3 Dark Flower.

After the test was over and the winners had a hearty breakfast, the instructors rounded everyone up back in the meeting hall.

Just like before, the instructors stood atop the stage waiting for everyone to funnel in.

"Starting now, you will learn martial arts."

The moment he said that, the entire room erupted in murmurs as the kids conversed amongst each other. It was clear that they were excited.

One of them even asked, "Does that mean, we're becoming martial artists?"

BOOM!

The instructor immediately snarled and stomped the ground beneath himself, causing several deep fissures.

"SILENCE!!"

When Wu Han saw this, he wasn't too impressed as he had already started comparing these instructors to the warrior he saw in his dreams.

Needless to say, the power difference was staggering.

"Now that it has quieted down, I'll continue. Starting today, you will learn martial arts. However, you will not be able to practice high level martial arts immediately. You cannot build a strong castle atop sand. Your training for the past year was to build up that foundation."

With that, he stuck his hand into his sleeve and withdrew a book, showing it to the crowd.

"You must first learn how to cultivate. This is the 'Dark Flower and Red Spirit Method'. The fundamental cultivation method of our cult. Those who know how to read to the right, those who don't, to the left. HURRY AND MOVE!"

At the instructors orders, the children quickly split into groups.

'Its a good thing my father taught me how to read before...yeah, it's good.'

Wu Han cleared his thoughts and went over to the group on the right, awaiting the instructors command.

Before long, the instructor that was on the stage came over and said to the instructor watching over this group, "So these are the ones who know how to read?"

"Yes Sir."

"Then..."

He turned to the children.

"Before lunch, you will need to memorize 30 lines from the dark flower. If you fail, there will be no lunch. Begin!"

Wu Han quickly collected a book from the instructors and found a quiet spot in the corner of the room.

'My first real step into the world of cultivation eh...'

The moment he opened the book, a certain set of words immediately stood out to him.

[The Dark Flower and The Red Spirit fuse, completeing the bloom. The complete bloom symbolizes the leader of the cult, the Heavenly Demon himself!]

'So if I completely master this cultivation method, it's saying I could become the Heavenly Demon? It shouldn't be that easy but...I guess I should get to it.'

It wasn't hard for Wu Han to memorize the lines before lunch. So when it was time for him to tell the instructors what he memorized, he passed with flying colors.

As a result, he ate lunch and the afternoon portion of the class arrived.

"All students assemble! We will practice 'observing' this afternoon. 'Observing' is utilizing the lines of the dark flower to feel the Qi in your body. Those who feel something hot or cold, raise your hand and report it!"

Wu Han sat down cross legged and recited the lines of the dark flower continuously within his mind.

As time passed, about two hours later, Wu Han started to feel the Qi flowing through his body.

But then, something strange happened.

The shattered blade within his heart sent out a purple energy that intermingled with his Qi, causing it take on the properties of the energy.

Wu Han was about to raise his hand to show that he had felt Qi but this situation changed his mind.

What was this? This thing was surprising him with something new day by day.

'Before, my Qi was hot but now, it feels like...nothing. Neither hot or cold. What a strange feeling.'

For another hour, Wu Han kept his senses on the new energy but nothing changed. No new developments occurred.

'Then...I should raise my hand. I can sense that others have also sensed Qi but, they seem to be hesitating. Maybe its cause of that old 'the tallest tree gets cut down or whatever' but I think...it's nice to be confident once in a while.'

Wu Han raised his hand, the only one to do so on the first day.

Other students were surprised, but said nothing. The instructors just nodded and told him to continue cultivating.

Wu Han gladly took this time to make sure he scanned the effects of the strange energy on his Qi. He had to be sure that it didn't do anything negative.

'When I have some time, I should really start opening up my meridians. If there's one thing I managed to learn from my clan, its the importance of fundamentals.'

As time passed, eventually the instructors stopped the class.

"End Of Practice! That concluded todays routine! All students, come out and get your dinner meals! Also, you are free to use your time afterwards!"

Wu Han slowly got up and sauntered over to the dinner area, deep in thought.

Cultivation would be a long road...but he was determined to see the end of it.

Just like this, time dragged on. Everyday they would practice cultivation and in the morning, do various daily food competitions.

Eventually....

[1 year later.]