Chapter 13

At this time, he noticed Andre looking at him with a strange look.

"You've changed a lot." Andre said, "You wouldn't be so serious before."

Luo En smiled: "Probably because I saw hope."

Indeed, in just a few days, he had acquired the Potion Apprentice profession, learned the "Corona Breathing Method," and found a job with extremely generous pay at the herb shop.

But most importantly, he began to truly understand the rules of this world's operation.

Luo En took out the Scorching Essential Oil from the drawer; the pale golden liquid flickered with a faint light in the sun.

With the experience of the first time, he could feel the energy contained in the essential oil more clearly this time.

"You say..." Andre took the essential oil and examined it carefully: "Why would Apprentice Holter be so interested in you? Just because of a well-preserved star grass?"

Luo En shook his head: "It should be more than that; I guess it's because of 'rhythm'."

"Rhythm?"

"Just like mentioned in the "Corona Breathing Method," every power has its specific rhythm."

Luo En explained, "When organizing herbs today, I found that many materials carry some kind of special fluctuation."

Andre knocked on his forehead: "This reminds me of one thing; my grandfather once said that true wizards must not only master power but also understand the essence of power."

"Just like this bottle of Scorching Essential Oil." He shook the potion in his hand: "On the surface, it's used for body tempering, but it actually contains the rhythm of the sun."

Luo En's heart moved; no wonder he saw that golden sun during the first body tempering.

Perhaps that wasn't just a simple hallucination, but perceiving the energy characteristics in the essential oil through the breathing method.

"Time is almost up." Andre looked at the sun outside the window, "Where are we going to practice this time?"

"Still that experimental ground." Luo En said while packing things, "The runes there can mask the breath, and..."

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly heard a muffled sound from next door, followed by Dalunde's furious voice: "Damn it! Failed again!"

The two looked at each other, both revealing helpless smiles.

This neighbor who was addicted to sonic magic research was almost like the magic he was researching, making some noise every day.

………………

Passing through the slightly cold path in the early morning, the abandoned experimental ground was exceptionally quiet in the sun.

Those stone pillars carved with runes cast mottled shadows, and the blue-gray marks on the ground appeared and disappeared in the daylight.

No wonder wizards would choose to conduct experiments here; this area is extremely sensitive to energy, and any extraordinary power will leave marks on the ground.

Luo En noticed that the blue-gray color on the ground seemed to have faded a bit compared to yesterday.

"Strange..." he muttered to himself.

Through the keen perception acquired after changing profession, he found that these colors were actually residues of some kind of energy. Whenever sunlight shines, they gradually fade.

"Here we are." Andre's voice interrupted Luo En's thoughts: "You can start preparing."

Luo En took out the things in his bag while vigilantly looking around: "Why would wizards abandon the experimental ground?"

He always felt that it was very strange here; in the resource-scarce Black Mist Forest, a venue with isolation runes should not be abandoned like this.

"That's a question for those runes."

Andre pointed to the mottled marks on the stone pillar: "It is said that an experiment by a formal wizard went wrong, causing the runes to be contaminated and gradually lose their original effect."

"Alright, stop chatting so much; anyway, these have nothing to do with us two small fry who aren't even apprentices."

The blonde youth seemed to have no interest in talking too much about these, skillfully taking out the Scorching Essential Oil:

"I have to remind you that the second body tempering might be a bit different from the first."

"How so?"

"Do you still remember the feeling from yesterday?" Andre began to look through the notebook: "When the essential oil penetrates into the body, there will be a special rhythm."

Luo En nodded; he would never forget that experience—scorching energy flowing in the meridians, every pulsation like the pulse of the sun.

"This time..." Andre's voice became serious, "You need to actively guide the flow of energy, just like..."

He seemed to be looking for a suitable metaphor:

"Just like dancing; the first time you were led, and this time, you have to learn to control the rhythm yourself with the music. And from this time on, you won't need assistance for subsequent body tempering."

Luo En realized something; he thought of the experience at the herb shop this morning, where all materials also had unique rhythms, and the key lay in how to perceive and utilize this characteristic.

"I understand." He took off his top and sat cross-legged on the stone platform, "Let's start."

【Scorching Essential Oil detected, do you want to start the second body tempering?】

【Prompt: This body tempering will affect the attribute growth of Combat Profession - Knight Squire】

After the first body tempering, he could already clearly perceive the direction of the meridians in his body.

"I don't need to remind you of every step this time." Andre said, starting to configure the Scorching Essential Oil: "You need to actively guide the flow of energy."

Luo En nodded, closed his eyes, and began to adjust his breathing.

【Do you want to start the second body tempering?】

"Confirm."

When the first drop of Scorching Essential Oil fell on his spine, the familiar burning sensation struck again.

But this time, Luo En did not passively endure it, but actively cooperated with the rhythm of the "Corona Breathing Method."

Inhale, seven breaths. Energy surged into the body with breathing.

Hold, three breaths. Feel the scorching rhythm contained in the essential oil.

Exhale, five breaths. Guide the energy to flow along the meridians.

"Very good," Andre's voice came from afar, "Now enter the second breathing stage."

Luo En deepened the breathing rhythm; this time, he could clearly perceive the flow of every bit of energy, as if he were manipulating countless tiny fire streams, letting them run along specific paths.

【Second body tempering

Progress: 35%

Potion Apprentice profession linkage effect in effect:

Meridian remodeling efficiency slightly increased

Energy absorption rate increased】

With the deepening of breathing, Luo En gradually entered a wonderful state.

Different from the passive endurance during the first body tempering, this time he could clearly perceive the flow pattern of energy.

Those scorching airflows were like invisible brushes, outlining the contours of the meridians under his guidance.

"Focus on the second breathing stage." Andre's somewhat worried voice came from not far away:

"Inhale for nine breaths, hold for five breaths, exhale for seven breaths. Remember, you are the one leading the rhythm."

Luo En adjusted the breathing frequency according to the instructions; with the change in rhythm, he felt the energy in his body begin to flow in a new way.

Every breath was a note, and the meridians were the instruments being played.

And when the rhythm was perfectly matched, the operation of energy would become exceptionally smooth.

【Second body tempering progress: 67%

Meridian rhythm resonance detected

Extra effect obtained: Energy flow efficiency slightly increased】

"I seem to have grasped the knack..." Luo En secretly pondered in his heart.

This law of energy operation was actually somewhat similar to the "rhythm" he observed at the herb shop this morning.

Just at this moment, a more intense heat flow suddenly surged into his body.

That was the last wave of Scorching Essential Oil, the temperature much higher than before.

"The important moment is here." Andre's voice became serious: "Remember, don't resist this energy, but guide it..."

(End of this chapter)