The Path Of A True King.-Chapter 2: Breakthrough
Chapter 42
Elijah sat below the bar, the dim light casting long shadows over the worn wooden walls.
The scent of alcohol and smoke lingered in the air, blending into the background of murmured conversations and clinking glasses.
This was where he always met Mai and Sylvia, Mai’s mother.
But tonight, Elijah’s mind was elsewhere.
The words of Alter Elijah still echoed within him.
Their conversation had left a deep impression, but something within him had shifted.
The hesitation, the self-doubt it no longer weighed him down.
Instead, a burning certainty had taken root in its place.
He exhaled slowly, his crimson eyes narrowing.
It was time.
He crossed his legs and closed his eyes, blocking out the distractions around him.
His body had been absorbing Ki for months, refining and strengthening it, but he had yet to take the next step to condense it, to forge his Ki Core.
As he activated his breathing technique, his body responded instantly.
The energy within him surged, a raging current converging toward his center.
His muscles tensed, his veins bulged, and his bones vibrated with raw power.
Pain lanced through every fiber of his being.
Elijah gritted his teeth, his hands pressing against the cold stone floor beneath him.
The life force he had absorbed condensed, pressurized, and solidified.
His cells, once mere vessels, now became conduits, forging something greater.
A deep hum resonated from within him as his Ki crystallized, forming a glowing core at the center of his being.
A wave of energy erupted outward, shaking the ground beneath him. His entire body felt lighter yet infinitely stronger.
A blue screen flashed before his eyes.
[BREAKTHROUGH COMPLETE]
[CULTIVATION: INTERMEDIATE KNIGHT STAGE]
[All stats have increased by 10.]
[Status]
Name: Elijah Havor
Cultivation: Intermediate Knight Stage (Initial)
Level: 11
{Stats}
Strength: 30
Agility: 29
Endurance: 30
Defense: 28 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Senses: 26
Free Stat Points: 20
[You have gained 20 Free Stat Points.]
Elijah barely had time to process his advancement before another notification appeared.
[Stage 2: Farming Breathing Technique Unlocked.]
[The Crop Breathing Technique Unlocked.]
[Technique Sector Unlocked.]
[You can now use your skills.]
New skills flashed before him.
[Skills Unlocked:]
[The Monarch] – Suppresses all unnecessary emotions, allowing Elijah to act with unwavering focus. Fear, doubt, hesitation—none of it can cloud his judgment. Though he retains awareness of emotions, they no longer affect his decisions, ensuring absolute resolve.
[Zenith] – A temporary state where all of Elijah’s stats increase by 200%. However, once deactivated, extreme exhaustion follows, making it a skill that must be used wisely.
[One] – A devastating sword attack capable of killing an opponent a realm above Elijah and grievously injuring those more than two realms above. This attack transcends normal strikes, cutting through even the strongest defenses. Can only be used once per week. (Requires a sword.)
[King’s Aura] – A presence that spreads fear and pressure to those weaker than Elijah. Opponents below or within one realm above him experience intense suppression, their movements hindered by his sheer presence. The stronger the opponent, the less effective the aura becomes.
Elijah exhaled, feeling the changes within him. His muscles were denser, his reflexes sharper, his very existence had ascended to a new level. He clenched his fist, feeling the immense power coursing through his veins.
A smirk played on his lips.
Kai was waiting for him.
But before he could move, a question formed in his mind.
"System, what does it mean by ’protect my crops’ and also the ’Crop Breathing Technique’?"
The system’s response was cryptic as ever.
[The greatest of kings are farmers. But a weak farmer will only see his land taken. A great farmer protects his field and seeks to expand it. Move in the way of a farmer, and you will understand.]
Elijah furrowed his brows. The way of a farmer?
Leo’s words surfaced in his mind. His father had often spoken in metaphors, always tying his lessons to the land—seeds of effort, soil of opportunity, the harvest of hard work. It was an odd way of teaching, but it had stuck with him.
"A man without land is a man without power. But to claim land and keep it, one must be strong. The weak will always see their fields burned by those stronger than them."
His fingers curled into a fist. "Did my father also have the system?" he muttered aloud. But as expected, no answer came.
Shaking off the thought, he checked the price for the Stage 2 Farming Breathing Technique.
[Stage 2 Farming Breathing Technique: 1,000 System Points.]
His expression soured. He didn’t have enough points.
His gaze then shifted to the Crop Breathing Technique.
[Crop Breathing Technique – A lesser version of the Farming Breathing Technique but still superior to any other.]
Stage One - 100 System PointsStage Two - 400 System Points
Elijah’s eyes widened. "This is way cheaper than the main technique..."
A slow grin spread across his face. He didn’t hesitate.
[100 System Points deducted. Crop Breathing Technique (Stage One) obtained.][400 System Points deducted. Crop Breathing Technique (Stage Two) obtained.]
Two books materialized in his hands, their covers marked with intricate symbols resembling roots stretching deep into the earth. The moment he touched them, a wave of warmth pulsed through his fingers, as if the knowledge within was alive.
He flipped through the first few pages. The technique was different from the usual Ki breathing methods—it emphasized rhythm, patience, control. Each breath was like tilling soil, each exhale like planting a seed.
His grin widened. "I can give this to the others. Our gang will grow stronger."
But then a thought hit him.
Kai doesn’t want me there at the moment.
His brows furrowed, irritation creeping in. Damn it! I’m the leader of this gang, and I’m being told I can’t even reach my own base? That’s stupid.
He glanced at the time—3:23 PM.
That settled it.
He was going.
As he climbed the stairs and was about to leave, Mia’s voice called out from behind him.
"Elijah, are you heading to the pool club?"
He turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah. How do you know?"
Mia chuckled. "Your angry expression."
Elijah scoffed, shaking his head. "Damn, am I that easy to read?"
Mia laughed again. "Can I come with you?"
He considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, no problem. But what about your mom?"
"Don’t worry, my dear. I’ll be fine," Sylvia’s voice rang from the next room.
Elijah shrugged. "Alright, let’s go."
They set off together, opting for the train instead of walking the two-hour distance.
The moment they stepped off, the tension in the air shifted.
Elijah cracked his knuckles.
