Knight Squire and the Blessing of the Sun (Incomplete)

"Remember, everything begins with breathing."

As Andre applied essential oil to Ron's spine, he said:

"Follow the rhythm I taught you: inhale for seven breaths, hold for three, exhale for five."

The moment the cool liquid touched his skin, a violent burning pain flared up.

But Ron forced himself to focus and began adjusting his breathing rhythm.

Inhale, for the span of seven heartbeats.

He felt a warm current flow in through his mouth and nose, traveling down his respiratory tract.

Hold his breath, for the span of three heartbeats.

The current moved through his body, producing a kind of Resonance with the Scorching Essential Oil seeping inside.

Exhale, for the span of five heartbeats.

As he expelled the foul air, the heat within his body seemed to ease slightly as well.

"Good. Keep this rhythm."

Andre's voice came from beside him. "Now silently recite the Meditation Mantra of the Corona Breathing Technique."

As he silently recited the mantra, Ron felt his breathing rhythm begin to resonate with a certain energy within his body.

Every breath seemed to stir an Energy Tide within him.

The Scorching Essential Oil that had seeped into his body flowed along with that tide, gradually tracing the outlines of one meridian after another.

The pain remained, but it seemed to have taken on a rhythm.

Meridian reconstruction detected

Current progress: 27%

Notice: Breathing rhythm has resonated with the meridians

"Now enter the second level of breathing."

Andre's voice grew solemn. "Inhale for nine breaths, hold for five, exhale for seven. Remember, you must follow the direction of the meridians."

As his breathing rhythm changed, Ron felt the energy flowing within him grow more violent.

The meridians illuminated by the Scorching Essential Oil seemed to pulse in the gaps between breaths, each beat bringing a burst of searing pain.

Yet strangely, the pain was no longer unbearable.

Instead, it seemed like a sign of some vital rhythm, slowly gathering the strength of his entire body through steady breathing.

"The final level of breathing."

Andre's voice came again. "Inhale for twelve breaths, hold for seven, exhale for nine. Remember, imagine the radiance of the sun."

Ron adjusted his breathing as instructed. As the rhythm changed, he felt his consciousness undergo a wondrous transformation.

Amid the steady breaths, he seemed to see a golden sun. Its radiance was scorching, yet it carried a power of utmost purity.

Miraculously, this image was not an illusion, but a tangible sensation produced by the breathing rhythm driving the energy throughout his body.

With every inhale, he could feel a blazing energy surge from his limbs toward his core.

Energy Resonance detected

Current progress: 58%

Notice: First Body Tempering is about to enter a critical stage

"Good, maintain this state."

Andre's voice suddenly turned stern. "What comes next is the most dangerous part. The energy throughout your body will reach its peak in an instant."

As the last trace of Scorching Essential Oil seeped into his body, Ron felt the blood in his veins boil.

The illuminated meridians began pulsing violently, like countless burning rivers rushing through his body.

"Hold your breath!" Andre suddenly shouted.

Ron immediately stopped breathing. During those brief seven breaths, he felt all the energy in his body gather around his heart, forming a blazing vortex.

The pain reached its peak, but his mind was remarkably lucid.

Energy is about to reach the critical point

Potion Apprentice class detected. Additional bonuses acquired:

- Meridian transformation efficiency increased

- Energy absorption rate increased

Ron secretly rejoiced. This Class Synergy effect was far better than he had imagined.

In this extreme state, he could clearly sense the path of every meridian and every flow of energy.

This heightened perception was undoubtedly another additional benefit brought by the Potion Apprentice class.

"Exhale!"

At Andre's next command, Ron slowly expelled another breath of foul air.

At that very moment, the accumulated energy surged through his entire body like floodwaters bursting through a dam.

The meridians that had been unbearably painful suddenly became completely unobstructed, like clogged river channels being dredged open.

Every inch of muscle and every bone in his body underwent some subtle transformation.

First Body Tempering Completion Degree: 87%

Basic evaluation obtained: Excellent

Class unlocked: Knight Squire (One-Star)

Notice: Some meridians have not been fully opened. It is recommended to undergo the Second Body Tempering after 24 hours.

Class acquired: Knight Squire (One-Star)

As a main combat class, Knight Squire provided attribute boosts far beyond those of an ordinary life class. Ron could feel unprecedented strength surging through his body.

Base attribute changes:

Physique: 0.5 → 1.2 (+0.7)

Spirit: 1.4 → 1.6 (+0.2)

Magic Power: 0.3 → 0.4 (+0.1)

Class skills unlocked:

1. Basic Swordsmanship (Beginner)

2. Breathing Body Tempering (Beginner)

Special bonuses:

1. Experience gain speed for martial skill-related abilities slightly increased

2. Physical training efficiency slightly increased

Compared with the gentle improvements of Potion Apprentice, the changes brought by a combat class were far more intense and direct.

His once-vague awareness of his muscles became exceptionally clear, as though he could sense the existence of every muscle fiber.

And the meridians transformed through Body Tempering now displayed an entirely new vitality.

Class Synergy detected:

Knight Squire + Potion Apprentice

Additional synergy bonuses acquired:

- Potion absorption efficiency slightly increased

- Meridian strengthening effect slightly increased

With the synergy between these two classes, along with the stacking improvements from more classes he would unlock in the future, reaching the requirements of a Primary Apprentice within three months seemed almost within reach.

When the last ripple of energy finally subsided, Ron was soaked from head to toe after the Body Tempering. Even the stone platform had accumulated a small puddle of sweat.

"Being able to endure this much is already very impressive."

Andre handed him a robe. "Most people pass out during their first Body Tempering."

Ron accepted the robe and only then realized that his hands were still trembling slightly.

The sensation of his meridians being reshaped had been too intense. Even now, a trace of burning heat lingered within him.

"So this is the power of the Corona Breathing Technique," he murmured.

"No, this is only the beginning." Andre shook his head.

"What you felt just now was only the most basic breathing guidance. True Body Tempering is built upon this foundation."

His words abruptly stopped as his gaze fell on Ron's back. "Wait, this is..."

Ron turned his head and saw fine golden patterns emerging on his skin, glittering like threads under sunlight.

"Sun-Day Meridians!" Andre's voice trembled slightly.

"It is said that only those protected by the Sun God show this sign during their first Body Tempering..."

Special Talent unlocked:

Blessing of the Sun (Incomplete)

- Affinity with yang energy increased

- Meridian strength slightly increased

- Experience gain speed for breathing technique-related skills slightly increased

Ron looked at the notification panel, both delighted and worried.

This special constitution was undoubtedly a good thing, but it also meant it would draw more attention.

"I suggest you dress more conservatively in daily life."

Andre's tone returned to calm, though his eyes remained somewhat complicated. "This kind of constitution... can easily attract certain people's interest."

He did not say it outright, but Ron understood whom he meant—the wizards who were always searching for experimental materials.

"Come to think of it..." Andre suddenly changed the subject. "Didn't you say you were going to apply for an assistant position at that Herb Shop?"