Level Two Breathing and Exhalation

The intense reaction produced after taking the Stone Crystal Fruit had been rather brief, lasting only two days before recovering to this state.

The efficiency of practicing the Coiling Dragon Stake had directly returned to six to eight experience points per round.

Practicing the Frost Sky Fist had likewise declined, yielding fewer than five experience points per round.

Yet the duration of its medicinal effects surpassed that of the Azure Dragon Fish, lingering long and far.

The earlier weakening of the medicine's power had not meant it had dispersed. Instead, it had settled throughout Hong Ming's body, waiting to be used.

This counted as an invisible benefit born from the failure of Cure-All, allowing him to sustain the consumption of martial practice through his own strength.

The effects of improving his Bone Structure were thus laid bare, plain for all to see.

Under normal circumstances, the former generally gained three experience points, reaching around eleven per round.

The latter had risen by a greater margin, leaping to roughly eight experience points per round.

The overall improvement was barely satisfactory, and Hong Ming was still somewhat disappointed.

He had originally thought that improving his Bone Structure would restore the extraordinary twenty-plus experience points per round. Now, it seemed he had simply been thinking too much.

Still, it was normal. After all, it was Lower-Upper Bone Structure; the improvement was limited.

He estimated that if he wanted the Coiling Dragon Stake to exceed twenty experience points, he would likely have to solidify Average Aptitude.

After weighing his current fortune, Hong Ming temporarily dismissed the idea and threw himself back into training.

After another two days of diligent practice, Hong Ming had used up nearly all the medicinal power.

The harvest had been abundant!

For his stance technique, the Coiling Dragon Stake's experience had neared five hundred, rising by more than two hundred points. Its progress was already past halfway.

For his fist technique, the Frost Sky Fist's experience had neared three hundred, likewise rising by more than two hundred points. Its progress had reached sixty percent.

As for fortune, after deducting what he had used, he had accumulated twenty-three points, still not enough to solidify Average Aptitude.

"I could solidify Level Two Breathing and Exhalation instead." Hong Ming changed his train of thought.

Among the many Traits he had investigated so far, solidifying Level Two Breathing and Exhalation required at least twenty points of fortune.

Solidifying Average Aptitude, meanwhile, required at least forty points of fortune.

Given the current situation, gathering enough fortune for the latter would take at least five days.

If he dragged things out until then, the Stone Crystal Fruit's medicinal power in his body would likely be completely exhausted. Solidifying it afterward would be like a clever housewife trying to cook without rice.

"The earlier I solidify it, the earlier I enjoy it. While the medicinal power has yet to run dry, I should make the most of it first!"

Hong Ming's thoughts gradually settled, and he made his decision.

He immediately put it into action:

[Consumed 20 points of fortune. Successfully solidified the "Breathing and Exhalation" Trait.]

The instant the panel's voice rang out, it meant that Hong Ming's first Level Two Trait had been born.

Only now could he be considered a true Level Two Word Master.

It was nothing more than a touch of wind and frost!

Hong Ming felt no ripples in his heart and impatiently checked the panel.

[Trait: Breathing and Exhalation (Level 2 · White)]

[Solidification Effect: Adjusts one's breathing to harmonize with the rhythms of all things.]

Compared to before, the description was the same. He could not see any change.

So he put it to the test himself, and the effect was immediate:

[Coiling Dragon Stake +15]

[Frost Sky Fist +13]

The average efficiency had risen again, and the increase was even greater than when he had solidified his Bone Structure.

It had increased by a full five points!

As expected of a Level Two Trait!

Hong Ming was exceedingly satisfied with the enhanced Trait's effects.

The surprises did not end there. After calculating slightly, he realized that he had finally glimpsed hope of fulfilling the Fate Grid's requirements!

It was simply joy upon joy!

With no immediate concerns regarding cultivation, Hong Ming turned back to reality.

Before him lay the problem of official documents.

It had been nearly a month since Hong Ming entered the Preparatory Camp, yet he had never received any official documents.

Barring surprises, things would likely remain this way going forward.

"Looks like I can only make plans after reaching Dark Force."

Hong Ming was not flustered in the slightest. If it truly came to it, he could simply wait it out; at most, he would lose two Force-Nourishing Pills each month.

Trading that for sufficient time to grow was not a bad bargain.

Once he entered Dark Force, he would be able to turn the situation around.

The River Bureau had rules: if a Water Soldier cultivated Dark Force within the Preparatory Camp, let alone four sets of official documents, even all the various camps of the Water Army would be his to choose from.

At that level, so-called official documents would not be a problem at all.

The only three things Hong Ming needed to do urgently were cultivate, cultivate, and cultivate!

Putting the matter aside, he continued striving to better himself.

Hong Ming was indifferent toward the official documents, but Chen Yao had been keeping them in mind.

On the road leading to the dormitory courtyard, Chen Yao walked alongside Wen Xin, and the former brought up the matter.

"I asked around for you. There is a way, but the price is steep." Wen Xin's tone was helpless.

She found it both funny and exasperating that Chen Yao, after serving as Hong Ming's "benefactor who taught him" for only a few days, had become so preoccupied with his official documents.

Chen Yao was unsurprised by her attitude and asked after a moment of thought, "What are the conditions?"

"Two conditions!" Wen Xin raised two slender, jade-like fingers and said seriously, "First, offer one hundred taels of patterned silver as tribute. Second, pledge ten years of loyalty!"

Chen Yao was slightly stunned. "That harsh?"

"Otherwise, who would be willing to take the risk to help? Don't forget, if they provide the official documents, they will have to support Hong Ming for the rest of his life!" Wen Xin shrugged.

Chen Yao fell silent, her brows knitting slightly.

Money was not a problem; she was willing to lend it to him. The crucial matter was the pledge of loyalty.

That was not something she could decide for Hong Ming on her own.

Without dwelling on it, she planned to find her only "disciple," Hong Ming, and tell him about it.

"Why is Zhou Min here too? Has she come looking for Hong Ming?"

Just then, Wen Xin voiced her surprise.

Hearing this, Chen Yao raised her eyes and saw Zhou Min walking gracefully into the dormitory courtyard where Hong Ming lived.

Inside the courtyard.

Hong Ming looked puzzled as he asked Zhou Min, "May I ask what important matter has brought Miss Zhou to seek out Hong?"

"You have not received sponsorship yet, have you? That is why I came." Zhou Min went straight to the point.

Sponsorship?

Hong Ming froze for a moment. He was about to tell her that he had already accepted Zhong Shaoying's sponsorship when she interrupted him.

Zhou Min first pointed out Hong Ming's circumstances. "If I remember correctly, you merely have Low-Grade Bone Structure."

Then she named her price directly. "This Bone Structure has limited potential and normally has no value worthy of sponsorship. But for the sake of our being colleagues, I am willing to offer ten taels of silver to recruit you."

Her tone was calm, but her attitude carried a hint of charity.

Hong Ming noticed that behind this offer was not simple sponsorship, but recruitment.

Recruitment had always been a method used for subordinates and guards!

"Miss Zhou, I have long since accepted Young Master Zhong's sponsorship." Hong Ming politely declined.

Zhou Min's delicate brows lifted slightly. Without asking why, she raised the offer. "Thirty taels. How about it?"

"I must respectfully decline."

Hong Ming's gaze flickered. Zhou Min's offer had startled him, yet he did not relent.

Though sponsorship came without restrictions, recruitment did not.

If he agreed, not only would he be unable to repay Zhong Shaoying as he pleased in the future, but everything he did would have to receive Zhou Min's approval.

Leaving aside breaking faith with another, he would have no freedom whatsoever.

Accepting recruitment was, in a sense, no different from selling himself. From then on, every word and action would be subject to another's control.

He had thought that after refusing twice in succession, he had already made his stance clear, and Zhou Min would not pester him further.

Yet she was remarkably persistent and continued raising the price.

This time, it was even higher: "Fifty taels!"