18: Summoner Breathing Technique Level 2

[Basic Stance, Proficiency +1]

The proficiency increase for Basic Stance isn't like that of Basic Breathing Technique.

With Basic Breathing Technique, cultivating one cycle while sitting cross-legged grants +1 proficiency.

This skill requires defending attacks in a parrying stance.

Enduring a few more hits increases proficiency.

It's somewhat easier to improve than "Basic Breathing Technique," but it's a bit taxing on the body.

Bang!

Cheng Yang assumed the stance and slammed his flesh and blood body forcefully into the wall.

Pain!

Bear with it, bear with it!

The more it hurts, the stronger the effect. There's no need to worry about injury; once the Potion F card recharges tomorrow, he'll be a good man again.

The Potion F card is effective, but it's only an F-grade multi-purpose card after all.

It can't bring the dead back to life or regrow bones; it can only boost cell activity, with a healing effect roughly equivalent to half a month of an ordinary person's natural recovery.

So Cheng Yang controlled the intensity, and with the last impact,

[Basic Stance Proficiency +1]

[Basic Stance E (Beginner)] Proficiency: 10/10

[Basic Stance proficiency is full, skill has changed]

[Basic Stance E (Mastery)] Proficiency: 1/100

It's different from "Basic Breathing Technique."

"Basic Breathing Technique" is divided into Beginner, First Layer, Second Layer, and Third Layer.

Reaching the Third Layer is the highest layer of "Basic Breathing Technique" and allows one to master the skill [Minds Eye F].

But [Basic Stance] is a practical skill, so it won't have layers like cultivation methods, right?

Cheng Yang then once again assumed the Basic Stance and slammed forcefully into the wall.

If it were an ordinary person, such a violent impact would at least result in fractures or injuries, if not death.

However, Cheng Yang only felt a dull pain, which didn't even last long, dissipating after a moment.

"Basic defense has improved!"

"The effect of parrying has also improved!"

Indeed, this [Basic Stance] lives up to its E-grade skill status.

Cheng Yang then didn't continue practicing [Basic Stance].

Bruises had already appeared on his body; continuing to train would be counterproductive.

Cultivation methods like "Basic Breathing Technique," which cultivate body and mind, can cause lung bleeding if over-practiced.

Such fierce and body-damaging skills, if over-practiced, would likely cause even more harm.

So Cheng Yang washed off the sweat from his body and sat back on the bed.

He then switched to practicing "Basic Breathing Technique."

Previously, he had forcibly circulated "Basic Breathing Technique" while exercising.

That's why it harmed his body.

Now, circulating it while sitting in meditation as described in the cultivation method, the body-and-mind cultivating effects of "Basic Breathing Technique" also became apparent.

A warmth spread from the bruises on his body from practicing [Basic Stance], dissipating outwards.

It was like soaking in a hot spring, slowly soothing the wounds.

Even if an ordinary person obtained "Basic Breathing Technique," they wouldn't achieve such immediate effects.

Perhaps an ordinary person would need to train tirelessly, year-round, just to enter the First Layer.

Cheng Yang was so efficient.

Of course, it was because he had Lin Ti as his cheat.

Under the Summoner's amplification, Cheng Yang's "Basic Breathing Technique" was like riding a rocket.

It shot up rapidly.

"This is too fierce; such a Summoner is hard to find even with a lantern."

Lin Ti felt as if he was watching someone cultivate immortality.

Sometimes, when he was tired from studying, he would even think about finding some exciting short stories in the database to read and relax.

Cheng Yang, 24 hours a day, except for sleeping and eating, was exercising even when walking.

He truly trained until he coughed up blood, then healed himself with medicine and continued training.

But overall, Lin Ti still had a lot of time for studying.

Because he didn't need to sleep, he spent about 18 hours a day studying in the database, with the remaining time for rest, relaxation, observing the outside world, and watching Cheng Yang fight monsters.

Well, now that he put it that way, he seemed to be quite diligent too.

[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +1]

[Basic Breathing Technique E] Proficiency: 56/100

Cheng Yang now, sitting in meditation and circulating the breathing technique, could complete one cycle in about 10 minutes.

This was a world of difference from the several hours it took for his first cycle previously.

Of course, it's difficult to complete a full cycle of breathing while exercising.

Each time it's interrupted, the qi disperses, and then he needs to re-gather it.

Otherwise, his proficiency could be even higher.

Lin Ti watched as Cheng Yang circulated the breathing technique for more than a dozen cycles, then fell asleep while still sitting cross-legged...

He couldn't tell if Cheng Yang had passed out from exhaustion or simply fallen asleep from it.

Darn it, if the Summoner is so ruthless, I, as the Summoner, must also work hard.

First, I'll continuously cram for 48 hours in the database!

Darn it, why doesn't my auxiliary panel show proficiency, values, or progress bars!

A rigid world, without any flexibility, without any wisdom.

The next morning, Cheng Yang strapped on weighted ankle weights and started his running exercise again.

The weighted ankle weights, 12kg on each side, could effectively enhance his training results.

While running with weights, Cheng Yang didn't forget to practice the breathing technique.

After finishing his run, he didn't remove the weights.

Instead, he added a weighted belt and weighted armbands under his clothes.

His body's total weight reached 50kg, which he maintained for daily activities.

He dared to do this only because he relied on the Potion F card and the Summoner's [Light Radiation].

If an ordinary person did this, they would probably develop various injuries and illnesses before their body became trained.

After that, Cheng Yang went to the hospital to visit Xu Zihang.

Xu Zihang was still unconscious and remained in the ICU.

In the afternoon, he continued his self-abusive training of [Basic Stance].

In the evening, he received a shot of healing potion to recover from the day's extreme training, then sat cross-legged and circulated the breathing technique.

As for work,

Cheng Yang had already resigned on the second day of becoming an Armored Warrior.

Work would only delay his progress in training and fighting monsters.

As for money,

After acquiring the Hacker F card, money held no meaning for him.

If he wanted to, he could easily obtain a large sum of money without attracting attention.

However, Cheng Yang didn't do that; he simply lived and spent as usual.

He subtly acquired luxury cars, mansions, and extravagant items without drawing any attention.

How could those low-level desires compare to the exhilarating feeling of seeing his strength visibly improve through training?

How could they compare to the sense of accomplishment from defeating monsters and protecting the public?

[Basic Breathing Technique Proficiency +1]

Look, it's awesome!

[Basic Breathing Technique E (First Layer)] Proficiency: 86/100

The time was already 23:10.

Why not put in some effort tonight and raise the breathing technique to the Second Layer!

Raising the breathing technique to the Second Layer would definitely bring a huge improvement!

Cheng Yang didn't sleep, forcing himself to stay awake and concentrate on his breathing.

[Proficiency +1]

...

[Proficiency +1]

[...]

[Proficiency +1]

[Basic Breathing Technique proficiency is full, Constitution +1]

[Basic Breathing Technique reached the Second Layer]

[Basic Breathing Technique E (Second Layer)] Proficiency: 1/1000

As Basic Breathing Technique reached the Second Layer, Cheng Yang, sitting on the bed, felt his entire body lighten.

He let out a heavy exhalation of turbid air.

In that instant, it was as if decades of thick phlegm in his throat had suddenly dissolved and cleared.

His breathing became exceptionally smooth.

It was a sensation of breathing he had never experienced before.

It was as if he had been breathing with a mask his entire life, and now, in this instant, the mask was removed.

At the same time, "Basic Breathing Technique" seemed to have integrated into his body, becoming a part of it.

It became much easier.

"Is this the qualitative change brought about by quantitative change?"

Cheng Yang felt that if he were to transform at this moment, he would definitely be able to maintain Shining Form for a considerable period.

However, he no longer needed to worry about maintaining the armor's Shining Form.

Instead, he had to worry about the physical exertion required to maintain Shining Form.

"Not good, it's almost two o'clock!"

"I can still sleep for over four hours, I need to go to sleep quickly."

Cheng Yang immediately lay down and slept, not at all restless due to the improvement of his breathing technique.