[Aiden's POV]
The journey was smooth for the day, after sailing around noon. The travel was smoother than Beastiark despite being at sea. Even in Beastiark, you could feel that you were on the move due to the slight disturbance and jerk that one would get at regular intervals.
However, the Aeon Tidebreaker was completely silent. Unless you come on deck, it's like you are in your living room. It was not extravagant-looking or fancy, but the comfort and sturdiness of the ship actually made it SS-rank.
A.B. helped with any questions about the ship; according to him, it travels even better in air. After hearing this, Thane once again petitioned to fly via air. But the next moment, he was berated by Seraphine again.
Their exchange never crossed any lines and always remained a banter, so I didn't mind it. After having dinner, Seraphine and I went to our quarters; Thane insisted on staying on the deck.
The room also matched the theme of the ship: simple but comfortable. The bed was a good upgrade; I let my body rest comfortably in the fluffiness of the bed lined with silky threads.
"System?" I muttered.
[Yes, Host]
"Please create a cultivation technique banner. I need to start practicing and raise my rank as soon as I can before the start of the tournament next month." I stated my request.
[Request to create a sub-banner…accepted]
[Creating Cultivation Technique Banner…]
[Cost – 200 Origin Points]
[Origin Points deducted…finalizing the sub-banner creation]
[Congratulations, host, for creating your first banner.]
[Would you like to pull gacha from the new banner?]
"There won't be an SSS-rank bonus in this banner, will there?" I asked.
[No, Host. That bonus is only given in case of a totally unrelated new banner or a temporary banner.]
"Well, no matter. Let's do our first Assured Pull. Deduct required points and do a Transcendent-rank Assured Pull." I ordered.
[Commencing Transcendent-Rank Assured Pull…]
[– 5000 Origin Points]
"Please, give a technique suitable for me," I muttered.
The familiar panel materialized again, but there was a stark difference. Most cards this time were mostly rainbow-colored with shifting hues. There were a few burning red cards also there.
Seeing this, it became clear the specialty of Assured Pull: within a few seconds, the rainbow color appeared in the locked position as expected. My heart raced despite knowing the possibility of the result.
The card appeared in front of me as I sat up with expectation. It dissolved itself like colorful mist; a panel appeared next.
– – –
[You have obtained an Transcendent-rank cultivation technique.]
[Name: Breath of the First Primordial]
[Rank: Transcendent]
[Type: Breathing Cultivation Technique]
[Description: Breath of the Primordial is a breathing cultivation technique that has been around since the world took its first breath. It is a precise breathing rhythm to synchronize the Body, Soul, Origin Heart, and Origin Nodes into a single primordial cadence.
It also allows cultivation to proceed efficiently and safely as a natural consequence of perfect internal rhythm.]
[Details]+
– – –
An option appeared at the end; after reading its name and description, I was hooked. I mentally clicked on the details immediately.
– – –
[Details]
[Core Principle:]
It is a precise breathing pattern that synchronizes: Body; Soul; Origin Heart; Origin Nodes, into a single primordial cadence. This technique does not alter the foundation—it perfectly harmonizes what already exists.
[Breathing Structure:]
Each cycle consists of three refined phases, maintaining simplicity and control:
1. Origin Inhalation
Effect: Greatly increases mana intake efficiency while preventing elemental interference.
2. Primordial Hold
Effect: Strengthens Origin Heart; it also stabilizes the Affinity ring foundation naturally, without compression or force.
3. Sovereign Exhalation
Effect: Improves mana and ring density, balance, and long-term stability.
[Effects:]
Active: It provides 20× mana gathering speed while actively practicing Breath of the Primordial. Mana flow remains perfectly stable even at high intake rates with no backlash, congestion, or elemental clash.
Passive: 5× mana gathering speed at all times
– – –
All my laziness and fatigue disappeared as I read more details. This was something really wild; my body already accumulated mana naturally, though at a slow speed if I want to cultivate.
But now after practicing this, it will become 5 times faster, and that's only when I am not practicing. If I practice it, then the speed of my cultivation is a different matter altogether.
Itching to practice, I immediately sat in the position mentioned on the carpet on the floor. My legs were crossed with both feet resting naturally on the ground.
My back was perfectly upright with hips slightly tilted forward, shoulders relaxed, and hands resting on the thighs.
With my fingers relaxed and palms facing upward, I kept my chin slightly tucked, keeping my neck aligned with the spine.
Turning my focus inward and eyes closed half-lidded. I sat in the Primordial Anchor Seat, designated as the perfect position for this breathing.
Next, I started the first breathing phase, Origin Inhalation. With a slow, deep breath, I draw mana inward through the entire body. The already sensitive Primarch physique smoothed the process.
Following that, I guided my mana through my body to the first Origin node and finally to the Origin Heart.
When I breakthrough to Awakened Rank, I opened my first node, Heart Gate node.
If I wanted to reach Ascendant Rank, I would have to open two more nodes: the left lung and right lung nodes.
After the first phase came the second, Primordial Hold. I held my breath in absolute stillness briefly, just as instructed in the text.
This was the most important step; I had to be absolutely focused. Allowing my body, soul, origin heart, and origin nodes to enter full synchronization.
Although I could fully understand the soul part, I made my thoughts completely still, focusing only on my held breath and allowing my huge Origin Heart to be filled with mana up to the brim.
Next came Sovereign Exhalation, a controlled and steady exhale to only expel the excess impurity, not mana. This allowed the mana to be refined, and reinforce the Origin heart structure.
As I completed my first breathing cycle, I felt small changes in the body and increased speed of mana gathering. It wasn't at the level mentioned yet, but I could already feel I would get there eventually.
From then on, I practiced the breathing technique for whole night.
"Master, it's morning already; please have your breakfast." Seraphine's smooth voice from outside interrupted my breathing.
"Coming," I answered.
Quietly, I stood from my sitting position; I didn't even feel like hours had passed. For me it felt like it had just been around an hour or two at max. It was a really focused and immersive technique.
After exiting the room, we had breakfast in the mess hall. With nothing to do as we sail, I had around 5 days before we reach the Kronesthion. So I decided to devote all my time to the breathing technique.
Back in the room, I opened the text again to find it completely blank. Confused, I asked my ever-present guide, "System?"
[After practicing this technique, you became the sole owner of this technique. When you reach the next rank, the details about Affinity rings will appear automatically.]
"Oh…interesting," I muttered as I stored the book in inventory and started the breathing technique again.
The next two days passed with a monotonous routine of eating and practicing the technique. I had told both of them about this so they want to occupy my time.
During breathing on the second day, I successfully opened my 2nd node, the left lung node. With this, I was one step closer to reaching Ascendant Rank.
On the third day, after dinner made with fish caught by Thane with his bone traps. I got back to my routine again.
However, just a few minutes in, a loud noise of a horn disturbed my focus. Sensing something ominous, I exited my room and made my way to the captain's cabin, where A.B. generally resided. The noise gradually kept increasing as I neared the cabin.
Seraphine waited for me at the gate; she had a serious look on her face. We both entered the cabin. Before I could ask anything, A.B. frantic mechanical voice reached my ears.
"Multiple ships with intent of threat detected…"
"Increasing speed and maneuverability of the ship to safeguard the passengers…insufficient"
"Suggesting defensive measures, strengthening force field…"
"A.B., how many ships and how much time?" I asked, interrupting his warning mode.
"15 mid-size ships and one large-size ship detected. Approaching from three sides…" A.B. explained.
"Could it be someone from the demon continent, master?" Seraphine asked as we walked hurriedly towards the deck.
"I doubt it; we are still at least two days away. It's a high chance they are pirates, and from the number suggested by A.B., I don't think it's just a coincidence." I answered.
As I reached the deck, I saw Thane slightly tensed. After seeing me, he just pointed towards the coming ships. The ships were still far away; I activated sigils near my eyes to extend my vision.
Noticing 16 ships surrounding us from three sides and a blood-red flag with a white claw on it. My suspicion was confirmed.
"It's the pirates and we are being ambushed." I stated.
'Goddammit Nathan,' I cursed inwardly, preparing to face the coming onslaught.