Chapter 4

Time flows like a swift stream, passing by in a blink.

It had been ten days since Lin Feng started exercising.

He had already passed the seventh level of the初级版 of "Elimination," and his mental power had increased by 28P, adding to his original 20P, totaling 48P. The time acceleration effect reached 4.8 times. The average mental power of ordinary people is about 10P, so 48P was already quite impressive, 4.8 times that of an ordinary person, placing him between a four-star and a five-star mage apprentice. However, his affinity with the earth was average, so even if he learned low-level earth spells, their power might not surpass that of a two-star or one-star mage apprentice.

According to No.1, his mental power improvement speed was extremely outstanding even in the entire Federation.

In terms of physical strength, he had also improved, though still not as strong as an average young person. However, his body was no longer as frail as an old man on the verge of death.

On this day, as soon as he entered No.1's space, he heard an unfortunate message.

"I admire your perseverance, but your mental strength has already reached the limit your body can bear. If you pass another level of 'Elimination,' your body will be unable to handle the strain."

Hearing this, Lin Feng fell silent.

After closing his eyes for a long time, he finally smiled bitterly, "I never thought my body would become my biggest burden."

He had worked very hard, but the improvement in his physical strength was still extremely limited.

Although he knew the path to becoming a strong person would be fraught with difficulties, he never expected to encounter such a significant obstacle right from the first step.

"Thank you, I understand," Lin Feng rubbed his temples, composed himself, and said to No.1, "So, do you have any good suggestions?" His thoughts were in chaos, and he was not in a position to make a decision.

"Please wait a moment." No.1's program ran at high speed, as if in deep thought.

After a moment,

"I suggest you choose a profession that is popular in the outside world and does not heavily rely on physical strength or mental power."

Currently, this seemed to be the best choice.

"If I must say which profession best fits this condition, I think it would be a weapon smith." Lin Feng thought for a moment and said with less certainty, "The status of a weapon smith is extremely high. An ordinary weapon smith has a status comparable to that of a noble. A master weapon smith does not even need to kneel before a country's emperor. Although weapon smiths also require some physical strength, skill clearly plays a more significant role." A lack of strength can be compensated for with skill.

Most importantly, his father was a blacksmith, a nominal weapon smith.

If Lin Feng could become a weapon smith, his father would surely be very happy, right?

"No.1, thank you."

Lin Feng knew what he had to do.

Becoming a weapon smith, perhaps, was the will of heaven.

This was the path Lin Feng was destined to take in the future.

That night, Lin Feng did not study "Elimination" anymore. He had a good sleep in the auxiliary space, which might be the last good sleep of his life. After tonight, the burden on his shoulders would not allow him to have such a peaceful life again.

...

"Father, I want to learn weapon smithing."

In the blacksmith shop, Lin Feng looked at his father solemnly, his expression very determined.

Lin Tao did not react as Lin Feng had expected, but instead frowned, "You haven't even learned how to walk, and you want to learn how to run?" His tone was low and carried a hint of reprimand, "Your strength has improved a bit, but you can't even lift a hammer." He huffed in dissatisfaction, "Talk to me again when you can wield a hammer freely."

"Because my strength is insufficient, I need to make up for it with skill," Lin Feng said with great persistence.

This was the first time in eighteen years that he had defied his father's decision.

After staring at him for a while, Lin Tao said, "Do you think you are someone special? Even Xiao... even a true weapon smith wouldn't dare to say they can make up for a lack of strength with skill. What makes you so special?"

Lin Feng did not back down, "Others are others, and I am me! I believe that as long as I work hard, I can achieve what others cannot!" He could not yet reveal the existence of No.1.

His expression remained unchanged, his gaze still stubborn and determined.

Lin Tao turned around and said coldly, "Get out. I won't teach you."

"Father!"

Lin Feng's voice carried a hint of urgency.

"Listen," Lin Tao looked directly at Lin Feng and said in a lecturing tone, "I will not teach you until your strength meets my requirements! No one can forge anything worthwhile with such weak strength, never!" His voice was not loud, but his words were filled with unwavering resolve, and no one could change his decision, not even his son.

After living with his father for eighteen years, Lin Feng knew very well that if his father said he wouldn't teach, he really wouldn't.

He was stubborn, but his father was even more so.

In this matter, Lin Feng himself was at a loss and could only enter No.1's space to seek advice.

However, he did not expect that No.1 would actually have a solution.

"You don't need to worry about it," No.1 said calmly, "Although the game card's database has only been partially restored, the basic functions of No.1's space have not been lost. Everything you see in the outside world can be simulated and deeply analyzed by No.1's space."

Lin Feng did not understand, "Can you explain it more clearly?"

"All you need to do is observe your father's entire forging process in the outside world. The game card will establish a new database, simulate your father's entire forging process, and analyze the most essential weapon smithing techniques," No.1 explained, "Furthermore, the analyzed weapon smithing techniques will be continuously refined as you gain more knowledge about weapon smithing, reaching the most perfect standard."

"Great," Lin Feng said sincerely, "No.1, thank you!"

This might even be better than being taught directly by his father.

Leaving No.1's space, Lin Feng returned to the blacksmith shop. This time, he said nothing, set up an exercise posture, and focused on observing how his father forged a kitchen knife.

Lin Tao could refuse to teach Lin Feng, but he could not stop Lin Feng from observing.

He ignored Lin Feng, treating him as if he were transparent, and continued to forge with his usual focus. He had a habit of not being distracted by anything in the outside world while forging. Even if someone were to attack him with a knife, he would not dodge or avoid it until he finished forging. He firmly believed that only by fully dedicating oneself to a task could one do it to the best of their ability.

Speaking of focus and perseverance, Lin Feng was also influenced by his father, Lin Tao.

When Lin Tao finished forging a kitchen knife, Lin Feng continued to exercise.

When Lin Tao started forging a new household item, Lin Feng observed carefully again.

Thus, as he observed and exercised, night fell.

Entering No.1's space, Lin Feng eagerly asked, "No.1, how is the analysis going?"

"The analysis is complete, and 46 weapon smithing techniques have been extracted," No.1 said, "Do you want to start learning now?"

Lin Feng nodded firmly, "Of course."

"Then, please choose between self-study mode and teaching mode."

"Is there a difference?" Lin Feng did not rush to choose.

"In self-study mode, you will watch the 46 extracted weapon smithing techniques and learn by imitating them, with no penalties or restrictions," No.1 explained, "In teaching mode, No.1 will teach you, but No.1 is extremely strict. If you do not meet the expected learning outcomes, you will be punished by No.1."

Naturally, the latter mode would be more effective.

However, most people in the Federation preferred the former.

"Teaching mode."

Lin Feng was already eighteen and did not have much time to waste.

No.1 said calmly, "Teaching mode activated."

In the next moment, the entire blacksmith shop was simulated, including the weight of the tools.

No.1 changed into a different outfit and held a teaching rod.

He looked at Lin Feng indifferently, "Please observe how I forge a kitchen knife, student 'Lin Feng.'"

...

Half an hour later.

"Smack!"

Lin Feng's back was struck by a whip, the burning pain making him clench his teeth.

He had lost count of how many times he had been whipped. He knew that any mistake, no matter how small, would result in a whipping.

Moreover, the pain was even more intense than in reality.

No.1 said expressionlessly, "Student 'Lin Feng,' the curvature of your right ring finger is too large. Please try again."

No.1, transformed into a teacher, was impartial and showed no mercy. He was extremely strict, and even the slightest mistake by Lin Feng would result in severe punishment.

Lin Feng finally experienced the power of teaching mode. Under such strict teaching, even a stupid pig would be trained to be smarter than a monkey, and as a rational being, Lin Feng's progress was naturally very significant.

In one hour, he had mastered 4 weapon smithing techniques, though they were the simplest ones.

The learning continued.

The sound of the teaching rod striking echoed in the auxiliary space.

When Lin Feng exited the auxiliary space, he had mastered 24 techniques, which was fewer than expected. These weapon smithing techniques became increasingly difficult and required more time to learn, similar to "Elimination."

"Regardless, I am now a half-decent weapon smith, right?" Lin Feng was still quite satisfied.

If Lin Tao knew he had mastered 24 techniques, he would be very surprised, right?

However, Lin Feng did not plan to reveal this information. He was concerned that Lin Tao might stop him from observing if he knew. He believed that 46 techniques were not the limit. After all, he had only observed for one day, and his father had not used all his techniques. If he wanted to continue learning, it was best to keep the secret, otherwise, he would lose the opportunity to learn more weapon smithing techniques.