Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Servant and "Price Tags Ron knew this was a critical moment; the energy from the last Body Refining session nearly tore him apart. But this time, he had already grasped the essentials. He took a deep breath and began trying to guide this frenzied energy using the unique Rhythm of the Crown Breathing Technique. At first, the energy was still difficult to control, raging like wildfire through his meridians. But as the breathing adjusted, the frenzied energy gradually calmed down and began moving along a specific trajectory. [Perfect Rhythm Detected Control Level: High Gain Additional Attribute Boost: Constitution +0.2] [Constitution: 1.2→1.4] Just as the energy was about to be fully directed into his meridians, Ron suddenly sensed something strange. In his perception, the flowing energy seemed to form a certain pattern, like a miniature sun, slowly rotating inside him. This reminded him of the illusion he saw during his first Body Refining, but this time, the vision was much clearer, and he could even sense a certain profound meaning within. "Focus completely." Andre’s voice suddenly became serious, "You should be able to see something now..." Indeed, in Ron’s perception, the sun wasn’t just a pattern but more like the embodiment of a certain law. Its operation method completely matched with the Rhythm of the Crown Breathing Technique. "I see..." Ron finally understood something. The reason this breathing technique is called the Crown Breathing Technique is not only because it can guide energy similar to the sun but also because it itself imitates the sun’s operational law. When the last trace of energy was completely integrated into the meridians, Ron slowly opened his eyes. He found Andre looking at him with a peculiar gaze. "You..." Andre seemed to want to say something but hesitated: "Saw the sun pattern?" Ron nodded: "Not only saw it but also felt the law within." "Incredible." Andre’s expression became complex: "Even I only had this insight after reaching the second stage of cultivation; you’re just in your second Body Refining session and..." He didn’t finish, but Ron understood his meaning. This understanding of the essence of the breathing technique was far more meaningful than simply completing Body Refining. ......... On the way back to the dormitory area, Ron kept pondering over the experiences of the day. The glowing Star Grass, the reason he could maintain its activity was entirely due to accidentally using the Rhythm of the Crown Breathing Technique while organizing. Every time the breath guided, it would make the energy in the herbs flow with a specific Rhythm. "What are you thinking about?" Andre’s voice interrupted his thoughts. "I’m wondering..." Ron stopped walking, recalling that bottle of Artificial Star Dew: "Do all extraordinary powers have their specific ’Rhythm’?" "What do you mean?" "Like how Star Grass maintains its activity following a specific rhythm, and burning essential oil also needs to match the Rhythm of the breathing technique to achieve its effect." Ron explained, "Then what about Spiritual Power...?" Andre showed interest: "Are you saying if one can find the ’Rhythm’ of Spiritual Power, perhaps one can speed up meditation?" "It’s definitely worth a try." Ron nodded, "Today Lady Allen mentioned teaching me how to make simple potions, maybe I could gain some insights from it." While speaking, the two had already arrived at the dormitory area. Once they stepped on the stairs, they heard a burst of hurried footsteps. A lavishly dressed but slightly disheveled young lady hurried past them, with a strong perfume smell masking a hint of fishiness and sweat. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎 Ron recognized her as one of the Candidate Apprentices from their batch, Emily. According to her previous self-introduction, she seemed to be a noble lady from the Duke’s household. But right now, this Duke’s daughter seemed more like a hostess at a special event, with her neckline wide open, exquisite makeup somewhat smudged, and a trace of reddish color at the corner of her lips. Seeing Ron and Andre, Emily’s face went red, she lightly covered her face with her hand, and quickly sped up disappearing around the corridor corner. "Another one." Andre showed a hint of disdainful sneer: "This month alone, three people have chosen this path." "What do you mean?" "You don’t know?" Andre glanced at Ron’s confused expression: "Apprentices who pass the examination have the right to recruit servants, for those who see no hope, seeking refuge with an apprentice in advance isn’t a... bad option." His tone carried a bit of sarcasm: "Emily has gone to Marcus of Tower Three, heard that guy especially likes collecting such ’beauty servants’, already has five or six." Ron finally understood, noticing the sudden gloominess on Andre’s face: "Speaking of Marcus, that guy and his twin brother have been researching a certain curse witchcraft of spiritual power extraction recently, heard one servant under it has turned into an idiot." He paused, his voice low: "But even so, people keep rushing to them. In the Black Mist Jungle, just surviving is already many people’s biggest luxury." Ron was silent, this was the world of wizards—the strong having the power of life and death over the weak; this hierarchy concept has long been ingrained deep. "Anyway," Andre slightly reined in his emotions: "You’ve found a good road, Lady Allen may be stern, but at least..." He didn’t finish, but Ron understood his meaning; the old witch might seem terrifying, but from the contact in the past two days, she was actually quite kind. "Speaking of which," Ron remembered the bottle of Artificial Star Dew, starting to chat idly: "Why did Holt Apprentice gift me such a precious magic potion?" "Probably appreciating your talent." Andre shrugged: "In the Black Mist Jungle, any kindness is not without reason. If you succeed in advancing, you might have to repay accordingly." Every gift of fate has long been secretly marked with a price. Ron nodded, fully aware of the significance behind this "gift."