Footwork Training

Hu Mei felt disappointed and frustrated. Still he had no choice but to begin the whole process.

While Jin Xu and Yu Xuan were done with their training, Hu Mei started a new expedition.

You could see weariness and fatigue all over Hu Mei's face, but still he had to finish the training without playing any trick.

The training seem to be in progress in the various wings. The students advanced after a week training on the mountain.

Finally their training on the mountain ended and it was time for them to train in another facet.

*SILVER EAGLES WING*

It was a new week and training was in progress. Students in the various wings seems to be advancing with time. Although the training really took a toil on them they had to endure still.

Back in the silver eagles wing, Tang Tang seem to be getting used to the stress and is gradually picking up. Same goes for Bi Yao and Mao Li.

On that fateful morning, the students woke up with the mindset of training for the Inter-wing competition, since it will kick off in one month time.

They gathered at their various training ground and awaited training for that day.

Tang Tang is seen kicking a brick which lied flat on the ground.

Bi Yao seems focused and expectant, while Mao Li seems to be lost in his own thoughts.

It was the voice of master Lin Fei that broke the silence.

"Good morning students", she said.

"Good morning master", they all chorused.

"It's another day of training and I guess we are all brimming with expectations considering how far you've advanced",

"I encourage each and every one of you not to settle for the less but aim for the best", she said.

"Our training today is going to be based on your foot work", she continued.

"There may be a time it'll come handy".

"A good martial artist must be able to freely move with the body considering the circumstances you may face", she said.

After her address, she took them to the mountain at back of the academy.

At close range, she swiftly moved up the mountain as though she was a light feather.

The students were amazed and applauded her as they have never seen such.

Master Lin Fei then cleared her throat and spoke;

"The foot skill I just displayed is very simple, all I did was to gather enough Qi in my feet and leap through the air as though it was solid ground", she said.

"But how are we to gather Qi only in our foot?" Tang Tang asked.

"Remember the basic you were taught during the training, you need full concentration to gather Qi since you're not a master yet",

"You'll first gather natural Qi energy and then direct it into your foot", she said.

"It's more like channelling water in a particular direction", master Lin Fei said.

The students seemed bemused since it's requires Qi energy, although Tang Tang had been light-footed since he was young, he still lacked the ability to control his Qi.

"I want you understand that before you can think of climbing that mountain through the air, you must learn how to control your Qi energy", master Lin Fei said.

"The first part of the training today requires to run laps round the mountain and train your legs", she added.

She then instructed that they start running since they were to run ten laps that day.

The students began running their laps round the mountain. Tang Tang seemed overjoyed since running was what he was good at.

Tang Tang had enough stamina and seem to be getting the hang of it. They completed running the laps that day and it was already evening.

Master Lin Fei is seen drinking liquor by a shade tree.

"You've all done well", she said as she stood up.

"Remember to be punctual tomorrow as the training continues", she said.

The students returned to their block. They all looked tired and were out if breath since they were not permitted to take a rest.

All the wings adapted this method and made the students run laps.

The next day came, training continued in the various wings. The running if laps continued for about two days.

The third day...

*PURPLE CLOUD WING*

Hu Mei, Jin Xu and Yu Xuan were already present at their training ground that morning.

Hu Mei was bothered by the means they are being trained. He mumbled some words from where he stood;

"What business does running have with one flying up a mountain", he said.

Just master Yang Jun stepped in with senior Chen Feng and Zu Wei, who was a second year student.

"Good morning master", the students chorused.

"Good morning",

"Today we'll be advancing to the next phase of our training",

"Know that all these training you're going through is to ensure that you're powerful enough to stand in the world of martial arts", master Yang Jun said.

"We would basically learn how to control our Qi and direct them to different parts of our body system", he said.

He instructed them to take a deep breath an follow him carefully.

Master Yang Jun did some body movements which seemed like he was drawing in something into hi body.

"You must fully concentrate and draw in the Qi energy around you, stabilize it and then choose where it goes", he said.

Surprisingly for them, with his skills, he leaped up and jumped over them without breaking a sweat.

It was as though he momentarily flew on air. Hu Mei was amazed and desired to quickly learn how to improve his footwork.

The new students took their stances and began digesting the skills and did as they were told by master Lin Fei which enabled them to successfully gather natural Qi.

Since their meridians have been opened, they were all able to harness natural Qi considering the fact that they advanced to the stage of tranquility.

After they gathered enough Qi, they did as they were told and started directing it to their legs.

They all seem to be in progress and seem happy. Just then master Lin Fei spoke;

"I want you to know that gathering enough Qi in your foot is not the challenge but maintaining it", she said.

They continued to try harder to maintain the amount of Qi energy in their foot. They did it repeating and soon the day was folding up.

They returned to their rooms that day to rest. It was indeed a hectic day of training. The students were happy that they are finally going to try using their footwork the next day.

...

The next day came, students in the various wings were present at their training ground and awaited training that day.

*CRIMSON LION WING*

Back in the Crimson lion wing, Gui Shan, Ru Yuo and Wan Fei were already in attendance.

They waited for the arrival of master Huang Ju. But before now, during the last training, master Huang Ju instructed them not to eat breakfast the previous day.

He told them that they would have their launch in the training ground. Although they didn't fully understand master Huang's intention, they acted accordingly.

They all assembled at the training ground early that morning. They bowed down and greeted master Huang Ju upon his arrival.

"Morning students, hope your night was good", he said.

Moving to the business of the day, master Huang Ju addressed them.

"In our training today, you're going to put all the teachings so far into practice", he said.

"Each of you is to climb up the mountain swiftly with your feet and get to the top", master Huang Ju noted.

After his address, he instructed Tan Ning to go place their lunch at the top of the mountain.

Tab Ning did as he was instructed by master Huang Ju and skillfully leaped up the mountain to drop their lunch.

The students were all in a bemused state now. Wan Fei who wasn't satisfied with the development spoke out;

"Master, do you mean if we can't get up the mountain we won't have lunch more the less breakfast?" he asked.

In reply to his question, master Huang Ju spoke;

"If I were you guys, I would be thinking of how I'm gonna clinb up there and get my lunch", he said as he moves to sit under a tree.

On getting to the shade tree, master Huang Ju sat down there unconcerned and started eating some fruits.

The students saw master Huang Ju wasn't helping matters and decided to give it a try.

Gui Shan gave it a try, he leaped up and as he was about to go higher, he fell down.

Ru Yuo and Wan Fei also did their best, but all to no avail. Seeming distressed and hungry, they went over master Huang Ju under the tree.

On getting there, Wan Fei was the first to speak;

"Master, why are we not able to climb up the mountain with the Qi we gathered in our feet?" he asked.