Chapter Forty: The Breathing Technique

Late into the night, Wang Xiao finally ceased his experiments.

He murmured to himself, “Why isn’t it working?”

“Is it because our bodies are structured differently?”

“Or is there some other reason?”

Wang Xiao turned over and tossed the parchment aside.

“Forget it, I won’t think about it anymore.”

He closed his eyes and fell asleep, weary.

…

In a morning without sunlight, Wang Xiao awoke early.

Staring at the words above, a headache washed over him.

“I should go out for a walk,” he thought.

After a quick wash, just as he was about to head out, a knocking sounded at the door.

Knock, knock, knock.

He reached out and opened the door, and a graceful figure appeared before him.

The girl’s face was tinged with a blush, bringing a sudden brightness to his eyes.

Young hearts are always in the spring.

A gentle voice spoke, “Lord of the city, I’ve brought you breakfast.”

As she spoke, Avril handed the meal box to Wang Xiao.

Wang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, no need to call me Lord of the city, just call me Brother Wang.”

In Infinite City, others only addressed him as city lord in formal occasions.

Normally, they preferred to call him minister or boss.

“Come in, don’t just stand outside.”

Avril was startled for a moment, then her eyes curved in delight, making her look even more beautiful.

“Oh, alright.”

Wang Xiao noticed Avril’s slight nervousness. “Sit wherever you like.”

Avril fetched a stool and sat across from Wang Xiao.

“Ah, all my favorites,” Wang Xiao remarked, eyeing the buns, soy milk, and fried dough sticks on the table.

He asked politely, “Have you eaten? Would you like some more?”

Avril smiled, “I’ve already eaten. Please, go ahead.”

Wang Xiao began to devour the meal, stuffing his mouth with buns and fried dough sticks.

Even as his mouth was full, he tried to speak, “Are you used to the food here?”

“???”

Avril doubted whether her language skills were malfunctioning.

Wang Xiao took a sip of soy milk and swallowed his food, then repeated, “Are you getting used to the food here?”

This time Avril understood. “Yes, the food in Infinite City is delicious. We’ve never tasted anything like it!”

Wang Xiao kept eating, and Avril worried he might choke, so she said, “Brother Wang, take your time.”

With his mouth full, Wang Xiao nodded, “Alright.”

Watching him eat, Avril was utterly entranced.

Probably only Avril would be so absorbed; if Xia Mengsi saw him, she would surely complain about Wang Xiao’s messy eating.

After swallowing the last bite of bun, Wang Xiao burped.

Seeing Avril staring at him, he felt a little embarrassed. “Haha, sorry for the spectacle.”

Avril didn’t mind. “It’s fine, my brother does this all the time.”

“Avril.”

“Yes?”

Wang Xiao hesitated. “Can I make an unreasonable request?”

Avril had no idea what Wang Xiao wanted, so she said, “Go ahead, Brother Wang.”

He spoke softly, “Could you show me your rabbit form?”

Avril had expected something else, but it turned out to be just this.

“Of course.”

Soon, a pair of short ears sprouted atop Avril’s head, and her figure became even more graceful.

Blushing, Avril asked, “Is this enough?”

“Oh? Oh! Yes, that’s enough.”

Returning to her normal form, Avril said, “Were you planning to go out, Brother Wang?”

Wang Xiao remembered his original purpose. “Yes, I wanted to find your brother and ask him some questions.”

Avril smiled, “I need to go home too, so let’s go together.”

Since he had no companion, Wang Xiao agreed.

On the way to Ek’s house, Avril chatted incessantly—about how amazed she was to see Infinite City yesterday, and about how delicious last night’s meal had been.

Youth truly is wonderful.

As they arrived, they saw Ek practicing outside his home.

With each breath, the flow of energy could faintly be seen.

Ek’s face was flushed red, like a little crayfish.

Hot steam rose from his head, and Wang Xiao thought, “This could steam buns.”

“Hmm? Someone’s here?”

Ek ceased his practice. “Brother Wang, you’re here. Ah, little sister too.”

“I came to ask you some questions.”

Ek took up a cloth and wiped his face. “Go ahead.”

After a deep breath, Wang Xiao asked, “How does your breathing technique work?”

Ek was taken aback. “Just follow what’s written on the parchment.”

Wang Xiao was perplexed. “It doesn’t work for me. I tried all night yesterday.”

Ek was at a loss. “I don’t know, but I can demonstrate for you.”

That would do, Wang Xiao said, “Show me, then.”

Ek didn’t hesitate and began at once.

Because Ek was being deliberate, Wang Xiao could see the flow of energy even more clearly.

This time, he could sense something different.

The blood was boiling, and the steam rising must be a part of the body’s vital energy.

So this is how one strengthens their bloodline?

Ek stopped. “Well, did you see anything?”

Wang Xiao shook his head. “Not much.”

He added, “Forget it, I’ll head back for now.”

Avril, hearing that Wang Xiao was leaving, said, “Goodbye, Brother Wang.”

He nodded and left.

But Wang Xiao didn’t return home; instead, he went to another place—Ji Weijie’s laboratory.

“Baldy, take a look at this.”

Ji Weijie put down what he was holding and came over. “Brother Wang, what’s this?”

“It’s the breathing technique of the beastfolk.”

“I originally wanted to wait until we meet the humans of this world to trade for their breathing technique, but that would take too long.”

Ji Weijie took the parchment. “Let me see.”

Seeing Ji Weijie’s serious expression, Wang Xiao thought he might have an idea.

Ji Weijie replied solemnly, “Hmm, I don’t understand it.”

A sweatdrop appeared on Wang Xiao’s brow.

Seeing Wang Xiao’s murderous look, Ji Weijie quickly said, “Just kidding. Leave it here, I’ll study it.”

“Heh.”

“Brother, don’t look at me like that, it’s scary.”

Wang Xiao patted Ji Weijie’s shoulder and gave him a meaningful look.

He returned to his room, having memorized the parchment’s contents, but he wasn’t planning to continue experimenting.

He still had to go hunting later.

Today, the rabbitfolk would be joining the combat unit for the first time, and they needed to get used to working together.

To help manage the rabbitfolk, Wang Xiao had appointed Ek as deputy minister of the combat department.