68: Chapter 68 Enchanting Seed! New Feature! Blazing!

Inside the top-floor bedroom of White Cliff Castle.

Facing the Red Maple Breathing Technique that was now within his reach.

Rowan did not hypocritically decline, but naturally took the scroll.

Upon touching it, he could feel the extraordinary quality of the leather and the faint, warm aura contained within.

"I accept this expression of gratitude."

His tone was solemn. "Rest assured, I will properly arrange for the remains of your brother, Griffin."

"For now... focus on recovering from your injuries here."

"White Cliff Territory is remote; it is safe for the time being."

He paused, and seeing the deep sorrow, hatred, and bewilderment still present in Mira's eyes, his mind stirred slightly.

The Level 3 [Charm] skill was quietly released, transforming into a soothing mental ripple that gently brushed over Mira's soul while simultaneously planting a seed.

[Charm Level 3 Proficiency +12]

"Hatred requires strength to carry, and sorrow requires time to heal."

"Live on, become stronger, and only then will you have the chance to see your enemies pay the price."

Rowan's voice was not loud, yet it carried a strange, guiding power.

Mira's body trembled slightly, and the bewilderment in her eyes seemed to dissipate somewhat at his words.

She looked up, meeting Rowan's deep, calm eyes. An inexplicable feeling welled up in her heart, and she finally uttered just two words:

"Thank you..."

Rowan knew the seed had been planted; now it just needed time and the right soil to sprout.

He said no more, raising his hand to signal Elise behind him to lead her out.

Elise understood and nodded.

After watching the two of them leave.

Rowan went to the lounge chair by the floor-to-ceiling window and sat down.

The sunlight filtered through the glass, spilling onto him with a cozy warmth.

Elise had returned at some unknown point.

She quietly walked up behind Rowan, extending her slender fingers to massage his neck and shoulders with moderate pressure.

Rowan closed his eyes, enjoying the head maid's service, while his thoughts turned rapidly.

Count Farrell, a landed Earl of the Empire with noble status—why would he cooperate with a fallen power like the Crimson Knights?

Was it merely to expand his territory and eliminate dissidents?

It was likely not that simple.

The Crimson Knights worshipped the evil god, the [Lord of Scarlet], and their sacrifices often required massive amounts of life and suffering.

What could Count Farrell gain from this?

A blessing of power from the evil god?

Or some kind of... exchange of interests?

Furthermore, he had already handed over the evidence of Count Farrell's collusion with the Crimson Knights to Aria.

Given the Church of Dawn's 'kill-on-sight' attitude toward the Crimson Knights and Aria's decisiveness as a member of the Inquisition, they should have taken action immediately, or at least stepped up surveillance and investigation of Count Farrell.

But during the few days he stayed in Gino City, all was calm; Earl Farrell's Estate even had the leisure to send people to investigate the cause of Ravenna's death.

Was there resistance within the Church?

Or was the evidence not yet enough to immediately move against a Count?

Or was the Church making secret arrangements, waiting for the right moment to catch them all in one net?

"It seems I must go to Mist Whisper Town," Rowan thought to himself.

He needed to see for himself what Aria and the Church were planning, while also assessing Aria's true strength and style of action.

Perhaps he should also consider whether there was any basis in Church scripture for some room to maneuver between the [celibacy precept] and [Family Requirements]?

Although he was determined to explain his views on marriage and procreation clearly to Priestess Aliyah.

Exactly how to organize his words would require careful thought based on Aria's strength.

If her hits were too painful, should he perhaps be more tactful?

He needed to dynamically adjust his strategy!

As his thoughts settled, he gently patted Elise's hand on his shoulder.

"Go attend to your work. I'm going to cultivate."

"Yes," Elise replied obediently, silently exiting the room and softly closing the door.

Rowan opened his eyes, his gaze falling upon the dark red scroll of the Red Maple Breathing Technique in his hand.

The Red Maple Knight had once used this method to step into the realm of a Great Knight, shaking Gino County with his prestige.

This was an excellent Breathing Technique that had truly stood the test of time.

He slowly unrolled the scroll, immersing himself in the profound diagrams and text describing the circulation of combat qi...

Calming his mind and focusing, he began to attempt to guide the combat qi within his body to circulate according to the scroll's description.

The initial attempts were quite sluggish.

The [Frost] trait contained within his Myriad Phenomena combat qi faintly clashed with the fire-type traits sought by the Red Maple Breathing Technique.

A slight swelling pain and burning sensation came from his meridians.

However, Rowan's control over his own combat qi was no longer what it used to be. Aided by the internal vision of the [Insight] trait and the absolute calm of the [Frost Heart Realm].

He precisely adjusted the adaptability of his combat qi, opening up the combat qi circulation cycle bit by bit.

Gradually, a faint but exceptionally vivid strand of crimson combat qi was successfully ignited within his meridians.

This strand of crimson combat qi, carrying vigorous vitality and an introverted heat, began to flow slowly along the unique cycle depicted in the Red Maple Breathing Technique.

When this strand of crimson combat qi completed one minor cycle, the familiar system prompt arrived as expected:

[New Breathing Technique detected...]

[Red Maple Breathing Technique (Excellent)]

[Activate the Myriad Manifestations Furnace's smelting function to refine its essential traits?]

[Yes/No]

"Yes," Rowan decided without hesitation.

The moment the command was given, the invisible Myriad Manifestations Furnace deep within his dantian shook violently!

This time was more violent than any time before!

Countless Insights and traits regarding "Vitality's Blazing Flame" and "Autumn's Killing Heat" were violently stripped and dismantled!

These traits were full of aggression and explosive power, darting left and right within the furnace's ice-flames, resisting frantically and attempting to ignite Rowan's combat qi and even his blood vitality!

Rowan felt as if countless tiny threads of fire were darting through his meridians, bringing a burning, stinging pain.

Ice and fire, two completely opposite power traits, engaged in a fierce tug-of-war and confrontation within his body.

He knew not how much time had passed; it felt like both a mere instant and an eternity.

The burning pain and restlessness within his body receded like a tide.

The furnace's vibrations subsided, and the ice and flames slowly retracted.

[Smelting complete!]

[Extracted Trait: Blazing (Blue)]

Effect: Increases the instantaneous explosive power and burning penetration effect of combat qi, accompanied by potent flame erosion.

[Myriad Furnace Breathing Technique Proficiency +36!]

A fresh surge of warm energy merged into his limbs and bones, full of explosive power, finally flowing into his life seed.

Rowan could feel that another powerful, restrained force had been added to his Myriad Phenomena combat qi.

With a slight thought, the combat qi flickering at his fingertips instantly flashed with a trace of crimson light, and the surrounding air slightly distorted and heated up due to this minute leakage of energy.

"Blazing..." He slowly withdrew the combat qi from his fingertips, a flash of realization in his eyes.

This was not simple fire, but the [Blazing] power that erupted from extreme condensation after the combination of life blood vitality and combat qi.

When used in conjunction with [Blood Rage], the two would no longer be a simple addition, but would undergo a terrifying qualitative change.

It possessed a horrific power capable of burning blood and boiling the soul.

The Red Maple Breathing Technique truly lived up to its reputation as a top-tier Excellent Breathing Technique.

The harvest from this convenient rescue far exceeded his expectations.

He looked out the window; the setting sun had already dyed the horizon a brilliant golden-red, complementing the trees below the castle swaying in the autumn wind.

...