Huang Xin recalled the night his junior nephew first took the medicinal bath, and the phrase, "Aspirations must be high; you cannot waste your talent," echoed again in his heart.
For a moment, a mix of feelings surged within him.
"You're not even eight years old yet, why bother..."
However, Zhao Liuyun's expression was stern, his back ramrod straight: "Great ambition is not restricted by age!"
"Junior Uncle, I have nothing. Innate rank 5 is ultimately a restriction. Since my goals are high, I must be diligent day and night, not daring to be slack in the slightest, lest I live a hundred years in vain."
Except for his daily, unflagging diligence, most of what he said was empty rhetoric.
But speaking this way could move people.
And Zhao Liuyun was indeed practicing what he preached.
A Spirit-type Soul Master needs to specifically strengthen their physical body.
Whale glue, which is relatively gentle and hasn't been widely developed, is common along the coast but rare inland.
There are other tonics here.
The medicinal bath was indeed painful, but with the aid of [Hypnosis], it was still within a tolerable range.
Using this to temper his will was a rehearsal for consuming the Immortal Herb.
This was one of the reasons Zhao Liuyun was willing to endure the painful medicinal bath.
Since he knew absorbing the Immortal Herb would be difficult, should he, like Tang San, risk a gamble in the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, hoping he could withstand the baptism of the ultimate Ice and Fire attributes?
Zhao Liuyun knew his willpower wasn't strong enough.
He could rely on [Hypnosis], but he shouldn't become dependent on it.
Willpower needed more practice and tempering.
Except for innate talent, there was nothing that couldn't be acquired through effort!
Huang Xin looked at the boy's resolute eyes, his heart shaken: "Do you have a goal in mind?"
"Junior Uncle has extensive connections; I was just hoping to rely on your network," Zhao Liuyun said with an expectant look.
Huang Xin slowly said, "I know quite a few mercenaries, but there's only one whose missions have a high success rate and a good reputation."
Zhao Liuyun listened attentively.
"The Tusked Elephant Mercenary Group."
That Spirit...
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
Huang Xin continued, "It's the same mercenary group that took you to hunt for your Soul Ring."
"The mercenary group leader, Tian Wenlong, is a Soul Elder with the Tusked Elephant spirit. He's hearty and generous and not stingy with his mercenary group members."
Seeing a hint of hesitation on Zhao Liuyun's face, Huang Xin looked somewhat amused:
"That time was just an accident. In most cases, they can smoothly help employers acquire satisfactory Soul Rings."
"They are currently recruiting, and I can recommend you."
When they didn't have a mission, mercenaries could move freely within the Soul Hunting Town area.
Zhao Liuyun could still return to his Junior Uncle's shop to help out.
The medicinal bath, dietary supplements, and training wouldn't be delayed.
If, by chance, they were delayed...
He could still gain professional experience as a [Mercenary].
At the same time, he could also collect and purchase the toxins he wanted in the Soul Hunting Forest.
"Thank you, Junior Uncle," Zhao Liuyun mused, cupping his hands.
Huang Xin waved his hand, splashing cold water on the idea:
"Don't thank me so quickly. You are only a one-ring Soul Master, and an Auxiliary-type at that—the least needed in a small mercenary group. Talk about the rest only after you pass his assessment."
"I believe in myself," Zhao Liuyun smiled confidently. "And, I don't seem to be an Auxiliary-type..."
"Upon careful thought, I should be a Control-type."
...
"So, you called me here because Little Brother Zhao wants to join our mercenary group?"
The next day, Tian Wenlong appeared in the shop at Huang Xin's invitation.
After understanding the situation, his voice involuntarily rose a few decibels.
Auxiliary-type Soul Masters, whether they specialize in healing, amplification, or food, are only hired by large mercenary groups that go out to fight ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts.
Why would a small group like theirs need such talent?
Huang Xin didn't answer but merely lifted his chin toward Zhao Liuyun, signaling for him to ask himself.
"Hey, Little Brother Zhao, are you serious?" Tian Wenlong took a few steps closer.
He had always been cautious about recruiting people.
True geniuses have limitless prospects and can become high-ranking Soul Masters sooner or later simply by growing steadily.
Why would they need to jump into this messy business of risking their lives, like those with mediocre aptitude?
One must know that even the domesticated Soul Hunting Forest is definitely not a safe place.
Soul Beasts are ferocious, their attacks are lethal, and every move aims to kill.
"I'm serious, Uncle Tian," Zhao Liuyun replied meticulously.
"I need money."
He added silently in his heart, "I also need to accumulate [Mercenary] professional experience."
"Uh..." Tian Wenlong was taken aback by the serious atmosphere and unconsciously restrained the smile on his face.
A genius is a future powerhouse.
But before they grow up, they are nothing.
Being friendly and doing a favor was the limit.
When his own interests were involved, he was naturally very reluctant.
"Tell me, what can you do for us?" Tian Wenlong outwardly adopted the posture of serious recruitment, but his tone was actually one of rejection.
He carefully considered his words, deliberately avoiding the term "Auxiliary-type Soul Master."
Pointing it out might cause offense, and if the boy turned out to be petty, future days would be truly difficult.
"I am an experienced physician. I can provide timely diagnosis and treatment, ensuring that situations like the one a few days ago, where a team member was nearly poisoned to death, won't happen again."
"Not enough," Tian Wenlong was slightly tempted but still didn't give in.
A physician is not a Healing-type Soul Master.
"I am not an Auxiliary-type Soul Master, but a Control-type Soul Master," Zhao Liuyun asserted.
Tian Wenlong was slightly stunned, his face showing surprise.
He distinctly remembered that Zhao Liuyun had personally said he was an Auxiliary-type Soul Master before.
Could a Soul Master's development path be changed so casually?
He had attended school too.
Seeing the doubt in his expression, Zhao Liuyun calmly explained:
"Auxiliary-type is a short-sighted term used by low-ranking officials of the Spirit Hall."
"Since acquiring my Soul Ring and reading many books at the academy, I truly understand that my Spirit belongs to the Control-type."
"Control-type..." Tian Wenlong's eyes narrowed slightly.
He had only charged one hundred gold soul coins for that embarrassing soul hunt in the end.
That Soul Skill, which caused people to fall asleep without warning, was still fresh in his mind.
"What is your Soul Skill?" A spark of exploratory light seemed to flicker in Tian Wenlong's eyes.
"Stopping Hostilities, it can make people sleep." Zhao Liuyun's palm revealed a moon-white flower.
The yellow hundred-year Soul Ring pulsed on him.
"Use it on me."
Tian Wenlong pulled up a stool and sat down. He wanted to personally feel the strength of this Soul Skill.
Falling asleep?
Even if he resisted with all his might, would he still fall asleep?
It had been too sudden that time, with the Soul Beast playing tricks in the dark. Now, he wanted to try again.
"Soul Skill, Stopping Hostilities." The yellow Soul Ring suddenly flared, consuming surging spiritual power as the moon-white flower blossomed with a soft purple light.
Tian Wenlong clenched his fists and let out a low growl, his Tusked Elephant Spirit instantly possessing him.
His muscles were taut, his soul power circulated fiercely, and he was prepared to resist head-on.
Then—
To Huang Xin's astonishment.
"Bang!"
Despite his best efforts, he couldn't resist the drowsiness that crept up, the circulation of soul power abruptly stopped, and the Spirit Possession state automatically disengaged.
Tian Wenlong, the bearded man, lost all strength and directly fell to the ground.
The Tusked Elephant Spirit does not possess spiritual resistance. What difference does it make if he is a Soul Elder?
White, Yellow, Yellow...
He didn't even have a single thousand-year Soul Ring!
With such a configuration, how could he block the Dream-Creation Soul Skill released by Zhao Liuyun, whose soul was inherently strong and whose spiritual power was undoubtedly invincible among his peers after absorbing the unique Dream Demon Soul Ring?
Bring on Huo Yuhao!
"Boom—snore—"
Snoring as loud as thunder instantly rang out. Zhao Liuyun squatted down and lightly patted the bearded man's face.
"Uncle Tian, wake up."
After a few pats, Tian Wenlong's body twitched, and his elbow joint shook, creating a hole in the wooden floor.
He clumsily turned over and sat up, rubbing his head and laughing loudly.
It is well known that people often use loud laughter to cover up embarrassment.
Tian Wenlong glanced at the floor and quickly apologized:
"Sorry, sorry, I lost control for a moment, making a fool of myself."
"Little Brother Zhao, I was too arrogant and conceited. You are indeed a powerful Control-type Soul Master, and I wholeheartedly submit."
He immediately admitted his mistake, then, with eyes filled with pleasant surprise, he sincerely invited him, "It is our mercenary group's honor to have you join."
"Uncle Tian, please guide me in the future," Zhao Liuyun responded with a smile.
At the same time, he subtly changed his focus and set his professional goal to [Mercenary].
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