3. The First Step of the Countless
The scenery was beautiful. The mountains, the forests, myriad beautiful flowers and a couple with their child, all converged in one place.
They were walking down a path which lead to who knows where. The handsome man looked strong and vigorous, his icy blue hair shined under the bright sun as he exuded a noble aura.
The woman alongside him looked elegant and extremely beautiful, she gave off a gentle and motherly aura as she carried her child.
The three years old boy looked extremely cute. He had black hair and icy blue eyes, perfectly inheriting his parents features.
Naturally, the were Li Shang, Su Xiaoyue and Li Jing.
They were on their way to meet Li Jing's Martial Arts teacher.
In the Li family, they had a private institution for young children of the family to learn Martial Arts.
The institution's focus was the development of Li family's young children - teach them basics of Martial Arts and lay a solid foundation for their future development.
Hence, the institution was heavily patronized by the higher ups of the family.
Naturally, the instructors and the Principal too were members of the Li clan.
When Li Jing and his parents reached the academy's gate, they were greeted by an old man and three other men.
"Welcome, Patriarch!"
"Greetings Madam and Young Master!"
The four of them said in unisons.
Seeing them like this, Li Shang chuckled lightly as said, "Principal, you and others didn't have to wait for us like this. As teachers you have to focus on teaching the children not busy trying to please me. I am just here to send off my son as it is his first day."
"Haha..you are right Patriarch", the old man or rather, the Principal and other instructors laughed awkwardly in embarrassment.
"Patriarch, let me introduce them to you. This here-", the Principal wanting to change the topic immediately started to introduce the three instructors standing a step behind him.
However, before he could saying anything further Li Shang interrupted him and said, "I know them, Li Huang, Li Hao and Li Xuan. I have heard of you three brave men who a led teams in various missions and made huge contribution to the family. Especially, the one in Red Sand Desert. I always remembered your meritorious deeds."
He smiled and thanked them for their efforts made towards the family which elated them.
"Patriarch, you are too polite. We, too, are children of the Li. We can even die to protect our family.", the one in the middle, Li Hao, said enthusiastically.
"Yes, yes!!", the other two fellows nodded in agreement.
Li Hao and Li Xuan, both, had icy blue eyes and hair just like Li Shang. While, Li Huang had red hairs and was slightly burly. All three of them were middle aged.
This icy blue hair and eyes were a trait that most of the family members possessed.
Even if their hair colour was different, their eyes would definitely be of the same colour.
Li Shang, nodding his head, brought Li Jing forward and said, "Here, Li Jing, the is Principal Li Han and the three instructors will your teachers from now on. Greet them."
"Greetings, Principal! Greetings, Teachers!", Li Jing immediately cupped his hand and gave a 90 degree bow after his father finished speaking.
"Hoho, what polite child. Hello, young master", Principal Li smiled and said. The other three instructors smiled and nodded too.
"Now then, we will be leaving Jing in your care", Li Shang said as he and Su Xiaoyue turned to Li Jing and said, "Jing, be good okay and listen to your instructors".
Li Jing nodded.
The couple departed.
"Young Master, follow me", Li Hao, one of three instructors said.
Li Jing did as he was told. Following Li Hao, he entered the academy's gate and saw many students who wore grey robs and were practicing martial arts, however, even the youngest among them seemed to be seven or eight years old.
"This, here, is the area for commoners and orphans. The talented are taken in by the family every year through test and get a chance to practice Martial Arts", Li Hao said as he continued, "As for the members of the family, we have special area where the children are divided in group of 10 and are assigned to a instructor".
Hearing him, Li Jing gave a knowing look as he knew that family recruited outside children to study Martial Arts and in the future, they can become guards, squad captains, etc.
He wondered if Li Hao was going to be his instructor.
As if knowing what Li Jing was thinking, Li Hao said, "Yes, I will be your instructor starting today".
Li Hao told him about many things about the academy as he and Li Jing made their way towards their class.
Soon they arrived in a large hall, nine children could be seen standing in two groups - 4 boys, 5 girls, all around the age of seven and eight.
When they saw Li Hao enter, they quickly stopped their mischiefs and went over to him, casting a curious glance a the little kid beside him.
Among them, a boy's eyes lit up when he saw the little kid and smiled.
"Good morning, instructor", they all greeted Li Hao in unison.
"Good morning, everyone. Today, a new member will be joining us starting today. Meet your new classmate, Li Jing", Li Hao said with a gentle smile.
"Hello everyone, my name is Li Jing, its a pleasure meeting you all", Li Jing greeted them, smiling.
"Li Jing, as in the First Young Master Li Jing?"
"The little genius?"
Some kids got excited and surrounded Li Jing.
Facing their question, he replied calmly.
Soon, Li Jing saw a familiar face which he hasn't seen since the last winter.
"Hey, Little Jing", a seven year old boy greeted him with a smile.
He was Li Xun, Li Jing's elder cousin. He would often visit him to play until half a year ago, when he started practicing Martial Arts and got busy.
"Hello, big brother Xun", Li Jing greeted in his cute, childish voice.
"But, teacher, isn't he too young to train in Martial Arts", one of the other boys asked Li Hao curiously.
Li Hao, noticed, that the other children had the same questions written on their faces. Thus, he explained,
"Yes, you are right. Li Jing, here, is too young to practice Martial Arts and in truth, he isn't going to. He is here to gain knowledge of the Martial Path."
"Ohhh!", all the kids nodded their heads seriously. To them, even this was amazing for a three years old to do.
"Okay, now, I want all of you sit down quietly and listen. Since, today Li Jing is joining us, I will start from the basics. This will also serve as a revision for all of you, ok?", Li Hao said as he looked at his student and since none of them raised any questions, he nodded and continued.
"The Path of Martial Arts is as endless as sea and to walk on this path, the first step to take is to temper your body. Your body is like an empty vessel right now and through tempering it will lay a strong foundation for your future cultivation. This is why the first realm of Martial Arts is called the Body Tempering Realm."
Li Hao paused for a minute to let everyone, especially, Li Jing to digest the information.
As expected, Li Jing had a serious, contemplative look on his face.
Then, Li Hao continued with the explanation.
"The Body Tempering Realm is divided into nine tiers, every tier in itself is unique. However, to temper your body, you need a Martial Technique."
He, again, paused for a moment before further explaining.
"Martial Techniques are methods developed by our Ancestors and many older generations through years of research and development. After countless generation, our Li Family's Martial Technique was finally perfected which I and many other Li Family members are cultivating."
After the long speech, Li Hao moved towards the desk near him. There was a bundle of books kept on the table.
"So, we are getting the Martial Technique Manual today."
Li Jing already knew in his heart what those books were and felt excited. Other children, too, had guessed. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Li Hao turned towards the children and saw the look on their faces, suddenly remembering his own childhood.
"How time flies!"
"These, here, are the Body Tempering section of the Li Family Martial Technique. The name of the Body Tempering Art is 'Blue Sea Tidal Body Art'!", he said clamly.
"Yay!"
"We can finally starting practicing Martial Arts!"
All of them, including Li Xun, started shouting in joy. It couldn't be helped, all these years they had seen their parents, grandparents and many other family member practice Martial Arts and break boulders with bare hands.
They literally dreamed for this day to come everyday.
"Silence!", Li Hao reprimanded them.
The children finally calmed. He couldn't blame them for being like this, after all, he too was once like them, excited to practice Martial Arts and become an expert.
However, the path was cruel and arduous. He couldn't help but sign.
"Now, let me tell you about the Blue Sea Tidal Body Art. This body art was created by an elder many generation ago. He was a genius and a supreme expert. He observed the ocean of the Eastern Sea to create this body art.
Upon reaching perfection in this Body Art, a persons body would be so strong that it could even with stand powerful tidal waves of the ocean. Thus, it was named the Blue Sea Tidal Body Art."