The mist dissipated and the stars converged.
Carl's figure appeared atop that ancient, mysteriously patterned stone chair.
Excitement, nervousness, urgency… a multitude of emotions were in an instant suppressed by absolute reason.
His expression was indifferent, his brown eyes unrippled, as he leisurely pulled a book from his chest.
"Poison Wolf Breathing Technique!"
Breathing techniques were divided into ordinary and secret.
Anyone could practice ordinary breathing techniques; the height of their achievements depended entirely on the cultivator's talent and fortune.
Secret breathing techniques, also known as Bloodline breathing techniques, could only be practiced by those with specific Bloodlines.
The Guardian Knights of the Church and the kingdom's several ancient families all possessed their own secret breathing techniques.
Typically, those who practiced ordinary breathing techniques would have futures far less accomplished than those who practiced secret breathing techniques.
For those practicing ordinary breathing techniques, becoming a Knight was already a sign of exceptional talent. Becoming a Great Knight was almost impossible.
Not to mention becoming a Legendary Knight!
However, families that practiced secret breathing techniques were never short of top-tier powerhouses.
This was also why, for hundreds of years, the kingdom's elite had been firmly controlled by a few ancient families.
The Church, with its Divine Guardian Knights, stood even loftier.
From ancient times, top-tier Knights had never been commoners.
Life Seed! Secret Potion?
Opening the book, and aided by the exaggerated understanding ability granted by his absolute reason, Carl quickly absorbed the essence of the Poison Wolf Breathing Technique. He also confirmed that the technique was largely sound.
The principle of the breathing technique was to condense a Life Seed within the human body through various means.
The vital energy contained in the Life Seed nourished the flesh. This greatly enhanced the practitioner's strength, speed, and other attributes beyond the limits of ordinary humans, ultimately reaching a point where one could fight fierce tigers, tear wolves apart with bare hands, and even rival the legendary ancient beasts.
Secret Potions, on the other hand, were an aid in the cultivation process.
Carl wasn't sure about other breathing techniques. However, without a Secret Potion, it was impossible to even begin practicing the Poison Wolf Breathing Technique. Once initiated, the dependence on the Secret Potion would drastically decrease until it was no longer needed.
He turned to the records about the Secret Potion.
"A pair of fresh wolf eyeballs, fifty grams of wolf brain marrow, Striped Grass, the poison sac of a Red Jade Spider…"
No wonder it was so cheap!
These ingredients, while not rare, are nearly impossible to gather in the prohibited Black City, naturally making it impossible to complete the breathing technique.
Closing the book, Carl's thoughts turned, and his body gradually became ethereal, returning to his residence in Sigerno City.
The ingredients needed for the Secret Potion were not uncommon and could be bought on Lu Ang Street. However, they were very scattered and required visits to numerous shops.
Moreover, purchasing items like wolf eyeballs and brain marrow separately was peculiar and likely to draw attention.
By the time Carl had gathered all the ingredients, half the day had passed, and the sun was slowly setting.
CLANG!
PUFF!
"Add water, wait for the poison sac of the Red Jade Spider to dissolve, then put in a wolf eyeball and prick it with a needle…"
In the kitchen.
Carl held the book in one hand, open to the section on creating the Secret Potion, while brewing the concoction according to the instructions.
All sorts of plant stems and particular parts of unidentified creatures mixed together, roiling in the boiling water.
A pungent odor spread.
Especially after the poison sac melted, dense smoke rose, enveloping the entire kitchen as if shrouded in fog.
Carl was focused, daring not to be the slightest bit careless.
He was not a qualified chef, nor did he understand the principles of Potion brewing; he could only follow the instructions as closely as possible.
"Um…"
Just then, a soft voice came from behind.
"Baron Karl?"
"Mrs. Mary." Carl paused his actions and turned to look. "Do you need something?"
Oh! Looking around the environment, he suddenly realized. "Did I disturb you?"
"It's fine, it doesn't bother me." The landlady, Mrs. Mary, quickly waved her hand, somewhat embarrassed as she spoke, "It's just... Jenny is about to take the choir exam soon. Could you please keep it down a bit?"
She added, "If you need to do anything, just let me take care of it."
The chaotic noises, the pungent odor, and the billowing smoke in the kitchen made it difficult for anyone to remain calm.
"I see." Carl slapped his forehead. It was my fault; I completely forgot about this. So...
He thought for a moment and said, "I'll finish what I'm doing first. I'll find a different place next time. Don't worry, it won't disturb Jenny."
"Thank you, thank you so much!" Mary said in haste. "If it's cooking, you can leave it to me. There's no need for you to do it yourself."
"It's not cooking." Carl shook his head, declining her offer. "It will be done soon."
"Well... okay, then."
Seeing his firm attitude, Mary had no choice but to retract her step towards the kitchen and return to her room.
Mary's husband had passed away early, and she hadn't taken his surname. Her family and relatives were also lower-class commoners.
Living alone with her daughter for many years, life had been tough.
Now, Jenny had the chance to audition for the Barro Choral Group and could possibly even integrate into the nobility in the future.
It was an opportunity she definitely didn't want to miss.
Carl's thoughts spun. Seeing the Potion was nearing completion, he hurriedly took out a prepared glass vial and poured the concoction into it.
The dark red liquid swirled inside the glass vial. Sniffing it closely revealed a distinct smell of blood.
The Secret Potion! It's finished.
And such a large quantity—it's enough for three doses. It should be more than enough for the initial stage of cultivation.
「The mysterious place.」
Carl sat cross-legged, his body twisted into a bizarre posture, adjusting his Breath according to the Magic Door.
GURGLE!
He downed a dose of the Secret Potion.
Soon after, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on his skin. Veins throbbed prominently on his forehead and neck, and his breathing became rapid.
Carl felt as if his blood was boiling, and his heart hammered as if trying to break free from his chest.
Blood surged within him; he could even hear it WHOOSHING.
Hungry! Hungry! So hungry!
His eyes snapped open. He relaxed his posture and quickly reached for the milk, meat pies, and jam prepared nearby.
Under absolute reason, even as every cell in his body rebelled, his expression remained unchanged.
As he consumed the food and nutrients were absorbed, the hunger gradually subsided.
That was as much as three meals!
It seems the digestive capacity of my stomach is greatly enhanced when practicing breathing techniques. I devoured a large amount of food so quickly without feeling any discomfort, and my mind feels more alert as well.
Standing up, Carl picked up his broad sword and swung it, an unprecedented feeling of lightness washing over him.
Strength… it has increased!
Just one attempt, his first time cultivating, and he could already feel distinct changes in his body.
SWOOSH!
Vertical slash!
The broad sword stopped firmly.
Carl charged forward, holding the sword with both hands, the broad sword whipping up a fierce wind.
Strike!
Iron Gate Style!
Battle Skill—Gale Slash!
Three afterimages materialized from thin air, crisscrossing as they slashed through the space before him, faintly producing a low whistle as the sword cut through the air.
Three afterimages?
My grandfather possessed Divine Power naturally. Even without practicing any breathing techniques, he could kill an Attendant Knight, yet he could only create three afterimages.
Right now, I'm probably not much weaker than he was back then.
Putting away his broad sword, Carl stroked his chin.
Under absolute reason, he didn't show any ecstatic expressions; everything was calculated with clarity.
But this time, performing the Gale Slash swordsmanship was noticeably smoother than before.
In the past, performing swordsmanship was like a child waving a heavy sword; though he could do it, it was too strenuous. It always felt a bit forced.
Now, that feeling was gone.
Attendant Knight!
Now, I can be considered an Attendant Knight!