Chapter 289: New Profession

Chapter 289: New Profession

After his Pocket Workshop had been fully established, he had already moved from his original temporary suite into his current two-story mansion.

It couldn’t be denied that a residence crafted with personal dedication felt intimately familiar in every corner. This sense of belonging had significantly improved both his work efficiency and cultivation progress.

By the time Luo En completed his routine spell training and various chores, the afternoon had arrived.

Thanks to the privileges insignia he granted, the tree spirit had gathered all the required information.

“Master, the Crystal Spire does offer rare materials through their Mentor Channel, but the pricing isn’t exactly economical…” Ai Lan softly spoke, her branches curling to present a sheet of crystal film to Luo En. “This is the material list I compiled, along with procurement channels based on the latest quotes from their internal resources network.”

Luo En scanned the floating data on the crystal film, his brow furrowing.

The translucent sheet detailed over a dozen foundational materials and three core catalysts required for cultivating autophagic slime molds. The exorbitant prices listed beside each entry were staggering.

“Six hundred Mana Shard Fragments per standard unit… and this is just for basic materials.” He muttered, pointing at several special entries on the sheet.

“These Abyss materials are outrageously priced. A single unit of ‘Void Slime’ costs two to three hundred alone.”

This was worlds apart from the mass-produced foundational slime molds he’d purchased from the Slave Merchant back then.

But upon reflection, it made sense. The latter were the lowest-grade products—barely sufficient for single-use experiments.

In contrast, these privately cultivated specimens offered superior compatibility with experimental formulations. Not to mention, their lifespan would likely stretch two or three years if no catastrophic Chimera formulations caused explosive collapses.

“This exceeds your original budget by a significant margin,” Ai Lan nodded in agreement. “However, I discovered an alternative channel. The Abyss Observatory’s quarterly material exchange will begin next week. Many explorers will bring back raw samples, and prices might be thirty percent lower than usual. You might consider acquiring some through Magus Reynolds’ network.”

Luo En nodded in acknowledgment while continuing to examine the list.

Cultivating autophagic slime molds was an essential step toward becoming a formulation master, but his current funds were alarmingly tight.

While his academy contributions had been deposited, he preferred not to spend these precious points on such foundational experimental resources.

“Let’s decide after the review meeting,” he finally said, picking up a vial of prepared nutrient solution and offering it to Daire—whose eyes had been watching longingly—as dinner. “I plan to refine the Simulation Combat Device today. Keep this material list on standby for now.”

“Has your device entered its final calibration phase?” Ai Lan asked gently, her voice betraying her attentiveness to every detail of this critical project.

“Yes, the core stability has reached over 95%,” Luo En replied, his expression bright with anticipation. “I’ll conduct the first full test today.”

After sending Ai Lan off, Luo En proceeded directly to his second-floor laboratory.

This was his meticulously arranged private workspace.

Compared to the crude workshop from his Black Mist Academy days, the equipment here was in a completely different league.

At the lab’s center, a waist-high device emitted a soft blue glow.

Its appearance had undergone significant transformation—it was now more compact and refined, shedding the clunky feel of its early prototype.

The surface bristled with runes, each groove meticulously calculated to form a complete and efficient mana circulation system.

The core remained the transparent crystal orb containing Aksa’s soul fragment.

But now, that fragment was no longer a nebulous mass of mana. It had taken the form of a fist-sized miniature tigerman silhouette—vivid and lifelike.

Luo En slowly circled the device, carefully inspecting each mana node and connected circuit.

“Mana flow remains stable, no overheating at the nodes, coresoul fragment vitality meets standard…” He mentally noted while probing the device’s subtle mana transformations with spiritual energy.

After days of refinement and improvement, the device had surpassed the first prototype by far.

By incorporating the Crystal Spire’s advanced alchemy theories, he had redesigned the mana collection and utilization system, doubling its energy efficiency.

“Initiating first connected attempt,” Luo En inhaled deeply and activated the auxiliary meditation seat beside the device.

This specially designed chair was covered in a thin layer of magnetic leather. It could automatically adjust body temperature and blood circulation when the user entered deep meditation, preventing physical discomfort from prolonged sessions.

He sat down, placing his hands in the specially carved grooves on the armrests, and closed his eyes to stabilize his breathing rhythm.

As spiritual energy flowed into the device, a peculiar pulling sensation emerged—like something gently tugging his consciousness away from his physical body.

Unlike ordinary meditation, this felt more direct, more real.

It was as if his soul had truly left his body, stepping into another dimension.

The darkness before his eyes gradually faded, revealing a blurred yet increasingly distinct scene:

A broad circular arena—nearly identical to the one he experienced at Black Mist Academy, but with sharper details and a more immersive atmosphere.

He clenched and unclenched his fist, feeling the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Every sensory input felt as vivid as reality.

“Welcome back, human,” a deep, familiar voice came from behind.

Luo En turned to see a tall tigerman standing at the arena’s far end.

Aksa’s form was even more realistic than before—his fur gleamed naturally in the sunlight.

The amber eyes sparkled with cold vitality, devoid of the stiffness inherent in simulation modeling.

“Master Akesa, I trust you’ve been well,” Luo En nodded slightly.

“It seems my instincts were correct. Your aura has grown significantly stronger.”

The tigerman Artifact Forging Master took a few steps closer, scanning Luo En up and down.

“When we parted last time, you already displayed rare innate talent. But now… there’s a deeper power within you.”

Luo En nodded slightly. “I’ve ascended to Full Mage.”

“Aha,” Aksa exclaimed, his eyes flashing with deep reverence. “No wonder you could reconstruct this training space so perfectly. I feel my consciousness has been nurtured and restored—more complete than ever. Truly astonishing, human.”

“I’m delighted to see you again. You may not know why I chose you as the core of my Simulation Combat Device.”

“Oh?” The tigerman’s eyebrows lifted slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

Luo En paced leisurely across the arena.

“During our last conversation, we found common ground. When I asked about your willingness to assist, you agreed. This voluntary collaboration often yields better results.”

He paused, meeting Aksa’s gaze.

“But what interests me most is your role as an Artifact Forging Master—a career development path I find particularly intriguing.”

The tigerman’s eyes widened in surprise, shaking his head in disbelief.

“So you mean to tell me you wish to become an Artifact Forging Master yourself? That’s… an unusual choice for a mage.”

“Isn’t it better to pursue multiple development paths simultaneously?” Luo En smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.

“Indeed,” Aksa simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

“Your thinking is broader than most humans.

But before discussing this topic further, I'm curious—what level of strength have you achieved now?

Shall we learn from each other again through battle?”

Luo En extended his right hand lightly.

A silver flash flickered, and a longsword materialized in his palm.

This blade had a simple yet refined design, radiating cold, sharp glints. It was a custom-made training sword he'd commissioned after arriving at the Crystal Spire.

The "Ironwood Sword" that had accompanied him through his difficult Apprentice days had already been sealed away, becoming a mere memory.

Seeing this, Aksa also drew his colossal blade from his back—a weapon nearly as tall as himself.

Ancient, mysterious shamanic prayers ran along the blade's surface, each one granting a unique enhancement.

This Aksa was no longer the stripped-down version from the crude simulation device at Black Mist School.

“Last time, you demonstrated astonishing combat potential that truly inspired me.”

The Tiger Beastkin Artifact Forging Master assumed a fighting stance, his amber eyes gleaming with excitement.

“This time, let's see what heights you've reached as a Full Mage!”

Before his words faded, Aksa had already surged forward like a golden lightning bolt.

The massive blade carved a dazzling arc straight toward Luo En's head—a strike fierce and precise, charged with the Tiger race's signature explosive power and ferocity.

Yet to Aksa's surprise, Luo En didn't even attempt to dodge.

He merely shifted his body slightly, like a reed swaying in the morning breeze, letting that powerful blow glance harmlessly past.

As Aksa's blade swept empty, Luo En's sword flashed like a silver bolt aimed at the Tiger's throat.

Aksa instinctively raised his blade to block, but his unbalanced stance slowed him by half a beat.

His keen combat instincts allowed a last-second adjustment, but the sword's tip still grazed his fur, leaving a hairline scratch.

“Already breached my defenses in the first exchange,” Luo En mused silently, withdrawing his blade.

“It seems my reaction speed and physical coordination have indeed made a qualitative leap after becoming a Full Mage.”

Aksa narrowed his eyes, his expression growing more serious.

“Don't get too cocky, human. That wasn't even my full power yet.”

The Tiger launched another assault, his movements even fiercer this time as he sought to overwhelm Luo En's defenses from multiple angles.

However, no matter how Aksa shifted his attack patterns, Luo En always anticipated his intentions half a beat early, evading or parrying with effortless grace.

His elevated spiritual perception after Ascension allowed him to read his opponent's muscle contractions and eye movements, predicting attacks before they happened. Combined with the Bared Sharpness trait's intuitive insight, Aksa's every move seemed rehearsed in advance before Luo En, losing all surprise.

The battle lasted barely ten minutes. Aksa's strikes grew faster and fiercer, yet he remained unable to land a decisive blow against Luo En.

Conversely, Luo En's counterattacks were always precise and efficient, slicing through Aksa's defenses like surgical strikes.

“Enough!” Aksa suddenly retreated two steps, raising his hand to halt the fight.

“Your progress… exceeds my expectations.”

“If you added your specialized spells, I probably couldn’t survive even a single round.”

Just as Aksa prepared to speak further, the massive blade in his grip suddenly developed hairline fractures.

The sword shattered like fragile glass, disintegrating into countless motes of light that scattered into the air.

“Even your simulated weapon can't withstand your power anymore?”

Aksa chuckled bitterly. “Looks like I've become useless to you.”

Luo En shook his head.

“No, you’ve misunderstood. I didn’t come here just for swordsmanship training. As I mentioned earlier, I’m deeply interested in the Artifact Forging Master profession.”

Aksa’s eyes widened in confusion, clearly thinking Luo En’s earlier words had been mere flattery.

“Hmph? You're already a Full Mage. Why bother pursuing this physically demanding path?”

“Multiple paths can coexist and mutually reinforce each other.”

Luo En explained calmly.

“The Mage path focuses on spirit and mana, while Artifact Forging Mastery emphasizes physical prowess and technical perfection. They complement each other, filling gaps in one's cultivation.”

Besides, physical training was already handled by the Puppet Substitute. Adding another path wouldn't hinder his progress in Mage cultivation.

Though puzzled, Aksa could only agree.

“If you truly wish to walk this path, I'll share everything I know.”

Refusing wasn’t an option, considering Luo En already controlled his soul fragment.

As Aksa finished speaking, the arena’s scenery began shifting.

The surrounding stands faded away, replaced by an open grassland.

In the distance, undulating mountains stretched endlessly, while several peculiar moons hung in the sky, their soft glow illuminating the land.

“This… is the Beastkin’s Sacred Land?”

Luo En scanned the surroundings, recognizing this mysterious place described in ancient texts.

“Yes,” Aksa confirmed, a trace of nostalgia in his voice. “This is our race’s most sacred ancestral territory—the final proving ground for Artifact Forging Masters. I’ll explain everything about the path here.”

Aksa rose slowly, placing his broad tiger paw on Luo En’s shoulder as he guided him toward a circular stone platform at the grassland’s center.

“We call this the Lineage Circle. Generations of Artifact Forging Masters have undergone training, trials, and ancestral inheritance here.”

Luo En’s palm brushed over the ancient runes, sensing the weight of time and the pulse of raw power.

“Becoming an Artifact Forging Master isn’t just about mastering techniques—it’s a transcendence of bloodline and will.”

Aksa’s voice grew deep and resonant.

“This path differs fundamentally from your Mage cultivation.”

He gestured for Luo En to sit opposite him on the stone platform.

“Getting back on topic, becoming a qualified Artifact Forging Master requires meeting several conditions.”

Aksa raised one thick finger.

“First, your physique must reach elite warrior standards:

Shatter a two-meter-diameter rock barehanded;

Endure combat while carrying three times your body weight;

Achieve at least 120-degree joint flexibility in all major limbs.”

Luo En mentally evaluated these standards.

Based on his Puppet Substitute’s physical forging results, he’d long surpassed these benchmarks.

“Second, weapon proficiency…”

Aksa raised two fingers.

“You must master at least three distinct weapon types.

These must vary significantly in traits and combat styles—blades, staves, and thrown weapons, rather than similar long or short arms.”

Luo En nodded slightly.

This requirement was strict but reasonable.

True Artifact Forging Masters needed to excel in any combat environment.

“Third, and most importantly—combat intuition.”

Aksa’s gaze sharpened.

“This innate reflex can't be trained through deliberate practice alone. It’s forged in countless life-or-death struggles.

You must sense hostile intent before blades move; perceive openings the moment an enemy attacks.”

With that, the Artifact Forging Master stood abruptly, conjuring a sharp dagger in his hand and hurling it at Luo En like lightning.

The blade carved a silver arc through the air, its speed blinding.

Yet Luo En seemed to anticipate it effortlessly, tilting his body slightly.

The dagger whistled past his ear before burying itself deep into the earth behind him.

“Excellent,” Aksa nodded, clearly satisfied.

“Your combat intuition is already razor-sharp. Perhaps this is an unexpected benefit of your Mage cultivation—the heightened spiritual energy enhances battlefield awareness and danger detection.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end