Chapter 198: Body Forging Technique

Dean was mentally prepared for the lack of movement from the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique]. Having experienced [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)], Dean had already confirmed his previous guess—skills that directly increased attributes could not be enlightened through a sudden ‘flash of inspiration’.

Therefore, for the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], Dean planned to honestly rely on time to let his body become familiar with it; after all, this was within the four to five weeks of cultivation time he had originally set.

As for the [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] that had already been recognized by the [System]?

Naturally, he would use [XP] to increase it!

After all, this was also part of Dean’s plan.

“Yes/No to increase [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)]?”

“Yes!”

Dean answered affirmatively, and immediately raised [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] to the maximum level that his current [XP] could reach—

[Body Forging Technique (Emerald) Lv1→Lv6]

[Body Forging Technique (Emerald) Lv6: A body forging technique from the Emerald Army, capable of improving human physical quality; Effect: [Agility] +0.6; [Constitution] +0.7]

(A special choice of +0.1 to [Constitution] has been made once)

The consumption of 270 [XP] immediately raised [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] to the current limit.

Looking at [XP: 103] and the 200 [XP] needed to raise [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] to Lv7, Dean fell silent for a moment: “Although general skills have no other restrictions, the [XP] requirement is a major limitation for me right now… Moreover, for [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] to reach Lv6, if I wanted to improve it through the way ordinary people cultivate, it would take too long. It’s simply not suitable for me!”

[Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] was easy to get started with, and the improvement in the early stages was fast, but reaching the true final stage was incredibly difficult; at least, as far as Dean knew, after [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)] reached Lv5, the time required to level up was calculated in years.

Moreover, more importantly, such effort was hardly proportional to the reward.

Perhaps for [Commoner]s, the [Body Forging Technique] was an amazing [Secret Technique].

However, compared to those [Grand Noble]s and the [Royal Family], the [Body Forging Technique] was nothing, and even the advanced version of the [Body Forging Technique] was just ordinary. Only [Secret Technique]s that reached a high level would catch their eye.

Therefore, in the same amount of time, it was very likely that someone practicing two [Secret Technique]s would increase by 0.1–0.2 in a year, while another increased by 0.5–0.6.

This multiple-fold comparison was enough to make those possessing high-level [Secret Technique]s appear extraordinary.

It also made the [Noble]s seem superior.

After all, for [Commoner]s practicing the most basic [Body Forging Technique], [Knight] was their peak. Those with better [Talent] might reach the level of a Grand Knight.

But those [Noble]s used [Knight] as their starting point.

Comparing the two, the difference was obvious.

Similarly, this made those high-level [Secret Technique]s particularly precious.

And for [Commoner]s to obtain those high-level [Secret Technique]s, there was basically only one path—become a [Knight], pledge loyalty to a certain [Family], make great contributions, and receive that reward.

Moreover, even so, the high-level [Secret Technique] obtained might be incomplete.

Just like the high-level [Secret Technique]s Dean still remembered in his mind, they were all in this situation—these were rewards or trophies he had obtained during his years as an [Assassin]. Most of them were at Lv1, a small part could reach Lv2, and the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique] was a rare high-level [Secret Technique] capable of reaching Lv3.

Therefore, apart from the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique], Dean did not choose those other high-level [Secret Technique]s in his mind.

After all, when truly comparing them, the basic [Body Forging Technique] was more cost-effective—

First, as a general [Skill], it only required [XP] to increase to the level limit, without the strange advancement methods of high-level [Secret Technique]s.

Second, auxiliary medicines were rare, mostly common ones, or not needed at all, like the Emerald’s [Body Forging Technique].

Third, and most importantly, the time required for a high-level [Secret Technique] to be recognized by the [System] was too long, and Dean simply did not have such time.

The four to five weeks for the [Hazy Shadow Inter-Space Breathing Technique] was not considered long among high-level [Secret Technique]s.

One had to know that in Dean’s memory, a body forging technique called [Lie Chi Fa] required years just for the introduction.

Therefore, even though [Lie Chi Fa] could effectively improve [Strength] and [Constitution], and even gain some ‘[Flame]’ characteristics, Dean did not choose it.

At least, Dean didn’t have the time to make such a choice right now.

“Choosing the special option for [Constitution] is beneficial for the loss of [Constitution] limit during the [Baptism]s that may be needed multiple times in the future… Now that [XP] is insufficient to raise [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)], then… I should adjust the plan and start cultivating [Body Forging Technique (Goth)] and [Body Forging Technique (City)]. At the same time, [Huck] leading the men to wipe out those bandits and robbers is enough to provide me with the [XP] for the low levels of these two Body Forging Techniques right now!”

After adjusting his plan again, Dean walked out of the room and headed towards the side of the playground.

There, several stone piers were placed—these were apparatus used by the [Knight Order] for strength training. They were crude, but quite practical.

Dean walked straight to the heaviest stone pier, and then, picked it up.

However, the next moment, Dean put the stone pier down—it was a bit too light!

Looking at the 150kg marked on the stone pier, Dean couldn’t help but frown, and then placed the two stone piers marked 100kg and 50kg on top of it.

Then, Dean picked up the three stone piers stacked together.

And this time, Dean felt satisfied.

Although it was slightly strenuous, for [Body Forging Technique (Goth)], venting one’s strength as much as possible was the best method.

If conditions allowed and Dean could guarantee his safety, he wouldn’t mind doubling the weight to exhaust his strength faster.

However, even so, when [Mah] and those [Auxiliary Soldier]s saw Dean lifting those stone piers up and down, they were still dumbfounded.

One had to know that most of them couldn’t even complete the 100kg of the next lower level, let alone the clean and press of three stone piers stacked together—

“Regiment Commander is really too strong!”

An [Auxiliary Soldier] murmured to himself.

“Three together, that’s 300kg, right? How is that possible? Even a [Knight] couldn’t do that!”

Another [Auxiliary Soldier] looked in disbelief.

“How can an ordinary [Knight] compare to the Regiment Commander… Our Regiment Commander will become a [Gold-rank] powerhouse in the future!”

[Mah] looked at that figure in the distance with reverence, and then, the next moment, he came back to his senses and shouted in a low voice: “Continue patrolling, stay alert!”

At [Mah]’s low shout, the [Auxiliary Soldier]s immediately sprang into action.

However, they always subconsciously looked in Dean’s direction, even [Mah] himself was no exception.

“Twenty-nine, thirty…”

Dean counted to himself during the continuous clean and presses. After completing thirty reps, he felt a soreness in his arms; however, he still gritted his teeth and did one more before putting down the stone pier. Then, using the unique breathing method of [Body Forging Technique (Goth)], he adjusted himself.

Unlike the tiny heat flow of [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)], the heat flow of [Body Forging Technique (Goth)] was obviously much thicker. However, it did not drill deep into the body but began to travel inside the muscles, causing Dean’s sore muscles to start recovering rapidly.

And just thirty seconds later, the soreness in Dean’s muscles disappeared.

And with the disappearance of this state, those heat flows also vanished. No matter how Dean adjusted himself according to the breathing method, it was of no use at all.

“Just like [Body Forging Technique (Emerald)], it must be in a limit state to work!”

Knowing the answer, Dean confirmed it once more, completely gave up the idea of finding a shortcut, and started to pick up the stone pier again.

Cultivation time always passed unnoticed.

Four days later, [Huck] led the young men of the [Knight Order] back as promised. The first thing he saw was Dean’s shocking strength training—almost like those [Auxiliary Soldier]s, the young men of the [Knight Order] were dumbfounded. Even [Huck], who considered himself good at strength, smiled bitterly and shook his head.

Even with both arms, [Huck] didn’t think he could achieve such a level like Dean.

“Everyone, welcome back!”

After completing a breathing adjustment, Dean walked towards [Huck] and the others with a smile.

“Well done!”

Looking at the heads hanging on the [Warhorse], Dean praised them.

In fact, even without seeing these heads, the [XP] shared within the [Military Organization] was enough for Dean to know his subordinates’ battle results.

[XP+50]

This was the [XP] Dean had gained over four days.

Although it didn’t seem like much, just considering that only 30% of it was shared, one could tell that these young men had done quite well.

After all, according to Dean’s current level conversion, an ordinary trained soldier was worth 1 [XP]. Although many of the bandits were stronger than this level, more were weaker; therefore, under [Huck]’s leadership, these young men had wiped out at least 200 bandits.

Although it wasn’t all at once, and they relied on the sharpness of [Crossbow]s and the assistance of [Warhorse]s, it was still hard to erase the efforts of these young men.

At least, Dean saw more of the iron blood and killing intent of real soldiers and [Warrior]s in these young men.

“My Lord, all bandits within a thirty-kilometer radius of the four villages have been wiped out!”

[Huck] reported like this.

“Very good. Later, send the heads to [Lord Baron] and buy more ingredients by the way. Today we hold a banquet to celebrate your triumphant return!”

Dean instructed loudly.

Immediately, this drew cheers from the young men.

And at this moment, a figure appeared outside the station of the [Ferrchelen Knight Order].