A group of twenty children, all dressed in orange garments, were currently performing a set of martial art movements in unison. The actions of the bald-children were direct and explosive, their muscles tightening as they lashed out with both legs and arms.
There were even a few children who were performing elegant aerial techniques akin to soaring cranes, moving gracefully around the courtyard.
These children were practising a form of external martial arts that focuses on muscular power and speed and using these two aspects would attempt to perform them in application - real fighting. Through the practice of external martial arts, one hopes to achieve the desired 'hard' physical level; once one reaches this requirement, they will move onto qigong movements.
Children who have achieved the required physical level will then move onto Qigong movements that aim to allow one access to higher realms of awareness, and once one's perception reaches an efficient level, they will be able to sense the elemental essence within the air around them.
An old monk, wrapped in an auburn robe, sat in front of the practising group of children; his eyes closed, but a faint glimmer of light around his forehead showed that his 'third-eye' was activated and he was inspecting them using his Shen (spirit).
"Good. Many of you are close to reaching the 'hard' physical level, and will soon start practising qigong to awaken your qi, while others have already reached this level," as the elder spoke, his 'third-eye' shone more brightly as he turned his attention to the girls of the group,
"Females have an innate advantage over males as a result of how Jīng is composed; this allows them to reach the 'hard' physical level faster, but at the same time their natural strength capabilities are lesser than males. The Heavens are fair; there must be a balance," the elder lectured the children.
"Alright, as per usual, spar and then go eat."
The children finally started to show signs of excitement. Sparring was a great way in which to utilise the application of their external martial arts; using sparring, one can become more efficient in their usage of various styles as well as offensive and defensive techniques.
The feeling of improving was exhilarating, these children all had aspirations to become like their elders; stately, healthy and one with their chosen heavenly Dao.
A tall boy, soon to be handsome, around the age of ten walked towards the female group. An entourage of boys followed behind him, all excited to spar against their stronger opponents - girls.
But, they all knew that the tall boy, their leader, would only fight against one person from that group.
The tall boy reached the group and cupped his hands in greeting, "Sister Mingxia, may we please spar."
A girl, slightly taller than the boy, walked out from behind the group of females. Her skin was white-like jade, and the lithe form under the robes held explosive power, her grey eyes made her beautiful visage all the more prominent. Her physical features were the sign of good Jīng, which usually correlates with a healthy bodily constitution.
Jīng is stored in the kidneys and is the densest physical matter within the body; it is said to be the material basis for the physical body and is yin in nature, which means it nourishes, fuels and cools the body. The yin nature of Jīng is the reason for the inherent advantage of females, allowing them to reach 'hard' physical level faster. A woman's endurance trumps a man's, at least when young, as a result of the yin, which allows them to practice for a longer duration.
Jīng is also the carrier of one's heritage and hereditary qualities; such as looks, bodily constitution and talent; Jīng also holds some more profound properties. Although one can be innately talented without it being passed down through familial generations, it is all but confirmed that one will be exceptional if there is talent in the bloodline.
Mingxia nodded in response to the boy; everyone within the monastery knew she was a girl of few words - a cold beauty if you will.
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She moved to a fighting mat; defensive stance at the ready as she looked at the boy.
Such is the tradition of the monastery for everyone to watch the first spar, only from then can everyone else participate in their own.
"They are just beginning puberty, of course, girls start earlier than boys; hence why Mengxia is even taller than Yun Yi. But, she is still somewhat tall for her age - what brilliant Jing she has." The elder inwardly commented as he watched the two on the mat.
Yi Yun dashed forward sending a kicking towards Mengxia's shoulder; she bent backwards allowing the kick to fly over her arched chest entirely.
She flipped over backwards using her hands, spiralling into the air -displaying her excellent aerial form -, she gracefully landed on the mat.
The two slowly began to circle each other, waiting for their sparring-partner to have a lapse in concentration, ready to propel forward for their next confrontation.
Mengxia took the initiative and sent a kick at Yi Yun's chest forcing him to place his arms across his chest in defence; Mengxia's onslaught never slowed as she danced forwards on her right leg as her left sent quick, powerful, kicks towards the defending boy.
When Yi Yin was pushed towards the perimeter of the mat, Mengxia's barrage finally slowed in intensity allowing Yi Yun to push out with his arms, Mengxia jumped across the mat using the momentum caused by his push.
Yi Yun slowly wheezed catching his breath, although a single kick from Mengxia was not as powerful as one of his, her excellent agility and acrobatics allow her to send multiple kicks within a short duration.
Many of the young boys spectating felt a hint of schadenfreude when watching Yi Yun get assaulted by Mengxia; they had all been through such a scenario before, although they hadn't managed to defend as well as Yi Yun.
The elder even opened his eyes, which were sparkling in appreciation, while watching Mengxia perform her kicks as well as her willowy acrobatic movements.
"She's utilised the physical advantages of the female frame to such an extent at her age, impressive; what is even more noteworthy is the work she put into it, although she has excellent talent one cannot rely solely on their Jīng to succeed," The Elder thought aloud.
"If she didn't spend so much time practising with the sword she would have already started practising internal arts," a man with deep eyes next to him said in exasperation.
The Elder turned to look at the man, "Something tells me that even though you outwardly display dissatisfaction you are actually quite pleased with her, Jiàn Kong."
Jiàn Kong didn't reply, but a small smile did appear on his face.
"Comprehension of the Dao as well as one's chosen martial arts must always come before one's cultivation; for one can still catch up their cultivation, but comprehension and enlightenment are akin to the waves of a river - coming and going as they please," The Elder said wistfully.
"We, as monks, abstain from most pleasures to purify the Wu Wei or emptiness; we seek only further advancement along the path of the Dao. Mengxia's devotion to the sword will surely lead her to a rich path full of adventure and fulfilment," the Elder said as he took out a jar of wine.
"Oh, and wine too."
Mengxia's advantage lay in her mobility and flexibility, therein lied the problem for Yi Yun. His strikes were more powerful than hers, but at the same time the lithe nature of Mengxia proved hard to hit; thus showing his endeavours fruitless.
Mengxia steadily attacked with a flurry of punches and kicks between her evasive manoeuvres when dodging the increasingly weary boy's advances.
Yi Yun's tiresome attacks eventually lead to a lapse in concentration.
He wasn't aware of the changing footwork of Mengxia, she would inch forward after every one of his strikes slowly moving into range of him. Once she was close enough, she sprung up into the air and sent a spinning kick to his flank.
Woefully unprepared for the attack Yi Yun tumbled out of the perimeter of the mat.
A little cheer arose from the spectating girls, while the boy's faces turned green. If even their leader couldn't defeat her, who could?
Yi Yun slowly got up and cupped his hands in thanks to Mengxia, which she reciprocated with only a slight change in expression.
The children, at a young age, had been taught to be humble in their actions and fastidious in their studies; this being one of the fundamental teachings within the monastery, creating a pure and harmonious heart, allowing for more significant enlightenment.
The monastery saw the notion of needless pleasure and disparagement of others as a way to corrupt one's harmonious heart, resulting in a regression in their studies and comprehension of the Dao.
The rest of the young children moved towards their own mats to spar, hoping to reach the 'hard' physical level, so that they could attempt to form their own Xià Dāntián and enter the Golden Stove Realm.
Mengxia and Yi Yun moved towards the Elder and Jiàn Kong. The monastery advocates that one should never be afraid of losing but rather of never improving; all the inhabitants of the monastery allow this mantra to guide their heart.
While they walked, Yi Yun animatedly discussed the recent fight with Mengxia, while she in turn gently nodded to his words only quietly speaking when needed; her mellifluous whispers soothing to the soul.