The news of Zhao Liuyun entering the blacksmith shop was quickly relayed to Ye Wenxi by the maid, Yuanhong.
"You're saying... Liuyun went to the blacksmith shop to learn how to forge iron?"
Aside from the Clear Sky Sect, whose martial souls were hammers, or pure strength-focused clans like the Power Clan, what spirit master with even a bit of background would look favorably upon the trade of a blacksmith?
Ye Wenxi pondered for a moment before asking, "Did he say anything else?"
Yuanhong replied:
"Before he left, he told me, 'Simple physical tempering has limited effects. I plan to learn more and practice more, hoping to gain insights through diverse experiences and find my own path.'"
"This..." Ye Wenxi was momentarily at a loss for words.
He had initially wanted to call it a flight of fancy, but the words died in his throat.
In the previous era, there truly had been a brilliant, peerless figure who learned something from being a blacksmith. Relying solely on his own strength, he had single-handedly elevated an obscure sect to become the number one in the world...
That wasn't something that could be explained simply by fast cultivation.
Ye Wenxi's expression stabilized as he instructed, "Leave him be. Follow his orders; you only need to prepare his medicinal baths on time."
Genial talents had their own growth trajectories. He hoped even more that the Ye family could recruit such a genius. He would watch and wait; perhaps he could see talents in this boy that went beyond mere conviction.
The sun and moon rotated, and two months passed in a flash.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Steady, powerful, and rhythmic strikes hammered against the iron, producing a loud, full, and penetrating sound. Every heavy blow was accompanied by a "sizzle" of flying sparks.
When he first started learning, there would be "clanks"—the discordant noise made by hitting the edge of the anvil. That was a sign of poor strength control.
Two months later, Zhao Liuyun was able to accurately land every hammer strike on his intended spot. Not only that, he had learned to identify which color the iron should glow in the furnace to be most suitable, judge the required heating time for different materials, and master the timing of quenching... he had acquired all the essential skills of a blacksmith.
Thanks to his extraordinary memory, his savvy for correcting mistakes, and his day-after-day of arduous tempering, Zhao Liuyun could now be called a mature blacksmith.
[You are performing forging. Strength is appropriate, technique is skillful, craftsmanship is exquisite. Blacksmith Experience +1]
Accompanying the sound of forging were prompts that appeared in his mind from time to time. The judgment was specific; striking randomly was ineffective. Forging required a goal. Only by focusing intently and working correctly toward that goal could he gain experience.
Zhao Liuyun did not let his mind wander. Wearing protective goggles, his expression was focused and meticulous. A foot-long short sword quickly took shape under the continuous hammer strikes.
[Experience requirements for the 'Blacksmith' profession have been met. Do you wish to change professions?]
He did not change professions right there. After finishing the short sword and seeing that the time was about right, Zhao Liuyun gave it a simple treatment and handed it to the other apprentices watching nearby. It wouldn't sell for much, and the subsequent tasks like installing a hilt and grinding the blade were a hassle; it was better to give it away to build goodwill.
Afterward, Zhao Liuyun greeted Old Man Huo and returned to the Ye family's medicine shop.
The young girl, Ye Lingsi, was listlessly fiddling with freshly gathered medicinal herbs. Beside her, an old master was patiently explaining their medicinal properties. Upon seeing Zhao Liuyun return, her eyes instantly lit up, and she pounced over like a nimble little bird:
"Brother Liuyun, Brother Liuyun! Take me out to play!"
Zhao Liuyun gently rubbed her head, his tone tinged with teasing:
"Lingsi, you're slacking off again today. In a moment, Senior Meng is going to come and spank you."
She was mischievous, but she knew her manners and boundaries; she was quite a cute little girl. Zhao Liuyun had been staying and eating for free for two months and didn't want to be too cold to them, so he treated her like a younger sister.
Ye Lingsi glanced around. Seeing no sign of her mother, she tugged on his sleeve and pleaded in a low voice:
"I don't want to study, it's so boring... Brother Liuyun, just take me out for a walk, please?"
Zhao Liuyun refused flatly:
"No. The Spirit Hunting Town has a mixed crowd. There's no guarantee that fallen spirit masters aren't hiding among them. My cultivation is still shallow; I can't protect you."
The Spirit Hall had always been hunting fallen spirit masters. However, the Star Dou Great Forest was the largest gathering place for spirit beasts; it was full of danger, and surveillance was nearly non-existent. As the nearest resting stop, it was very likely that fallen spirit masters were lurking in the Spirit Hunting Town.
"Ah~ you always say that!" Ye Lingsi pouted.
At that moment, Meng Yuan stepped out from behind a curtain. "It's fine. Liuyun, there's no harm in taking her for a walk nearby."
Over the past two months, Zhao Liuyun had spent every day working tirelessly in the furnace-like blacksmith shop. After returning and soaking in his medicinal bath, he would meditate. He had already reached Level 22. Even though the Ye family provided him with a comfortable life, he never relaxed his cultivation, always grasping every inch of time.
He truly seized every minute and every second.
Such diligent self-discipline had long since convinced everyone in the Ye family that his resolve was rock-solid and absolutely genuine. The problem was that such a bitter cultivator had very little contact with others—how were they supposed to nurture a relationship?
Relying solely on the sentiment of the medicinal baths? Should they just invite him to dinner every day?
Her father wanted to push him toward the main branch, toward Ye Lingling of the Nine-Hearted Begonia, who had searched everywhere but found no suitable match. However, Meng Yuan felt this was a good match for her daughter, Ye Lingsi. Conveniently, her daughter was only two years younger than him.
Relationships should be nurtured slowly from a young age, after all.
Hearing this, Zhao Liuyun's face soured as he instinctively resisted:
"Uh, Senior Meng, the Ye family has treated me extremely well, but my strength is meager. I fear I cannot ensure Lingsi's safety. If something were to happen..."
He didn't care about himself. With a step of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he could flip onto a roof and vanish. But bringing someone along...
"No need to worry, someone will be following you," Meng Yuan's calm words put Zhao Liuyun at ease.
Having lived and eaten for free for two months, it would be truly unreasonable to decline further.
"Fine. However... let's wait a few more days." Zhao Liuyun agreed, considering that his profession change was imminent and he needed to leave enough time for any possible physical changes.
"That's fine then." Meng Yuan didn't ask for a reason.
As soon as Zhao Liuyun left, she immediately put on a stern face. "Lingsi, you're being naughty again."
"Hehe, Mommy..." Ye Lingsi just tugged at her hair and gave a silly smile.
Returning to his quarters, Zhao Liuyun recalled the embarrassment of his last profession change to [Mercenary] and didn't rush into it. He first soothed his body's fatigue with a medicinal bath and only then, before dinner, did he murmur in his heart: "Change profession!"
[New Profession: Blacksmith Lv1. New Trait: Reinforced Skeleton. New Skill: Power Concentration.]
At the moment of the change, a flash of joy appeared in Zhao Liuyun's eyes. He had gained another physical trait! Immediately, a strong sense of emptiness rose within his body.
As expected! Just like the change to [Mercenary].
Zhao Liuyun called out urgently, "Xiao Hong, have the kitchen prepare two more servings of the same size and bring them as quickly as possible."
"Understood, Young Master Liuyun."
The maid hurried away while Zhao Liuyun grabbed his bowl and chopsticks and began to eat voraciously. He couldn't hold on; he had to replenish his energy immediately.
[Profession Trait: Reinforced Skeleton (The Blacksmith possesses a sturdy physique, resilient tendons, and hardened bones.)]
"Reinforced Skeleton" was just a symbolic term, but a sturdy physique was no lie. Moreover, Zhao Liuyun could feel his bones and tendons further strengthening. Originally, he had planned to practice the Mysterious Jade Hand diligently to reach the "Jade Bone" stage early and spread the technique throughout his body to reinforce his skeleton.
He hadn't expected to receive an enhancement so soon.
As expected of the status panel.