Becoming a master started with manually rubbing the control panel.

Chapter 044 A Twist of Fate

Lin Bei felt a chill run down his spine.

Judging from the other party's serious tone, one could tell that the "price" one would have to pay was probably not small.

"Aunt Shangguan, please speak."

He sat up straight, his expression serious. "As long as it's within my power, I'm willing to try anything, no matter the cost."

"Master Chen has three requirements."

Madam Shangguan picked up her teacup and took a small sip.

"First, you need to demonstrate your talent in mental micro-sculpting and gain his approval."

"Secondly, after you become his disciple for three years, he will find another senior spiritual micro-sculptor to jointly recommend you to take the certification exam."

"at last--"

She raised her voice, "Once you pass the exam and become a junior mental micro-sculptor, you must sign a contract with him, and 70% of all your profits for the next thirty years will belong to him."

After speaking, she put down her teacup and quietly gazed at Lin Bei.

Lin Bei frowned slightly.

The first two requirements are reasonable.

Showcasing your talents and proving you're qualified...that's fine.

As a disciple, I became a student of Master Chen... it's like paying homage to a master, so it's understandable.

But the third requirement—

They signed a 30-year contract and were required to hand over 70% of their profits.

What's the difference between this and a contract of servitude?

Lin Bei felt increasingly uneasy, and the thought even crossed his mind: "It's probably someone else's..."

"That last one is way too domineering!"

Before Lin Bei could speak, Shangguan Ling, sitting to the side, couldn't hold back any longer, "Who is this Master Chen? He's even more heartless than foreign slave owners!"

Madam Shangguan glanced at her somewhat agitated daughter and said slowly and deliberately:

"This is the rule of the spiritual micro-sculptor profession: first you are a beast of burden, then you become a master... Master Chen also went through this process back then."

She turned her gaze to Lin Bei, "You can go back and discuss it with your family before making a decision."

"No."

Lin Bei raised his head, his gaze frank. "I cannot agree to Master Chen's request. Therefore, I can only disappoint you."

After saying that, he stood up and bowed.

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Madam Shangguan's eyes.

She hadn't expected Lin Bei to refuse so decisively.

You should know that once you become a disciple of Master Chen, you will not only achieve immediate success, but you will also be able to enter the top circle of spiritual micro-sculptors.

The network of contacts they have access to is unimaginable for ordinary people.

In comparison, what is a thirty-year indenture?

Countless people want to sell themselves but can't find the way.

"Well done!"

Shangguan Ling clapped her hands and cheered, saying with a grin, "Lin Bei, I support you. You will never bow down for a pittance."

Madam Shangguan rolled her eyes at her daughter, "You should say less."

Then.

She turned to look at Lin Bei, "So, you're planning to give up?"

"I am very interested in mental micro-sculpting."

Lin Bei's tone was unusually calm, "But thirty years is too long, and that contract is too harsh. Rather than regretting it later, it's better to give up now."

Upon hearing this, Madam Shangguan's face showed a hint of approval.

At such a young age, he knows when to advance and when to retreat.

To remain true to oneself in the face of immense temptation.

Such a mindset is truly rare.

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you."

Madam Shangguan pondered for a moment, "However, if you want to enter the field of spiritual micro-carving, there is more than one way than to pass the examination."

Lin Bei had already planned to give up, but upon hearing this, a thought struck him. "What do you mean?"

"That's right."

Madam Shangguan smiled slightly, "You can become an unlicensed spiritual micro-sculptor. As long as you have a strong enough backer, no one will dare to cause you trouble."

"But where am I supposed to find such a powerful backer..."

As Lin Bei spoke, his gaze involuntarily fell on Madam Shangguan.

Don't look at me.

Madam Shangguan smiled gently, "I am not qualified to face a behemoth like the Spiritual Micro-Sculptor Association."

Shangguan Ling shook her arm and urged, "Mom, stop being so mysterious."

"Okay, okay."

Madam Shangguan glanced helplessly at her daughter and said, "In Haicheng, there is a spiritual micro-sculptor named Luo Qi. He is only forty-five years old this year, but he has a profound understanding of spiritual micro-sculpture. Even Master Chen is not as good as him... This Master Luo can't stand the way the Spiritual Micro-Sculptor Association does, so he has never taken the certification exam."

"Isn't he afraid the association will cause him trouble?" Shangguan Ling asked the question that Lin Bei also wanted to ask.

"Afraid?"

Madam Shangguan chuckled: "His wife comes from the Shen family in the capital."

The Shen family in the capital.

Upon hearing those four words, Lin Bei immediately remembered them.

A few years ago, a list suddenly appeared online, listing the top 100 martial arts families in the world.

The Shen family of the capital was one of them.

The Shen family not only controls trillions of dollars in wealth and has connections in the political, military, and business worlds, but has also cultivated a large number of top martial artists.

There are no fewer than a hundred martial arts masters who are at the Four Symbols Mirror level!

Shen Mo, the head of the Shen family, is a legendary figure who has survived the Great Cataclysm to the present day.

He once single-handedly killed a gold-level beast king.

His martial arts skills are unfathomable, making him a leading figure in the martial arts world of Dongxia.

"Hmph, they're just bullies who pick on the weak and fear the strong."

Shangguan Ling had obviously heard of the Shen family's reputation in the capital, and frowned, saying, "Mom, you're not going to let Lin Bei live off a woman too, are you...?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Madam Shangguan interrupted her daughter and said to Lin Bei, "If you can become Master Luo's disciple, you will not only learn the art of spiritual micro-carving, but the association will also be less likely to cause you trouble."

"I see."

Lin Bei nodded. "However, becoming Master Luo's disciple won't be that easy, will it?"

"That's natural."

Madam Shangguan said in a deep voice, "Master Luo is indifferent to fame and fortune. He spends his days studying spiritual micro-carving and is a very pure person. Over the years, countless people have wanted to become his disciples, but most of them have never even been able to see him."

"Then how can I meet Master Luo?"

Lin Bei asked, puzzled.

"I have some connections with Master Luo's wife. With her help, it shouldn't be a problem to get Master Luo to meet you."

Madam Shangguan then changed the subject, "However, whether you can impress Master Luo depends on your abilities."

Lin Bei listened and a look of gratitude appeared on his face.

They were complete strangers, yet they helped him so much, even incurring his favor.

"Thanks."

Lin Bei stood up and bowed again.

"You are welcome."

Madam Shangguan glanced at her daughter with a half-smile, "I was entrusted with this task. If I don't handle it well, I'm afraid I won't have any peace in the future."

Lin Bei realized what was happening and turned to look at Shangguan Ling.

Shangguan Ling blushed immediately and quickly went over to Lin Bei, taking his arm. "Come on, I'll take you to my backyard. My mom has planted so many flowers..."

"Auntie, then I..."

"Go."

As Madam Shangguan watched the two figures disappear into the distance, she sighed softly:

"A daughter is like a tree that cannot be kept at home once she grows up."