Yates looked puzzled but followed Evan anyway.
Soon, the two returned to the dorm. Evan sat casually on a chair, motioning for Yates to sit as well.
"Yates, I'm going to teach you a Breath Technique," Evan said slowly.
"What!" Yates was stunned.
Breath Techniques were not something one simply handed out. They were fundamental to a Beastmaster's abilities. Apart from the standard techniques, even a basic Breath Technique was worth millions! If it was an especially powerful one, its value was practically incalculable!
"It's just a Breath Technique." Evan dismissed it, then continued seriously, "The one I'm teaching you isn't the most powerful in the world, but in some ways, it's the best fit for you."
"This… it's too precious," Yates hesitated.
"Our years of friendship are worth far more than this." Evan shook his head, looking at Yates with a firm expression. "This technique is called the *Devouring Technique*."
"It's a simple technique. All you need to do is eat. Anything and everything, from regular food to rare resources. Once consumed, you circulate the *Devouring Technique*, which perfectly digests and transforms what you eat into energy for yourself."
"Devouring Technique?" Yates shuddered at the name. *Devouring* was one of the four ancient beasts of legend, said to consume the sun and moon. A technique named after *Devouring*… how could it not be powerful?
"The *Devouring Technique* has seven levels. With each level, the number of beasts you can command doubles, and your transformation efficiency increases, allowing you to consume even more types of food. At the highest level, you'll be able to command hundreds of beasts, and even refine rare ores into usable energy," Evan explained. "Now, I'll teach you the technique itself. Listen carefully to every word."
"Understood!" Yates nodded vigorously.
"Close your eyes, follow your breath, and guide your internal energy…" Evan instructed slowly.
Yates furrowed his brows, carefully memorizing Evan's words as he began to circulate the Breath Technique.
As Evan finished his explanation, Yates's energy began to stir, a visible aura of power forming around him.
"As I thought, the *Devouring Technique* is perfect for Yates." Watching Yates quickly grasp the basics, Evan nodded slightly.
The *Devouring Technique* was a straightforward, aggressive method. It was perfect for someone like Yates, who was naturally inclined to eat and whose talent was otherwise average. The technique was simple and direct—the more you ate, the stronger you became. Ultimately, its strength lay in allowing Beastmasters to win by sheer numbers.
Back in the day, the *Devouring Technique* was famous in its own right. Evan had once fought an enemy who used it, and it was said the man had obtained it from a ruin associated with *Devouring*. That enemy had reached the sixth level, commanding dozens of beasts while also wielding significant personal combat power. He had been a difficult opponent, and Evan had only managed to kill him after a hard-fought battle. The *Devouring Technique* had become his reward for the victory.
For Evan, who had the *Sanctified Breath*, this technique was of little use. But for his old friend, it was invaluable. How far Yates could go with it would be up to fate.
Not long after, Yates opened his eyes. He had clearly entered the initial stage of the technique; his energy was noticeably stronger, dispelling the weariness from before.
"This *Devouring Technique* is incredible." Yates's first words were full of astonishment. "I just learned it, and my Beast Space has already expanded—I can contract a second beast now!"
"That's only the beginning." Evan chuckled and shook his head.
A second beast was nothing. Back then, his enemy had commanded dozens of powerful beasts at once, swarming the battlefield like a wave. The sight alone could strike terror into onlookers.
Looking at Evan, Yates asked cautiously, "How did you get your hands on such a valuable technique?"
"Just a bit of luck," Evan replied, his expression turning serious once more. "Yates, keep the *Devouring Technique* to yourself until you're powerful enough. Don't tell anyone about it, not even your parents."
"Understood." After experiencing the power of the *Devouring Technique*, Yates didn't need further explanation. He nodded vigorously, eyes shining with excitement.
Even as a beginner, Yates understood the significance of this gift. With no complicated training, he only had to eat to grow stronger. By following the technique step-by-step, he could achieve a formidable future. Evan had truly given him an extraordinary gift!
"Evan, this gift is too precious… I don't know how I can ever repay you…"
"Grumble."
Before he could finish, a loud stomach growl interrupted him. Yates's face turned red. Embarrassed, he mumbled, "This *Devouring Technique* is really draining. I just ate dinner…"
"Then go eat again. Now that you've practiced the *Devouring Technique*, you're basically a human Devourer." Evan laughed, imagining the challenges Yates would face in the future. "Don't worry about others judging you. Once you're strong enough, they won't say a word. In fact, they'll probably try to imitate you."
"True." Yates nodded, rushing toward the door. "I'll go eat again, then."
The dorm door opened and closed, leaving Evan smiling and shaking his head.
Yates hadn't finished his sentence, and Evan didn't care to hear promises of repayment. He was willing to teach Yates the *Devouring Technique* because he trusted him, though perhaps not completely.
In his last life, even his sworn brother of several decades had betrayed him. He knew better than to trust blindly. He believed Yates wouldn't betray him—not yet, at least.
"Now, time to get things done." Musing aloud, Evan took out the 10,000 credits Dean had paid him, looking thoughtful.
10,000 credits wasn't much, but in his hands, it could go a long way.
In three months, the Freshman Secret Realm would open. Until then, he needed to rapidly increase his strength to ensure he could acquire what he wanted in that trial.
"Off to the Herb Hall." After some thought, Evan decided.
For quick power-ups, spiritual herbs were the best option—simple and highly effective.
His Beast Space was ideal for cultivating herbs. If he could obtain some now, he could use them to boost his Fire Hound's growth while also growing spiritual fruits to sell.
Spiritual fruits were valuable; for example, a single Firefruit seed cost 10,000 credits, and it took months to cultivate one successfully, with a significant chance of failure.
A single Firefruit was worth at least 50,000 credits, with high-quality ones fetching up to 100,000.
For just 10,000 credits, he could buy a Firefruit seed, plant it in his Beast Space, and let its accelerated time flow mature the fruit in three to five days. A typical yield was four or five fruits per plant, which could easily sell for 200,000 credits.
With the profits, he could buy even higher-grade seeds, reselling them again for even greater gains.
With his mind made up, Evan didn't hesitate. He left his dorm, grabbed a cab, and headed straight to the Herb Hall in northern Blue River City.
On the roadside, John was walking with his lackeys, one of whom was applying ointment to his bruises.
"Evan doesn't know what's good for him," one lackey said, eager to cheer John up. "Dean's the boss around here, and Evan's got no clue what he's up against. If he dares leave school, Dean will have him begging for mercy in no time!"
"Exactly!" John felt better, clapping his hands together. "With my cousin's strength, as soon as Evan steps outside, he'll have him surrounded!"
"Evan humiliated me today, but I'll make sure he can't even cry when I'm done with him!"
Vroom!
As John was bragging, a taxi sped through a nearby puddle, splashing the group with water. One of the lackeys flinched, pressing too hard on John's wound, making him grimace in pain.
"Watch where you're driving, idiot! Don't you see people here?" John yelled at the car, but a second later, he caught a glimpse through the taxi's worn rear window.
"Evan?"
Seeing him, John froze, then clenched his fists in rage. "That damn punk! Doesn't he take my cousin seriously? He's barely out of school and already pulling a stunt like this, getting us soaked?"
Almost instinctively, John assumed Evan had splashed them on purpose to taunt him.
"Call my cousin," John growled. "Tell him Evan's left the school—get him to block him at the entrance!"
"Yes, I'll call Dean right now!"