Michael extracted a total of 290 Summoning Scroll Fragments, seven Ordinary Summoning Scrolls, and two Warrior Summoning Scrolls from the 28 Gogi corpses.
He merged the 275 Summoning Scroll Fragments into 11 Ordinary Summoning Scrolls and picked up the daily Summoning Scrolls the Summoning Gate created every day before he broke the seal of the Summoning Scrolls after finishing lunch.
A minute later, the number of Michael's subjects had increased by 17 starless summons, two 1-Star Warriors, a 1-Star Craftsman, and a 1-Star Scholar.
Michael's territory was now populated by close to 50 subjects. It was only the fourth day but he already had so many subjects – without the need to purchase a single summoning scroll!
That was fairly good, and something Michael could be proud of.
Unfortunately, it didn't solve all of his problems. Thanks to the additional workforce it would be quite easy to finish constructing the warehouse before dusk. A few subjects even proposed looking at the flora and fauna inside the protection barrier. A bunch of bushes and trees were located inside the protection barrier, and it would be a waste not to research them.
With a 1-Star Scholar leading the research, it might even be possible to find non-poisonous fruits or clues about the environment and vegetation all over the rainforest. It was worth a try!
As he devised plans, Michael watched the actions of his subjects intently. They didn't need any motivation to work, which was great. Unfortunately, that didn't help when it came to being able to fight against Tier-1 Monsters, forget about providing help in the fight against the Gogis.
Even the 1-Star Warriors would have to use the protection barrier to hunt and procure some energy first. They were still Tierless Warriors with the lowest degree of refinement. However, even if they were to hunt all day, it was near-impossible for them to advance to the 1st Tier before the protection barrier was lifted.
'In that case…I can only give them the techniques once I finish reading them. If I summon more Warriors, they'll be able to work together, and kill Tier-1 Monsters even without the protection barrier…right?' Michael thought while scratching the back of his head.
The easiest would be to decimate the population of monsters around his territory to decrease the burden and risk factor once the protection barrier was lifted. However, that was easier said than done. Blaire had explored the territory outside the protection barrier only once, but she had found the population of Tier-1 monsters to be high, oddly high!
Michael was deep in thought when he opened his mouth subconsciously to yawn. From one moment to the next the weight of his body seemed to have increased drastically. The excitement spreading through him had been exchanged with tiredness.
But who could hold that against him? Michael had been wide awake all night. He traveled back home under stress, fought the descendant of some big family during his shopping trip, and he returned to the Origin Expanse just to be faced with a group of Gogis, whom he fought while using his Soultraits for a prolonged period. He was mentally and physically exhausted.
Michael's body was begging for a break, but he didn't want to go sleep right now. It was too early, and his day would be wasted if he were to go sleep now and wake up late at night. Going out to hunt at night in the darkness were he was unable to see anything was suicidal, and far from intelligent.
Michael took that into consideration and chose to do something less demanding; he started to read the Sun Soldier's Breathing technique after handing the Sun Soldier's Weaponry technique to his Warriors.
"Let's see what I paid 10,000$ for. Don't disappoint me, please," Michael pleaded quietly as he opened the first page of the Sun Soldier Breathing technique inside his room. He sat comfortably on his bed and began to read the introductory part.
[Sun Soldiers of the Abyssal Sun Empire are known for their tireless combat. They can regulate their breathing even in the most desperate situations to calm their mind and body in a fraction of a second.]
[When the Abyssal Sun Empire was faced with a threat that nearly cost its annihilation, the Sun God's Elder Monk attained enlightenment. He was able to incorporate the Sun Breathing technique into the Army's training regime, creating the Sun Soldiers who are known for their efficient use of Stamina, tireless combat, and fast replenishment of energy.]
'Are they trying to show off? Just give me the juicy details I want to know!' Michael grumbled inwardly after he finished reading the introductory part.
[The Sun Soldier Breathing technique can be divided into two versions.
The first version is deep belly breathing, which involves conscious engaging in the diaphragm, a dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs, to achieve slower, deeper breaths. Practicing the first version increases oxygen and energy intake and enhances the awareness of the present moment. It calms the mind, reduces stress, and helps inculcate a deeper sense of presence and mindfulness. It is a technique that requires lots of practice and focus. It cannot be practiced on the battlefield and is more of a technique that prepares the Soldier for the battle.
The second version of the Sun Soldier Breathing technique changes the practitioner's breathing fundamentally. To practice this version properly, the practitioner needs a deep understanding of the body and the Sun Soldier Breathing's first version. The body and mind will have to learn to breathe in a specific way, which will decrease the consumption of Stamina drastically. The intake of oxygen and energy with every breath will increase, and it forces the practitioner to keep calm in dangerous situations. An in-depth understanding of the body and mind will be imprinted in the mind of the practitioner, allowing the practitioner to freely utilize the energy and oxygen inside the body.
…]
Michael was not sure how long he had read the Sun Soldier Breathing technique, but he was intrigued. The second version attracted his interest because it allowed the practitioner to use the Sun Soldier Breathing technique passively.
A high understanding of the body and mind was required to start practicing the second version of the Sun Soldier Breathing technique, and it would reward the practitioner with an even deeper understanding of himself. That was especially interesting.
'Is that why this technique is said to possess great potential? It increases the understanding of mind and body even though the practitioner's understanding has to be high, to begin with…very interesting!' Michael thought, closing the book.
Initially, he wanted to go to sleep after reading a little bit, but Michael changed his plan. He knew that he was too excited to go to sleep and started practicing the first version of the Sun Soldier's Breathing right away.
It wasn't too difficult to get started since a better understanding of his body and mind came with time and practice.
'Even if I'm tired, I can give it a try. There is no harm even if I fail!'
A moment later, Michael found a comfortable position on the bed where he sat cross-legged with an upright yet relaxed posture. Then he closed his eyes, allowing his body and mind to relax by letting go of all distractions – including the distraction caused by being able to think.
After a few seconds, Michael placed his hands on the abdomen. He rested his hands gently on his lower abdomen and inhaled deeply through the nose. In a slow and controlled manner, he drew the air deep into his lungs, expanding his abdomen as he breathed in.
Michael focused on the lower area of the lungs to allow the diaphragm to descend and create space for oxygen and energy. Then, he exhaled through the mouth, slowly and steadily, while trying to feel how the abdomen reacted as the diaphragm rose.
Most energy was lost when he breathed out, but a trace remained in his abdomen where his body absorbed it naturally.
It was only a minuscule trace of energy, however, that was already much better than Michael expected.
He thought that it would require a few dozen attempts before he would be able to absorb his first trace of energy. Fortunately, he was a little bit faster.
Intrigued by how far he could advance, Michael repeated the deep belly breathing once again. He maintained a natural and gentle rhythm while continuing to practice for the next two hours.
After two hours, the stress he had accumulated during the last few days seemed to disperse and the tension in his body was released.
He fell asleep soon afterward, while darkness consumed the territory and terrifying roars reverberated across the dense rainforest.