"Shining" rune inscription is something Ronan has mastered at an entry-level, having a stable success rate of about one-third, but it takes him half as much time again as inscribing the "Clean" rune.
Ronan primarily inscribes the "Shining" rune and only switches to the "Clean" rune for a change of pace when he gets tired of the former.
Even so, within a month, his net income can reach about thirty-five low-level magic stones.
Life has directly taken a leap towards prosperity.
Even if Ronan drinks one low-level Focusing Potion a month... he still has plenty to spare.
"The first use of the Concentration Potion has the best effect, after which each subsequent use lessens. However, gaining more than a whole level of spiritual power on the first use, it wouldn't be too much to expect a half-level increase on the second, right?
Then I can successfully advance to a Level 4 Apprentice and try inscribing Intermediate Zero Rank runes..."
Ronan has heard that magic potions aiding mental abilities will inevitably leave impurities in one's spiritual power and should not be overused, as this could lead to unstable foundations, making breakthroughs difficult in later stages.
However, Ronan is not overly concerned with that now; he'll figure out a solution later if necessary.
His gaze falls back to the panel, on the newly appeared line of small print at the bottom—Ascetic Body Refinement (Entry 1/100).
The skill name is quite fitting for its content.
It took Ronan more than two whole months of grueling practice to barely make an official entry into this Body Forging Technique.
Suddenly remembering something, Ronan got up and repeated the first Body Forging movement he had just practiced.
After officially mastering it, his body seemed to undergo some wonderful transformation, making this previously near-impossible movement significantly easier.
But it still hurt.
Just no longer as acutely as before.
Ronan held the position, his eyes fixed on the panel, until the Proficiency level behind the "Ascetic Body Refinement" skill silently jumped from (Entry 1) to (Entry 2), at which point Ronan abruptly relaxed his stance.
"Huff, huff—"
Ronan panted heavily and wiped off his sweat, his face showing hints of relief.
"Good, good, continuing to practice the first posture still increases proficiency. If that wasn't the case, it would be really killer..."
This Ancient Ascetic Body Forging Method contains a total of thirteen training postures and movements, each more difficult and grueling than the last.
The simplest first movement was already torturous for Ronan, and if he had to move immediately onto the more challenging second one... he's certain he would decisively switch to another Body Refining Technique.
"But I must say... the effects on strengthening the body and improving health are truly quite good."
Ronan looks down at his sweaty, oily body.
He still remembers the state of his body when he first crossed over—saggy chest, belly sticking out, and the fat on his arms and thighs wobbling with movement.
And now?
Flat abdomen, strong and powerful limbs, no longer any sign of flabbiness on the body, and even muscle contours starting to show...
Compared to before, this body is undoubtedly stronger, healthier, and more well-proportioned. He even grew a few centimeters taller; the original robe, when draped on his body, now carries an air of slender elegance.
Ronan reaches out to touch his cheek, feeling the smooth and firm texture under his palm.
He goes to dig out a small silver mirror left behind by his previous self from a box of odds and ends. He used to dislike looking at this face, blemished and rough, and seldom looked in the mirror, but now...
The mirror reveals a young face with a hint of greenness and defined features.
Fair, smooth skin, lake-blue eyes, and even the speckled freckles on his face and the dark circles under his eyes have faded to near invisibility.
His chestnut, slightly curly hair has grown a bit, casually draping down but showing a natural, elegant vibe.
This is the noble lineage from an Earl's family.
When Ronan tries to comb his long hair backwards, the reflection in the mirror is that of a handsome young man with a noble charm.
"Now this looks human..."
Ronan puts the mirror down, quite satisfied with the results of these past few months of physical enhancement. The faint pain in his chest has long vanished, and it seems the issue of energy particle erosion has been resolved, surpassing his expectations.
After looking in the mirror, Ronan casually picks up the gray robe thrown on the ground, drapes it over his shoulders, and slowly steps out of his house.
It's just two in the afternoon, with the sun shining fiercely outside.
Golden speckles of light recklessly scattered across the ground through the gaps in the trees' branches and leaves.
Ronan enjoyed the breeze in the woods for a while, feeling his sweat subside some, and then began to descend down the vines.
About halfway to the ground, his mind inexplicably heated up, his hands loosened...
"Whoosh—Bang!"
A figure fell from midair, legs apart, and landed firmly on the ground, creating two small shallow pits in the grass.
"Huff—"
Ronan let out a short breath, his face filled with joy and curiosity.
He knew his physique had greatly improved after reaching entry-level in Ascetic Body Refinement, but he hadn't expected such a significant enhancement.
Free falling from nearly four meters high, he managed to land steadily without any issues.
This level of control over his body's center of gravity, as well as the foundation of his physical condition, had improved far more than before.
"Let's try!"
A glint of excitement flashed through Ronan's eyes, and he immediately sprinted off in one direction.
He burst into the thick of the jungle, startling numerous animals and birds in an instant.
The wind howled past Ronan's ears as he sped up, the complex forest terrain under his feet seeming as if it were flat ground.
The rushing wind blew Ronan's robe about, under which his rhythmically moving limbs and flesh showed distinct muscle lines.
Ronan was like a cheetah on the hunt, swift... and agile!
"Awesome!!"
Ronan ran for quite some time, feeling as if a torrent of hot currents was continuously emerging from within his chest, with no sensation of exhaustion in sight.
He felt so exhilarated that he wished he could howl to the sky.
"I wonder how my physical condition now compares to those knightly warriors in the ordinary world?"
"What a pity that Ascetic Body Refinement only teaches body forging and not any accompanying breathing techniques, otherwise, I might have been able to cultivate Knight Battle Qi!"
After running wild for a while, Ronan had no idea how long or far he had gone.
When he finally felt his strength deplete and his pace slowly decelerated to a stop, he realized he had arrived in a completely unfamiliar environment.
Looking around, the trees here were older and denser.
The branches and leaves of various ancient trees above merged together, almost completely blocking out the sky, with only scattered sunlight able to penetrate through.
"Whoo—"
A vague howl of a wild creature came from afar, causing Ronan to shiver suddenly.
"That's not good, I got too carried away... I might have run deep into the forest."
A faint uneasiness crept into Ronan's heart.
He hadn't forgotten that beyond here lay the depths of the forest where Magic Beasts resided.
Creatures of legend, capable of devouring ice and consuming fire, naturally adept at controlling Energy Particles.
It's said that even the weakest Magic Beast possesses strength nearly equivalent to that of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice.
If he happened to encounter one, he might well lose his life here.
"Better hurry... while it's still light."
Ronan became anxious and began to quickly retrace his steps back the way he came.
After a while, when he was just about to feel lucky for not running into any misfortune,
Just then...
"Boom!"
A loud explosion came from the direction to Ronan's left.