In the early morning, sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, dappling the sandy beach. As the five o'clock bell chimed, Zhou Zilong was already on the beach, beginning his daily training. His figure appeared resolute and upright in the morning light, each movement filled with power and rhythm.
"Not bad, you're up so early," Master Roshi said, emerging from the house with a freshly brewed cup of tea. A satisfied smile spread across his face as he watched Zhou Zilong practice.
"Before I became your disciple, I studied a bit with a martial artist, and ever since then, I've maintained the habit of waking up early to train," Zhou Zilong stopped his movements, turned, and bowed to Master Roshi. His voice was firm and strong, imbued with an unyielding spirit.
"This is a very good habit; keep it up," Master Roshi nodded, then walked over to Zhou Zilong and began explaining the true meaning of martial arts.
"Learning martial arts isn't for winning fights, nor is it to get girls to say, 'You're so strong, hero!' and blow you kisses. These are all abnormal thoughts," Master Roshi said earnestly. "The true purpose of learning martial arts is to achieve a healthy mind and body, and then to use that healthy mind and body to live a meaningful life. That is what martial arts is!"
Zhou Zilong listened attentively, deeply resonating with Master Roshi's philosophy of martial arts. He had always thought that learning martial arts was about becoming stronger and winning battles, but now, he began to understand that the true meaning of martial arts extended far beyond that.
"Master, I understand," Zhou Zilong bowed deeply.
Master Roshi smiled and nodded, then reminded him, "But there's one thing you must remember, Zilong: if you see someone who practices martial arts bullying innocent people, that kind of person is your enemy. You must teach him a good lesson!"
Zhou Zilong nodded heavily, secretly vowing that no matter where he went in the future, he would uphold the righteous spirit of martial arts and protect what he could within his capabilities.
After breakfast, Zhou Zilong rested for half an hour as Master Roshi requested, recovering his physical and mental strength.
He knew that the upcoming training would be extremely strict and arduous, but he was prepared. He stood up and looked in the direction Master Roshi pointed: a very large, solitary island stood majestically on the azure sea.
"Zilong, your first training session is to swim to that island," Master Roshi said, pointing at the isolated island with his staff. His voice, though calm, conveyed an undeniable authority.
Zhou Zilong nodded, took a deep breath, and then took firm steps. He took off his shoes, walked barefoot on the sand, feeling the softness and warmth of the grains. He walked step by step into the seawater until it covered his knees. He looked back at Master Roshi, then leaped into the sea.
The seawater was cool and deep, and Zhou Zilong felt his body enveloped by it, as if he were in another world. He took a deep breath and began his long swimming journey. He swam forward strenuously, his hands continuously stroking the water, and his feet powerfully kicking to propel his body forward.
The sea was sometimes calm as a mirror, sometimes surging. Zhou Zilong constantly adjusted his breathing and rhythm while swimming to adapt to the changes in the water. He felt his body constantly expending energy, but he had no thought of giving up.
As time passed, Zhou Zilong felt his physical strength gradually depleting. His arms began to ache, and his legs felt incredibly heavy. His breathing became rapid, and his heartbeat quickened. But he still gritted his teeth and persevered, continuing to swim forward.
Just as Zhou Zilong felt he could no longer hold on, he suddenly saw land appear ahead. The isolated island was right before his eyes. He felt as if he saw a ray of hope. He used all his strength, swam forward desperately, and finally reached the shore of the isolated island.
Zhou Zilong lay exhausted on the sand, breathing heavily. He felt as if his body had been hollowed out, but he also felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
"Congratulations, Zilong, you have passed the first training session. Now you must work even harder," Master Roshi's voice rang in Zhou Zilong's ears. Zhou Zilong looked up to see Master Roshi standing on the shore, smiling at him.
"Yes, Master!" Zhou Zilong struggled to his feet, bowed to Master Roshi, and replied excitedly.
Next, Master Roshi led Zhou Zilong along a winding path, slowly walking deeper into the island. Along the way, they met many of the island's residents, each greeting Master Roshi warmly, as if he were the most welcome guest there.
"Master Wu Tian, you're here!" A slightly plump woman approached, carrying a basket full of fresh vegetables. "Thank you, the vegetable company will come to collect the goods in the evening." Her face beamed with a simple smile, full of trust in Master Roshi.
Master Roshi nodded and turned to Zhou Zilong, saying, "Zilong, look, this is what we need to do. Farm work may seem simple, but it can train your physical strength and endurance. Remember, the path of martial arts is not achieved overnight; it requires a down-to-earth approach, one step at a time!"
Zhou Zilong nodded, filled with anticipation. He understood that Master Roshi, as a legendary martial artists, must have his own unique training methods. He couldn't wait to begin his cultivation journey.
Arriving at the farmland, Zhou Zilong looked out to see patches of lush green vegetables swaying gracefully in the breeze. He took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air permeate around him. He stretched his body, warmed up, then walked to a cabbage field and began his new training—shoveling cabbage.
He bent down, assumed a horse stance, gripped the shovel tightly with both hands, and forcefully shoveled up cabbages one by one. At first, his movements were a bit awkward, but as time passed, he gradually got the hang of it. His movements became more and more skilled, and the speed at which he shoveled cabbages also increased.
With each cabbage he shoveled, Zhou Zilong could feel the muscles in his core, legs, and arms constantly exerting force. He felt his muscles tightening and contracting, as if they were being tempered. This feeling made him both excited and nervous, but he knew this was exactly the result he wanted.
As time passed, Zhou Zilong felt his physical strength constantly depleting. Sweat dripped from his forehead, dampening his clothes, but he showed no intention of stopping to rest. He knew this was a test of his willpower. He gritted his teeth and continued to persevere.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Zilong finally finished shoveling all the cabbages in the field. He sat on the ground, panting from exhaustion, but a satisfied smile spread across his face. He felt as if his body had undergone a baptism, becoming lighter and more powerful.
"Excellent! Zilong, you did very well!" Master Roshi walked over, nodding with satisfaction.