When he first began learning mech operation, it was all the most basic control techniques — but they were crucial. With Gu You's physical ability and comprehension, it only took him two classes to find the sense of balance in a mech.
As the middle-aged instructor said, you had to first make yourself believe that you had become ten meters tall, and then search for balance from there — only then could you find it. When he attended his first practical class, he was the only student who didn't fall over.
Operating a mech was absolutely physical work. Even the tensing of one's muscles during control would affect the mech's movements. Every subtle action of the body had to be controlled with extreme precision in order for the mech to obey.
For example, when arm muscles tensed, the mech's outer armor would rapidly close up. If weapons were equipped, that movement could even be programmed to trigger a soul-guided beam shot.
Operating a mech was, in truth, about controlling every tiny detail of one's own body. Only by doing that well could one fully command the mech.
"Alright, that's about enough for today's practical class. Finally — who wants to demonstrate a relatively more complex maneuver for us? Do whatever you like," the middle-aged instructor's voice came through the communicator.
"I'll do it!" Gu You made his mech hop in place.
"Alright, you then."
The instructor moved his own mech back, clearing the center of the testing ground.
He was very pleased with this prodigy. In all his years of teaching mech practical classes, it was the first time he had seen a youth so passionate about mechs.
Gu You had shown a lofty enthusiasm for mechs — and indeed, he was truly gifted. His physical abilities were exceptional, and his rate of improvement was astonishing.
So far, he had only attended three mech practical classes, yet he had already basically grasped mech balance and some control techniques. At this rate, by the end of the school year, he should at least be able to reach the Yellow-grade mech level.
In fact, the higher the grade of a mech, the easier the operation became step by step. The more advanced mechs could even be linked to one's own life soul-spirit, sometimes allowing piloting with mere thought alone.
There weren't that many high-grade mech pilots in the wide world. Most people stalled at the Purple-grade mechs. Furthermore, in fights between mechs of the same grade, what ultimately mattered was still the pilot's reaction skills and control ability.
Gu You lifted his leg, guiding his mech steadily to the center of the field.
Just watching the mech advance, the middle-aged instructor couldn't help but nod silently. "Very good — the balance control is excellent."
Gu You swung his arms, letting his own powerful Spirit Domain–level mental power cover the entire mech, allowing himself to feel every part of it.
He slowly raised his left arm, then his right, both in slow-motion movements — perfectly standard.
And then… that was the whole performance.
The instructor was left a bit stunned.
But inwardly, he still nodded in praise.
These maneuvers weren't difficult, but what mattered was that, for a beginner, to perform these basic actions to such a standard already showed how much progress the past few practical classes had brought.
Gu You calmed his restless, eager heart. His own mech was already under construction — all the metal had been forged by himself, and the rest had been handed over to Zhen Hua.
Mechs were the pinnacle product of modern technology; battle armor was the result of the fusion of soul masters and modern technology. The two were different — each walked its own path.
From a young age, Gu You had loved mechs. Now that he was about to have one of his very own, how could he not feel excited and restless at heart?
By the time he left the mech testing ground, it was already evening.
"Time to see the results of you two's evolution."
— Within the Sea of Spirit —
Buzz!
The purple scales on the back of the Demon Lizard Dragon shone brilliantly, terrifying darkness leaking outward. The lizard scales were gradually fading, transforming into dragon scales. There wasn't a big change in appearance, but in terms of aura — it was an earth-shaking transformation.
With this opportunity of gaining true dragon blood, if properly nurtured, there might truly be a chance to break through to genuine dragon level in the future.
On the other side, the little golden snake was strange. No changes at all — except the golden light on its body had greatly increased.
Gu You probed and observed for a long time but couldn't figure it out.
But as long as it had absorbed the power, change would come eventually. Maybe it wasn't obvious now — he'd just have to wait and see later.
Half a month passed in a blink. Gu You had almost mastered all the basic mech-operation knowledge. He was preparing to return to Shrek.
The only pity was that his mech was still in production, and he couldn't see it yet. But he could come back in a few months to retrieve it — he'd see it sooner or later.
Gu You was someone who took things as they came. Time wasn't an issue for him.
After bidding farewell to the mech instructor Zhen Hua, Gu You boarded the train back. Fortunately, nothing happened along the way.
When he returned to the work-study dormitory, surprisingly there were still people there — it was Yuanen Yehui. He didn't know why she hadn't gone home.
Gu You didn't disturb her. He just went back to his own modified dorm to plan for another half month of cultivation.
…
When Gu You opened his eyes again, Xu Lizhi was already in the dorm.
"Lizhi, where did you and Xinglan go? I haven't seen you two around the academy at all."
Xu Lizhi chuckled. "Sister Xinglan went to a place that suits her cultivation. As for me, with my martial soul, it's the same wherever I train, so I just went with her. It was a good way to pass the holiday."
"Tomorrow should be the opening ceremony, right?"
Xu Lizhi nodded. "Mm. The pressure in the outer court is really high now — there are already several four-ringers in our class."
"Pressure is what creates motivation." Gu You shook his head and smiled.
"Seen Gu Yue and the others yet?"
Xu Lizhi spread his hands. "Xiao Yan and Gu Yue haven't come back yet. Xie Xie ran off first thing this morning — no idea where. Le Zhengyu is back though, over in his dorm. I think Yuanen's been here the whole time."
Gu You let out an "oh." Two people had already come back and he hadn't even noticed — he'd been too absorbed in cultivation.
Gu You stretched, feeling in a good mood, planning to head out for some food and a walk.
"Boss, what's got you so happy?" The tall and graceful Xu Xiaoyan walked into the dorm area just in time to see Gu You leaving.
"Food!" Gu You replied simply.
Xu Xiaoyan smiled. "Then I hope you enjoy your meal. I'm going to go unpack first."
After a month apart, Gu You could tell that Xu Xiaoyan was more confident than before. Ever since her martial soul had evolved at the Star Observation Platform, her mentality had gradually changed — her old inferiority complex was steadily fading, replaced bit by bit with growing confidence.
Indeed, after her martial soul evolution, her three great Starry Sky soul skills were now absolutely formidable in terms of control. In sheer reliability alone, they already…
(End of this chapter)