Lord: I can see loyalty.

Inside the practice room, the candlelight flickered, casting Alec's shadow on the wall, sometimes long, sometimes short.

His breathing gradually calmed down, and he leaned his greatsword on the ground, the tip of which penetrated the stone slab an inch deep, supporting his weary body.

But he did not sit down.

He knew that once he sat down, the momentum he had just gathered would dissipate, and he didn't know when he would be able to gather it again.

The fourth-order door had cracked open, and he could see the light behind it, but the crack was too small, so small that only a wisp of air could pass through.

He needs greater strength and a more powerful impact to push that door open completely.

Alec straightened up and pulled the greatsword from the stone slab; the cracks on the blade were clearly visible in the candlelight. He paid no attention to them, simply gripping the sword with both hands and closing his eyes.

His breathing became long and even again, not by conscious control, but naturally slowing down.

The flow of energy within the body began to accelerate, surging into the blood vessels little by little along the crack in the door. With each wisp of energy entering, the body grew hotter, and the crack widened.

He began to swing his sword, this time much faster than before, the blade whistling as it sliced ​​through the air.

His swordsmanship never pursued speed; his White Whale Breathing technique was known for its power, with each strike being so forceful and heavy that it could cleave a shield in two.

But now it's different; he feels his speed increasing! A significant increase.

It wasn't that he deliberately sped up; rather, after those currents of energy surged into his bloodstream, his body became lighter, like a giant whale rising from the deep sea. What should have been slow and heavy was now light, swift, and unstoppable.

"Not enough..." he muttered to himself, increasing his sword speed once again.

Sword light crisscrossed the secret chamber, the candlelight was almost extinguished by the sword wind, and sword marks were left on the walls.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and the sweat slid down his cheeks, dripping onto his armor with a soft sound.

But Alec didn't stop; he just kept swinging his sword and gathering his strength.

He didn't know how much time had passed; perhaps an hour, perhaps two.

His body began to heat up, as if flames were burning beneath his skin. The energy flowed through his meridians like waves crashing against rocks, washing away all obstacles in its path.

He could feel the key points opening up little by little, not a dramatic breakthrough, but a continuous and irreversible qualitative change.

The waves within my body rise and fall, one after another, never ceasing.

His breathing was synchronized with the waves; each exhale was accompanied by a loud bang, and each inhale was a gathering of power.

Alec suddenly opened his eyes, stomped his foot on the stone floor, the ground cracked, and gravel flew everywhere.

He raised the greatsword high above his head, the cracks on its blade gleaming eerily in the candlelight, and then he brought the sword down.

Without a goal, it's just empty talk.

But where the sword passed, the air was torn apart, emitting a piercing shriek.

A shockwave erupted from the sword tip and struck the wall. The magical runes on the wall instantly lit up, absorbing and dispersing the power, barely blocking the remaining force of the sword strike.

Alec sheathed his sword, panting heavily. He was covered in sweat, his clothes beneath his armor were soaked, but his eyes shone with an astonishing light.

The door was finally pushed open!

It wasn't just a crack, but a complete opening. The airflow surged into his body like a flood bursting its banks, flowing through his limbs and bones. His body was transforming; every cell was cheering, and every muscle was singing.

This is the fourth level of the breathing technique!

He achieved the fourth level of the Beluga Breathing Technique!

Alec slowly sheathed his sword and walked toward the exit of the secret chamber.

The sunlight outside the door made him squint slightly, and the two knights guarding the door were stunned when they saw him.

"Lord Alec, you..." a young knight asked tentatively.

Alec looked at him, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Go tell the Earl that I've broken through."

……

The news spread like wildfire throughout the Western Territory, then to the Southern Territory, and finally to Blackwater.

Vio was discussing tactics with Jimmy and Ansquie in the council hall when he heard the messenger's words, and the quill in his hand stopped in mid-air.

"You've broken through?" He raised his head, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Send the order down to have Alec get to Blackwater City as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir!"

The following evening, Alec arrived in Blackwater.

He rode a northern ponies, his posture upright, his platinum armor gleaming warmly in the twilight.

The greatsword was slung across his back, and the whale pattern on the hilt looked lifelike in the sunset.

His face no longer bore the weariness of the past; instead, it held a calm and serene expression. His gray eyes held something new—not a sharp edge, but an unfathomable depth.

Jimmy and Ansque were waiting for him at the city gate.

Seeing Alec dismount, Jimmy walked over and patted him hard on the shoulder. "Congratulations! You've reached level four!"

Alec simply nodded, his smile calm. "I almost gave up, but thankfully I made it through."

"The Earl is waiting for you inside." Ansquie stepped aside to make way.

Alec strode into the hall, pushed open the door, and Vio was standing in front of the long table, holding a map in his hand.

He looked up and saw the platinum-gold figure. "You've broken through?"

Alec knelt on one knee. "I have accomplished my mission."

Vio stepped forward to help him up, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment.

Alec has changed, not in appearance, but in temperament. The old Alec was like a sword with its edge hidden, calm and reserved, never revealing its sharpness.

He is now more like the sea, calm and profound, making it impossible to fathom his depths.

"Get up." Vio patted him on the shoulder. "You've come at the right time; we were just about to head north."

Alec stood up, walked to the long table, and his gaze fell on the military deployment map.

"The Northern Allied Knights Army?"

"That's right, our enemy." Vio pointed to the central area of ​​Blackwater City and the Northern Allied Knights on the map. "Our plan is to launch a feint attack from the front to draw their attention, while sending two surprise attacks. One will circle around to their rear from the eastern mountain pass and burn their granaries."

"We will advance through the western mountains and forests, harassing their flanks. Once their supplies are cut off and their morale collapses, we will launch a general offensive."

Alec looked at the map, a thoughtful glint in his gray eyes.

"The pressure on the main battlefield is immense. Although the morale of the Northern Allied Knights is low, they still outnumber us. If they hold off our attack on the front, it may take a long time before our surprise attack comes into play."

"So we need someone who can break through their defenses on the front lines." Vio looked at him. "That person is none other than you."

Alec was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"The White Whale Breathing Technique is known for its power. I haven't tried using it at full strength since the fourth level, so this is a good opportunity to practice with them."

Vio smiled.

"Then it's settled. Alec will be in charge of the main battlefront, coordinating with Jimmy and Ansquie. Russell will lead a surprise attack to flank the enemy, and Glenn will lead the Gray Hyenas to harass the flanks. Everything is ready; we're just waiting to head north."

"Yes, sir!"

Outside the window, dusk was deepening, and on the northern horizon, the war drums were about to sound.

The wildly popular novel "Lord: I Can See Loyalty" by author Tian Ciliu is available on Cola Novels.