The grueling extremity of the training, seemingly designed to test the human limits of endurance, turned the faces of the cadets red. Among them, some looked on the verge of tears, others seemed ready to shout, while those with prior experience from smaller sects wore expressions of resignation.

After enduring a second round of horse stance and crouching tiger, they were now subjected to the second round of Peacock Pose.

They were practically flapping their legs, mimicking the posture of a peacock spreading its tail feathers.

“One, two, three, four. Again. One, two…”

Despite feeling as though they were about …