My bloodline is so eager to improve.

The ground melted under the high temperature, turning into glass-like crystals. The air was scorched and distorted, and everything turned to ashes in the golden flames.

"I call it the Flame Cross!"

The moment Herarek unleashed this attack, Maeve sensed something was wrong.

The power of a combat technique capable of causing such a magical phenomenon is far beyond what Otto could withstand.

Even though Helarek had carefully controlled his output, Maeve was still worried that Otto would get injured.

She subconsciously took a step forward, ready to step in and help at any moment.

But then something surprising happened.

The cross-shaped flames that fell from the sky were actually blocked by Otto's iron sword.

Otto gripped the sword with both hands, holding the iron blade horizontally in front of him. He crouched slightly, using his legs to exert force, making him appear like an unshakeable mountain.

Golden flames struck the iron sword, producing a deafening roar, before splitting into two massive walls of fire behind Otto.

Maeve quickly noticed something was wrong.

Otto's Silverfrost Armor had already been shattered by the impact, with armor plates scattering everywhere, revealing the sweat-soaked cloth underneath.

His skin was burned by the high temperature, turning large areas red, and in some places even blisters.

But the iron sword in his hand was completely intact.

The iron sword was entirely black, with a simple and ancient design, except for a slightly luxurious-looking ruby ​​inlaid at the end of the hilt.

Under the impact of the flames from the combat technique, it didn't even leave a scratch, as if the earth-shattering technique was nothing more than a breeze to it.

"Una, when did you forge such a sturdy iron sword?"

Maeve asked, frowning.

"It even has defensive capabilities?"

It's important to know that weapons are generally designed for offense, and few people use them for defense, except for those who are shield bearers.

But the iron sword that Otto was wielding was far too unusual.

Maeve felt no strange magic from it.

Its only characteristic seems to be its sturdiness, so sturdy that it can withstand a blow from a paladin.

Maeve could only conclude that Una was behind it.

But Wu Na simply waved her hand in response.

"Obviously, this has nothing to do with me."

Una saw Otto wielding this black iron sword the moment she met him.

Una also asked Otto about the origin of his weapons, and it was said that they were made by the old men in his village for him to leave the village and become an adventurer.

Similar items were also found with the other three children who left the village for the big city.

At the time, Una thought it was just the work of an old craftsman.

But now it seems that the craftsman's skill level far exceeded their imagination.

Just as the two were discussing the origin of the iron sword, the flaming cross had already been dispelled by Herarek.

The golden flames gradually dissipated into the air, revealing Otto inside.

He maintained his sword-wielding posture, his body trembling slightly, but his feet were firmly planted on the ground, without taking a single step back.

"Sorry, sorry, I got a little excited and hit it a bit too hard."

Herarek quickly stepped forward, his tone apologetic.

Are you alright?

Should we call those two monks over?

It was precisely because of the presence of the two mages that Herarek was able to be a little bolder and unleash some of his power.

With them around, it would be difficult for Otto to die even if he wanted to.

But Herarek was somewhat surprised to see that Otto had only shattered his armor without sustaining any serious injury.

He strode forward and carefully examined his body.

"Hmm... I only suffered some minor burns on my skin, just enough to apply some ointment."

Seeing this, Helarek nodded in satisfaction.

"You've cleared the level."

Helarek was very satisfied with Otto.

Just as Helarek announced that Otto had cleared the level, Maeve burst into the magic circle and began berating her undead creations.

"Didn't you go a little too far?"

Maeve stood with her hands on her hips and said angrily.

Are all the people in your war cult like you muscle-bound idiots?

What you're facing is just a superhuman professional!

But when faced with Maeve's criticism, Helarek spoke in a serious tone.

"I know what I'm doing."

I reduced the power of that combat technique to its minimum, merely using magic and qi to create an empty shell to demonstrate the combat technique he was about to learn.

Even if the young man were hit directly, he would not suffer any life-threatening injuries; at most, he would just have to lie in bed for a few days.

If things don't improve, all that's left is a scar.

What's wrong with a scar for a man?

Herald's thinking was clearly different from that of ordinary people.

This reminded Otto of Roxanne's assessment of those war cult members.

Clearly, the members of this cult are all genuine martial arts fighters.

While Otto was pondering, Helarek had already slowly removed his helmet.

Appearing before Otto was a handsome young man with brown hair.

He had a handsome face, a high nose, thin and well-defined lips, and a pair of deep blue eyes, like the clear autumn sky.

His handsome appearance was dazzling.

This reminded Otto of the handsome young men in Maeve's team who were like male escorts, and he couldn't help but sigh that Maeve's taste hadn't changed at all.

As for Helarek, he clearly had no idea what Otto was thinking, and simply took off his armor little by little.

He placed the armor pieces on the ground one by one, his movements gentle, as if he were handling a precious work of art.

Finally, he immediately sat down cross-legged, gesturing for Otto to sit beside him. Then he took off his shirt, revealing his well-defined muscles.

Herald has a great physique, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and smooth, well-defined muscle lines; every muscle is perfectly proportioned.

But he had a gruesome scar on his chest, stretching from his left shoulder to his right waist, which was clearly a fatal wound.

The scar was surrounded by a faint blackish-red hue, a mark left by the curse.

"Alright, young man, observe my breathing."

Herald closed his eyes, his tone calm.

"This breathing technique also requires the assistance of magic."

I will also help you complete the breathing cycle of magic and energy within your body.

Let's learn this breathing technique as soon as possible.

The higher the level of combat technique, the more blurred the boundary between magic and aura becomes, and the more difficult it is to learn. Herarek only hoped that he could help the boy in front of him as much as possible, and it would be best to let him experience it in person.

"it is good."

Otto nodded and sat down cross-legged as well.

The explanation of breathing techniques is so simple and unpretentious.

First, observe the breathing pattern.

Next, guide the magic and energy into the other person's body, allowing them to feel the magic's energy flow and preventing it from going astray within their body.

This is the fastest way.

"Alright, you two take your time talking. It looks like it'll take some time."

Seeing this, Una dragged the drooling Maeve out of the magic circle and said helplessly.

“We’ll just stay outside and work on our own projects. Call us anytime if you need anything.”

After seeing Otto's current state, Una has already figured out how to finalize the design of that alchemical artifact.

Therefore, he pulled Maeve away.

She needs some help from Maeve, since certain advanced alchemical rituals require the necromancer's magic as an aid.

At this moment, only two people remained in the magic array.

Herald finally revealed the true name of this breathing technique to Otto.

"This breathing technique is called the Starry Sky Breathing Technique."

Herald's voice was soft, as if he were telling an ancient story.

"As I said before, this breathing technique is actually a fragment that my adventurer friends and I found in a dungeon."

It records a powerful fire-based combat technique, one of which is the Fiery Cross you just saw.

I believe you will learn it very quickly.

Now, quietly experience the wonder of this breathing technique.

With Helarek's help, Otto gradually corrected the flow of magic and energy within his body.

Herarek transformed his magic and aura into a thin thread, probing into Otto's body and guiding his breath along a specific pathway.

Otto closed his eyes, focusing intently on the changes within his body.

He could clearly sense his own breath, guided by Helarek, hissing along an unprecedented path.

The path was winding and twisting, passing through many magical loop nodes that he had never noticed before. At each node, the magic would undergo a subtle change, as if it were endowed with a new attribute.

"Pay attention to the rhythm of your breathing."

Herald's voice rang in his ears.

"When you inhale, take in the magic and breath of nature into your body."

When you exhale, you expel impurities from your body.

A cycle is completed with each breath.

The core of the Starry Breathing Technique lies in aligning with the rhythms of nature.

Otto did as he was told.

He took a deep breath and felt a cool breeze enter through his nostrils, flowing down his trachea and into the depths of his soul.

The aura contained a faint, strange magic, which, though thin, was exceptionally pure.

He held his breath, letting it linger for a moment deep within his soul, before slowly exhaling.

As he exhaled, he felt something turbid being carried away from his body, and he felt lighter.

"Very good, that's it."

Herarek praised.

“Your talent is remarkable; you’re much faster than I was when I first started.”

Otto did not answer; he was completely immersed in this wonderful state.

With each breath, he could feel his connection with the stars growing stronger.

Those distant stars were no longer cold specks of light, but had transformed into warm sources of energy, continuously sending magic to him.

Gradually, Otto no longer needed Helarek's guidance.