Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Looking at the three class advancement paths, Chen Ye fell into deep thought.

The first one he eliminated was Light Cavalry Scout. All his current skills were in strength and defense. Advancing to a Light Cavalry Scout would mean giving up his greatest strengths—a foolish trade of the essential for the trivial.

As for Green Forest Commander...

Seeing the description, "Are kings and nobles destined to be so by birth?", Chen Ye’s lip twitched.

This Talent was clearly meant for someone who wanted to raise a banner and rebel. It was about gathering outlaws in the mountains and forests and even had bonuses for mountain warfare.

Unfortunately, though the world was in turmoil, the Great Yong Court’s rule was still relatively stable. Besides, he was now a proper Senior Sixth Grade Military Officer with the Court’s resources at his disposal. Wasn’t it better to just level up peacefully?

But the Army-breaking Captain made Chen Ye’s eyes light up. Both its description and its Talent were a perfect match for his current self.

The Talent, Powerful Force, was especially fitting. It was a direct continuation of his current Talents, all of which were strength-based.

This was the most suitable path for his current situation.

Without further hesitation, Chen Ye chose Army-breaking Captain.

As he made his decision, an indescribable, scorching heat erupted from deep within his bones!

A series of sharp cracks echoed from his bones, as if they were being crushed and reformed by a pair of invisible, giant hands.

The muscle fibers beneath his skin tore apart, only to regenerate and expand wildly under an even greater power!

He felt as if he had been thrown into a forge, undergoing a baptism of fire and steel.

A tide of excruciating pain washed over him, threatening to drown his consciousness.

But Chen Ye clenched his jaw, refusing to make a sound.

He could clearly feel an explosive power, far greater than anything before, growing wildly within him, filling every inch of his flesh and blood.

After an unknown amount of time, the transformative process finally ended.

Chen Ye let out a long breath and looked down at his hands. His knuckles were thicker, his palms a size larger. His previously well-fitting uniform was now stretched taut across his body, nearly bursting at the seams from his bulging muscles.

At the same time, Chen Ye felt he had grown a few inches taller, and a power far beyond what he’d had before still surged restlessly within him!

Chen Ye slowly clenched his fists, feeling the power that was practically overflowing, and an unprecedented confidence welled up inside him.

He had a strong premonition that if he faced those elite cavalrymen from the Great Liang Country now, he wouldn’t even need a weapon. With just his bare fists, he could smash them—riders and horses alike—into a bloody pulp!

Just as he was reveling in the thrill of his explosive power increase, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

"Captain Chen, the Grand General has an order!"

A messenger flipped open the tent flap, his expression respectful as he held out a transfer order.

Chen Ye’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

’Grand General?’

There was only one person in the army who could be called Grand General right now.

Bai Yuge.

He took the order and unfurled it. As expected, the contents were just what he had anticipated.

Western Expedition Grand General Bai Yuge specially transfers Captain Chen Ye to her command for a new assignment. Report for duty immediately. No delays permitted.

’Dammit, speak of the devil,’

Chen Ye cursed inwardly. But a military order was absolute. Bai Yuge was now the Commander of the Three Armies, and a newly promoted Captain like him had no right to refuse.

"Understood,"

Chen Ye replied, putting away the order with a blank expression.

He didn’t head to Bai Yuge’s camp immediately. Instead, he turned and walked in another direction.

The Central Army Tent.

The place that once symbolized the heart of the entire army now seemed somewhat desolate.

Most of Meng Yi’s Personal Guard had been transferred away, leaving only a handful of men standing watch outside the tent, their faces tinged with dejection.

When they saw Chen Ye approach, they gave him a listless salute.

Chen Ye nodded and walked straight inside.

Inside the tent, Meng Yi was sitting alone behind a desk, polishing his personal sword.

He had taken off his heavy General Armor and was wearing only plain cloth clothes. The steadfast, mountain-like aura he once possessed was now gone.

He now looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, with a few new strands of white at his temples.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up. A gentle smile appeared on his face when he saw it was Chen Ye.

"You’re here."

"General."

Chen Ye bowed and offered the transfer order to him.

Meng Yi took it and glanced at it. His expression showed no surprise; he simply placed the order calmly back on the desk.

"This is for the best."

He picked up his sword again, meticulously wiping the blade with a soft silk cloth, his voice even.

"General Bai has always been unconventional in her use of troops, excelling at surprise attacks and risky maneuvers. You are exceptionally brave. Under her command, you might be able to achieve even more."

"General..."

Chen Ye opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.

’Comfort him? Console him?’

In the current situation, any words would seem hollow and powerless.

As if reading his mind, Meng Yi smiled and slowly sheathed the polished sword.

"I’m fine. I’ve been leading troops for many years. Victory and defeat are common in the Military School. There’s nothing I can’t accept."

He stood up, walked over to Chen Ye, and patted his solid shoulder.

"But there is one thing you must remember."

Meng Yi’s gaze turned solemn.

"The people of the Bai Family have only ever cared about victory and defeat, not personal feelings. So when you’re under her, always be on your guard. Don’t so easily entrust your life to someone else."

"This subordinate understands," Chen Ye nodded firmly.

"Go on," Meng Yi said with a wave of his hand.

Chen Ye gave another deep bow, then turned and strode out of the tent.

Watching his retreating figure, the smile on Meng Yi’s face slowly faded, eventually replaced by a long sigh.

...

Bai Yuge’s command tent was completely different from Meng Yi’s.

The security here was tight. The Military Officers coming and going had grim expressions, and the entire camp was filled with a chilling atmosphere.

After announcing his arrival, Chen Ye was quickly led into the command tent.

Bai Yuge was seated in the main chair, a massive sand table before her that detailed the mountains and rivers of the Great Liang Country.

When Chen Ye entered, she glanced at him. Seeming to notice something, a flicker of an unreadable emotion passed through her eyes.

"This subordinate, Chen Ye, pays his respects to the Grand General!"

"Very good."

Bai Yuge nodded, her tone as cold as ever.

"I saw you that day, slaying the enemy beneath the command banner. Your courage deserves a higher position."

She gestured to the side.

"From this day forward, you will be my Central Army Commander, responsible for overseeing the command banner and relaying military orders."

As soon as she said this, the expressions of the other Military Officers standing guard in the tent changed. They looked at Chen Ye with gazes full of unconcealed envy.

Central Army Commander!

This was a position reserved for a true confidant, one who controlled the Commander of the Three Armies’ banner and commands, wielding immense authority.

No one had expected Bai Yuge to give such a critical position to someone who had just been transferred, and who was, moreover, a former subordinate of Meng Yi.