There are many things that are important in a person's life, but for Yao Lan at this moment, only two truly matter:
Wealth and status.
After all, humans are social creatures. It's impossible to completely separate oneself from society. In this Douluo world, Yao Lan needs a higher social status.
And wealth complements status. When one increases, the other naturally follows.
Although Yao Lan had crossed over into this world and possessed considerable power, he had no identity in this society.
To put it bluntly, he was an undocumented person.
Fortunately, this world still has slums. Compared to being completely invisible in a nationwide population census, a mysterious undocumented individual showing up in the slums is relatively acceptable.
> "If I think carefully… In the Legend of the Dragon King era of Douluo Dalu, what profession offers both money and status?"
A forgemaster!
Because in the Legend of the Dragon King era, compared to the Peerless Tang Sect era, a new kind of armor called battle armor emerged, which could significantly boost a Soul Master's strength. The forgers who created this armor became incredibly sought after.
As long as one could forge top-tier metals, fame would naturally follow. Selling the metals would also bring massive profits. It's a profession that brings both fame and fortune.
> "But as of now, I can only create one clone."
> "Should I use a knowledge-focused role to plan for the future? Or first become a forgemaster to gain wealth and status?"
> "Or maybe… both?"
Yao Lan's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, because he thought of a character who met both requirements.
A member of the Genius Society—the word "genius" alone already proves her extraordinary intellect. Her intelligence is unquestionable.
She frequently interacts with the Interastral Peace Corporation, shows great cunning and strategy—just look at what happened to Chadwick. If you don't have a sharp mind, you won't survive.
And that massive hammer she carries—though used for combat, it surely wouldn't be bad for forging either, right?
She's both a knowledge character and capable of serving as a forgemaster, designer... Feels like she could handle every kind of auxiliary profession.
After all, she's a genius!
> "It's decided then—Heita!"
With Yao Lan's command, his own figure transformed again. The boyish outline quickly shifted into the form of an adorable little girl, even the clothing changed accordingly.
Waist-length brown hair, radiant purple eyes—though a bit different from her game version, anyone with eyes could tell: this was Heita.
But that wasn't the end!
This "Heita" was just like a self-replicating Tomie—drawn out of Yao Lan's body by an unknown power.
Then, the two people at the scene—big eyes staring at small—both fell silent.
> "So it really is a literal 'clone', huh?" ×2
The same words came from both mouths in the same tone. Understandable, since although there were two bodies, only one consciousness existed.
Yao Lan: "I don't feel any discomfort."
Heita: "So this is what they call multitasking? If you were controlling a puppet, I guess this is how it'd feel?"
Speaking of puppets…
Both Yao Lan and Heita looked toward Heita's joints, because something was very different from the game version.
> "No puppet joints?"
> "That means… the Heita I've separated isn't a puppet, but the real young Heita. No wonder some details are different."
But according to the system's rules, all of Yao Lan's clones conform to the current world's rules. Which means… Heita has a Martial Soul!
> "What Martial Soul could it be? Don't tell me it's actually a hammer?"
> "Only one way to find out—let's test it."
The main body of Heita hadn't shown much information yet, but judging by the Heita puppets from the game, it really might be a hammer.
Although Yao Lan could create clones, he didn't know what Martial Soul each would have—unless it had particularly distinct features, like Robin (知更鸟).
As for someone like Heita—completely unpredictable.
> "Truly worthy of being Miss Heita. Even a created clone isn't simple at all!"
As the miniature Heita closed her eyes, Yao Lan's own eyes instantly lost focus. In that brief moment, he seemed to see at the end of knowledge, a colossal mechanical figure gazing at him.
The next second, both Yao Lan and Heita's eyes cleared. He had been ejected—but at the same time, he understood what had just happened.
> "The gaze of the Erudition Aeon…"
Yao Lan wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but in that moment of being gazed at by the Erudition Aeon, he felt… smarter.
> "If I channel this power from the Erudition Aeon into Heita's clone… What will happen, system?"
Although he had a faint guess, Yao Lan still decided to ask the system. After all, this was power granted by the system—an official answer would be best.
> 「Heita's clone will awaken a Martial Soul called 'Erudition Aeon', just like the host did before. She will simultaneously possess the 'Hunt' and 'Abundance' Martial Souls.」
> "That's… amazing. So this is what they call a Stellaron god smurf account, huh?"
> "Alright then—let's begin!"
The mechanical figure once again appeared before Yao Lan—or rather, in Heita's body this time. But unlike before, this wasn't a mere illusion.
This time, it manifested in the Douluo Continent as Heita's Martial Soul.
> "Innate soul power… level 20?" Yao Lan said, surprised.
In the Douluo Continent, the maximum innate soul power is level 10. The only known person with innate level 20 was Qian Renxue from the original series, with her Six-Winged Angel.
And now, Heita's Martial Soul "Erudition Aeon" was… also level 20?
Yao Lan felt something was off. Because for an Aeon, level 20 innate soul power wasn't too high—it was too low!
Considering the Star Rail universe's lore, an Aeon turning into a Martial Soul shouldn't be this weak, even if heavily nerfed.
But the answer was obvious. Level 20… might just be the upper limit of this world.
If a higher innate soul power appeared, it would completely break the rules of this world.
Yao Lan took a step back, observing his Heita clone from top to bottom.
> "Excellent appearance, incredible learning ability, and now a god-tier Martial Soul with innate level 20… Truly worthy of being called a genius. Becoming the next rising star of the Forging Association shouldn't be a problem, right?"
The little Heita put her hands on her hips, lifted her chin proudly, and declared:
> "Of course! Because I'm Heita!"
> "Talking to myself… is actually kinda fun?"