As the sun descended below the horizon, their small caravan set up camp nestled within a natural rock formation just beyond the territory of the crawlers. They opted to wait until daylight to confront the creatures. Upon emerging from the carriage, Zeke found his group already bustling with activity. Setting up camp had become a well-practiced routine.
As usual, Vulcanos took charge of the fire and cooking duties. He arranged a circle of stones before conjuring a smoldering ball of Magma into the center. A large smile graced his lips, undoubtedly fueled by the prospect of enjoying fresh meat tonight after enduring a long stretch of nothing but jerky.
Around the firepit, dust, stones, and sand were flattened as Gravitas prepared the area for the tents. Utilizing her Gravitational Magic, she compacted the soil, ensuring their campsite was comprised of solid ground rather than loose sand. This not only facilitated the erection of tents but also served as a deterrent against potential enemies attempting to tunnel beneath them during the night.
Meanwhile, Ash attended to the Sandstriders. Though the lizards required minimal care, they tended to become particularly irritable during feeding times, rendering the task somewhat difficult. Fortunately, Ash had little trouble wrangling the beasts, and they had gradually learned not to act out with him. Zeke was amused to see the large beasts behaving so affectioned around the seasoned warrior.
Behind him, a smaller figure followed cautiously. Snow was never far from Ash when it came time to set up camp. It was far from the first time Zeke had noticed the gleam in her eyes as she glanced at the Sandstriders. He recalled overhearing her mention once that a skilled mount was the true mark of a warrior. It made Zeke ponder the nature of the society of Snow's homeland.
As usual, the guide stood to the side, leaving the work to the Chimeroi. According to him, it was customary for slaves to perform such menial tasks. Though Zeke felt inclined to object, he chose to let it pass for a simple reason: neither he nor the guide could offer much assistance. In fact, they would likely only hinder the process if they attempted to help.
Before long, the tents were erected, the animals tended to, and the aroma of sizzling meat permeated the campsite. While their guide reluctantly accepted a single skewer, Zeke and the Chimeroi practically devoured the meat. Unlike most humans, he had enjoyed the taste of monster meat for years. Khai'Zhar had once suggested that his evolving appetite might be a sign of his body adapting to the Draconic Essence, but Zeke didn't really care. He enjoyed the taste, plain and simple.
After dinner, their guide excused himself and returned to his tent to get some sleep, leaving Zeke alone with the Chimeroi. Their small group quietly talked about what they had been up to during the day while carefully avoiding any sensitive topics. They kept this up for a while, when suddenly…
[Notice]
The target has fallen asleep.
Zeke quieted, and his expression transformed into a small smile. The Chimeroi quickly picked up on the shift in his demeanor, gazing at him expectantly. Even Snow, who usually still harbored some shyness around him, stared at him with large, unblinking eyes.
"I think I've done it," he announced, wasting no time unveiling his accomplishment. "I've created a brand new Breathing Technique."
Ash, seated to Zeke's right, was the first to react. He offered a warm smile while clapping Zeke on the shoulder. "Well done, Master. This is a monumental achievement."
Vulcanos and Gravitas quickly followed suit, offering their own enthusiastic praise. It honestly made Zeke a little uncomfortable. After all, he hadn't even revealed anything yet. As far as they knew, he could have just been boasting. However, he couldn't shake the thought that perhaps they were simply taught to praise their master regardless. The realization left him feeling somewhat apprehensive.
"Enough, enough. Let me tell you about it before you start buttering me up," he chided playfully. Soon, the Chimeroi had settled down and were waiting for him to explain. "Erm… So, the technique I've developed is called Blood Boil. It is based on the Breathing Technique employed by the Ember Scar Cartel."
"Wasn't that the one that would make you crazy?" Vulcanos asked.
Zeke shrugged. "Yes and no. The Cartel used the Technique to strip all rationality from their recruits, turning them into creatures of instinct. They likely utilized it purposefully in a way that made them easier to control. Most of the members we had to execute were victims of this method."
Ash nodded somberly, having killed no small number of them. "They were too far gone, more beast than man."
Zeke couldn't help but agree with that assessment. He had conducted the interviews himself, and the worst of them had struggled to even engage in conversation. Years of misguided cultivation and abuse had eroded any trace of civility. They likely would have attacked him on sight if not for the Slave contract restraining them.
Clearing his throat, Zeke got rid of those distracting thoughts. "Anyway," he continued, "my technique will not have any of those side effects…" Although they tried to hide it, he could see the doubt in the eyes of the Chimeroi. Even Snow, who had been so interested earlier, was wavering.
Zeke sighed. Perhaps bringing up the Ember Scar Cartel right off the bat hadn't been the smartest idea. Nevertheless, there was no use crying over spilled milk.
"Listen," Zeke said, his tone serious. "Everything can become a poison when applied poorly." He looked deeply at each of the four, ensuring they were paying attention. "When I had just awakened my Magic, my perfect Blood Affinity almost caused my Core to explode.
Snow gasped, but all four appeared suitably shocked. Zeke continued his story: "The reason was simple: I didn't understand enough about Magic to comprehend and diagnose my symptoms. This led to me overtraining, straining my Core to its limits and almost damaging it irreparably."
Once again, Zeke swept his gaze around, locking eyes with everyone. "It's exactly the same with that Breathing Technique," he explained earnestly. "If mishandled, it can drive a person to madness. But that doesn't mean it's inherently vile. Just… different."
Gravitas took a deep breath before nodding. "We understand, Master. Please explain what you found out."
Zeke was pleased to see that the apprehension that had been present before was largely gone. It seemed that they were willing to at least hear him out before casting judgment. He cleared his throat while thinking about the best way to explain his discovery.
"Vulcanos," he called out, getting the man's attention. "When do you think is the best time to use a Breathing Technique?"
Vulcanos scratched his chin while thinking about it. When he spoke, his voice was slightly hesitant. "For me, it's right after I've eaten, I think..."
"Why do you think so?" he asked with an encouraging smile.
"Erm... because I find it easier to concentrate with a full stomach. There are fewer distractions, you know?"
Zeke flicked his fingers, pointing at him. "That's exactly it," he affirmed. "It is crucial to minimize distractions. Why is that?" he asked, pointing at Gravitas.
The woman didn't even take a beat to think about her answer. "Because mistakes will either lower your efficiency or even ruin your progress."
Zeke nodded, looking at Ash. "Why is that?"
Ash stroked his short beard, his expression reflecting deep contemplation. "I suppose," he said after a moment. "It's because each cultivation session is a continuous process. Like a fisherman, stopping halfway won't yield half a fish. Only completing a full cycle will yield any results."
Zeke nodded, impressed by the analogy. "That is right," he praised. "All of you are correct. However… Doesn't something strike you as odd?"
The Chimeroi exchanged confused glances, not speaking up. However, someone else had caught on. Snow gingerly raised her hand, unsure if she was allowed to speak. Zeke smiled at her, "Yes, Snow?"
"They… all said the same things."
Zeke's smile widened. Sometimes, it really took an outsider's perspective to see things for what they really were. "Very good!"
He then turned to the others. "How is it that all your answers overlapped so perfectly? Honestly, it sounded like you had all been studying under the same teacher, despite not even using the same Technique."
"Aren't those just the basics?" Vulcanos questioned.
"Why do you think so?" Zeke shot right back. Vulcano's jaw snapped shut, and the others were similarly rendered speechless. Evidently, they had never questioned what had seemed like common sense until now.
"My theory…" Zeke began after a pause, "is that most of the Techniques used in Korrovan belong to the same school of thought. Whether we're considering the Lion's Den or the Firebrand School, all techniques seem to follow the same pattern. However, I've found a single Technique that doesn't adhere to that same pattern: The one used by the Ember Scar Cartel."
"How does it differ?" Ash asked with bated breath.
"While other techniques put your body in a trance, this technique does the opposite. Instead of dulling your senses, it heightens them. Instead of slowing your heart rate, it exhilarates."
"That sounds more suited for battle than cultivation…" Gravitas mumbled.
Zeke smiled at her. "I thought the very same thing. To use such a technique in the traditional way would require an extremely calm mind and an iron will, which is likely why so few have succeeded."
The three veterans nodded in agreement. Even under the best conditions, focusing for extended periods was difficult. How much harder would it be when your body was fighting you on top of that?
Zeke continued, "I knew it would be impossible to eliminate those side effects. That's why I designed my Technique to be used non-traditionally. Instead of attempting to eradicate those side effects, I've aimed to redirect them into something more useful..."
"What?" Vulcanos prompted after he didn't continue right away.
"Blood Boil," Zeke repeated. "The name pretty much says it all. Instead of minimizing the side effects, my technique takes the opposite approach. It induces increased blood pressure, heightened senses, reduced pain reception... the list goes on."
Gravitas raised a brow. "Wouldn't that make it even harder to cultivate?"
Zeke looked at each of them in turn, his smile widening by the second. "Prohibitively so."
The Chimeroi exchanged confused glances, doubtlessly wondering if Zeke had finally lost his mind. It was Ash who decided to eventually speak up. "Erm… Master. That is not a good thing, is it?"
At this point, Zeke's smile was so wide that it threatened to split his face. "What if I told you, that you don't have to cultivate at all?"
Ash looked at him as if he was crazy. "What would be the point of a Technique that I can't use?"
Zeke shook his head. "You can use the Breathing Technique just fine; the difference is that you wouldn't need to cultivate."
Ash seemed even more confused now. "What else would I be using it for, if not to cultivate."
Zeke jerked his head to the south, indicating the direction where they had spotted the camp of crawlers earlier that day. The Chimeroi were momentarily confused but soon grasped what he was getting at.
"You couldn't mean…" Ash continued, his eyes wide. "Your Breathing Technique is to be used in combat?"
Zeke winked at him. "Told you it was different. Yes, the Technique is meant to be used in combat. Moreover, it will significantly enhance your physical condition temporarily."
Three faces gaped at him. Only Snow remained composed, likely due to her inexperience. However, the veteran fighters understood the significance of such a Technique if Zeke's words held true.
"There… there has to be a drawback to such a technique…" Gravitas argued.
Zeke nodded, his expression turning serious. "You are right. I suspect any use of Blood Boil will weaken you temporarily. On top of that, you will likely tire much faster than usual. As for any other side effects…" The Chimeroi were all hanging on to his every word, causing Zeke to smirk. "We will find out about those tomorrow."