C20 Breathing Technique

"Left side, watch your left! What's going through your head?"

"Stay sharp, I'm coming at your right. Can you block it? Nope, too slow. You're just not strong enough. No way, no way!"

Inside the Eon Training Camp, the little ghost and Gu Xian piloted identical Pioneers, engaged in a sparring session.

The little ghost was the picture of ease, effortlessly attacking while still keeping an eye on Gu Xian's every move, peppering in verbal instructions as he went.

Gu Xian remained silent, pouring every ounce of skill he had into the exercise, yet still falling short in the little ghost's eyes.

He was either too slow or his attacks lacked power.

Such criticism from anyone else would seem unjustified—the Pioneers' limits of speed and strength were well-known, and Gu Xian had maxed them out.

But coming from the little ghost, the words held weight.

He wielded the same mech, yet consistently outmaneuvered Gu Xian.

Compared to the Pioneers produced before the camp, the little ghost's maneuvers were sharper, his tactics more devious, often catching Gu Xian off guard and keeping him on edge.

Gu Xian knew that if this weren't a training bout, but actual combat, he'd be dead in an instant at the hands of the little ghost.

Suddenly, the little ghost ceased his assault.

Gu Xian, caught off guard, nearly failed to respond.

A searing laser beam just missed the little ghost's Pioneer, slashing into the ground and leaving a charred trail.

Both Pioneers vanished in an instant.

"No more training, I've had it!" the little ghost grumbled, frustration evident. "How can your basics be this poor?"

Poor basics?

The notorious fifth most-wanted criminal of the Federation, who had traversed eleven galaxies and destroyed 875 mechs in a year, criticized for poor fundamentals? But the little ghost had grown up in the training camps, and his words carried the weight of experience.

Without mincing words, the little ghost gave Gu Xian a piece of his mind, then inquired, "What breathing technique are you practicing? What level have you reached?"

"Breathing technique? What level?" Gu Xian was momentarily taken aback.

"Don't you know?" Imp raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, searching for the right words. "Breathing techniques? Visualization? You've never come across these?"

Gu Xian shook his head.

"You've never practiced them?" Imp's surprise deepened.

Gu Xian shook his head again.

"You haven't trained at all!" Imp gasped, looking at Gu Xian as if he were a creature from another world. "Are you telling me that you've been fighting me solely with your natural physical abilities?"

Gu Xian was puzzled by what Imp was trying to get at.

A thrill of discovery surged through Imp, the sensation so surreal it seemed to defy the constraints of time, space, and universal laws. It was a feeling so intense that, even as it threatened to show on his face, he managed to suppress it.

If this were true, there was no need for further hesitation. He was the perfect fit for any challenge—the ideal candidate.

"Since you're unfamiliar, let me break it down for you," Imp offered.

Gu Xian was all ears.

In recent days, he had absorbed a wealth of knowledge from Imp. In every respect, Imp was both a mentor and a comrade to Gu Xian.

His words merited Gu Xian's full attention.

"You must be aware of the term 'mecha synchronization rate,'" Imp began.

"I'm aware. The higher the rate, the stronger the mechanist's control over the mecha, and the more formidable their combat capabilities," Gu Xian replied.

"Exactly, but there's more to it than that," Imp clarified. "You're talking about a mechanist's control over a mecha. At best, they can only maximize the mecha's potential. But an ace mechanist can actually influence the mecha."

"Influence the mecha?"

"Yes. An ordinary mechanist sees the mecha as the primary entity, with themselves merely as the operator. But for an ace mechanist, they are the core; the mecha is just an oversized suit of armor.

"An ace can drive the mecha beyond its limits, pushing its performance to 120%, or even 200%."

"That's impossible!" Gu Xian blurted out, unable to contain his shock.

As a mechanist himself, he had never witnessed such a phenomenon.

If Imp's claim held any truth, it would completely upend Gu Xian's perspective on life.

"If what I'm saying is false, then how do you explain what just happened to me?" Imp challenged him.

Gu Xian was at a loss for words.

"The breathing technique," he said.

"Correct. Your civilization was built upon the ruins of ours, which explains the similarities. In our time, besides the breathing technique, there were methods like electric shocks, mechanical organ replacements, and even genetic modifications to enhance one's strength."

The little ghost shook his head with a sneer, "But we knew that aside from the breathing technique, all other methods were just misguided shortcuts, hardly worth a second thought."

His gaze on Gu Xian turned grave.

He lifted his fist above his head and spread his arms wide, his solemnity bordering on reverence.

"From this moment, I will teach you the authentic breathing technique. Once you master it, you'll join the ranks of the Eon Corps. You'll carry on the legacy, uphold the honor, face great challenges, and you'll cease to be just yourself... Are you ready to accept?"

Behind him, a multitude of shattered mechas soared skyward.

They formed a mighty flood, a raging storm.

They blotted out the sun, each one a bearer of heroic spirits, spanning epochs of civilization to gaze upon this boy from a world not their own.

The little ghost awaited Gu Xian's answer with bated breath. "Are you ready?"

Gu Xian inhaled deeply. "I am not."

"If that's your response... Wait, what did you say?" The little ghost gaped in astonishment.

The formidable fleet of mechas hung motionless in the sky.

"You're refusing? You're actually refusing! Do you have any idea how many yearn for this opportunity? This is more than just a legacy; it's a civilization's heritage! It's a civilization far more formidable than the Siron Galaxy or the Universal Federation!

"Hey, don't walk away! I haven't finished! You're refusing, but do you truly understand what you're turning down?"

...

"Snip, snip, snip, I sever blood vessels, I tweak tendons, so they won't wriggle;

Crunch, crunch, I saw off heads and peel off skin, so they won't squirm;

I dislike their squirming, it spoils the fun if I cut incorrectly;

I dislike their squirming, a small saw is much handier;

Scalpel, I am the graceful scalpel."

"Little saw, I'm the singing saw..."

Zeng Nian stepped out of the flying car, his song abruptly ending. He straightened his black suit, a practiced smile on his face, and warmly greeted the approaching Vian, "Mr. Vian, I've come to sign an agreement with Mr. Gu. Is he available?"

It was only six in the morning, and Vian had just gotten out of bed.

Remembering that Gu Xian was an early riser, he cheerfully replied, "Of course, he's available. You're up with the dawn! Haven't had breakfast, have you? Let's head to the cafeteria. I'll get Mr. Gu for you."

"I really appreciate that," Zeng Nian said, his smile brimming with gratitude as he patted his belly. "Kind souls like you are a rare find."

"Oh, it's nothing," Vian said modestly, blushing at the compliment. He pointed Zeng Nian in the right direction and then set off to find Gu Xian.

While Zeng Nian was still enjoying his piping hot fritters, Gu Xian promptly arrived.

Zeng Nian rose quickly, his smile all business. "Mr. Gu, would you like to grab some breakfast first?"

Gu Xian grabbed a bun nonchalantly. "Do we need to discuss this here?"

"Absolutely not," Zeng Nian replied. "Shall we go to your office?"

Gu Xian nibbled on the bun as he led the way.

After his refusal, the persistent little ghost bombarded him with relentless advice, chasing him down.

He felt bewildered, curious, exasperated, and resigned.

But Gu Xian was resolute in his refusal.

The Eon Training Camp was not like any other he had known; he genuinely enjoyed it. Yet, he longed for the simple life he dreamed of, the life of an ordinary person.

He was aware that if he ever gave in to the little ghost, the Eon Civilization would come crashing down upon him.

He would never be able to live the life of an ordinary person, surrounded by the sounds of daily life, the mundane details, and the gentle evening breeze.

He cherished his time at the training camp, but he was not ready to bear such a monumental burden.

He loved basking in the glow of the stars, but that didn't mean he was willing to carry the weight of them on his shoulders.

After a prolonged struggle, Gu Xian was left feeling disoriented, the world around him seeming increasingly blurred.

"Mr. Gu, did you have trouble sleeping last night?" Ceng Nian interjected, pulling Gu Xian from his reverie.

Shaking his head, Gu Xian replied, "It's nothing. Did you hold a meeting yesterday? What was the outcome?"

"Your expertise is evident to all, Mr. Gu, and the consensus was to meet your terms. We've prepared two proposals: one is a lump-sum payment for your patent, and the other offers you a stake in the technology, with dividends for every unit sold."

"And the figures for these options?"

"For an upfront payment, it's five million Galaxy Dollars. As for the technology stake, it would be ten percent. My personal recommendation is the latter, Mr. Gu. It's the gift that keeps on giving, potentially yielding greater returns."

Gu Xian shook his head again. "I'll take the lump sum."

His eyes had sparkled at the mention of five million. He was eager to fulfill Old Charlie's wish without delay.

Money wasn't his primary concern, and five million Galaxy Dollars was a substantial amount.

Zeng Nian maintained his smile. "Then, Mr. Gu, please sign this agreement and provide your technological details and bank account information. Once we confirm the energy exchange system, the five million Galaxy Dollars will be deposited into your account within two days."

Gu Xian proceeded as instructed, and everything unfolded without a hitch.

Zeng Nian watched with a squint.

After parting ways, Gu Xian escorted him to his flying car. Zeng Nian fired up the vehicle, quickly shutting off the music that started playing.

Gu Xian inquired suddenly, "By the way, what about the person who was with you yesterday?"

"Oh, you mean Ding Ren," Zeng Nian replied with due respect, stepping out of the flying car to answer. "He had urgent business on Siron Planet and left on a spacecraft yesterday."

"I see," Gu Xian said, giving a dismissive wave.

Zeng Nian didn't immediately re-enter the flying car, waiting instead for Gu Xian to walk a good distance away. Still bowing and smiling from behind, he called out, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

Once Gu Xian was out of sight, he boarded the hovercar, his smile solidifying into a mask that remained fixed on his face as the vehicle sliced through the expanse of sky.

Meanwhile, Gu Xian had located the song through a search engine.

"Surgical scalpel and a little saw? What a terrible title for a song," he grumbled, the usual keenness of his mind dulled as a faint throbbing pain began to resurface.