Chapter 116: Entering the Human Gate

A round tripod was placed in the very center of the martial arts arena.

Below the stage were the disciples who had finished their training and were preparing to enter the sect.

Seeing the curiosity of the disciples below, Cheng Feng naturally prepared to let Sun Gui and Zhou Hai set an example.

"According to the entrance standards, Sun Gui and Zhou Hai will also enter the sect along with everyone else. I hope you will all strive for yourselves in the future. Sun Gui, you go first!" Cheng Feng said calmly.

Hearing that he was the first, Sun Gui felt a bit of surprise in his eyes and did not hesitate much.

He cupped his hands and stepped out: "Thank you, Sect Master."

A glimmer of envy appeared in Zhou Hai's eyes; sometimes, the order is very important!

During the ceremony, Cheng Feng returned to the high platform to sit, while Wang Hu stood by to explain the steps and supervise.

The many disciples below the stage stared at Sun Gui without blinking, only to see him grab the wine jar placed to the side without hesitation, tilt his head back, and gulp down a large mouthful of strong liquor.

Immediately after, he quickly rolled up his sleeve, revealing the inside of his sturdy forearm, and pressed it against the Great Zhou Human Character without fear.

In an instant, the scorching iron emitted a fierce and intense high temperature. After coming into contact with Sun Gui's skin, puffs of white smoke rose instantly. In the blink of an eye, the inside of his arm had been burned into a bloody mess, and a thick, charred smell permeated the air.

Sun Gui gritted his teeth, enduring the excruciating pain, with cold sweat streaming down his forehead, but his eyes were exceptionally firm. He knew well that he could not shrink back; the disciples he spent every day with were all watching below. If he cried out now, wouldn't he lose face for nothing?

Finally, when Wang Hu shouted "That is enough," Sun Gui let out a sigh of relief as if a burden had been lifted, then silently stepped to the side. At this moment, the bloody brand on his arm was complete, but a strange sense of identification with the Hong Sect surged in his heart.

He knew that from this moment on, he had truly become a member of the Hong Sect, and those disciples below the stage would also become the backbone and hope of the Hong Sect's future.

Only at this very moment did Sun Gui realize how profound the wisdom and strategy hidden behind the seemingly trivial surface work Cheng Feng had done actually were.

He began to understand that for the past four months, Cheng Feng had been silently cultivating, investing, and firmly carrying out his own beliefs.

From the initial collective eating and living, the teaching of techniques, to the daily necessary snake soup nourishment, and down to every detail of daily life, Cheng Feng had meticulously designed every link, gradually guiding everyone toward the final goal. And the final day's flesh-and-blood branding and entrance ceremony became the key link in the entire plan, making it impossible for anyone to develop feelings of resistance toward this matter.

Just think, in the previous four months, hadn't everyone felt the goodness of life? Didn't they want to continue such days?

If one were to refuse the brand at this time, it would be equivalent to going against Cheng Feng's huge initial investment, and even more so, standing in opposition to the many disciples who had already identified with the Hong Sect. Even if an objector were killed on the spot, most disciples would likely not have much sympathy.

On the contrary, they would shout that the Hong Sect has no need for such ungrateful things.

Sun Gui looked around; the silent man, Ba Bai, was standing at the entrance. This positioning was very peculiar!

Sun Gui broke out in a cold sweat, startled by the thoughts in his own mind.

Hopefully it is not so, and it is just him overthinking.

Looking at Cheng Feng sitting in the Sect Master's seat on the high platform, beneath that young face, there might be a ruthless heart.

Cheng Feng would not care about so much; having eaten his food and taken his things, naturally, they would have to listen to his words next.

If you don't listen, why should you get free food, drink, and handouts?

Wanting to freeload off Cheng Feng—how could that be possible?

Cheng Feng had already made up his mind: whoever dared to cause trouble would be prepared to be the chicken slaughtered to warn the monkeys.

An organization relying purely on force was not what Cheng Feng wanted.

But for those who wanted to take advantage by force, then let's see whose force is stronger.

Over these two years, Cheng Feng had also gradually adapted to the rules here in the Great Zhou.

The weak are prey to the strong; the survival of the fittest.

The weak are all exploited by the strong.

The Cheng Feng of the past was just like this; even when selling fish, he had to pay an extra stall fee to the gangs.

He was suddenly struck by Soul Shock without even seeing Nie Yuan's face.

If he hadn't been getting stronger, he would have died in some corner long ago.

Now, Cheng Feng also wanted to weigh his own worth.

Watching Sun Gui brand himself without changing his expression, Zhou Hai also did not hesitate; he picked up the wine cup, drank it in one gulp, and then resolutely reached his hand toward the scalding brand. Instantly, a wave of scorching heat struck; he felt as if his palm were being burned by a raging fire, the pain unbearable.

However, he gritted his teeth and endured it without letting out a single groan. After all, Sun Gui had already set the example; if he were to cry out at this time, wouldn't it seem too cowardly and damage his own standing?

At this very moment, everyone's eyes were focused on them. Zhou Hai told himself secretly that he must persist. He clenched his fists tightly, using all his strength to resist the excruciating pain.

Finally, the branding was complete. Zhou Hai looked down and saw a clearly visible pattern left on his arm. Although the pain remained, a strange sense of pride surged in his heart.

And all of this was thanks to the meticulous design of Cheng Feng and that craftsman. The Round Trip Human Character they created together was extremely symmetrical on the left and right; the human character was embedded within the circular ring, and then connected to the surrounding ring. It was both like a picture and like a character. The effect of the brand was even more precise, and besides being beautiful and elegant, it revealed a hint of mystery.

Next, according to the ranking of the martial arts competition, the disciples walked up one by one to accept the branding ceremony. Everyone had a firm expression and did not shrink back. They knew that this was not just a test of the body, but also a tempering of the inner will.

After all the disciples had completed the branding ceremony, Wang Hu stood in the center of the Martial Arts Training Ground and announced the rules of the Hong Sect to everyone with a solemn expression.

"Today, our Hong Sect welcomes new disciples and welcomes new hope. However, in this big family of ours, there are some rules that must be followed." Wang Hu's voice was low and powerful, and every word seemed to carry the weight of a thousand jun.

"First, you must not betray the Hong Sect. The Hong Sect is our home and our shared faith. Once you betray it, you die." Wang Hu's gaze swept over everyone present, his tone filled with firmness.

"Second, you must not kill your fellow disciples. We are brothers and sisters, companions as close as family. In the face of difficulties, we should unite as one and face them together. Any form of infighting or fratricide is a desecration of the Hong Sect's spirit. Violators will die." As soon as Wang Hu's voice fell, a sound of agreement rose from the field.

"Third, you must not bully the weak. We also rose from the bottom, and we have always had requirements for character and spirit. If anyone is found bullying the weak and ruining the reputation of the Hong Sect, they will be executed immediately."

"Fourth,..."

Wang Hu's voice drifted, while Cheng Feng watched the scene before him.

He felt moved by everything he had done.

How long had it been, and he already had such a foundation.

The blueprint for the future would be realized step by step.