#52Job change ideasAI Model: moonshotai/kimi-k2-instruct-0905
Chapter Four – Thoughts of Changing Profession
The family banquet ended in perfect harmony. Under Ye Wenxi's gentle guidance, Zhao Liuyun slowly opened up and spoke of his past.
The core message emphasized two points—
Gratitude and an unshakable will.
Zhao Liuyun hid nothing, generously sharing the secret behind his rapid cultivation speed.
"It's simple—only two words: Focus!"
He was clearly proud of this; a youthful excitement flickered across his brows.
A youth should have a youth's temperament; occasional straightforwardness is what makes it precious.
Too much scheming is equally unlikable.
Zhao Liuyun straightened his back, voice clear: "My innate spirit poweris only rank five—I can't match those real geniuses."
"But I never accept fate. As long as my will doesn't waver, one day I'll reach the peak."
In a mystical World, belief itself is a kind of power.
Even if it doesn't manifest outwardly like in some idealistic Worlds, Douluo Continent still has Ji Juechen—born with only rank-three spirit power—proving this point.
"So when I studied, I studied single-mindedly; when I meditated, I banished all distractions. With an intensely focused will, cultivation advanced a thousand li in a day."
The root reason was the divine force of Focus.
But attributing high spirit power density to firm belief rather than talent won greater admiration.
"Good boy!" Ye Wenxi praised, then turned to his granddaughter with a helpless shake of his head.
"Unlike this girl—already seven yet only level eight, still acting like a baby!"
Zhao Liuyun didn't echo the complaint; instead he gently defended her:
"Miss Lingsi has a naturally bright disposition. Born into a great clan like the Ye family, she doesn't have to rely solely on cultivation like me."
"Those who mature early often mature late; maturing too soon isn't necessarily a blessing. Flaws in temperament make true growth harder."
"A carefree childhood nurtures a complete and well-rounded temperament—that's the real foundation for a great clan's lasting legacy."
"Big Brother Liuyun is right!" Ye Lingsi clapped joyfully. "I'll play happily every day; cultivation can wait!"
Ye Wenxi was momentarily stunned, looking at Zhao Liuyun with even greater esteem.
Not only was the boy resolute, his insight far exceeded his peers.
He truly was a sapling worth nurturing.
Hope he passes the trials… As the days passed, everything unfolded just as Ye Wenxi had said.
Zhao Liuyun needn't bother with chores. Each morning he strengthened his body; each afternoon, with a single order, a steaming Medicinal Bathwas prepared.
The herbal fluid was gentle and lasting, nourishing his weary body like spring rain.
Evenings were devoted purely to Meditation.
Only… his [Physician] experience had stalled.
After all, this place was merely one of the Ye family's preliminary medicinal sites.
Ye Wenxi was a healing-system Spirit Emperor; injuries requiring his attention were extremely grave.
There was no chance for Zhao Liuyun—a guest with a control systemSpirit—to help.
Moreover, books here were scarce; medical classics, miscellanies, or any other texts were virtually non-existent.
Even if Ye Wenxi wished to help, there was nothing available—only Ye Lingsi's primers.
Zhao Liuyun dropped the idea of asking him to collect or purchase books, and began considering a profession change.
He never skipped a day of Purple Demon Eye training, instead reallocating his morning body-training slot.
Using that time, he wandered the Soul Hunting Town several times and got a clear picture of the place.
After weighing his physique against possible dangers, he quietly set a goal.
The Star Dou Great Forest was too ancient, hiding dragons and tigers; its upper limits far exceeded Soul Hunting Forest. The risks of [Mercenary] life were too great for a two-ring little Spirit Master.
After repeated deliberation he finally chose [Forgemaster].
At present they were still called Blacksmiths, mostly crafting weapons and armor to scrape by.
In the past Zhao Liuyun had been frail; he couldn't even hold a hammer for long.
Now, with a strong body and ever-improving Controlling Crane Catching Dragon and Mysterious Jade Hand, the idea resurfaced.
Blacksmiths swing hammers all day—five jin, ten jin, even heavier forging hammers for hours—so their physiques naturally become robust.
It was very likely to grant a physique-related trait.
As for skills—he had no particular demands; a good skill would be welcome but wasn't required.
He informed the maid Xiao Hong and strolled out of the apothecary.
He wound through streets and alleys, finally stopping at a small, outwardly dilapidated smithy on the edge of town whose interior blazed with roaring furnaces.
Inside, clanging hammer-strikes rang without pause; sparks flew and scorching heat blasted outward.
"Old Huo, I'm back—teach me to forge," Zhao Liuyun called out brightly.
Among the men laboring at the anvil was a skinny yet sinewy old man whose arms were coiled with bulging veins.
Named Huo Zhen, his Spirit was the Blazing Raging Ape—a four-ring Spirit Ancestor.
His temperament was odd, but his forging skill was superb.
His movements flowed like water; iron shaped swiftly beneath his hammer. The rhythmic ring and motion wove together, hinting at a beauty where power and craft merged.
The first time he'd been flatly refused; this time Zhao Liuyun simply offered a hundred gold coins as apprenticeship fee.
Money opens every door under the heavens—a truth everywhere.
Old Huo glanced at the shiny gold coins and said oddly:
"With skin so delicate, and saying you don't need pay, I thought you were some bored young noble out to amuse an old man."
That delicate skin was the Medicinal Bath's work—he hadn't expected others would see it as a noble's hallmark.
Zhao Liuyun laughed in spite of himself. "What pampered young master would be so masochistic as to dive into a place flying with iron chips and hot as a steamer?"
"True enough." Old Huo dipped the freshly forged spearhead into oil to quench it, then lit a pipe in the charcoal fire.
"Forging is tiring, bitter, and earns little."
Amid curling smoke he narrowed his eyes at Zhao Liuyun:
"You're still young—must be some genius Spirit Master. You really want to learn this dead-end craft from me?"
He still didn't reach for the gold coins.
Zhao Liuyun ignored the first remark, but had an answer for the second—"Blacksmith" query.
His eyes sparkled as he declared confidently: "I believe all things connect; Spirit Master training isn't a single plank bridge. With my talent I can surely carve a path of my own."
"In this World the accomplished are teachers; as long as you're willing to teach, Old Huo, I'll learn everything."
"Hah—fancy talk from a genius kid." Old Huo, unconcerned, stretched out his hand. "Fine, I'll teach you."
Draw insight from one field to master another? Comprehend the Spirit Master way from forging?
Such people appear only once in centuries!
Setting his profession goal as [Forgemaster], Zhao Liuyun handed over the money. "Then I'll come every morning."
After afternoons he could return for a Medicinal Bath to ease the fatigue.
Old Huo nodded, said no more, and asked directly: "What have you learned before?"
"Nothing at all."
Nuoding Academy is a Spirit Master Academy—how could its Librarypossibly hold books explaining forging?
"Then start by familiarizing yourself with metals' properties." Huo Zhenhanded Zhao Liuyun an old forging hammer.
Not heavy—only about five jin.
The wooden handle dampens shock to protect the hands.
"Among Spirit Masters there are countless metal types; as a beginner, start with ordinary iron."
With tongs he placed a red-hot pig-iron block at the anvil's center.
Huo Zhen instructed:
"Your task today: swing a thousand strikes. Use your body, your arms, to feel and remember every change in the iron."
"Yes, teacher." Zhao Liuyun answered solemnly, focusing entirely on the guidance.
"I'll show you how. First—stance must be stable!"
Proper forging is nothing like Tang San's Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer Method with its talk of three hearts, ignoring iron position, and whirling to borrow force.
Bang!
A hammer fell; glowing sparks burst from the hot iron.
Huo Zhen continued demonstrating posture and grip: "Back straight; power starts from the waist and flows to the hammerhead…"