Supreme Martial Venerable: Starting with the White Ape Cloak Hammer skill point allocation

As dawn broke, Zhou Yuan opened his eyes.

Lying on the communal bed, with the sounds of teeth grinding and snoring echoing in his ears, Zhou Yuan felt as calm as still water.

Compared to Gao Dazhuang's difficult behavior, the harsh environment was a minor matter; Zhou Yuan's mindset had already been tempered.

Thinking of Gao Dazhuang's disgusted expression when he inspected the task yesterday, Zhou Yuan felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

No matter how bizarre the tasks Gao Dazhuang proposed, Zhou Yuan completed them with high quality and quantity, leaving the other party with no excuse to punish him.

On the contrary, Zhou Yuan reaped considerable rewards for his hard work in completing the task.

The next day, his effort was rated 7 points.

Day 3, 8 points.

Day 4, 8 o'clock.

It's the fifth day now. Zhou Yuan looks at the system panel. The quantitative change is finally about to lead to a qualitative change.

Name: Zhou Yuan

[Free Points: 8]

[Realm: None]

[Technique: None]

[Skill: Basic Blacksmithing (24/30)]

"Add some points."

Zhou Yuan silently recited the mantra in his mind.

The writing on the panel became blurred.

The word "beginner" disappeared quickly.

Compared to the previous point allocation which did not result in a significant improvement, this time, countless memories surged forth, instantly filling Zhou Yuan's mind.

In his memory, he diligently practiced basic blacksmithing techniques day after day.

I don't know how much iron was wasted in the process, or how much charcoal was consumed.

Converted to silver, it would have cost at least a thousand taels.

His blacksmithing skills became more and more proficient, and he even mastered some unique techniques.

At the same time, his physique also began to undergo subtle changes.

His originally thin physique gradually filled out, and he began to develop muscle definition.

The fatigue accumulated over the past few days vanished without a trace, replaced by a sense of strength.

This improvement is more significant than the last one.

Forging blacksmiths requires strength. No matter how rich your theoretical knowledge is, if you don't have enough strength, you can't forge the corresponding product.

A good blacksmith must be physically strong.

The added points not only improved Zhou Yuan's blacksmithing skills, but also boosted his physical strength to the point where he could successfully use this level of blacksmithing techniques.

It was as if he had truly undergone years of blacksmithing and forging.

Zhou Yuan lay on the bed, drenched in sweat, his clothes and bedding soaked through, emitting a strong stench of sweat.

Fortunately, the smells on this large communal bed were already mixed, so the sweat odor wasn't too prominent.

When Zhou Yuan checked the system panel again, the content of the system panel had changed.

Name: Zhou Yuan

[Free Points: 0]

[Realm: None]

[Technique: None]

[Skill: Intermediate Blacksmithing Technique (2/100)]

Having mastered intermediate blacksmithing techniques, Zhou Yuan could already be considered a skilled blacksmith.

The sickles he now forges don't need repeated sharpening during a busy farming season, and the kitchen knives won't chip even after years of pounding bones.

In terms of blacksmithing skills alone, he has surpassed his father's skills when he was alive.

There's an old saying in the blacksmithing industry: three years as an apprentice, five years to become a master, and ten years to become an expert.

The original owner's blacksmithing skills were only at the apprentice level. He only knew how to start a fire and swing a hammer, but did not know how to quench, apply steel, fold and forge.

But now, Zhou Yuan has mastered the skills of quenching, steel bonding, and folding forging, and can be considered to have graduated.

"With my current skills, I can make a steel-coated sickle that sells for at least seventy or eighty coins. Farmers are willing to spend more money to buy a sharp and durable sickle."

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, "If we don't consider corvée labor, with this skill, it wouldn't be difficult to earn ten or twenty taels of silver a year, and I could even support one or two apprentices."

But corvée labor is a huge burden. As long as you don't remove this burden, the better your skills, the more dangerous it becomes. If you are ever conscripted to serve in the army, it would be pointless to die.

"If you want to spend money to get rid of your social status, you need to prepare at least two hundred taels... Even if I have that much money, if I flaunt my wealth, I'll easily attract attention, and it won't be worth it."

In these chaotic times, practicing martial arts is still the safest path.

Zhou Yuan was thinking about it.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a bang.

"Wake up, everyone! Get up!"

Snapped.

The whip lashed across the communal sleeping area, and the voice of the foreman, Gao Dazhuang, rang in everyone's ears.

The group of blacksmiths scrambled out of their beds and hurriedly put on their clothes.

"You guys got incredibly lucky."

Gao Dazhuang cursed and said, "The state needs to rush to manufacture a batch of military equipment. Time is tight and the task is heavy. Our Gaoshan County has also been allocated a share. Master Li's apprentices are not enough, so it has been decided to select a few people from among you."

"This is a windfall! If you can become Master Li's apprentice, you will have the opportunity to learn how to forge weapons, and there is hope that you will become a weapon forger in the future."

"This is an opportunity I fought for you all. Otherwise, would Master Li even look at a bunch of craftsmen like you?"

The blacksmiths all showed excitement. Although they didn't take Gao Dazhuang's attempt to claim credit seriously, Gao Dazhuang was right; this was an opportunity for them.

If you can learn a few tricks from Master Li, even if you can't become a blacksmith, your blacksmithing skills will definitely improve. The level of your skills directly affects how much money you can make.

"Thanks, Boss Gao!"

The people gave perfunctory thanks.

Gao Dazhuang glanced at Zhou Yuan, hesitated for a moment, and then cracked his whip.

"Come here, all of you. Not just anyone can become Master Li's apprentice. Whether you can be chosen by him depends on your own abilities."

"Gao Dazhuang said, glancing at Zhou Yuan with disdain.

Zhou Yuan thought to himself, "Does this guy think he has no chance of being chosen, so he didn't exclude me?"

Zhou Yuan noticed Gao Dazhuang's gaze just now, which clearly showed some hesitation about whether or not to let him participate in the selection.

Zhou Yuan clenched his fists, wondering why Gao Dazhuang was targeting him so much, not only assigning him the heaviest task but also trying to ruin his future!

Becoming Li Lin's apprentice would not only give Zhou Yuan the opportunity to learn weapon forging techniques, but also the chance to come into contact with martial arts. Zhou Yuan would definitely not let this opportunity slip by!

"You can't control me!"

Zhou Yuan thought to himself.

Everyone rushed into the courtyard.

Li Lin arrived before the crowd, surrounded by a dozen or so apprentices.

"As expected of a master, such an air!"

A sense of pride and awe rose in Zhou Yuan's heart.

The group of blacksmiths, who were stronger than ordinary people, were completely outmatched by Li Lin's apprentices.

The apprentices were all full of energy, with shiny, oily skin and as strong as black bulls, forming a stark contrast to the pale-faced blacksmiths.

However, these apprentices were nothing compared to Master Li Lin.

Li Lin is nearly two meters tall, with arms that reach past his knees. His muscular arms are almost as thick as a normal person's thigh. His square face exudes an imposing aura, and he stands there like a wall, radiating a powerful sense of oppression.

"Master Li, everyone is here. What are your instructions?"

Gao Dazhuang said with a forced smile, like a lackey.

Li Lin nodded expressionlessly, his gaze falling on the group of blacksmiths.

"The county magistrate has asked me to forge a batch of knives, and he needs them very urgently, so I need some helpers."

There's no time to train new apprentices; you are all experienced blacksmiths, so I've decided to select a few assistants from among you.

Li Lin got straight to the point, and his serious expression made all the blacksmiths feel like their hearts were being gripped, and they even had trouble breathing.

"Let me make this clear from the start: those who are chosen will have a tough time for a while, but I will not treat you unfairly."

Li Lin continued, "As my apprentices, I will not only instruct you in weapon forging, but also teach you martial arts. If you can master them, I will accept you as my formal disciples and impart all my skills to you."

"I'm not bragging, but if you can learn my 'White Ape Cloak Hammer,' you'll be considered top experts in Gaoshan County. Passing the martial arts exam will be a piece of cake, and you might even be able to aspire to become a martial arts graduate."

"Of course, all of this is on the premise that you have the ability to pass Li's test. Li is looking for apprentices who can help, not burdens that hold you back."

"Now, show me what you're capable of."

With a wave of his hand, Li Lin summoned ten apprentices who immediately brought over a basket of iron billets.

"Forging weapons and blacksmithing are of the same lineage, nothing more than hammering and quenching. Quenching determines the skill level."

You are all seasoned blacksmiths, and your hammering skills are barely adequate. Now, I, Li, will see your quenching skills.

Here are the same batch of iron billets. You will each complete the quenching process. Those who meet the skill standards can become Li's apprentices.