“Breath in. Breathe out.”

Sitting on the surrounding cushions, I have everyone practicing the diaphragmatic breathing method, which continues to be an amazing way to cycle qi.

After I communicate the style and operation of the technique, I go around to each person to make sure they are doing it correctly.

As there’s 600+ people, this is taking quite a while.

Luckily, in this world, patience is a virtue that is expected of cultivators. Not only that, but being able to feel the flow of qi and have it harmoniously circulated through your body is a huge benefit.

These are all people who have just been healed, too. So, they have no blockages or stopgaps to practicing body cultivation with this technique.

Funnily enough, this is what will lead them best into the secret realm body cultivation method.

As they continue using it, I mull over the name of this method.

The Way of the Speedy Tortoise.

… Elder Li seriously named his body cultivation method after his nickname.

Not only that, but his names for the actual techniques and movements are all turtle themed!

It’s no wonder the other elders made fun of him.

Regardless, this body cultivation method is no joke. I can get all of my members training on something, while I get a regular cultivation method for them.

As could be expected, it’s the people with no experience in martial arts or cultivation that have the hardest time with it. Dedicated, regulated breathing is easy to start, but hard to master.

But, luckily, I’m able to use my scan to catch some of their tendencies and give them advice on how to progress. I go from person to person to correct their actions.

A hand on their chest and stomach, showing them the pace and rhythm. A tip on where to stop and start their breathing. And what situations to use it in.

With this many people, this takes 3 and a half hours. Once again, I feel lucky that there are measurable results from practicing this and it has a pleasurable feeling to the practitioner… because I would be seriously bored if I were in their shoes.

Soon enough, I’m able to transition to the next step. The body cultivation method.

I stand in front of the group again, making it clear I need their attention.

“I’m here to show you what is known as a standalone body cultivation method, The Way of the Speedy Tortoise.”

Everyone was already in a serious and contemplative mood, but a level of focus comes over all of them.

I continue.

“As could be guessed, there are three main tenets of this secret realm method. To take hits. To dodge hits. And to escape.”

This method is focused on survivability at all costs for yourself. With the final piece being the escape.

I want them to be like tanks.

Dodge tank and HP tank. And with me involved, Heal tanks.

But I want an army of tanks, not sponges.

And in order for them to be tanks, they’ll need aggro…

“But you are mistaken if you believe that’s all you need to be successful.”

They stay silent, just listening to my words. I notice that some people, while still happy, aren’t too impressed with the name or the tenets of the cultivation.

“I noticed some of you may wonder why I’m giving you a defensive body cultivation method, with near to no offensive abilities.

“Of course, it is more entertaining to be dominating everyone with fantastic moves and crushing blows. But what lies after the fight? What about when your opponent doesn’t care for their life and only seeks to take yours?

“Will you be able to survive such a thing? I can already tell you all already know the answer from the stories you’ve heard.”

Demonic cultists regularly send suicidal people out and have them detonate their cultivation, just to avoid more pain from them. That doesn’t even include themselves, from which the techniques they’ve used could have twisted them into unfeeling berserkers or other unanticipated forms.

… but maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. I should use my scan to see what the best choice is for them.

This will work for most of them. At least for now. They will have to restart much of their body cultivation, if they choose another one, though.

Others may already have a method that they aren’t able to speak about.

Which means… I should give them all a choice.

“With that said… I know some of you have plans or secret methods that you can’t speak about. So, do not feel obligated to take this body cultivation on. And even if you don’t have another method on hand, if you don’t believe this method will fit your path, don’t take it.

Things are deathly silent.

I’ll need to make it clear that these aren’t just words to say.

“To show my commitment to this, I promise to not punish anyone for not choosing this method.”

A few breaths are released at this.

There are definitely some people with secrets here. When it’s the right time, I’ll use my scan to make sure they are safe and how I can assist.

“Nonetheless, I believe that this body cultivation method is an excellent way to protect yourself, especially since you will be able to also learn a cultivation method to allow you to achieve your personal choices. This body cultivation method should work with almost any other traditional cultivation method.”

Even more people are relaxed and confident with their choice.

While some people step away, I see that the vast majority stay to learn. I give a nod and a few words to the ones who step back a bit.

“Even with your own plans, I suggest still using the breathing method I showed you earlier. Even with the more advanced breathing techniques, the aspects of the one I showed should still have a marked difference in others.”

There’s a bit of hesitation from one noble before they give a brief nod. Acknowledging that they’ll try it.

For the rest of the people, they settle in and prepare to learn the method.

Funnily enough for them, they’ll be sitting right back down.

“Okay, I’ll need you guys to get in the same position you were in for the breathing method. The focus of this step is to infuse all parts of your actual body with higher and higher levels of qi. This is in contrast to when I had you use the breathing method to better move qi through your body.”

I can see that a few people are already adept at doing so, having practiced body cultivation as nobles.

The initial steps for all body cultivation are the same. Basically, setting a foundation for the body to be manipulated with qi.

As I go around to each person, trying to correct what I can see, I can feel a bit of excitement fill my heart.

It’s actually happening. I might be able to set up an area of safety here.