Now, Ivan’s Knight Breathing Skill was at level 3.
Compared to level 2, the experience points gained from the various incomplete breathing methods had noticeably decreased. Basic Breathing Method yielded only two to three points, elementary seven to eight points, intermediate around thirteen points, and upper class could provide only around twenty points.
[Knight Breathing Skill Experience Points +22]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv4 (1/1000)]
Five days passed in a flash, and by exploring the Breathing Methods on the beast hide scrolls sent by Pearney, Ivan’s Knight Breathing Skill finally broke through to level 4.
Under the effect of the Small Light of Wisdom, his understanding and control of Breathing Methods in relation to Combat Energy reached new heights. He also had some new ideas about the Goliath Frog Breathing Method that he had been pondering over.
At the same time, he obtained a new level 4 Light of Great Wisdom.
After half a day, he called over his father, Leider, and his two elder brothers to the castle’s training ground.
Beaman couldn’t help but ask, “Ivan, is there some good news?”
“Mind your manners, I told you not to call him ‘Ivan’ like that,” Leider scolded before the sentence was even finished, slapping Beaman on the back of his head. As a traditionalist, he placed great importance on the lord’s dignity and had emphasized this to his siblings multiple times.
“Never mind, there are no outsiders here,” Ivan said lightly, amused, before getting to the point. “I have some thoughts about the Goliath Frog Breathing Method. I’ve brought you here to try them out and see if we can make some modifications.”
“Really?”
Upon hearing his words, Leider forgot all about lecturing Beaman.
“Let’s give it a try. I will need you to take part physically,” Ivan said. He had never truly practiced the Goliath Frog Breathing Method himself—academics were academics, but practice could only rely on his father and brothers.
Leider immediately emphasized, “Take part, everyone take part, we’ll all listen to you.”
Leider knew that his son Ivan never boasted; on the contrary, he was very humble and reserved. If he said such a thing, he must have a great deal of confidence, and Leider could hardly contain his excitement. Apart from his title, his other obsession was the Goliath Frog Breathing Method.
Both were once the glory of the Marichadon family.
“Alright, then the four of us, father and sons, will join forces. There will surely be some gains.”
Under Ivan’s guidance, the father and sons began their practical exploration of the ancestral Breathing Method.
An intermediate Breathing Method, not to mention being perfected a thousand times, had at least been explored for a long time by his ancestors. To make further changes was not something that could be achieved overnight, and injuries were inevitable along the way.
For the sake of restoring the family’s honor, nobody minded these things.
After several days of effort, combined with Ivan’s contribution from behind the scenes, the Goliath Frog Breathing Method was finally improved. They discovered how the breathing method could link to the stomach’s digestive capacity, producing more refined blood energy and Combat Energy, and reducing the side effects after the frog’s burst.
Ivan’s contribution wasn’t much; he merely used a level 1 Light of Wisdom, obtained from [Biology Expertise]. By controlling the rapid wood silkworms, his Biology Expertise had risen from level 0 to level 1.
As for the perfection of the related Goliath Frog Secret Medicine, that still needed a bit more time.
…
Today, Ivan, who was in the apothecary lab, sensed something and stopped concocting the Mountain Monster Potion he had been working on. He walked over to the window in a few strides and looked at several rapid wood silkworms flying towards him.
He extended his palm, and the rapid wood silkworms landed on it one by one.
“At last, it’s done.”
Ivan could clearly feel a closer bond forming between him and the rapid wood silkworms—not one born from the Insect Control Skill’s magic contract, but from the Spring Buds inside the bodies of the silkworms, undoubtedly the ones he had implanted earlier.
The bubble leeches had failed, the freezing water midges had failed, but the rapid wood silkworms had finally succeeded.
The first batch of five rapid wood silkworms all successfully merged with the Spring Buds, proving the unique traits of the silkworms.
It also confirmed the viability of the Spring Buds for Ivan.
[Knight Breathing Skill Experience Points +300]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv4 (302/1000)]
[Runes Skill Experience Points +20]
[Runes Skill: Lv2 (118/200)]
On the Academic Prodigy panel, a large number of experience points were added to the Knight Breathing Skill, and a smaller portion of experience was added to the Runes Skill.
Several days had passed since he had condensed the Spring Bud, and he had thought there would be no Experience Points, only to receive them when the rapid wood silkworm successfully merged, and the new achievements brought a considerable amount of Experience Points.
“Well done.”
Placing the rapid wood silkworm onto a fresh piece of mulberry wood, Ivan turned to concoct another potion, “Ginger Summer Water.”
He did not have the raw materials for Ginger Summer Water, but he had five vials of Endurance Ginger Water. With his ideas and insights, he could use the Endurance Ginger Water as a base, cleverly infuse runes and the power of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment, and craft a diluted version of Ginger Summer Water, which should have about seventy percent of the complete version’s effect.
He had pondered the concoction of Ginger Summer Water countless times and had practiced with other materials as well.
A moment later, a bottle of dark green potion was in his hand.
The original color of the Endurance Ginger Water was light green, but after combining the power of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment and runes, it turned dark green, with thread-like blood-colored things wriggling inside, causing the liquid to roil incessantly.
“Come, let me give you a little reward.”
Endurance Ginger Water could replenish physical strength and lifeforce. The Ginger Summer Water perfectly inherited this trait and even surpassed it, replenishing even more vitality.
As Ivan approached with the potion, the rapid wood silkworm wiggled anxiously, trying to avoid it at all costs.
One worm, one drop.
Under his command, the rapid wood silkworm began to absorb the nutrients from the potion.
Ivan watched intently. The most troublesome aspect of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment was that if the power transfer failed, it would rebound to him, which is why Toyennes hoped his students would live, unwilling to kill any of them, even those like Billerie and Pearney who defied him.
Compared to Toyennes’s curse mark gifts, Ivan’s Ginger Summer Water was undoubtedly more delicate, requiring much less endurance to bear.
In fact, Pearney’s Calming Potion that he had successfully concocted could only slightly suppress light curses, like the one on Justine, but it was ineffective on him.
Besides, suppression was merely a temporary solution, not a cure. The power of the curse ultimately needed to be resolved.
“You all have to strive hard.”
As time ticked by, he finally received the feedback he desired. The power of the curse followed the deep connection of the Spring Bud and successfully transferred to the rapid wood silkworm, becoming a part of it.
Even though it was just a trace, compared to the curse mark on Ivan’s arm, it seemed insignificant. Yet, it was a light of success.
For him, that slight transfer of power was success.
[Apothecary Skill Experience Points +230]
[Apothecary Skill: lv4 (250/1000)]
[Curse Skill Experience Points +50]
[Curse Skill: lv1 (66/100)]
[Runes Skill Experience Points +20]
[Runes Skill: Lv2 (138/200)]
The success of the Ginger Summer Water also brought a considerable number of Experience Points. The facts show that new achievements are an efficient means to advance one’s field of study, and the Academic Prodigy panel seems to encourage him to research and innovate more.
“Whew—hahaha.”
Ivan let out a deep breath, followed by a burst of hearty laughter.
Finally, he had found a way to rid himself of the dark cloud Toyennes had cast over him—what could be more joyful than this!
Looking at the rapid wood silkworm that now had a light green spot, his expression was filled with tenderness. Perhaps this was a kind of fate, indeed, Mulberry Valley was truly a blessing for him.
“You all need to live well.”
There are four forms of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment. The Spring Curse promotes more vigorous flesh and blood, while the Summer Curse can bring mutations. He did not know what the impact of this power transferred to the rapid wood silkworm would be, but certainly, there would be some change.
In order for the rapid wood silkworm to live longer, he had to help it become stronger and more vital. The Spring Bud was a start.
He had asked Pearney to collect so many Breathing Methods for another reason—to study their application to insects. This way, the insects could practice like a Knight, based on the foundation of the Spring Bud, though he had no leads for the moment.
Moments later, Ivan calmed the joy in his heart and pondered how to transfer more power of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment more securely. The presence of the curse power in Ginger Summer Water was an uncertainty, and he estimated that the potion could not be preserved for long.
With a means to reduce the power of the curse, both meditation and Knight training could be moved up the schedule. Having an extra measure of strength before heading to the academy was always a good thing.