"Remember, everything starts with breathing."
As Andre applied the essential oil to Ron's spine, he said:
"Follow the rhythm I taught you: inhale for seven counts, hold for three counts, exhale for five counts."
The moment the cold liquid touched the skin, a sharp burning sensation came through.
But Ron forced himself to concentrate and began adjusting his breathing rhythm.
Inhale, for seven heartbeats.
He felt a warm stream of air rush in through his mouth and nose, following the airway downward.
Hold, for three heartbeats.
The stream of air moved within, resonating with the penetrating scorching oil.
Exhale, for five heartbeats.
With the release of impure breath, he felt the internal heat seemed to ease a bit.
"Very good, keep this rhythm."
Andre's voice came, "Now begin to silently recite the Calming Spell of the Crown Breathing Technique."
As the spell was silently recited, Ron felt his breathing rhythm start to resonate with some kind of energy inside him.
Each breath felt like a tide of energy surging within the body.
Those scorching oils flowing within began to outline the contours of the meridians.
The pain still existed but seemed to become regular.
"Now enter the second breathing level."
"Inhale for nine counts, hold for five counts, exhale for seven counts. Remember, follow the direction of the meridians."
With the change in breathing rhythm, Ron felt the energy flow within becoming more intense.
Those meridians illuminated by the scorching oils seemed to pulse in the gaps of breathing, each pulse bringing intense pain.
Strangely, though, this pain was no longer unbearable.
Instead, it seemed like a symbol of some kind of life rhythm, gradually gathering strength through regular breathing.
"The final level of breathing."
Andre's voice came, "Inhale for twelve counts, hold for seven counts, exhale for nine counts. Remember, imagine the brilliance of the sun..."
Following Andre's instructions, Ron adjusted his breathing rhythm, and with the change in frequency, he felt his consciousness undergo a wondrous transformation.
In the regular rhythm of his breath, he seemed to see a golden sun, its brilliance so intensely hot yet carrying an ultimate pure power.
Magically, this image was not an illusion but a tangible feeling triggered by the breathing rhythm moving all the body's energy.
Each inhalation made him feel a surge of blazing energy rushing toward the center from every limb and bone.
"Very good, maintain this state."
The oil started to generate a burning sensation, and Andre's voice became less clear to him:
"The next part is the most dangerous, the body's energy will peak in an instant."
With the final thread of hot oil penetrating his body, Ron felt his blood boiling all over.
Those illuminated meridians started to pulsate intensely, like countless burning rivers surging within him.
"Hold your breath!" Andre suddenly shouted.
Ron immediately held his breath, and within the short span of seven heartbeats, he felt all the energy in his body coalesce at the heart, forming a blazing vortex.
The pain reached its peak, but his consciousness remained exceptionally clear.
[Energy is about to reach the critical point
Detected Magic Potion Apprentice profession, gaining additional enhancement:
- Meridian transformation efficiency increases
- Energy absorption rate increases]
Ron was secretly delighted in his heart, the profession synergy effect seemed much better than he had imagined.
In this extreme state, he could clearly sense the path of every meridian, every flow of energy.
This enhanced perception ability was undoubtedly an additional benefit brought by the Magic Potion Apprentice profession.
"Exhale!"
Following Andre's command again, Ron gently exhaled a breath of impurity.
At that moment, the accumulated energy flooded his body like a broken dam.
The once-painful meridians suddenly became unimpeded, like blocked rivers being dredged.
All over his body, every muscle and bone underwent a subtle change.
[First-time body refining completion: 87%
Received basic evaluation: Excellent
Unlocked profession: Knight's Squire (One Star)]
[Note: Detected some meridians not fully connected, recommended to conduct secondary body refining 24 hours later]
[Acquired profession: Knight's Squire (One Star)]
As a main combat profession, the attribute enhancement brought by [Knight's Squire] far surpassed ordinary life professions, Ron could feel unprecedented strength surging within him.
[Basic Attributes Change:
Constitution: 0.5→1.2 (+0.7)
Spirit: 1.4→1.6 (+0.2)
Magic Power: 0.3→0.4 (+0.1)]
[Unlocked Professional Skills:
1. Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner)
2. Breathing Body Refining (Beginner)]
[Special Enhancement:
1. Skill experience point acquisition speed related to martial arts slightly increases
2. Physical training efficiency slightly increases]
Compared to the mild improvement of [Magic Potion Apprentice], the change brought by the combat profession was more intense and direct.
The original vague muscle perception became extraordinarily clear, as if he could feel the existence of every muscle fiber.
And those meridians reformed through body refining, showcased a brand-new vitality.
[Detected Profession Synergy:
Knight's Squire + Magic Potion Apprentice
Acquired additional synergy enhancement:
- Potion absorption efficiency slightly increases
- Meridian enhancement effect slightly increases]
With the synergy effect of these two professions, plus the added growth from unlocking more professions in the future, reaching the requirements for Elementary Apprentice within three months now seemed within reach.
And when the last trace of energy fluctuation calmed down, Ron, drenched in sweat after the body refining, even a small puddle of sweat accumulated on the stone platform.
"To withstand to this extent, it's already very good."
Andre handed over a robe: "Most people pass out during their first body refining."
Ron took the robe and realized his hands were still slightly trembling.
The feeling of the meridians being reshaped was so powerful that even now, a residual heat remained inside him.
"Is this the power of the Crown Breathing Technique..." he whispered.
"No, this is only the beginning." Andre shook his head:
"What you felt now was just the most basic breath guidance, to truly complete body refining you have to build on this foundation...."
His words suddenly stopped, his gaze landing on Ron's back: "Wait, this is..."
Ron turned his head and saw small golden patterns appearing on his skin, shimmering like threads in the sunlight.
"Sun Meridian!" Andre's voice trembled a bit:
"It's said that only those under the Sun Deity's protection exhibit this sign during their first body refining..."
[Unlocked Special Talent:
Sun's Protection (Fragment)
- Positive energy affinity slightly increases
- Meridian strength slightly increases
- Breathing technique-related skill experience point acquisition speed slightly increases]
Looking at the prompt on the panel, Ron felt a mix of joy and concern in his heart.
This special constitution was undoubtedly a good thing, but it also meant drawing more attention.
"I suggest you dress more conservatively in the future."
Andre's tone returned to calm, though his eyes still held a complex look: "Such a constitution... easily attracts certain people's interest."
He didn't say it explicitly, but Ron knew who he meant—those Wizards always looking for experimental materials.
"Speaking of which..." Andre suddenly shifted the topic: "Didn't you say you were going to apply for that herb store assistant position?"