Chapter Six: The Seven-Star Dao Refining Box and the Human-Grade Spirit Explosion Pill

Page 1/3

The teleportation array was not yet operational, so I had to travel from the village to the main city through the local courier station. The fare was hefty: a carriage ride from the novice village to the capital cost 30 silver coins, while the swifter flying hawk option was priced at a full gold coin. The carriage, drawn by two sturdy brown horses, set off under the booming shouts of the bronzed middle-aged coachman. Though not luxurious, the carriage was solid and stable, smoothing out all jolts and bumps so that even long journeys caused little fatigue.

The Chinese region boasted six major cities: Lin’an, Xingmeng, Lintong, Baidi, Wanhai, and Dali. Lin’an was the imperial capital, located at the map’s center, while the other five formed a pentagonal pattern around it—Xingmeng to the north, Lintong to the northwest, Baidi to the southwest, Wanhai to the northeast, and Dali to the southeast. Numerous towns and villages dotted the region, including 5,000 novice villages. According to the official website, by 10 p.m. last night, over 90 million players worldwide had logged into Fantasy Online, with more than 18 million from the Chinese region alone. Each day, over 150,000 new players joined the ranks.

My home novice village fell under Dali’s jurisdiction, so I had to take up employment at the city’s professional guild. The carriage, expertly guided by the seasoned coachman, reached Dali in just over ten minutes. What a magnificent capital it was—grand in scale and imposing in stature. The fifteen-meter-high city walls were built entirely of massive granite blocks. The guards stood in neat ranks, their armor gleaming sharply under golden sunlight, weapons radiating a cold, deadly aura. Each side of the walls was equipped with two massive black obsidian cannons, each too large for two men to embrace, their magic-infused fuses crackling with power, ready to fire. Beyond the intimidating arrow volleys and the oppressive presence of blades and spears, these eight colossal obsidian cannons alone were enough to deter any potential troublemakers.

At the towering city gate, two guards wielding long halberds halted the carriage. Their hostility was immediate when they could glean no information from us, their fierce aura locking onto me in an instant. But seeing I made no move, they withdrew the suffocating pressure that had rendered me almost immobile. As a newcomer, I was required to pay a citizenship registration fee. Having witnessed their terrifying demeanor, I obediently handed over 20 silver coins before the carriage was allowed to enter the city and proceed to the courier station.

I had no mood to admire the orderly, bustling capital known for its commerce. Anxious, I hurried to find the professional guild. In such a vast city, where would I begin? The system surely wouldn’t play hide-and-seek with players; there must be a hint. Careful observation revealed a sign at the courier station’s entrance pointing to the guild. The guild stood just beyond the station, separated by only two commercial streets. The streets were unusually quiet now, broken only by the intermittent clang of a blacksmith’s hammer, lending a faint vitality to the stillness.

Following the sign, I found the professional guild building—an edifice resembling a square ancestral hall, with blue bricks, red tiles, and carved eaves. Hanging beside the grand and spacious entrance was a plaque made of nanmu wood, bearing four elegant characters in Song-style calligraphy: “Professional Guild.” Two graceful female NPCs greeted visitors with smiles; their titles read “Career Guides.” A brief inquiry confirmed that the information matched that on the official website.

Inside the main hall, the various career mentors—men and women alike—were scattered about, their faces kind and approachable. Without lingering, I headed straight to the warrior mentor. He was a burly middle-aged man with a broad forehead, a square and resolute face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes that commanded respect even without anger. His limbs were long and muscular, his bearing dignified and imposing yet not intimidating—he exuded a powerful aura that naturally commanded reverence. I respectfully said, “Uncle, I wish to become a warrior. How do I complete the formalities?”

The warrior mentor had already appraised me with sharp eyes as I approached. Upon hearing my declaration, other mentors showed visible disappointment. It had been a long time since new blood flowed into their ranks; everyone hoped the first player to join would choose their profession, a sign of its weight in the players’ hearts. Unlike the others’ downcast expressions, the warrior mentor beamed with pride. Looking around triumphantly, he said, “Young brother, you have great discernment! I see your sturdy build and unique bone structure—clearly, you were born for combat, though one must not break protocol by showing it first! What specialty do you wish to pursue?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “I choose the sword warrior!”

“Ha! We share the same passion—I, too, wield the sword! Pay an initiation fee of 50 silver coins, and you’ll officially become one of my sword warriors.”

After completing the formalities, the mentor handed me two thread-bound books: “Basic Swordsmanship” and “Level One Sword Techniques.” Upon studying them, the skills appeared in my skill bar: Basic Swordsmanship, a passive auxiliary skill comprising ten fundamental sword moves—chop, slash, sweep, strike, stab, draw, flick, pull, rub, deflect, and parry. Level: Beginner, Experience: 0/100, increasing sword damage by 5%. Level One Sword Techniques, an active attack skill, Level: Beginner, Experience: 0/100, raising sword attack power by 5%, critical hit by 1%, enabling basic sword moves from Basic Swordsmanship to be chained into two-hit combos.

At that moment, a system announcement rang out: “Congratulations to Blue Bat for becoming the first player to take up a profession. Reward: 200 reputation points, 2 charisma points.” Having acquired the skills, I was eager to test their power outside the city. Politely bidding farewell, I said, “Uncle Wei, thank you for your help. I’m off to level up!”

“Wait! Young brother, as my first disciple, I see your equipment is incomplete and your inner energy insufficient. I can’t let others say our warriors are poor and hollow. These two items I obtained during my early travels—no longer of much use to me—are yours now. May you bring glory to our warrior profession!” Joyfully, I accepted his gifts, thanking him repeatedly. Before stepping out to train active skills, one must always seize the initiative in the world of Fantasy.

Page 2/3

After I left the professional guild, the warrior mentor laughed heartily, exclaiming triumphantly to the other mentors, “Friends, am I not right? Our warriors are the most charismatic profession! Let’s settle the bets—each of you, bring me 1,000 gold coins quickly!”

“Hmph, it’s just accepting a disciple. Is that worth such pride? Not only did you give him the items from the authorities, but also your personal treasures. Worth it?” The Taoist mentor sneered, though his tone betrayed some envy.

“Nowadays, young people lack refinement. Wielding swords and spears is so vulgar. Constantly fighting spoils the elegance we scholars represent. It pains me to see our genteel profession ignored,” the scholar mentor said indignantly, fanning himself gently.

“Ah, if only the disciple were a woman, none of you would have a chance,” the sorceress mentor sighed softly.

The middle-aged warrior, now pocketing all the bets, laughed with pride. “Ha! You don’t believe me? Let’s make another wager: I, Wei, will bet that the second player to join will also become a warrior under me. Anyone dare to bet?”

“Don’t get cocky! I bet 2,000 gold coins he’ll become an assassin!”

“I’ll wager 1,500 gold coins on him joining our scholars!”

...

The Life Skills Academy was adjacent to the professional guild, sharing a similar layout but with a more relaxed and serene atmosphere. Several skill mentors sat quietly, their wise eyes and weathered faces inspiring silent trust.

The blacksmith master, a forging mentor, bore wrinkles but remained physically robust and tanned. His glossy muscles were taut with boundless strength, and his broad palms were covered with calluses. Every remarkable piece of equipment was crafted by these hands. As a warrior, learning forging was essential to craft my own gear. After paying a 20 silver coin tuition fee, I learned forging and became a novice blacksmith. The master said frankly, “Young man, forging cannot be separated from ore! Study this book well. Remember, all creation begins in the heart—look more, learn more, ask more, do more. Only with experience and wisdom combined can you become a successful blacksmith!” His earnest advice was filled with life’s philosophy—a truly venerable elder.

There were ten life skills in total:

- Forging: Smelting ores and gems to craft armor and various weapons.

- Mining: Extracting ores and gems from mineral deposits, primarily to support forging.

- Gathering: The main method of collecting field materials, especially important are herbology and skinning.

Page 3/3

- Alchemy: Using simple ingredients to brew various potions.

- Identification: Can appraise equipment and graded materials, also detect objects within five meters to gain basic information.

- Tailoring: Produces cloth armor and related gear, mainly used by magic professions.

- Leatherworking: Mainly for crafting leather equipment.

- Construction: Essential for building structures when players establish guilds.

- Cooking: Preparing food and brewing, both fall under this skill.

- Enchantment: Can dismantle equipment and gems into materials, then condense them into material essences to imbue additional attributes on gear.

Each player can study under two mentors. I could learn one more life skill. The blacksmith master gave me “Mining” as an extra reward. Identification was practical—it could appraise equipment attributes and nearby monsters—but its detection range was limited compared to a hunter’s scouting skill, and it lacked the stealth of an assassin’s spying skill. I was reluctant to make it my second choice; tailoring, leatherworking, construction, and cooking held little appeal or use for me. My real choice lay among gathering, alchemy, and enchantment. Studying only gathering to sell semi-finished materials seemed unprofitable; alchemy and enchantment without gathering support would require purchasing many materials, which was costly. After much deliberation, I decided to learn alchemy.

Under the guidance of the alchemy mentor Dao Feng, I learned alchemy and became a novice alchemist. With some sweet words, I charmed the master, who, in a trance, also taught me gathering and handed me two potions. Ha, sweet words can truly intoxicate!

Fantasy Online