Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 2 - 1: Pearl Collector

Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Pearl Collector

The previous owner of this body had died three months ago. During a dive, his Exorcism Talisman had failed prematurely, allowing the frigid Yin Qi to invade his body. He had fought desperately to crawl out of the water, but that very night, he developed a raging fever and couldn’t hold on. And then... Chen Ye had transmigrated over.

Chen Ye felt a wave of melancholy as he recalled these memories.

In these dark and hopeless days, even if a normal person wasn’t frozen to death by the Yin Qi or devoured by the unknown monsters underwater, they would eventually be driven mad by the sheer despair.

’Thankfully, I still have a sliver of hope.’

With a thought, a screen of light that only he could see quietly materialized before him.

[Name: Chen Ye]

[Identity: Sinner of the Blood Lotus Sect]

[Profession: Pearl Collector (Level 2)]

[Talent: Cold Resistance, Cow and Horse Body]

[Skills: Diving Level 2 (You can hold your breath longer underwater and have greater resistance to water pressure), Spirit Clam Sensing Level 2 (Within a five-meter range, you can vaguely sense the presence of a Spirit Clam and make a preliminary judgment as to whether it contains a Spirit Pearl)]

It was by relying on this awakened Pearl Collector Profession that Chen Ye was able to eke out a living in this man-eating place.

And after exploring it for some time, Chen Ye had discovered that this Professional Panel was more complex than it seemed.

First, there was no limit to the number of Professions it could hold.

To awaken a Profession, one had to actually work in that role and gain the recognition of others.

For example, that was how he had awakened the Pearl Collector Profession.

As for awakening Professions through other means, Chen Ye hadn’t been able to try, due to his limited circumstances.

Additionally, Professions could be upgraded to a new class after reaching a certain Level. However, Chen Ye was only at Level 2, so this was merely a piece of information for him at present.

What filled Chen Ye with anticipation was the last entry on the panel.

[Boat of the Other Shore (Inactive)]

[Activation Requirement: ???]

[Description: Captain this boat to reach the shores of all heavens.]

The Boat of the Other Shore, capable of reaching all heavens!

His heart began to race when he saw those words.

If the description was true, then even if his physical body couldn’t escape this place immediately, he would at least have a trump card to turn his situation around.

But he had already been here for three frustrating months, and despite trying all sorts of methods, he still couldn’t activate it.

’Looks like the activation requirements are incredibly strict.’

Sighing, Chen Ye closed the panel, then stood up and started rowing toward the pier on the shore.

The pier was bustling with people. A disciple of the Blood Lotus Sect, stationed here, sat behind a table with a blank expression.

The ones actually doing the work were several Level Seven Sinners.

As it turned out, the Sinful People at Black Water Lake were also divided by Level. To better control them, the Blood Lotus Sect had established strict regulations. Not only did those with a higher Level receive more food, but they were also allowed to move freely within a limited area.

Meanwhile, those with a low Level were worse off than slaves. Not only did they lack enough food to eat and clothes to wear, but they were also frequently bullied.

Furthermore, if they were lucky, some High-level Sinners would be put in charge of management.

This was considered a "stairway to heaven" kind of job.

These few had a clear division of labor, collecting and inspecting the day’s harvest from the Pearl Collectors in an orderly fashion and recording it in a register.

"Wang Qi, five ungraded three-point Spirit Pearls."

"Li Lei, three ungraded five-point Spirit Pearls."

Shouts like these were endless. At the same time, other men were inspecting the Pearl Collectors to prevent anyone from hiding their haul.

The Level Seven Sinner in charge of inspections held a palm-sized Magical Artifact that resembled a clamshell, passing it over the body of each Pearl Collector who had handed in their Spirit Pearls.

The process was nothing short of rigorous.

This was because Spirit Pearls were an extremely precious resource, especially for the Blood Lotus Sect. Therefore, any act of smuggling or concealment would be met with severe punishment.

As for what one would do with a smuggled pearl...

There had always been rumors that Spirit Pearls could enhance a person’s Talent and constitution, or even help them awaken their Spiritual Charm and embark on the path of cultivation. But no one knew if this was true, or how exactly one would use a Spirit Pearl.

But that didn’t stop people from risking everything for them.

For instance, today, while Chen Ye was quietly waiting in line, a sudden commotion broke out up ahead.

It turned out that while a tall, thin man was being inspected, the clamshell-like Magical Artifact had suddenly begun to glow.

In an instant, several sinner constables who had been waiting nearby rushed forward like wolves, dragged the man out of the line, pinned him firmly to the ground, and stripped him naked.

After another inspection, the Magical Artifact came to a stop over the man’s abdomen. The inspector then looked toward the Blood Lotus Sect disciple sitting behind the table with a fawning expression.

The young disciple didn’t even spare them a glance, merely giving a slight nod.

The Level Seven Sinner immediately drew a short blade and, completely ignoring the desperate pleas of the man on the ground, slashed downward.

A moment later, his expression unchanging, he reached into the bloody, mangled wound and pulled out a Spirit Pearl the size of a round apricot, which pulsed with a pink, gem-like light.

"It’s a graded Spirit Pearl!"

"A Ninth Grade Spirit Pearl! No wonder this Mr. Liu took such a risk."

A stir went through the crowd, who gasped in amazement.

Once a Spirit Pearl was graded, not only was it much larger, but it would also flow with a gem-like light and possess an extraordinary Spiritual Charm.

But just as everyone was captivated by the Ninth Grade Spirit Pearl, Chen Ye’s pupils suddenly contracted.

Because the moment he saw that Ninth Grade Spirit Pearl, an indescribable craving surged within him, like a man who had starved for three days and three nights suddenly finding himself before a peerless feast.