After a moment of contemplation, Zhou Hansong was the first to speak:

"I agree. Without any Martial Artists, we’re bullied by vagrants to the point we can’t even return to our own homes. It’ll be different once we become Martial Artists."

"I agree as well," Zhou Hanchang added. He was one to listen and follow.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhenyuan and Zhou Zhendong could only nod in resignation.

Their age had already passed the ideal window, leaving them to simply pray for their younger siblings.

At that moment, the brothers Cheng Guanghai and Cheng Guangshan also gave their agreement.

Cheng Zongyang then asked, "So, will the elders be learning as well?"

"I’ll learn!" Cheng Guanghai said at once, gritting his teeth. "The family can’t always have you be the only one taking risks. What kind of father would I be if I couldn’t do anything?"

But Cheng Guangshan shook his head. "Not me. I couldn’t bear it. It’s better for me to just focus on my medical skills."

After a moment of silence, the brothers Zhou Hansong and Zhou Hanchang also shook their heads. "We don’t have the perseverance, but we can have Zhenyuan and Zhendong learn."

Hearing this, the faces of brothers Zhou Zhendong and Zhou Zhenyuan fell. Just as they were about to say something, their grandfather, Zhou Fengshun, spoke up:

"You two will learn as well! Zhenyuan and Zhendong must learn, but you two fathers must also possess Martial Arts. It doesn’t have to be at a high level, but at the very least, you could help Yang’Er hunt in the mountains.

The Inner Mountain is dangerous, but when Martial Artists stick together, the danger is greatly reduced.

Our position here at the Inner Mountain Pass is far more dangerous than the outside. Yang’Er will have to go out eventually; we can’t always have him be the one protecting us."

At this, the brothers Zhou Zhenyuan and Zhou Zhendong couldn’t help but shoot their fathers a strange look.

The fathers had just volunteered their sons, and now they were being volunteered in turn. The boys wanted to laugh but didn’t dare. They could only watch their fathers’ helpless expressions as their grandfather reprimanded them.

The old man wasn’t wrong. They couldn’t always have the young protecting them. They had to protect the young as well.

Besides, they also understood the other layer of meaning in the old man’s words.

"Hmph. If Yang’Er can endure it, so can you. Yang’Er won’t harm you," the old man said, then added, "It’s settled."

This time, the two men fell silent.

And so, the plan was decided.

Six people would learn martial arts—three from the older generation, and three from the younger. The rest of the children would first build up their bodies with Foundation Establishment Drugs for a period of time before starting their training.

"Second Uncle, please come with me. I have something to give you." Cheng Zongyang stood up and walked toward his family’s house.

By now, each family basically had their own house. Although most were still just "bare shells," they were all habitable.

The furnishings and renovations could be filled in slowly over time.

Cheng Zongyang took out two medicinal formulas and a copy of the Body Refining Skill that he had written out in his spare time.

"Second Uncle, in our family, only you and Second Aunt are well-educated. My thought is that either you or Second Aunt could take the time to teach the children to read.

Ever since Grandpa established our branch of the family, my and Zongwen’s generation is the third.

Therefore, everyone in the family from the third generation onward must learn to read and write. Without literacy, without reading, one’s way of thinking will forever remain rigid. If a family wants to prosper in the long run, its members must be educated."

Cheng Guangshan nodded in agreement, completely supporting the idea.

"That’s not a problem. Once things have stabilized at the Inner Mountain Pass, I will begin to make arrangements."

Cheng Zongyang smiled and handed over the cultivation technique:

"This is the Body Refining Skill. It has three levels, but we’ll take it one level at a time.

My father and my uncle aren’t very literate, so for now, you just need to teach them how to read the contents of the first stage. That will make it easier for me to teach them later."

"Done."

"This is the formula for the first stage, to be used in coordination with the training. Once I start teaching them Body Forging, they will need medicinal baths. Please keep an eye on the supply of medicinal materials. If we run low, I’ll go to the city to get more, or find them in the mountains."

Cheng Guangshan asked in surprise, "Is this the formula that allowed you to become a Martial Artist so quickly?"

Cheng Zongyang nodded. "That’s right. For other people to reach Entry Grade as a Martial Artist, even the talented and wealthy, it takes two to three months at the fastest, or half a year at the slowest. For those with poor aptitude, it takes even longer.

But with the Body Refining Skill and this formula I obtained, one can basically reach Entry Grade within a month. The only prerequisite is being able to withstand the medicinal bath."

Cheng Guangshan’s expression turned serious. "Yang’Er, are you sure you’re not exaggerating? One month?! If one can truly reach Entry Grade in a month, do you have any idea what that means?"

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "It means a guaranteed source of combat strength for our Cheng Family’s future!"

Cheng Guangshan paused, then broke into a wide, happy smile.

"Excellent, excellent! In the past, every year when I returned to the village, everyone would say the Cheng Family had produced a fine young man. I just thought you were promising. I never imagined your thoughts ran so deep. With you in our branch, the Cheng Family will not decline."

Cheng Zongyang didn’t say much more, continuing with the main topic, "The Body Refining Skill provides combat strength, but this other formula is the true long-term foundation of our Cheng Family."

As he spoke, he handed over the Foundation Establishment Formula, his expression solemn.

"This is the Foundation Establishment Formula. For those under sixteen, a medicinal bath every three days can gradually improve their physique and build a foundation for cultivation."

This time, Cheng Guangshan was utterly shocked. "Where did you get this formula? If it really has such an effect and word gets out, I’m afraid it would turn the world of the Noble Families upside down!"

Cheng Zongyang suddenly smiled. "That’s why I’m entrusting this formula to you, Second Uncle. These two formulas are the future of the Cheng Family. What I told everyone last night was no joke.

Once the Inner Mountain Pass is secure and the elders have all reached Entry Grade, I will go out and find orphans a few years old to bring back and train. This will strengthen the future foundation of our Cheng and Zhou Families. Manpower is also the most crucial resource!"

"Good!" Cheng Guangshan didn’t hesitate, his expression earnest and serious as he said, "Rest assured, I understand the stakes. This formula will not be leaked by me. Once I’ve memorized it, I’ll burn it... Have you memorized it yourself?"