Chapter 66: Secret Technique

Chapter 66: Secret Technique

"Giddyap!"

The sound echoed on the narrow path as a robust horse galloped at breakneck speed.

The knight on horseback, his eyes filled with panic, kept glancing back, desperately urging his steed to run faster, squeezing every ounce of potential from the horse.

Behind them, a thick fog engulfed the entire Black City, its tendrils reaching out in all directions, devouring everything in sight.

Fortunately, the fog's expansion wasn't too rapid, and as the rider spurred his horse, the distance between them and the fog grew.

"Giddyap!"

After galloping past a hill, the fog was no longer visible, and Hal finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Stanford, in the end, I won!"

He patted the package on his back, a smile spreading across his face.

Even if the Black City was destroyed, even if he lost his position as the Commander of the City Guard, as long as the item was still with him, it was all worth it.

Besides...

"I've wanted to leave the Black City for a long time. Now that it's destroyed, it's even better. As long as I report the discovery of the City of Forgotten Souls, I believe Lord Meweya won't blame me."

"What a pity!"

Gritting his teeth, his face contorted with anger.

"If it weren't for that Stanford dragging me down, I would have had a chance to enter the inner city of the City of Forgotten Souls."

"And that thing..."

Recalling the scene from that day, Hal's eyes narrowed involuntarily, filled with fear, as he unconsciously urged his horse away.

The Black City was a closed-off place, and aside from the monthly merchant caravans, no one else ventured inside.

Due to the infrequent comings and goings, the roads were often treacherous.

Especially after the rain, the ground was muddy, making it difficult even for a robust horse to gain speed.

Unconsciously, Hal found himself on a narrow mountain path.

Although it wasn't a narrow gorge, the path was flanked by low hills, and an eerie silence enveloped the area.

"Swish!"

The sudden sound of something slicing through the air broke the silence.

Hal, a member of the City Guard's Command, was a peak knight, and despite his exhaustion and injuries, he reacted instantly.

Draw sword!

Slash!

"Boom!"

A flash of light collided with the sword blade, exploding instantly.

The flash of light wasn't just one, but several in succession, aimed not at Hal but at his horse.

Arcane Missiles!

"Swish!"

"Swish, swish!"

The flashes of light, akin to the rapid fire of a crossbow, struck one after another.

In the narrow space, dodging was challenging, and even Hal, with his exceptional skills, couldn't protect himself fully.

"Pft!"

A flash of light pierced the horse's front hoof.

"Whinny..."

The horse cried out in pain, losing balance and collapsing heavily to the side.

"Damn it!"

Hal leaped up, roaring in anger, and charged towards the hill.

The distance between the two rapidly closed.

Karl stood atop the hill, his fingers clenching lightly as he looked down.

Sorcery Trap—Mud!

Instantly, the ground in front of Hal rippled like water, the soil swirling and transforming into sticky mud.

Sorcery traps were a common tactic among wizards, often set up around their estates and residences for defense and to deter intruders.

Karl had only recently learned this technique.

The traps he could cast weren't particularly powerful, but when used skillfully, they could yield unexpected results.

Like now.

"Smack!"

The trap was set in a tricky spot, and Hal, leaping into the air, couldn't avoid landing in it.

Upon landing, he couldn't gain any momentum, and his body sank into the mud, halting his forward momentum.

Opportunity!

Karl's eyes lit up, and he held his breath, waving his arms frantically.

Fire Seal!

Fire Seal!

...

One after another, basin-sized fireballs flew towards Hal, trapped in the mud, exploding in rapid succession.

"Boom!"

"Boom, boom, boom..."

In an instant, the field was engulfed in flames, the blast deafening.

Even a peak knight would struggle against such tactics, left with no choice but to surrender.

"Huff..."

A fierce wind swept through the field.

Hal was surrounded by howling winds, and the incoming fireballs and flames were blown away before reaching him.

At this moment, he resembled a demigod controlling the storm.

With a single hand, he summoned a towering tornado, several men high, to collide with the approaching fireballs.

"Boom!"

The flames exploded, and the fireballs and tornado dissipated simultaneously.

Spell Seal—Storm!

This was the Spell Seal engraved on Hal's body, one of the reasons his strength far surpassed that of other knights.

However, this Spell Seal, though powerful, was not sustainable, and after using it, he wouldn't be able to cast it again for a while.

"Despicable and shameless coward!"

"Boom!"

Hal stomped his feet, the mud beneath him shaking, and he leaped high into the air, sword raised:

"Die!"

"Hmph!"

Karl snorted, calmly downing two potions, then took a step back and raised his left hand:

"Guna!"

Instantly, a suit of armor enveloped him.

A Obsidian Warrior, exuding an icy and murderous aura, appeared before Hal.

"Is it you?"

Hal's eyes widened, his face contorting with rage.

He didn't know Karl, but he was aware of someone who had ruined his plans.

The secret passage in Pit Two was destroyed by this person, and Bernard, Pete, and others had died at his hands.

Even the chaos that started at the Rakka Market and spread throughout the city was caused by him.

Furthermore, he indirectly led to the City Guard's shortage of personnel, preventing Hal from entering the inner city of the City of Forgotten Souls.

"And you dare to show your face here?"

Hal laughed in anger:

"Good!"

"Very good!"

"Swish!"

The longsword sliced through the air, the blade tearing the air apart, the sharp whistle sounding like an explosion.

Orca Sword Technique!

Legend has it that in ancient times, there was a giant beast called the Orca that could swim in the skies and rivers.

It was immensely powerful and agile like a fish, and the sword technique named after it was known for its ferocity and speed.

Hal drew his sword from below, the blade rising against the flow, as if to tear the figure on the hilltop apart.

"Bang!"

The ground shook as Karl's body crouched slightly, charging towards Hal amidst the flashing sword light.

Lesser Force Field!

The power of 2.1 unleashed without restraint, his broadsword swung, creating a trail of afterimages.

Battle Technique—Gale Slash!

Nine sword shadows transformed into a curtain of blades, carrying a terrifying force, and enveloped the approaching Hal.

Battle Aura!

Both men unleashed their battle auras, and the invisible energy fields collided in mid-air, sending gusts of wind erupting from the point of contact.

"Clang!"

"Ding, ding, ding..."

Sparks flew like a sudden downpour.

The clash was fierce from the start, and both warriors desperately swung their swords, launching attacks at each other.

"Pfft..."

The broadsword grazed Karl's armor, tearing through the plates and drawing blood.

"Hmm!"

Hal grunted and stumbled backward.

"How is this possible?"

His face was filled with astonishment as he stared at Karl in disbelief.

He was the top fighter in Black City and the captain of the City Guard, and since arriving in Black City, he had never encountered a worthy opponent.

But now,

He found himself at a disadvantage!

If it weren't for the second-tier Spell Seal on his body, enhancing his defense, he would have been severely injured.

"There's nothing I can't do!"

Karl's movements were relentless; he stepped forward with an Eagle Stance and unleashed his sword technique, relentlessly hacking at his opponent with sheer force.

In terms of martial techniques,

Karl was actually inferior to Hal.

In terms of strength,

He was slightly stronger, but the gap wasn't as significant as he had imagined.

Hal's physical attributes should have reached a value of two points, but they were suppressed by the Lesser Force Field, diminishing his power.

Moreover...

Hal was injured and had fled Black City, exhausted from the journey, which was why he found himself at a disadvantage.

"Clang!"

Battle Technique—Whale Swallow!

The sharp longsword transformed into a devouring maw, and as the two warriors crossed paths, they staggered backward.

Karl glanced at his waist and ribs, and a deep imprint was now visible on his armor.

"Impressive sword technique!"

He praised his opponent, then turned to face him directly:

"What a pity!"

Flame Seal!

"Boom!"

A burst of flames instantly engulfed the broadsword in his hand, and from a distance, it appeared as if Karl were wielding a giant flaming sword.

No!

It wasn't just like a giant flaming sword; it was a giant flaming sword.

The flames burned, scorching the grass and cracking the earth, and Hal felt as if he were standing beside a furnace.

Karl was not immune to the heat either.

However, he had just consumed a potion, one of the fire-resistant potions he had purchased at a high price from Sebel.

The effects of the potion manifested, and his body felt as if it were immersed in a stream, blocking out most of the heat.

Even if a small amount of heat penetrated, it would have no effect during the duration of the potion's effects.

"Boom!"

The ground exploded.

Karl charged forward once more.

Blazing Wind Sword Technique!

A whirlwind swept through, flames danced, and the sword shadows rained down, as if even the air itself was set ablaze.

Hal, already at a disadvantage, desperately tried to defend himself but couldn't hold on and continued to retreat.

This time,

Even with his exquisite battle technique, he couldn't hide his decline, and defeat was imminent.

"Boom!"

The swords clashed, and a powerful force erupted.

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"Get out of my way!"

Hal roared, his eyes suddenly turning crimson, and intricate patterns appeared on his cheeks.

"Hmm?"

Karl grunted and retreated.

He had clearly gained the upper hand, and just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, Hal's strength suddenly surged.

If Hal's value was 2 before, then now...

It was 2.3,

Or even 2.4!

Despite the suppression of the Lesser Force Field, he was still on par with Karl, which defied all logic.

"What is this?"

"Secret Technique!"

Hal panted, using the opportunity to regulate his life force:

"Every advanced breathing technique has a corresponding secret technique that can maximize the stimulation of life force."

"Your strength is formidable, but your heritage is lacking, and you can't grasp it."

He had seen it clearly.

Karl's strength was superior to his, but his martial technique was of a low tier, even for a Knight Attendant.

His victory relied on his superior strength and that mysterious, invisible force field.

"Oh!"

Karl's eyes narrowed:

"Does every advanced breathing technique have one?"

His opponent's sudden surge in power made him hesitant, and he didn't mind prolonging the fight.

He had intercepted Hal because he felt confident in his chances of victory, and he was well-prepared. Now, the situation had changed.

If he continued,

With the means at his disposal, he might still have a chance, but it was too risky, and it didn't align with his character.

"That's right."

Hal wasn't in a hurry to attack either; he needed to adjust:

"You probably don't know that life seeds also have levels. Advanced breathing techniques condense life seeds that contain the essence of life, and only by cultivating advanced breathing techniques can one become a Great Knight or a Legendary Knight."

"The breathing technique I cultivate is called Sacred Pattern Breathing, derived from the Hundred-Phase Furnace."

After a brief adjustment, his breathing steadied, and his battle aura became more concentrated:

"Only by grasping the essence of the breathing technique can one stimulate the essence of life and manifest its ultimate secrets."

"In other words, the secret technique!"

"I see." Karl understood, and his eyes flashed:

"You're telling me all this to buy yourself time, aren't you?"

"That's right."

Hal nodded:

"It's a pity you're so foolish, only realizing this now. Don't you think it's too late?"

"Heh..." Karl chuckled:

"The villain dies by talking too much, and it seems that's true."

"I was originally planning to retreat, but thanks to you, I've gained an unexpected benefit."

"Advanced breathing techniques..."

"I have them too!"

Thump! Thump! ...

His heart suddenly began to race, and pure life force flowed through his blood, invigorating his entire body.

The next moment.

"Hmm!"

Karl's neck arched, and his body trembled slightly.

"Crack!"

"Clang, clang, clang..."

In Hal's eyes, the opponent seemed to have been inflated, suddenly growing taller and larger.

In the blink of an eye, a three-meter-tall giant emerged.

A Steel Giant!

"A secret technique?"

Karl raised his left hand and looked at his palm.

Thanks to the auto-assemble spell on his armor, as his body grew larger, so did the armor, without hindering his movements.

"Do I need to say..."

"Thank you?"

"Boom!"

The ground beneath them exploded, and the rocks below cracked as the armored giant pounced on Hal.

The broadsword, which normally required both hands to wield, now seemed like a short sword in Karl's hands.

A short sword enveloped in flames.

"Bang!"

The two swords clashed.

Hal was sent flying like a cannonball.

If Karl were in the Fragment of the Divine Domain and summoned his status panel, he would see a rapid mutation in his stats.

Constitution: 3

A significant increase of 0.9 from the previous 2.1!

Although he couldn't see the exact numbers, he could feel the sheer power he now possessed.

"It seems what you said wasn't entirely correct."

Karl waved his left hand, swinging the 'short sword' at his opponent while speaking, "Different breathing techniques yield different secret technique effects, and the one I've cultivated is clearly superior."

"Pfft!"

Hal coughed up blood and stumbled backward.

"This is impossible!"

"I told you," Karl said, pursuing with his sword. His massive figure resembled an ancient giant reborn, "Nothing is impossible!"

Slash!

Strike!

...

"Bang!"

"Dang..."

"Die!"

The broadsword slashed horizontally, splitting Hal's body in two at the abdomen, sending the upper half flying and spraying blood everywhere.

Karl stood there in a daze, only snapping out of it after a moment.

Victory!

"Huff..."

His strength drained, and his giant form began to shrink. A sense of weakness soon followed.

The secret technique, though powerful, squeezed his potential in a short time and couldn't be maintained for long.

Karl steadied himself and took a step forward, picking up the package from Hal's body.

Inside the large package were three smaller ones.

One of them contained two black iron plates.

Hm? Karl's eyes lit up.

His Titan Breath Technique came from a similar iron plate, but the content on this one was clearly different.

Without examining it closely, he put away the iron plates and opened the other two small packages.

One contained four fist-sized round metals resembling coins but larger.

The other held a wooden box filled with meat pills.

Large coins?

Meat pills?

Karl shook his head.

These were all unfamiliar items, but being carried by Hal at this moment meant they were undoubtedly extraordinary.

...

...

...

Vitri City.

Aya and the others stood at the 'city gate,' observing the bustling crowd with varied expressions.

"Big sis." Xiaonan spoke softly, "Is this Vitri City? The legendary Sunlit City? Free Harbor?"

"Yes."

Aya's voice was heavy, "It's definitely here."

"It's not as good as I imagined," Lyon said, "Besides being more crowded, the buildings here are even worse than Black City."

Black City had remnants of old houses, various three-story structures, and towering platforms, all in disrepair due to age.

Before them...

Haphazardly constructed wooden houses and shanty areas, with narrow alleys like a maze.

On the ground...

Rotting rats, dead mice, urine, and feces piled up, and the stench was nauseating even from a distance.

The roads lacked paving stones, leaving muddy paths, and lower areas became sewage ditches with purple and black water, swarmed by buzzing flies.

The passersby were poorly dressed, mostly in hemp, and many were even barefoot.

This didn't matter.

They, too, were shoeless, with unkempt hair, blending in with the locals, unnoticed.

"The environment is poor, but there's freedom!"

Aya spoke, feeling her words lacked conviction. She walked and explained, "Perhaps the inner city is better. Keep an eye on your belongings. There are pickpockets here too."

She had already spotted at least three.

These thieves were skilled, and some even helped their accomplices escape when discovered.

Clearly, an organized gang of thieves!

"Big sis."

Xiaonan stepped forward, "What should we do now?"

"Let's find a place to stay first," Aya looked around, "We'll investigate the city while ensuring our safety, and then... wait for Uncle Karl."

"What if Uncle Karl doesn't come?" Lyon asked.

The group fell silent.

"It's fine,"

Aya took a deep breath and smiled, "When Uncle Karl wasn't around, we managed in Black City, and we can do the same here."

"No!"

She shook her head lightly, "Xiaonan is already a knight attendant, Lyon has a spell seal, and we have items from Black City."

"We can at least survive."

"Yes."

The group nodded.

If Karl was their small team's pillar, Aya was their backbone.

Without Karl, they might feel more uncertain about the future, lacking a sense of security.

But without Aya,

The team would cease to exist!

As long as Aya was there, they could stay united, confident in their ability to move forward together.

...

...

...

...

...

Atop a tall tower in the city, a robust figure stood with arms wide, embracing the distant approaching shadows.

"Welcome to Vitri City!"

"My dear people!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end