Secret Technique

"White Cross Body-Forging Technique? A secret art?"

In the dim basement, Gilan's eyes lit up.

His heart hammered against his ribs, and a powerful craving drove him to slowly open the notebook.

Swish... swish.

Under the flickering candlelight, the pages turned one by one.

The paper was filled with dense, black ink, accompanied by detailed diagrams of human anatomy. While it looked incredibly complex, it clearly marked the precautions and fundamental principles for practicing this ancient body-forging technique.

The White Cross Body-Forging Technique stated that the human body contained four primary fluids: mucus, yellow bile, blood, and black bile. These corresponded to the four basic elements of the world: water, fire, air, and earth.

Tempering muscles and bones or mastering combat techniques were merely external foundations; the inner core was to strengthen these four fluids within the body. Only then could one break through human shackles and attain an extraordinary physique.

These theories were all derived from the famous alchemist, Paracelsus.

Gilan paused, stunned.

He recalled the "Miasma Theory" and "Mystical Sartorialism" that Maive had described. These seemed to originate from the same Paracelsus. However, Maive only knew this figure from three hundred years ago as a great scholar; she was unaware that he also held the identity of an alchemist.

Gilan turned his gaze back to the notebook, flipping through the pages with excitement and fervor.

Compared to external tools like firearms, this was a secret art that could directly elevate his own self!

The White Cross Body-Forging Technique explained that the entire practice process was divided into four stages, named directly after the four fluids: mucus, yellow bile, blood, and black bile.

When a practitioner entered the first stage, "Mucus," their strength would increase significantly alongside their physique, eventually rivaling that of a large beast. According to historical records, the knights of the Healing Knights had an average punch force of an astonishing 2,000 pounds.

The second stage, "Yellow Bile," improved the practitioner's stamina and indirectly enhanced their agility, flexibility, and speed. Records also noted that a knight of the Healing Knights, while wearing 60 pounds of full-plate armor, once raced a fine warhorse and only collapsed from exhaustion after running continuously for ten minutes.

The third stage, "Blood," greatly increased the practitioner's hematopoiesis, recovery, and wound-healing capabilities. Common injuries like sword cuts, bruises, or lacerations would heal in just a few days, and even broken bones would only require one to two weeks.

The description of the final stage, "Black Bile," seemed somewhat esoteric. It focused on the spirit and will, remaining vague and leaving Gilan utterly confused.

However, it did record some real events for reference. One such event involved the Vice-Captain of the Healing Knights, Agni Baldwin, who had single-handedly breached the town of Leia and kicked through a solid wrought-iron gate fifteen centimeters thick.

"Kicked through a city gate?" Gilan's eyes widened, and he muttered in disbelief. "Are you sure this isn't a fantasy knight novel?"

His hands trembled as he held the notebook, unable to calm his inner agitation.

But soon, he discovered a note at the end of the book, a critique left by the scribe Espi:

"The 'Healing Knights' that appeared in the early 17th century were an extremely mysterious armed force. They rose with incredible speed and intervened with overwhelming force in the 'War of Rongsa' that engulfed the entire continent, laying the foundation for the geopolitical landscape of later generations... It is a pity, however, that this mysterious body-forging method requires a secret medicine formulated within the order to be effective; otherwise, it is merely empty talk."

"Yet, with the mysterious disappearance of the knights, this secret medicine has long been lost. It is a lamentable tragedy that the authenticity of the 'White Cross Body-Forging Technique' can no longer be verified, nor can the formidable individual martial prowess of the past be replicated."

Gilan's expression froze, his heart sinking.

It requires a corresponding secret medicine? He couldn't help but frown. Where am I supposed to find that!

But soon, Gilan remembered his own mysterious ability, "Iridescence."

That colorful point system can instantly boost my firearm proficiency; could it also allow me to master this body-forging technique?

A flame of hope reignited in his heart.

Gilan flipped back to the beginning and read the content carefully.

The colorful numbers in his eyes began to glow slightly, as if in response.

It's feasible! His eyes brightened, and he immediately began to attempt the first stage, "Mucus," following the practice steps.

He set his double-barreled shotgun aside on the workbench and stood in the cramped basement, stretching his arms and assuming various strange postures, adjusting his breath according to specific frequencies.

Normally, this process required taking a secret medicine beforehand and applying a special ointment to the chest, abdomen, and limbs, but Gilan had none, so he had to practice "dry."

Before long, he began to feel dizzy, and breathing became difficult.

It felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and sharp, needle-like pains erupted in his chest, lower abdomen, sides of his waist, upper arms, and ankles.

Without the crucial secret medicine, practicing like this won't just fail; it will cause injury or even leave me crippled. Gilan realized this, but he gritted his teeth and continued.

Soon, a piercing, agonizing pain surged from within, rushing straight to his crown. Gilan couldn't catch his breath; his vision went black, and he lost all strength, collapsing backward.

Thud!

He hit the ground hard, his entire body numb and unable to move.

Gilan's face twisted in agony, becoming ferocious, yet his eyes remained bright.

Iridescence!

He roared in his mind.

In his star-spangled vision, the colorful number "10" suddenly flickered—it decreased and pulsed until it returned to the initial "0"!

Thump!

His heart gave a violent jolt!

Gilan's vision gradually returned to normal, and his paralyzed limbs regained sensation. The sharp pains across his body vanished, replaced by a surge of seemingly inexhaustible energy.

He exhaled and slowly climbed up from the floor.

But the next second, Gilan was stunned to find that his nose was uncontrollably running with mucus, and his mouth was secreting saliva as if he had just eaten a sour plum.

Soon, his throat began to itch, followed by his entire body, as if countless ants were crawling beneath his skin. Tormented by this sudden, unbearable itching, Gilan hunched over and began to tremble uncontrollably.

About a minute later, the intense itching finally began to fade.

Gilan's face was flushed crimson, his veins bulging as he gasped for air.

He straightened his back and wiped the secretions from his nose and mouth, feeling that he had grown significantly stronger. A wealth of combat techniques had appeared in his mind out of nowhere, as if he had practiced them for years and mastered them thoroughly.

It seems I have initially grasped the White Cross Body-Forging Technique and stepped into the first stage known as "Mucus"!

Gilan raised his hand and clenched his fist, his mood soaring.

The mysterious power I possess, "Iridescence," is truly miraculous; it actually allowed me to skip the necessary medicinal aids and practice the secret technique directly!

He picked up the double-barreled shotgun from the workbench with one hand; the firearm, which had once felt heavy, now felt as light as a feather.

Unable to contain his excitement, Gilan slammed his fist down.

With a dull thud, the solid wood workbench instantly cracked, sending wood splinters flying everywhere.