From Wizard Apprentice to Conqueror of Myriad Worlds

Her voice carried a note of emphasis, as if to say, ’This is the crucial part’:

"When practicing the new Secret Technique, the body breathes at a specific frequency. This first stimulates the Magic Core, which then causes the Magic Core and the Ocean of Magical Power to enter a marvelous state of sympathetic resonance.

"This resonance isn’t particularly powerful, but it’s enough to temper the spirit and allow it to draw a small amount of nourishment from the Ocean of Magical Power.

"Based on this logic, I wholeheartedly agree with the manuscript’s conclusion—the new Breathing Technique has an incredible effect: it can permanently increase one’s Spiritual Strength."

She paused before explaining another advantage of the new Secret Technique:

"Most importantly, the threshold for the High Mountain Magic Breath Technique is very low. Any novice can master it.

"It doesn’t require one to form a Spirit Ring, nor does it need the aid of expensive Magic Potions. All you have to do is breathe with a specific rhythm, day in and day out, and you’ll see the effects.

"It can be used in tandem with the Basic Meditation Technique.

"The Basic Meditation Technique has a strict time limit. Novices shouldn’t practice for more than two hours a day, otherwise it might be counterproductive.

"The High Mountain Magic Breath Technique, however, has no such restriction. Novices can use their spare, fragmented moments to practice it, gradually increasing their Spiritual Strength."

Flower finished her long-winded explanation and offered her final conclusion:

"In my personal opinion, this is an extraordinary Secret Technique, one capable of changing the fate of many novices."

Mo Ning was adept at painting pretty pictures for others, but he remained unmoved by the one the Artificial Soul had just painted for him.

He knew the limitations of this Secret Technique all too well.

He simply smiled. "Flower, your insight is spot on, but the High Mountain Magic Breath Technique is simply too low-level."

Flower tactfully stopped arguing. "Very well. I must admit, that is an undeniable fact."

In fact, Mo Ning understood the significance of the new Breathing Technique perfectly well.

For the few novices whose talent was right on the cusp of passing, the High Mountain Magic Breath Technique could indeed provide a boost, helping them successfully form their first Spirit Ring within two years.

But the question was... then what?

The answer was: nothing. There was no ’then what.’

Due to their limited talent, there was a greater than ninety-percent chance that even after being promoted to First Level Apprentice, they would remain at that level for the rest of their lives.

Therefore, from the academy’s perspective, this Breathing Technique was indeed quite helpful. It might add several new Apprentices each year, perhaps as many as ten.

But in the long run, these Apprentices were just low-level labor, and fundamentally, they wouldn’t bring about any significant change for the academy.

Mo Ning picked up the manuscript and flipped through it casually, his gaze drifting across the neat Secret Spirit Text as he considered how to improve it further.

This was the first version of the new Breathing Technique he had finished developing. Strictly speaking, it was already good enough to submit.

The formulas on the page and the repeatedly verified deductions were already elegant and rigorous enough to pass the harshest scrutiny of the reviewing Wizards.

At the very least, raking in a hefty reward from the academy would be no problem at all.

He was one hundred percent certain that if he submitted this new version of the High Mountain Magic Breath Technique to the academy, the reviewing Wizards would find it a breath of fresh air.

And "a breath of fresh air" meant a bigger reward.

The academy valued new methods, new theories, new tools, and new lines of thought, and it had always strongly encouraged innovation.

But as a perfectionist, he wanted to optimize it to its absolute limit, polishing every single detail to perfection.

Mo Ning stared in concentration for a moment, then suddenly sensed something approaching.

He instinctively looked up and saw a glass, about eighty percent full, held by an invisible hand and flying swiftly toward him.

The liquid inside was clear, looking just like water, yet a sheen like morning dew swirled across its surface.

Flower’s gentle, affable voice chimed in at just the right moment:

"Mr. Mo Ning, this is fresh Birch Tree Juice, collected this morning in the Birch Forest. It contains trace amounts of Spiritual Power.

"This power can replenish a small amount of Spiritual Power, effectively alleviate fatigue, and clear the mind.

"Blended with a bit of Birch Honey, the taste is quite pleasant. You can have a taste, see if it’s to your liking."

CLINK.

The exquisite glass landed softly on the adjacent wooden table.

Mo Ning said, "Thank you," and picked up the Birch Juice, taking a small sip.

The Birch Juice was light on the palate, faintly sweet, with just a hint of a very subtle astringency.

All in all, the taste was quite pleasant.

In his past life, he had never liked overly sweet drinks. The Spiritual Birch Juice was refreshing and sweet without being cloying, its flavor subtle and layered—it suited his tastes perfectly.

Flower seemed to be carefully observing her master’s expression.

Her voice was tinged with delight, a smile spilling into her words:

"Mr. Mo Ning, it seems you’re quite fond of the Spiritual Birch Juice. I’ll go to the forest to collect it for you every day from now on."

She added, "According to my observations, drinking Spiritual Birch Juice long-term can minutely increase Spiritual Strength—by about 0.01 points every three months."

Mo Ning’s heart skipped a beat. He said again, "Thank you!"

He truly felt that living in the Cabin in the Woods was far more comfortable than his old apartment.

He also had the feeling that as he revealed more and more of his talent, resources other novices couldn’t even dream of were starting to gather around him on their own.

An old saying from his past life was right after all—strike while the iron is hot!