Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Chen Ye didn’t act rashly. His blood and energy surged quietly as he stared warily at the blurry figure ahead.

The woman floated silently in the pitch-black depths, her head bowed. Her long, dark hair, like living seaweed, drifted slowly in the water, obscuring her face.

’A Water Ghost? Or something even more sinister?’

Chen Ye had no time for further thought. This wasn’t the moment to investigate the creature’s Identity.

He kicked his legs forcefully, his body shooting upward like an arrow released from a bow.

But just then, the woman moved. Her eyes snapped open, but they held no pupils—only a deathly white.

Immediately after, her seaweed-like hair began to grow frantically, becoming blacker and denser. It spread like a giant net, descending upon Chen Ye and sealing off all his routes to the surface.

The hair radiated a bone-chilling cold, a hundred times colder than the lake water itself. Wherever it passed, even the current seemed on the verge of freezing.

Chen Ye’s gaze hardened, but he didn’t panic.

Just as the massive net of hair was about to touch him, a thought flashed through his mind, and he activated his Nightwalker Talent.

His form instantly became illusory, as if merging with the surrounding darkness. He then passed silently through the dense web of hair without causing the slightest ripple.

After passing through the hair, the surface was within arm’s reach. Victory was in sight. But at that moment, Chen Ye suddenly felt his back grow heavy, as if someone had climbed onto him.

It was an icy, slick sensation pressed tightly against his back. At the same time, a few damp strands of hair brushed against the nape of his neck, causing an itch that made his scalp crawl.

’She’s caught up!’

Chen Ye’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected this thing to be so persistent, its methods impossible to guard against.

At this moment of crisis, Chen Ye stomped his foot downward with all his might!

Array-Breaking Step!

Although he was in the water with nothing to brace against, the terrifying power contained in that kick still caused the surrounding water to vibrate violently, letting out a muffled BOOM!

Along with this strike, the Mountain-Splitting Force within Chen Ye’s body circulated without reservation. His immense blood and energy erupted like a volcano, boiling in an instant!

"AHHH—!"

A shriek so piercing it barely sounded human exploded behind him.

The cold presence on his back recoiled as if seared by a red-hot iron.

Chen Ye seized the fleeting opportunity. Kicking his legs, he shot out of the water like a cannonball and landed heavily on his small boat.

He gasped for breath, glancing back at the now-calm lake surface, his heart still pounding with lingering fear.

’That female ghost was truly powerful, especially with her bizarre techniques. They’re almost impossible to defend against.’

’It’s a good thing it was me. Any other Pearl Collector would have died down there long ago.’

Feeling relieved, Chen Ye opened his palm. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face as he gazed at the Spirit Pearl, which was shimmering with a seven-colored halo.

’I finally got it.’

Without hesitation, Chen Ye chose to devour it.

A vast and pure stream of Energy instantly flooded his body. In his Sea of Consciousness, the Boat of the Other Shore began to shine with unprecedented brilliance.

The familiar feeling of dizziness washed over him as the scenery around him began to warp and fade.

...

An unknown amount of time passed.

When Chen Ye opened his eyes again, a bone-piercing chill made him shiver uncontrollably.

He was surrounded by white snow, lying in a narrow alley. A thin layer of snowflakes covered his body, indicating he had been lying there for quite some time.

He raised a hand. What he saw was a pair of well-defined palms with long, slender fingers that should have been quite handsome. But now, both hands were covered in chilblains, some of which were bleeding, a shocking sight to behold.

’Is this... a boy of fourteen or fifteen?’

Chen Ye gave the body a quick examination and made his assessment.

Then, he struggled to his feet and looked around.

He was surrounded by low, dilapidated houses with icicles hanging from the eaves.

Goose-feather-like snow fell from the gray sky. Through the swirling blizzard, he could see seven or eight-story buildings in the distance, and even old neon signs flickering faintly in the wind and snow.

’Neon lights?’

A thought stirred in Chen Ye’s mind.

’This means the local technology has reached a certain level of development; it’s not a purely ancient era.’

Just then, a torrent of vast and chaotic memories flooded into his mind.

A moment later, Chen Ye rubbed his throbbing temples, having finally gained a preliminary understanding of this world.

This was an era similar to the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of his previous life.

Novelties like electric lights, telegraphs, and trains had already appeared, but society as a whole still retained many features of the old era.

However, this world had one major difference.

This world... actually had ghosts!

Because of this, many of the world’s rules were unique.

For instance, funerals were not just rituals for the living but a strict set of procedures.

This was especially true for those who died violent deaths. They had to be handled by professionals, or they were very likely to turn into malevolent spirits and wreak havoc.

As a result, Daoists and Monks were highly respected Professions here. Rumor had it that there were even worldly masters proficient in Immortal Techniques hidden among mortals.

’So that’s how it is!’

Chen Ye came to a sudden realization. He finally understood why, despite sacrificing a precious Seventh Grade Spirit Pearl, his starting situation was so miserable and pathetic.

’It’s not that the Boat of the Other Shore was being stingy, but that this world’s "Ability Level" is too high!’

The first world he experienced had a very low ceiling for the Martial Dao. In the second world, producing a Divine-Seeing Grandmaster was already the limit for a mortal.

But this world truly had ghosts and monsters, and people who cultivated!

This meant he had the chance to come into contact with real Extraordinary Power here!

This discovery lifted Chen Ye’s spirits, sweeping away the gloom he felt over his poor start.

He then began to sort through the body’s original memories.

He found that the city was called Sea Guardian Guard, a city that had grown from a port. Because of this, it was home to people from All Walks of Life, a true mix of saints and sinners.

The original owner’s background was even more bizarre.

He was raised by a courtesan. But according to her, she wasn’t his birth mother; his real mother had died in childbirth.

Once he reached the age of thirteen or fourteen, the brothel could no longer keep him.

First, he was getting older, and it was inconvenient for him to stay in such a place.

Second, some of the male clients who came seeking pleasure were not only interested in women but also harbored filthy intentions toward a handsome boy like him.

So, after he was harassed by a drunken customer, the women of the brothel pooled some money together and helped him escape.

But what future could there be for a half-grown boy with no relatives and no skills, who had only learned to recognize a few words from some of the literate courtesans?

The little money he had was quickly spent. Starving and freezing, he was caught in a sudden heavy snowfall. He tried to find a sheltered alley to rest, but once he lay down, he never got up again.

Understanding the full story, Chen Ye couldn’t help but sigh.

’What a wretched child.’

Then he rubbed his rumbling stomach and began to ponder his next move.

The best path forward was obviously to find a Daoist Temple or a monastery to become a disciple. This way, he might be able to activate a new Professional Panel.

But the original owner’s memories told him this was harder than ascending to heaven.

The truly capable Daoists and Monks had extremely high standards for accepting disciples, far beyond the reach of a nobody like him.

So, the most urgent task was to first fill his stomach and then get some warmer clothes.

Just then, the courtyard gate of the house next to him creaked open.

A tall, stern-looking middle-aged man walked out.

He saw Chen Ye in the corner, but only gave him a passing glance, paying him no mind.

There were too many beggars these days; it was nothing surprising.

He was kind enough not to shoo Chen Ye away. Anyone else would have driven him off immediately.

Even so, the man figured the little beggar would have a hard time surviving the night.

And after he froze to death tomorrow, the Government Office’s burial division would come to collect the body and hastily cremate it.

’What a world...’.

The man sighed internally. Just as he turned to go back into the courtyard, Chen Ye suddenly stood up.

He had heard the shouts of young people from within the courtyard, along with the sound of vocal warm-ups.

’Is this an Opera Troupe?’

A thought sparked in Chen Ye’s mind.

In this world, Opera Troupes didn’t just perform for the living.

They had another important function: to appease resentful souls by performing for ghosts and gods!

’So this might be an opportunity.’

"Sir, please wait!"

Chen Ye called out to the middle-aged man.

The man turned back, looking at him with some impatience. "What is it?"

"I wish to become an apprentice and learn the opera. I beg you to take me in, sir." Chen Ye’s voice was hoarse from the cold and weakness.

The man was taken aback for a moment, then laughed out loud.

"Learn the opera? What do you think our Peach Garden Lineage is? A shelter? You think any beggar can just walk in?"

Chen Ye didn’t argue. He just bent down, grabbed a handful of snow from the ground, and wiped it forcefully across his face.

The melting snow washed away the grime, revealing a clean and handsome face underneath.

He looked up, met the man’s gaze, and asked again, "How about now?"

The man’s voice died in his throat.

He looked at the boy, his eyes lighting up.

’What a beautiful face!’

Almond-shaped eyes, a fine nose, and thin lips. His features were handsome and refined. Though still boyish, he already possessed a certain charm.

’This... this boy was born to be on the stage!’

The man could no longer contain his excitement. He strode quickly down the steps to Chen Ye, reaching out to pinch him here and there and feel his bone structure.

"Good! A good seedling! You truly were born to do this."

The man praised him excitedly and made a decision on the spot.

"Come in with me!"

After he led Chen Ye into the courtyard, the boys and girls who were practicing all stopped what they were doing and looked over with curiosity.

"What are you looking at? Get back to practice."

The man glared, and they all hurriedly resumed their training.

"Come with me. I’ll ask you about your background first." After speaking, the man led Chen Ye toward the house.