After ordering Schwartz to deliver the apples to the attendant training camp, Su Li couldn't wait to return to his room.
"I'm going to attempt a breakthrough, Avril, don't let anyone disturb me."
Hearing Su Li's instructions, Avril dared not slack and personally stood guard outside the door, her small face solemn and serious, her eyes filled with bright light.
Su Li did not disappoint Avril's expectations. As he swallowed the Bloodthorn Fruit in large mouthfuls, the blood within him began to boil rapidly. A large amount of Spiritual Energy generated from his abdomen and swept through his organs. He could clearly hear his heart beating strong and powerfully.
At this moment, he decisively started the family's Knight's Breathing Technique. The family's breathing technique was called the [Candle-Biting Breathing Technique], meaning holding a candle in one's mouth, shining through, and endlessly, it was an extremely robust technique. Its characteristic was a long and durable breath, reinforcing all bodily functions.
In the past, due to youthful vigor and impatience, Su Li found it hard to maintain this breathing technique. However, with the endless support of the [Bloodthorn Fruit], he was finally able to run through the entire technique.
Successfully executing the breathing technique marks the sign of an Apprentice Knight, signifying the onset of bloodline purification, obtaining bloodline abilities.
Continual practice of the breathing technique strengthens the bloodline power, thereby enhancing one's physique and combat strength. Once the bloodline ability is fully awakened, advancing to a formal Knight, one can use the unique ability brought by the bloodline.
The Bauhinia Clan's bloodline ability is the [Red Dragon Bloodline]. Upon activation, it oppresses opponents like a tyrant, providing rage blood, causing oneself to burn like a blaze, significantly increasing combat power. It was precisely due to this powerful bloodline ability that the Bauhinia Clan built a strong Bauhinia Count's Territory.
Until all the surging energy of the Bloodthorn Fruit was exhausted, Su Li solidified the breathing technique and suddenly opened his eyes.
With bright light bursting from his pupils, he distinctly felt the difference in the world at that moment. His vision could see the fine patterns on the door six meters away, and his ears could hear the rapid breathing of the attendant Avril, even hotter than when she choked and patted his thighs anxiously beneath him.
Clearly, her heart was not calm, she was eagerly anticipating a result.
After Su Li pushed open the door, he immediately pulled her into his arms, stroking her smooth, cool legs, smiling, "Avril, I think we should celebrate a bit!"
Intense joy erupted in Avril's eyes, even more excited than Su Li himself. She immediately hugged Su Li's neck, gave him a passionate kiss, and exclaimed joyously, "That's wonderful, Young Master! We must celebrate grandly tonight."
"Why wait until tonight?" Su Li bent over to pick Avril up in a princess carry, closed the door, and returned inside, revel in the moment!
With the Knight's Breathing Technique's enhancement, Su Li's combat strength was more resilient and enduring. He kept cuddling the little attendant until after dinner, then left the room to wash up.
Afterward, he headed to the Bauhinia Castle study to meet his father, the Bauhinia Earl, Master of Thorny Valley, Shield of the Border, Suna.
Along the way, the guards and maids in Bauhinia Castle were all amazed at Su Li's radiant appearance.
"Hey, is that Young Master Su Li? Why does he seem much more spirited?"
"Indeed, young master used to walk languidly, but today he looks a lot more handsome."
"Is it Avril's encouragement? Young Master Su Li looks all sunshine and cheerful."
In the past, Su Li wouldn't have been able to hear the servants' whispers from afar, but the successful breakthrough to Apprentice Knight greatly enhanced his perception ability, allowing him to hear their astonishment clearly. However, he wasn't too concerned about these conversations. Becoming an Apprentice Knight was nothing to hide, and heading to the castle's main building was precisely to present this achievement to his father.
Soon, he arrived at the top floor of the castle, where the Bauhinia Castle owner's study was located, overlooking the entire castle and the town, fields, and valleys below.
Knight Commander Joe Connor, stationed outside the study, brightened his eyes upon seeing Su Li's steady steps and powerful breathing, asking, "Young Master Su Li successfully advanced to Apprentice Knight?"
Su Li nodded, saying, "Yes, I might have been lucky today, but under pressure, I finally advanced. I'm here to see Father."
Joe Connor immediately said, "Please wait a moment, I'll report to the Count."
The Bauhinia Earl Suna was sitting at his desk, frowning at a letter. It was spring again, the time when the Green Tide was rampant, and the Beastmen in the Edge Mountain Range would soon be agitated and revolt.
The rampant Green Tide was a huge threat to all civilizations. In the past, they would battle the ogres on the east side of the Edge Mountain Range, but this year they seemed to be tired of the long-standing battle with ogres and wanted to switch targets.
"Earl, Young Master Su Li requests to see you."
"Su Li?" Suna, rubbing his temples, took a moment to recall his eighth son, who wasn't well-liked. He had been quite useless, unable to grasp the breathing technique even at the age of eighteen, and was rumored to have given up recently.
Why was he coming to see me? A farewell before departure? Or to ask for more money? Suna could hardly remember what the child looked like, just seeing him one last time seemed fitting.
"Let him in, his mother apparently died in childbirth, maybe this child needs a final farewell to the Bauhinia Clan."
Very soon, Su Li, under Joe Connor's guidance, entered the study, for the first time seeing his nominal father since coming through.
Earl Suna had a sharp, predatory appearance, his beard and hair meticulously groomed, his demeanor cold, seemingly not an easy person to get along with. He habitually rested his chin on his hand, scrutinizing everyone who entered.
A cold oppressive aura hit him, so Su Li cautiously spoke to avoid Suna realizing his son had been replaced.
"Greetings, Father."
"You successfully advanced to an Initial Tier Knight?" Obviously, Su Li's worry was unnecessary. From the moment he entered, Earl Suna's attention was solely on his strength.
"Yes, Father, I just advanced today."
"Not bad." Suna glanced at him, "Before today, I always thought you'd be the 17th offspring expelled from the family."
"Now, as one who has successfully activated the family bloodline as a Knight, you have a choice. You may choose to become a Guardian Knight of the family, remain in the family camp for training, until you become an Elite Knight and join the Red Night Knight Order."
"Or, just like our family ancestors, become a Pioneer Knight. The Empire is developing the Border Prince's Territory, and you can pioneer a territory there. The family will give you a certain amount of support."