Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector
Chapter 7 - 5: Advancement, Flying Thief

Chapter 7: Chapter 5: Advancement, Flying Thief

’It’s finally here!’

Chen Ye didn’t hesitate for a second and chose "Yes."

In an instant, the screen of light before him changed, and three different Profession advancement paths slowly materialized.

[Option 1: Flying Thief]

[Description: A night crawler with sharp eyes and ears who climbs high eaves, specializing in stealing from attics and deep manors. Talent: Light as a Feather, Eaves Corner Leverage]

[Option 2: Tomb Raider]

[Description: A gold digger who survives by digging through earth and tunnels, identifying burial sites. Talent: Dragon Vein Seeking, Feng Shui Mastery]

[Option 3: Water Thieves]

[Description: A wave rider who treads water and hides among the reeds, plundering small boats on the waterways. Talent: Wave Riding and Boat Tipping, Underwater Vision]

Staring at the three options, Chen Ye fell into deep thought.

Water Thieves was the first to be eliminated. Even considering a future return to Black Water Lake, its Talents overlapped with his previous Pearl Collector Profession.

Tomb Raider sounded decent, and he’d even get Feng Shui skills for free. But it was too restrictive. Besides, he was in the Capital City now—where was he supposed to find a major tomb?

Only Flying Thief, from its description to its Talents, was perfectly suited for his current situation.

Whether for self-preservation or taking action, it would be far more useful than the other two Professions.

Having made up his mind, Chen Ye selected Flying Thief.

Instantly, the text on the screen of light began to rearrange itself before settling.

[Promotion Successful!]

[Name: Chen Ye]

[Profession: Flying Thief (Level 1)]

[Talent: Light as a Feather (Your body becomes lighter, your jumping and balancing abilities are greatly enhanced, and your landings are silent)]

[Existing Skills: Skillful Hand Level 7, Fast Blade Level 6]

The moment the promotion was complete, Chen Ye felt a strange, warm current surge through his entire body. He felt as if he had become much lighter, and his limbs were filled with power, giving him an eager urge to test them out.

’Success!’

Chen Ye was overjoyed but didn’t make a sound. He washed up simply, as usual, then blew out the lamp and went to sleep.

The next night, after the large courtyard compound had fallen completely silent, Chen Ye rose without a sound and slipped out of the yard like a civet cat.

He moved swiftly through the darkness, soon arriving before a section of abandoned city wall.

This place was remote. Though within the city, it was deserted, making it the perfect spot to test his new Profession.

Chen Ye gazed at the crumbling, ten-meter-plus-high wall before him, took a deep breath, bent his knees slightly, and suddenly pushed off!

WHOOSH!

His entire body shot up as if launched by a catapult, soaring more than three meters into the air in a single leap.

When he landed, he touched down lightly on the balls of his feet and stood firm, not making the slightest sound.

’Is this the bonus from the Light as a Feather Talent?’

Chen Ye’s eyes lit up, and he charged toward the high wall again.

This time, at the apex of his jump, just as his upward momentum faded and before he began to fall, Chen Ye lightly tapped the wall with the tip of his foot, and his whole body shot upward once more.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

In just a few breaths, Chen Ye successfully scaled the city wall.

The howling night wind whipped at his clothes. Looking down at the city sleeping soundly below, a heroic passion surged through his chest.

He even had the illusion that if he wished, he could go anywhere he pleased among the thousands of households in this vast Capital City.

Of course, this was just an illusion born from his increase in strength.

After all, Chen Ye was well aware of his current limitations. Although he had the support of his Talent, he was still sorely lacking in Skills.

These would require time and practice to hone.

But Chen Ye was very confident about this.

He cast his gaze into the distance and could faintly make out a massive palace to the north.

That was the Imperial Palace of the Great Zhao Dynasty.

A strange light glittered in Chen Ye’s eyes as he looked at the sprawling, brilliantly lit palace complex.

’Once I’m strong enough, I’ll have to go take a look inside that Imperial Palace.’

’Oh, right. And the Lin Family!’

Although it was his predecessor who had died, since he had inherited this body, he naturally had to bear the karmic consequences as well.

But he couldn’t be rash, especially when facing an ancient and powerful Noble Family like the Lin Family. He couldn’t afford to make a single reckless move.

Chen Ye slowly exhaled, then leaped off the city wall.

During his descent, Chen Ye periodically tapped the wall with his toes to slow his fall.

Thus, when he finally landed, he only felt a slight jolt in his legs and made no sound at all.

Afterward, Chen Ye continued to practice for a long time. Only when the excitement in his body had subsided did he reluctantly return to the large courtyard.

For the next few days, Chen Ye went to the city wall to practice every night, and finally, on this day, he unlocked a Flying Thief Skill.

[Roof Walking Level 1 (Allows you to adhere to walls and eaves for rapid climbing)]

After taking on the Profession, training in areas related to its characteristics with the boost from his Professional Talent couldn’t be described as merely "getting twice the result with half the effort"—it was as if he had divine assistance.

And this was one of the greatest values of the Professional Panel. Beyond that, there were other heaven-defying bonuses, like skills being permanently certified and the guarantee that every bit of effort yielded a reward, but there was no need to go into detail.

In short, Chen Ye was now training with even more vigor.

「Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was the twelfth lunar month.」

The weather grew colder, but as the new year approached, the Capital City became livelier than usual.

The long-depressed marketplaces sprang to life. Major shops hung up lanterns and decorations, and some temples began to hold grand fairs, praying for favorable weather in the coming year.

For Fang Tao and his gang of Fujia’Er, this was also the busiest time of the year.

Fujia’Er was Martial World slang for petty thieves and pickpockets who operated in the city.

Its counterparts included the Fan Gao (Wall-Climbing), Opening the Kiln (breaking and entering), and the "thread pickers" (roadside muggers).

These were the four major schools under the Rong Character Sect. There were others who followed unconventional paths, but they were not mainstream due to their small numbers.

The bustling temple fairs naturally became the Fujia’Er’s prime hunting grounds.

「Fayuan Temple.」

This temple was founded during a previous dynasty and had a history of nearly a thousand years, making it a true ancient monastery. It was famous far and wide for its popularity, and its temple fair was second to none in the Capital City.

Chen Ye squeezed through the crowd. He first spent two cents at a roadside stall on a bowl of piping hot tofu pudding, which he ate with a freshly fried dough stick, feeling a sense of comfort spread through his body.

While eating, Chen Ye wandered through the temple fair with great interest.

Not far off, a strongman was breaking a stone slab on his chest, a pretty girl was swallowing a sword, and a Martial World Magician was breathing clouds of smoke, drawing waves of applause from the onlookers.

In the Eight Great Sects of the Martial World, these performers all belonged to the Colorful Character Sect, who made a living through their unique skills.

Chen Ye watched for a moment before moving on.

He wasn’t really here just to stroll through the fair.

He had set rules for himself. Beyond the "three things not to steal," he had added another: he would not steal from the poor and destitute. He would only target the heartless rich and those who bullied others with their power.

Soon, a target came into view.

It was a pot-bellied man with a greasy face.

At that moment, he was standing in front of an old man’s candied haw stall, arguing until he was red in the face over the price of one cent.

"Old man, you dare sell these candied haws for three cents? These haws look like they’re about to rot! Two cents, and not a penny more!"

The old man selling the candied haws was stooped over, his wrinkled face crunched into an appeasing smile. "Sir, that’s truly my cost price. There were natural disasters this year, and everything is expensive..."

"Bullshit!"

The man’s eyes bulged. Without a second thought, he raised his hand and gave the old man a resounding slap!

SLAP!

The crisp sound silenced the surroundings in an instant.

The old man staggered from the blow. Half of his face quickly swelled up and turned red, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but he didn’t dare make a sound. His eyes were filled with terror and humiliation.

Still not satisfied, the man grumbled and cursed as he threw down two cents, snatched a skewer of candied haws, and turned to leave.

From within the crowd, Chen Ye watched this scene silently, drank the last of his tofu pudding, and then followed him.