Training

Luo Ze did not continue, rubbing the back of his head somewhat sheepishly.

The difficulty of learning the three major Second Professions—forging, crafting, and design—was comparable to ascending to heaven.

Not only did they require exceptional talent, but their extremely complex foundational specialties alone caused many Soul Masters endless misery.

Not to mention mastering all three professions at once. That was simply taking another huge step down an already difficult road.

"You... don't tell me you want to study all three professions?" Elder Frost saw through Luo Ze's thoughts and asked, his expression shifting uncertainly.

"Yes. Do you think I'm just fantasizing?" Luo Ze lowered his head, not daring to meet Elder Frost's eyes.

Indeed, such an idea was far too fanciful. It would be normal for him to be called foolish.

Just as Luo Ze braced himself for a harsh scolding and being kicked out, Elder Frost suddenly laughed.

"Not bad. You have lofty ambitions. But if you want to achieve this goal, the effort you'll have to put in won't be merely ten times that of ordinary people."

"Huh?! You're not going to scold me?" Luo Ze asked in great surprise.

"Scold you for being delusional? Or scold you for daydreaming? I'm not that old-fashioned. For young people, having dreams is a good thing. Pressure creates motivation, and with your talent, perhaps you really can do it!" Elder Frost patted Luo Ze on the shoulder and encouraged him.

Long before coming to Aolai City, Elder Frost had heard from Elder Long that Luo Ze possessed remarkable talent in forging as well. If he had not been so determined to devote himself to becoming a Designer, he would have long since entered the Blacksmith Association for focused training.

One had to know that in the entire history of Douluo Continent, no one had ever possessed talent in both design and forging at the same time.

The main reason was that the two had vastly different natures. Blacksmiths trained Beast Martial Soul and Weapon Martial Soul Soul Masters, with the primary focus being strength and precision of force.

Designers were the complete opposite. Not only did they require extremely strong memory, but when designing the final core components, they had to maintain intense mental focus without the slightest distraction.

All of these requirements corresponded to Control System Soul Masters.

Luo Ze's Martial Soul was the typical Beast Martial Soul, Qilin. Logically speaking, choosing to become a blacksmith should have suited him best.

But now, it seemed this kid might actually be an all-rounder!

"Thank you, Grandfather Frost. With your encouragement, I'm even more confident now!" Luo Ze said excitedly.

"Don't celebrate too early. Starting tomorrow, your training will be doubled." Elder Frost wore a scheming smile.

"No problem. Such a little bit of training can't stump me!"

Aside from his Martial Soul, his physique was one of the few strengths Luo Ze took pride in!

After all, he had been chased all over the Star Dou Great Forest by Soul Beasts every day. It would be strange if his physique were not exceptional!

"It's good that you have this confidence. Rest well. Tomorrow, you'll have plenty to suffer through."

Elder Frost smiled and shook his head, showing his approval of Luo Ze's confidence.

The next day arrived.

"Brother, where are you going to train? Will it be dangerous?" Na'er suddenly threw herself into Luo Ze's arms.

"I don't know. Grandfather Frost didn't tell me. As for danger, your brother here is very strong, so don't worry!"

Seeing Luo Ze suddenly act so shamelessly, Na'er could not help pinching his cheek. "Yes, yes, you're the best!"

"Ow, ow, ow! Na'er, be gentler! You're going to pinch my face swollen!"

"It'd be better if it swelled up, so you won't go flirting around in the future!"

Luo Ze was utterly confused by that. What flowers? What grass? Besides, he would not go touching flowers anyway!

Just as the two were happily fooling around, Luo Ze's communicator rang. When he opened it, he found that Grandfather Frost had sent him the training mission's location.

He rubbed his cheeks and opened the detailed location.

"Damn it, the Star Dou Great Forest?!"

Luo Ze rubbed his eyes, staring at the training location in disbelief.

At that moment, he was on the verge of collapse. He had considered every possibility, yet never imagined that the training location would actually be the Star Dou Great Forest!

"Brother, what's wrong? Where is the training site?" Seeing Luo Ze looking as though his soul was about to leave his body, Na'er frowned tightly and looked at him with concern.

"The Star Dou Great Forest." Luo Ze miserably slumped over the table.

Upon hearing the location, Na'er let out a sigh of relief. Since it was the Star Dou Great Forest, there was nothing to worry about.

"Oh, there? Then I'm relieved! You're very familiar with it, aren't you? Good luck, Brother!"

"No! I finally escaped from there, and I haven't even been outside for a full year before I have to go back again!"

Na'er gently patted Luo Ze on the shoulder, then hung the necklace she had prepared long ago around his neck.

The necklace was very ordinary, with no decorations around it. The only special thing was the silver scale in the middle. From that silver scale, Luo Ze could sense an immense aura of life.

"What is this?" Luo Ze picked up the silver scale and asked curiously.

"A protective charm for you. I prepared it for a long time. Brother, you have to promise me that no matter what happens, you can't take it off! It will protect you in my place!" Na'er held Luo Ze's hand and earnestly instructed him.

"Alright, I promise. I absolutely won't take off the protective charm you gave me!" Luo Ze said.

"Good luck, Brother! I believe you can do it!" Na'er said.

"I'll... do my best."

"What do you mean, do your best?" Elder Frost had somehow pushed open the room door and walked over to Luo Ze.

"Nothing! Grandfather Frost, can we discuss this? Can we change the training location?" Luo Ze pleaded.

Any training, any hardship, any difficulty—he could endure them all, as long as the training location was not the Star Dou Great Forest.

"Don't even think about it. Come with me!"

Before Luo Ze could continue begging, Elder Frost grabbed him by the back of his collar and vanished in a flash.

By the time Luo Ze returned again, it was already the following morning.

He walked into the classroom looking utterly exhausted. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, his complexion was pale, and his entire body seemed completely drained, like a thin sheet of white paper that could be blown away at any moment.

Seeing this, Tang Wulin hurried over and supported Luo Ze. "Brother Luo, what happened to you? Who bullied you into this state?!"

"Wulin, do you have anything to eat? Give me some. I can't go on without it." Luo Ze clung to Tang Wulin's arm, looking as though his soul might leave his body at any moment.

"Yes, yes, yes! I still have two buns I bought this morning, a grilled sausage, and an ear of corn. Eat these first. If it's not enough, I'll go buy more for you!"

Tang Wulin supported Luo Ze and brought him back to his seat.

"Delicious, so delicious!" Taking a bite of a bun bursting with oil, Luo Ze shed tears of emotion.

"Brother Luo, what happened to you? Who bullied you this badly?"

Tang Wulin was extremely curious. In his eyes, Luo Ze was the strongest Soul Master at Red Mountain Academy, an absolutely invincible existence. Since meeting him, Tang Wulin had never seen Luo Ze in such a miserable state.

"When seven or eight Thousand-Year Soul Beasts are chasing you, you'll understand how I feel right now."