Chapter 17: Crashing the Party, My Party!
"I want to see it too."
He couldn't help but be curious about what this thing was. Yuhao said it is called a drone, an airplane? Could it be a soul guidance device like those airships out there, but with a completely different appearance?
Soon, as the two of them explored step by step, they thoroughly examined Huo Yuhao's Level 2 soul guidance device.
Both of them were experts with years of experience in this field—one at Level 8 Soul Engineer and the other at Level 9 Soul Engineer. How could they not see the true selling point of this item?
The expressions on their faces were truly fascinating—alternately excited, silent, and hesitant—leaving Lin Jiayi and Shi Xuan beside them baffled.
What the hell was this? A Level 2 soul guidance device! Why were Dean and Xuan Ziwen still making such faces?
After a long moment, the two finally came to their senses, even feeling a bit unsatisfied.
Jing Hongchen spoke first, preempting their questions.
"Yuhao, the flight control system core array and the soul power supply core array are truly eye-catching. I can also guess their general future uses. Once the limitation on total soul power storage is resolved, this piece of equipment will play a pivotal role in both civilian and military applications."
"However, this presents a significant problem. As the size increases, it becomes more difficult to balance soul power storage and consumption. Of course, once high-density soul power compression technology matures, this problem will be easily resolved. There's also the issue of lacking a soul guidance shield."
Huo Yuhao slowly raised his hand, pretending to be innocent again. "Um, may I ask who you are?"
Jing Hongchen slapped his forehead. Oh no, he'd been so busy talking that he forgot to introduce himself. Xuan Ziwen had beaten him to the punch again.
"Child, I'm the dean of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, the head of Illustrious Virtue Hall—Jing Hongchen. I'm the one who gave you the free cafeteria soul guidance card, those two pills, and the three million gold soul coins."
He tried to use his previous resources to make Huo Yuhao remember him. It's no secret that Old Huo always treats those who treat him well by following their hearts.
"So, you're the dean. Thank you for your guidance. I'm grateful."
Jing Hongchen beamed, pleased, and glanced at Xuan Ziwen with a hint of pride.
"You don't have to be so polite, Yuhao. I've been watching you since your first day. I didn't show up because I wanted to see how far you could go. You haven't disappointed me. Your talent is unparalleled in the history of the Sun-Moon Empire."
Huo Yuhao scratched his head modestly. Well, well, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, that brother and sister pair, were peerless geniuses of a thousand years. Now he has become the greatest in history. Is the Sun Moon Empire's history reliable? Why are there so many once-in-a-thousand-year occurrences?
"Thank you, Dean, for the compliment. I'm merely standing on the shoulders of my predecessors, and I truly don't deserve such praise."
At this moment, Xuan Ziwen suddenly interrupted.
"No, Yuhao, you deserve it. Those pedantic fellows can't compare to your unparalleled creativity. Did you know, Yuhao, you might have made history in the research of soul guidance device layouts?"
Soul guidance airship?
Xuan Ziwen just wanted to say—to hell with that clunky, slow thing!
You know, only Titled Douluo possesses the ability to fly. Flying soul guidance devices allow flight, but they still require soul power, can't fly high or far, are limited to a single person, and can't conduct ground attacks—things that wouldn't benefit civilians. However, Huo Yuhao's drone, or rather, aircraft soul guidance device, benefits from the flight control system core array and the soul power supply core array within it. Once the soul power storage problem is solved and it's scaled up, he couldn't imagine how much more powerful it would become.
Although this soul guidance device still has many shortcomings—such as the soul guidance shield, the soul power conversion system, and the operating system under special control—none of that could stop him from breaking new ground.
Furthermore, Huo Yuhao had only just become a Level 2 Soul Engineer and had just passed the assessment. What else could he expect? Even if he only provided a model, he would have expected Huo Yuhao to pass the Level 2 Soul Engineer assessment with full marks based on the flight control core array alone.
Jing Hongchen also chimed in, and the experimental area had become a gathering for two powerful figures, ready to praise Huo Yuhao as a peerless genius who would dominate the ages. Who could stand that?
Thankfully, Lin Jiayi intervened at the right time.
"Dean, Teacher Xuan, since Yuhao's work is so excellent, he should pass the Level 2 Soul Engineer assessment with full marks."
Full marks!
Xuan Ziwen didn't bother to think about anything else and immediately made the invitation.
"Yuhao, you possess talent and creativity beyond the reach of ordinary people. It would be a waste for you to remain in the teaching department. Come with me—I'll take you to see the teacher. He'll accept you as his apprentice."
"Trust me, Yuhao, you will bring the world of Soul Masters to a whole new level!"
Jing Hongchen's face darkened. 'Damn it, you're poaching me right in front of my face! You're ruining my business! My business!'
Ahem.
"Yuhao, this guy's just hanging out here today. You're a student in our teaching department, but you're still young. Even if you follow him to the research department, you won't be able to keep up with the learning progress. It would be a waste of your talent."
"A towering building rises from the ground. My idea is that you continue to study in the teaching department until you've thoroughly mastered theoretical knowledge—up to the level 5 soul engineer."
"As the dean, I can come and teach you more often. I have a pair of grandchildren at home who are about your age, so I'm sure you'll have a lot in common."
"Of course, I don't have any disciples at the moment—if Yuhao is willing."
Before he could finish, the door to the soul guidance device experimental area was violently kicked open again, and a hoarse, majestic voice rang out.
"Jing Hongchen, what do you mean by that?"
Jing Hongchen and everyone in the testing area—except Xuan Ziwen—shuddered at the sight of this old man. Jing Hongchen adjusted his glasses nervously, casting a vague glance at the newcomer.
Ahem.
"It's Master Kong. Aren't you in seclusion? Why are you here?"
The newcomer was none other than the Sun-Moon Empire's only Level 10—or quasi-Level 10—Soul Engineer, the Master of the Worship Hall, a Level 94 Titled Douluo, and the pillar of the Sun-Moon Empire: Kong Deming!
"Hmph. If it weren't for Xuan Ziwen sending me a message, I wouldn't have known that a once-in-a-thousand-year genius was nearly being secretly taken by you."
Although Jing Hongchen always addressed this man as "old man" when no one was around, he didn't dare to be rude in front of Kong Deming when he was right in front of him.
The two of them had a close relationship—after all, one was the Hall Master of the Worship Hall, and the other the Hall Master of Illustrious Virtue Hall, both among the top figures in the field of Soul Engineering. Despite the age difference, their relationship remained strong.
But even though Jing Hongchen was head of Illustrious Virtue Hall and had the backing of the Hongchen family, he was nothing compared to Old Man Kong Deming.
Not to mention Kong Deming's immense strength and the one-quarter royal bloodline within him, the title of "Father of Soul Guidance Devices" alone was enough to overwhelm Jing Hongchen.
...
End of Chapter