Oxen and Horses (Please keep reading, woo woo woo woo)

The efficiency and decisiveness of Professor Ye were truly breathtaking.

By the time the school administration office was about to close that afternoon, a single phone call had processed all the paperwork. The so-called leaders, who usually made Ji Jue run back and forth eight or nine times just to register an electric scooter, didn't even dare to let out a peep. They handled every procedure with heads bowed and eyes lowered, then respectfully asked student Ji Jue to come by and sign the documents whenever he had a moment.

Although Ji Jue was already aware that Professor Ye's true status couldn't possibly be as simple as a regular teacher, experiencing it firsthand still made him sigh at the convenience of power.

Professor Ye, who had been watching the entire process coldly from the sofa, simply picked up his teacup and said indifferently, "The Taiyi Ring, the largest alchemy research institution in the world and the trade association for all artisans, is a shareholder of Tianmen University."

"If you obtain your Artisan License before graduation, the smile they give you will definitely be brighter than the one they'd give their own father."

"For real?"

Ji Jue was shocked.

He wasn't shocked by the immense power of the Taiyi Ring, nor was he curious about whether the school leaders would be so humble when facing him later; rather, he was skeptical of the premise.

Before graduation? An Artisan License?

Are you serious, Professor?

He was starting his junior year this year and would be a senior next year. Two years! Even if Professor Ye waved his hand to exempt him from all the problems in his professional courses, two years was still two years, even if he didn't eat, drink, or sleep!

After gaining a preliminary understanding of alchemy, Ji Jue had been intimidated by its complex classifications and various incredible techniques. Not to mention whether he could one day reach the 'Reddening' rank like Professor Ye and become a big shot whom everyone greeted with a smile, the difficulty of just getting started made his scalp tingle.

Good positions were like certain diseases; they could only be acquired through bodily fluid exchange and inheritance. In a way, the standard certification of the Taiyi Ring was far more scarce, sought-after, and precious than those positions.

There were plenty of people who had been grinding away from the age of twelve until forty, and it was common to see people spend half their lives as apprentices doing odd jobs for others. The reason: while good mentors were rare, the standards—which were as strict as they were infuriating and tightening year by year—were an abyss that had swallowed countless aspirants.

Achieving a standard-rated Spirit Essence Circuit operation, understanding the Twelve Supreme Goodnesses emblems, engraving hundreds of basic runes, identifying thousands of Spirit Essence Circuits, and independently creating a complete B-grade alchemical item...

Just thinking about it made Ji Jue feel like he was going bald.

Especially the runes and the Supreme Goodness emblems. As containers and carriers for the blessings of the Supreme Goodnesses, runes required the artisan to have a deep understanding of the blessings; it was bad enough that each one had an independent experience bar. But the Supreme Goodness emblem depicted by each artisan was a direct representation of their understanding of the Dao of the Supreme Goodnesses. This was hard-earned strength built up over time, and there was absolutely no way to fake it.

"Me?"

Ji Jue pointed at himself, looking blank.

He felt as if he had suddenly been pushed to a crossroads.

On the left was a monkey leading a horse with a bald man sitting on it, followed by a fat man and a bearded man; on the right was something with four arms and twenty fingers, some kind of weird thing sitting on a throne of bones...

"Don't worry, I have confidence in you."

Professor Ye closed the lid of his teacup. When he looked up, a hint of a smile seemed to appear on his stern face. "You won't let me down, will you?"

Ji Jue nodded frantically.

He didn't dare to make a sound.

It wasn't until they were almost home that he couldn't help but sigh up at the sky, his head throbbing. It was a stark contrast to the excited and cheerful little sister in the back seat.

"Are you happy at school?" Ji Jue asked curiously.

"Yeah, the counselors and teachers are all very easy to talk to. And a lot of senior sisters heard that I have good physical fitness and won awards at the high school sports meet, so they were fighting to pull me into their clubs."

Lu Ling beamed. "Everyone is so rich. The jewelry and bags they wear are brands I don't recognize, but they don't mind that I'm poor."

"Keep a level head, keep a level head. Everyone has one nose and two eyes; it's no big deal. If you get along, just hang out. If anyone bullies you, tell me, you hear?"

Ji Jue wasn't worried about Lu Ling being bullied. The little girl had been full of tricks since she was small, loved to smile at everyone, and her mouth was as sweet as honey. Half of the positive reviews for the Continent Auto Repair Shop were things she had solicited... and the other half were things Ji Jue had gotten by relying on his face. Selling his looks was a story full of tears.

As for that guy Lu Feng, he was always lying on the mat with that "the price is what it is, fix it or get out" attitude, which was infuriating and only served to hold them back.

Ji Jue shook his head with a sigh, then heard a voice from behind: "Second Brother, you seem really happy."

"Huh? Where? Did you see me smile?" Ji Jue asked blankly. He leaned toward the rearview mirror to check, moving his expression, but his originally pursed lips remained without a trace of a smile.

Where could she see that he was happy?

"It's different."

Lu Ling shook her head, resting her little chin on his shoulder, and giggled. "Every time there's an exam or some trouble, you look like this."

"You look very serious and scary, but the corners of your eyes are curved, and your eyes are shining, as if you aren't afraid of anything."

"Really?"

Ji Jue leaned into the rearview mirror, observing left and right. He really couldn't see the curve his little sister described, and as for his eyes, they weren't lightbulbs, so how could they shine? They were actually a bit dry from the wind, looking anything but bright.

In contrast, Lu Ling behind his shoulder had eyes like crescent moons, her smile bright and clear.

"I already asked today," she said earnestly.

"Some senior sisters paid off their loans in four or five years, and my interest rate is even lower. As long as I work hard and get a few more certificates while I'm at school, it will be easier for Mom and the others in the future. In a few years, once I gain some experience and pass the Level 1 Accountant exam, I can find a job at a big company and support the family!"

"I can help you pay off your loans then, Mom can retire, and Old Third and the Youngest can switch to a better school. Maybe their studies will improve that way."

"What about Feng Ge?" Ji Jue asked curiously.

Lu Ling rolled her eyes. "Eldest Brother doesn't count. Let him go run the repair shop!"

"Haha, good." Ji Jue couldn't help but laugh out loud. "When the time comes, I'll buy a genuine Mustang and have him fix it for me. If he doesn't fix it right, I'll leave a bad review. No hidden rules? Still a bad review!"

"Okay, together, together!"

Amidst the cheers, the throttle of the Little Lamb was twisted, and it sped forward, carrying them away into a sunset that seemed even more beautiful than usual.

In the passing laughter, the streets remained bustling with traffic, and Yacheng was as prosperous and noisy as ever.

Click!

Amidst the crisp sound of the shutter, everything seemed to freeze in that moment.

Deep in the night, inside the dilapidated living room, the half-eaten TV remained in its tragic state.

The mud-stained "culprit" was currently sprawled on the living room floor, rolling about, flicking its two tires, and constantly twisting its body.

At the front, the plastic casing between the two turn signals popped open, revealing an indescribable maw and a plastic tongue, drooling.

"Sit, sit!"

Ji Jue scolded and commanded repeatedly, prompting the Little Lamb to stand on its hind wheels and 'sit' on the floor before him, its two wheels spinning obediently as it opened its mouth to pant.

It looked so dog-like that it was completely baffling.

"Alright, open up, slow down, eat slowly, I'm not going to snatch it from you!"

Ji Jue picked up a fresh chicken leg he had packed from Lu Ma's house and tossed it into the Little Lamb's mouth. It took the opportunity to lick his hand, leaving it covered in grease.

Watching the chicken leg that had been snatched from the youngest's mouth get swallowed whole by the Little Lamb—bones and all—as it chewed with a loud, crunchy sound, Ji Jue couldn't help but sigh.

For the sake of this family, the youngest had sacrificed too much.

...It just so happened that he hadn't been doing well in math lately, so he should sacrifice a little more. A brat who didn't study well had to learn that life was hard!

At least, no chicken legs for him!

However...

He pinched his chin, scrutinizing the Little Lamb that was spinning in circles with excitement after finishing the chicken leg, still feeling completely at a loss: "Tell me, what exactly are you?"

The Little Lamb flicked its high beams on in a daze twice, not understanding what he meant.

Logically speaking, this thing should have been a product of Ji Jue's ability, but after his ability ended, everything else had turned into scrap metal. Only this dog-like Little Lamb, due to the Dragon Blood, had accidentally become alive.

He tried "hafu-hafu" at it, but it didn't react; it didn't seem like a real dog either.

But it was just so dog-like!

Especially after discovering that Lu Ma was the Greek god in charge of White Cut Chicken, even when sitting under Ji Jue's butt, it couldn't help but shake sparks off its mudguard.

Thank goodness Lu Ma hadn't noticed!

He should have shown it to the professor, but this thing involved Dragon Blood... and he had promised Wen Wen to keep her ability to undergo Dragonification a secret. Although he didn't quite understand what dragons were yet, since he had given his word, it was best that nothing related to dragons be linked to her.

And for now, it didn't seem like there was any major problem.

So, he'd just keep it.

After all, who wouldn't want a Little Lamb that could hit over three hundred kilometers per hour on the highway without needing gas or charging?

"Tsk tsk tsk~ Who is the best-behaved Little Lamb in the whole world? It's our Little Lamb, right?"

Ji Jue stroked its 'dog head' and praised, "Good kids all need names. Shouldn't our Little Lamb have a name too?"

Suddenly, the Little Lamb became even more excited, its 'dog head' bobbing frantically.

"Hmm, let me think..."

Ji Jue pinched his chin, pondering for a moment, before his gaze fell upon the tattered trademark on its casing, where the gold-stamped characters were still vaguely legible—Niuma Motorcycle, Your Choice.

Ji Jue's eyes lit up: "How about we call you 'Little Cow and Horse'!"

[???]

In a moment of stiffness, it felt as if ten thousand question marks had been transmitted through his perception of its ability—and they were all upside down!

Upon hearing that it was to be called Little Cow and Horse, the Little Lamb seemed to immediately refuse, twisting its body wildly, shaking its handlebars until they flew, and turning its high beams directly into Ji Jue's eyes, demanding he change it!

It didn't want it.

Then what should he call it?

He couldn't exactly call it a Pal, could he?

"What's wrong with Little Cow and Horse? What's not to like?!"

Ji Jue felt his world-class wisdom had been insulted and said earnestly, "Those called Little Lamb aren't necessarily real sheep, but those called Little Cow and Horse are definitely real workhorses. Look, between a cow and a horse, which one isn't better than a sheep? And they're bigger! Why are you refusing?"

"Beep beep beep!"

The Little Cow and Horse, which had been a Little Lamb just a moment ago, honked its horn frantically in protest. Unfortunately, resistance was futile.

It was decided.

At least, Ji Jue had unilaterally decided.

"Alright, stop making a fuss. Work hard tomorrow, and I'll reward you with a chicken leg at night."

Ji Jue waved his hand and went upstairs. After washing up, he lay down on the bed and took a customary look at the watch he had removed from his wrist.

Cousin was as steady as ever; aside from carrying the entire team when absolutely necessary, he never caused a single bit of trouble, and he didn't even need to eat White Cut Chicken!

He was simply the most worry-free employee in the entire family.

Unfortunately, the dial remained completely motionless.

Originally, after he became a Chosen One, the golden 0 had finally been filled, and the 1 had gotten off to a good start. But aside from that beginning, it was just like a flop novel that had finally managed to write something after being stuck for over a year—there was almost nothing left to follow.

For over half a month, no matter how Ji Jue used his abilities, how he accumulated Spiritual Substance, or how he spent his time Tossing and Turning in research, that [1] which had only just cracked open remained completely unmoved from start to finish!

It was hard to be a 0, but it was even harder to be a 1.

To this day, Ji Jue's ability hadn't shown any growth at all.