Li Yucheng stepped forward at the right moment to intervene, his smile forced. "Elder Feng, Yuhao already has a teacher. Please do not pressure him."
This man was an elder of the Mecha Designer Association, of the same seniority as him, but their abilities were worlds apart.
"Oh? Yuhao doesn't seem to have taken a master, does he?"
Feng Xuan'ang looked at the people beside him with a questioning expression. "I've never heard of President Li taking a disciple. Have any of you?"
"No."
The people around him shook their heads one after another.
Feng Xuan'ang turned to look at Li Yucheng, putting on a helpless expression. "President Li, I know you're eager to nurture talent, but you can't lie."
Li Yucheng's expression changed dramatically.
No, have you no shame? So that's why you brought a crowd. To back you up?
Huo Yuhao stepped forward to rescue Li Yucheng. "For the past two years, Elder Li has taught me and resolved my doubts. He has the essence of a teacher. Naturally, he is my teacher."
Feng Xuan'ang raised an eyebrow. Seeing Huo Yuhao personally smooth things over, he no longer pressed the point. He smiled. "Yuhao, he is a Grade Eight Manufacturer. He probably can't teach you much now. You should study with me instead. Don't worry. For a talent like you, I don't care about formalities of teacher-student lineage."
"..."
Utterly shameless.
Li Yucheng took a deep breath. "I am now a Grade Nine Manufacturer as well."
The smile on Feng Xuan'ang's face froze. A flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes. "Oh? When did you advance to Grade Nine? Why haven't I heard of an advancement ceremony being held?"
Li Yucheng gave a cold snort. "I just passed the assessment assessment yesterday. It hasn't been announced yet. Elder Feng is certainly well-informed. You've even found out all about Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao added with a smile, "Elder Li completed a spirit power amplifier that can enhance the power of Grade Nine soul tools."
Feng Xuan'ang's pupils suddenly contracted. He looked at Li Yucheng in shock and uncertainty. "You actually completed the project project the President gave you?"
The spirit power amplifier was originally a grade-less soul tool that could raise a Grade Nine or lower soul tool by one level. But in this era, such a soul tool had become very useless.
Manufacturing it required Diamond Refined Gold. And from one kilogram of Refined Gold, only thirty grams of Diamond Refined Gold could be extracted. The consumption of rare metals was simply too great. It would be better to use the forged metal for other soul tools, or simply manufacture a stronger soul tool.
So the spirit power amplifier was considered obsolete. But both within the association and at Mingde Hall, there were issues on the spirit power amplifier. They wanted to use the now-forged rare metals to manufacture a stronger spirit power amplifier.
Because a breakthrough in this technology could significantly improve the overall level of soul tools, and might even change the entire pattern of the soul tool world.
Feng Xuan'ang was truly amazed. He hadn't expected Li Yucheng to solve a problem that had troubled the association for many years. One needed to know that even at Mingde Hall, there had been no breakthrough progress.
This was not something that could be completed by simply copying the structure of Diamond Refined Gold mechanically.
Li Yucheng stroked his long beard, a hint of pride appearing in his eyes. "I have merely gained a small insight. And I only just completed it recently. At most, it can increase power by a few tenths. There is still quite a distance before a Grade Nine soul tool can truly rival a Grade Ten one. Moreover, I must thank Yuhao for his unique insights into the core array. Otherwise, simply mechanically copying the structure of Diamond Refined Gold would never have allowed me to complete it."
As he spoke, he looked at Huo Yuhao with emotion.
A few years ago, sharing this project with Huo Yuhao and researching it together had been the best decision of his life.
He had thought he would need Huo Yuhao to complete the new spirit power amplifier. But in the two years of research, Huo Yuhao had given him even more surprises, allowing him to personally complete this soul tool and become a Grade Nine Mecha Manufacturer through it.
Meeting him had been his fortune.
Feng Xuan'ang frowned deeply. "There are also differences among Grade Nine Manufacturers. I have been immersed in the Grade Nine level for twenty years. My understanding of core arrays far surpasses yours. You have only this one trick. Yuhao has probably already learned everything from you."
A look of embarrassment crossed Li Yucheng's face. "That may..."
Just as the two were at an impasse, a voice suddenly came from not far away. "What great matters are you discussing, all gathered here?"
Everyone turned to look. A burly, elderly man strode in. His hair and beard were white, his spirit was robust, his eyes were bright and piercing.
"President!" Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang both exclaimed in surprise, together with the others around them,bowing.
The President of the Mecha Designer Association, Yi Hongchen, waved his hand. His gaze fell on Huo Yuhao, and he asked with interest, "You must be the Huo Yuhao causing such a stir? The main hall is all talking about you. I am Yi Hongchen, the President of the Mecha Designer Association."
Huo Yuhao had long known of his existence. But now, looking at him, he still felt a sense of time separating them.
The Hongchen Clan. This might be the greatest change, second only to the Spirit Transmission Tower.
Meeting the descendant of an old friend. This was also the first time since returning to this era.
His thoughts flashed and disappeared. A hint of a smile appeared in Huo Yuhao's eyes. He bowed politely. "Greetings, President."
Yi Hongchen smiled slightly. "No need for such formality. For someone so young to have such achievements is truly rare."
Even rarer was his ability to remain calm and level-headed in the face of such adulation, arrogant nor impatient. Such steadiness was even more admirable than his neither talent.
He had originally wanted to observe him more closely. Now it seemed that might not be necessary.
He turned to look at Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang. "How can the two of you stand there arguing over a junior, red-faced? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Feng Xuan'ang quickly explained, "President, we were only..."
Yi Hongchen interrupted him. "Enough. I know everything."
He paused. His gaze swept between Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang. His tone was leisurely. "Since you can't agree, why don't we..."
He suddenly turned and looked at Huo Yuhao with a beaming smile. "He will be personally taught by me from now on. Yucheng brought him here, probably hoping I would be intrigued. He's not wrong. I've never seen such a comprehensively talented person before."
As he finished speaking, the entire lobby fell into a temporary silence.
Feng Xuan'ang was a bit anxious. "President, you are busy with daily affairs. You have no time to personally teach a newcomer. And Yuhao is from the Spirit Transmission Tower..."
Yi Hongchen interrupted, "Sect prejudices. You can set them aside. Can't I? And the association has quite a few collaborative projects with the Spirit Transmission Tower. This can be a good opportunity to deepen communication."
Hearing this, a knowing smile appeared in Li Yucheng's eyes. He had expected the President to be interested. He just hadn't expected him to be so direct.
With the President stepping in, Feng Xuan'ang had no chance.
After all, this one was from the Hongchen Clan. He was one of the few Grade Ten Mecha Designers on the continent, the designer of several Grade Ten soul tools!
Feng Xuan'ang wanted to say more, but Yi Hongchen had already waved his hand and was leading Huo Yuhao and the other toward a manufacturing room.
Watching them leave, Feng Xuan'ang suddenly sighed.
"This child is not only exceptionally talented, but also has an excellent character. In the future, he will be the Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower. You are very lucky."
Li Yucheng did not engage.
Feng Xuan'ang didn't mind. He helplessly looked away.
For the past two years, the Spirit Transmission Tower had been promoting Huo Yuhao's fame.
This was raising both his profile and a test.
If he were crushed by the pressure or immersed in the vain name, Huo Yuhao could not become the next Tower Master of the Spirit Transmission Tower.
But based on the impressions of today, Huo Yuhao was not only exceptionally talented, but also had an excellent character. No wonder the President had made such a decision directly.
Sigh. Ultimately, I was a step too late. Haoxuan, why couldn't you have said something earlier? The result is that Li Yucheng got there first.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!
patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!