Volume Three, Chapter 125: The Method of Bear Breathing

At first, because there were outsiders around, Yu Mu dared not reveal the full function of this spiritual artifact. Now, surrounded only by trusted companions, he immediately let it demonstrate its unique power in the desert.

An Shu was utterly envious of this treasure that Yu Mu possessed.

After arranging everything, Yu Mu moved Earth Bear close to the sand camel, helping him lean against it. The camel’s wool was extremely warm, beneficial to Earth Bear’s current recovery.

Next, to An Shu’s astonished gaze, Yu Mu produced a ripe peach from somewhere. As a snack lover, An Shu’s mouth watered at the sight of the juicy fruit.

While she kept swallowing her saliva, Yu Mu squeezed the peach slowly, drop by drop, feeding the juice into Earth Bear’s mouth.

The overwhelming fragrance made An Shu wish she were the one injured.

After the juice was gone, there wasn’t even a trace of pulp left in Yu Mu’s hands; he had somehow dissolved the flesh into the juice. Before long, Earth Bear slowly opened his eyes.

Seeing the faces of Yu Mu and the others, he thought he must be dreaming.

“Heh... heh...” He struggled to speak, but Yu Mu immediately said, “Brother Earth Bear, don’t say anything now. Your wounds are still severe. We have plenty of time once you’ve healed. Just rest peacefully for now.”

Yu Mu’s words were like a calming balm. Earth Bear closed his eyes peacefully, sinking into a deep sleep.

Yu Mu then took out a gourd, pouring some wine and saying to An Shu, “Mix this wine into water and slowly moisten his body. Help him relax his muscles and activate his blood flow. I will continue treating his wounds.”

After speaking, he drank deeply from the gourd, replenishing his spiritual energy, then pressed his hands again on Earth Bear’s chest.

This routine continued for three days. On the third day, Earth Bear finally woke fully, his wounds half healed.

Upon waking, Earth Bear immediately sat up and said, “Brother Yu, I owe you my life. If not for you, how could I have avenged our brothers if I died so innocently?”

Then, this proud seven-foot man threw himself into Yu Mu’s arms and wept loudly.

Earth Bear’s sorrow moved both Yu Mu and An Shu to tears. Especially An Shu, who cried so hard that her clothes were soaked as she leaned on Yu Mu’s shoulder.

From their previous conversation, the two already understood the bond among these men. The Sandstorm Mercenary Group was different from others; these men were brothers who had grown up playing together.

Because they couldn’t bear to part, they formed this mercenary company. They had no lofty ambitions and never wandered beyond the desert, making a living within it.

Having traveled there for so long, this desert, known as the Sea of Death, paradoxically became their safest haven. Yet, disaster struck here unexpectedly.

The three stopped crying, and Yu Mu asked, “Brother, tell us what exactly happened?”

At Yu Mu’s words, a fiery light blazed in Earth Bear’s eyes, and he ground his teeth, “It was the bandits from Black Wind Ridge, those despicable bastards...”

***

It turned out Earth Bear had left only seven or eight days earlier. Their group was intimately familiar with the desert, and so they traveled unhindered, arriving here over ten days ago.

This place was originally a water source and also the den of a bandit group called Black Wind Ridge. Since both sides frequented the route, they were well acquainted. As long as proper tribute was paid, there was peace.

Besides, the bandits themselves were not very powerful; their leader was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, not much stronger than them.

Unexpectedly, someone appeared from nowhere, seized their territory, and became the grand chieftain — a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert.

This newcomer disregarded all rules, stealing their guarded goods, capturing and slaughtering the entire group without mercy.

Poor Earth Bear’s team had only the captain at the early Nascent Soul level, with Earth Bear himself a late Golden Core stage cultivator, the group’s second strongest. Such a team stood no chance against the suddenly empowered bandits and were doomed to annihilation.

Hearing this, the two men sighed deeply, feeling profound pity for Earth Bear’s fate.

But the path of the jianghu is like this — life and death are unavoidable. Even Yu Mu, who had only been in the world less than two years, was constantly hunted, with many deaths under his belt.

The jianghu values swift justice and revenge: if you are oppressed today, regain strength tomorrow and settle the score.

Blood feuds happen daily; this time, misfortune had fallen upon Earth Bear.

Yu Mu comforted him, “Brother Earth Bear, sorrow won’t help now. We should plan how to avenge our brothers.”

At this, Earth Bear’s eyes blazed coldly, “Well said! I swear I will not live if I do not avenge this!”

He glanced at the two and said, “Brother Yu, Sister Shu, this is my brothers’ personal feud, unrelated to you. You saved my life, for which I am eternally grateful. You should hurry on your journey. Once I’m healed, I will settle the score myself.”

Yu Mu smiled slightly, “Brother Earth Bear, I know you think we’re weak and don’t want us to risk danger. But true friends share hardships. If I can’t fight tooth and nail for a friend, then what kind of brother am I? If you keep holding back, you’ll truly be underestimating us.”

“Exactly! Yu Mu’s right this time,” An Shu nodded repeatedly with a righteous air.

Seeing their sincerity, Earth Bear’s tears welled again. He grasped their hands tightly, momentarily at a loss for words.

Yu Mu changed the topic, asking, “Brother Earth Bear, with such severe wounds, how did you survive? Your condition then was quite extraordinary.”

Earth Bear calmed and replied, “That’s a unique skill my master taught me — the Bear Breath Technique.”

“Bear Breath Technique?!” Yu Mu’s interest peaked upon hearing the name. He had only ever heard of Turtle Breath, never Bear Breath, and wondered what similarities they shared.

Earth Bear smiled and explained, “My master is a brown bear spirit, and the Bear Breath Technique is his innate skill. I was fortunate to cultivate it. If you two are interested, you can try it too.”

He then carefully explained the principles of the technique to them.

***

After listening, Yu Mu understood that the Bear Breath Technique was essentially a hibernation-like ability that slowed metabolism, reducing the body’s demand for blood and oxygen.

Used under special conditions, it was indeed an excellent survival method. Had he possessed this ability earlier, the ambush on Ye Yun and the trouble with Meng Fang might not have been so disastrous.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try,” Yu Mu said without hesitation. Following the principle that more skills never hurt, he was willing to attempt any technique.

“I want to learn too,” An Shu eagerly added.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Earth Bear was genuinely pleased. The chance to repay a debt was something he welcomed wholeheartedly.

He began teaching the technique.

The two carefully memorized each word and hand sign, then began cultivation.

“Why am I not succeeding?” An Shu called out after a while.

“I’m not feeling anything either,” Yu Mu echoed after repeating the hand signs several times.

Earth Bear’s face fell with disappointment. “Perhaps your attributes don’t match. Alas!”

This technique depended on affinity. Unless compatible, it was difficult to master techniques from other attribute types, especially those from human to demon.

At Earth Bear’s words, Yu Mu’s eyes suddenly brightened. He shifted his form, transforming into a bear.

“Ah! What is this? Brother Yu, are you also a bear demon?”

Before Yu Mu could answer, An Shu nodded repeatedly, “Yes, he’s a big silly bear.”

Though she said this, her hands couldn’t resist reaching out to touch the adorably oversized bear before her.

Yu Mu grinned, reciting the hand signs again. Instantly, everything seemed to slow, even his thoughts lagging noticeably.

Unconsciously, he gently collapsed to the ground, entering a deep sleep.

An Shu took the chance to approach and was startled. She no longer sensed Yu Mu’s heartbeat; even his breathing seemed to have stopped.

She secretly envied Yu Mu, lamenting her inability to cultivate this technique herself.