and even death to pass the preliminary test, all for the sake of changing their fate and improving their families' lives. Now, breaking through to the fourth level had become a necessary hurdle to overcome; at the very least, they had to fight their way to the third level.

"Now, let's return to the ancient yoga technique," Guo Hui continued. "This technique contains seventy-two specific movements, which must be combined with a unique breathing method. It is the most widely used body tempering method. Once you enter the basics and reach the first level of body tempering, your physical fitness will improve slightly. The most direct manifestation is an increase in punching power of about ten kilograms. After that, the increase will be even greater with each breakthrough in each level."

His gaze swept across the entire arena, finally settling on the punching power testing machine.

"Before I begin the formal instruction, let's test your foundation. See that machine? It's a punching power tester. Now, line up and take turns coming forward to throw a punch with all your might. Each person only has one chance."

……

The first to step forward was a dark-skinned boy named Tu Nan. He had a broad frame, and although he didn't have exaggerated muscles, he gave off a solid sense of strength.

"Use all your strength!" Guo Hui shouted.

Tu Nan took a deep breath, flexed his waist and stance, and punched the thick leather pad of the testing instrument.

"Bang!"

The machine screen flashed, displaying a number: "86kg".

Guo Hui nodded. Zhang Yong, standing beside him, silently made a note in his notebook.

"Not bad. Next one."

The test continues. Names and numbers are called out and recorded one by one:

"Alitu, 74kg."

"Naywin, 76kg."

……

It was Wu Sheng's and Mo Han's turn. Wu Sheng threw a full-force punch, and "70kg" appeared on the screen. Mo Han, on the other hand, threw "79kg".

Wu Sheng understood. Aside from power techniques, the difference mainly stemmed from age and physique. He was only fifteen, his body not yet fully developed, and his strength was only average to below average. Mohan, on the other hand, was two years older and much more robust.

The test continues:

"Liao Xing, 82kg."

"Mei Chao, 83kg."

"Geng Lin, 83kg."

Finally, the basic punching power data for everyone was collected. The overall difference was not significant, mostly fluctuating between 70 and 85 kilograms. Mohan's 79 kilograms surprisingly ranked fifth.

Guo Hui spoke again, his voice echoing in the empty training ground: "Testing your punching power serves two purposes: first, to get a feel for your abilities, and second... to select the best and reward them."

He paused deliberately, noticing the confusion and anticipation rising in the boys' eyes, before continuing:

"Remember this: the power increase during the body tempering stage doesn't come from nowhere. Besides eating well, the most crucial thing is potential-enhancing potions!"

"Potential Enhancement Potions are a valuable resource distributed from the inner city, capable of greatly accelerating your cultivation. Each person can receive one every two days. Those who perform exceptionally well—that is, the top five in each phase of testing—will receive an additional one!"

His gaze sharpened: "You'll know the specific effects once the medicine is distributed."

"Now," Guo Hui's voice suddenly turned stern, his aura imposing, "we will officially begin teaching the Body Tempering Method! Everyone, keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully! The first time, you are only allowed to watch, not to practice! Memorize the movements and breathing techniques! Only the second time are you allowed to imitate them!"

After saying that, Guo Hui stopped talking and began practicing on the field.

This so-called ancient yoga technique has no large, forceful, or violent movements, but rather a set of slow, continuous, and unique movements full of stretching and twisting. It seems to be mobilizing every muscle, fascia, and even bone in the body in a gentle yet profound way. Although the movements are slow, fine beads of sweat quickly appeared on Guo Hui's forehead as he practiced, clearly indicating that the physical exertion was not to be underestimated.

He deliberately slowed down his demonstration, and it took him nearly half an hour to complete the entire 72-form routine.

"Take it a second time! Do it after me!"

The boys scattered hastily, trying to imitate the movements. But with seventy-two complex actions and a breathing rhythm that had to be strictly synchronized, most of them were overwhelmed and flustered, only managing to learn a vague outline.

Guo Hui stopped and stood still, glancing at the group of oddballs with a blank expression.

"Alright, figure it out yourself first. Instructor Zhang and I will come over later."

After saying those words, the two turned and left the training ground. A group of teenagers were left looking at each other, stumbling and groping their way through the empty space.

"Wu Sheng, did you remember it?" Mo Han scratched his head, his face full of trouble. "I think... I only remembered the first few moves, and I've completely forgotten the rest."

"I think... I've memorized it?" Wu Sheng said uncertainly. Deep within his consciousness, new data had surfaced in his primordial core:

[Body Tempering Level 1: 0/10]

Whether it was due to the original core's effect or his naturally good memory, Guo Hui's two rehearsals were indeed clearly imprinted in his mind. At this moment, the original core directly quantified and presented the progress of the body tempering.

"Practice what you've memorized first," Wu Sheng said to Mo Han. "If you master the parts you can remember, you won't forget what you've learned when Instructor Guo comes to teach you again."

"Great idea!" Mohan's eyes lit up. "Wu Sheng, you're really sharp!"

The two stopped talking, put some distance between themselves, and began to practice.

Although Wu Sheng remembered the sequence of movements, his body was far from adapted. When he practiced on his own, his movements were stiff, and his breathing was often out of sync with his movements, making him appear clumsy and unsteady.

[Body Tempering Level 1: 0/10]

After one pass, the progress bar remained completely unchanged.

Wu Sheng was not discouraged. His previous attempt was completely haphazard and had no real training effect whatsoever.

He calmed himself down and began the second and third attempts...

By the fourth repetition, his movements were noticeably smoother, and his breathing was beginning to keep up with the rhythm. The subtle feeling of physical exertion became clearer, especially the soreness in his joints and ligaments from being stretched.

The fifth time.

When he completed the initial form of the entire movement in a more coordinated and focused state, the data in his consciousness finally jumped.

[Body Tempering Level 1: 1/10]

A faint, yet undeniably present, warm current seemed to ripple through the depths of my body, following the perfect breath I had just taken.