Taking a Disciple (Speedrun Edition)

A moment later, in the laboratory.

The youth lowered his eyes slightly, holding a piece of Star Silver in his hand.

This metal was relatively soft, but it possessed excellent energy conductivity and was generally used as the core material for Rank 3 to Rank 4 Soul Guide Arrays.

The silver-white carving knife was held steadily in the youth's hand. Golden light flowed through his eyes, while beside him floated an incomparably bright yellow soul ring.

A Rank 3 Soul Guide Array Core could be called a nightmare for any ordinary eight-year-old boy. Unfortunately, this Blue-Haired Youth clearly did not fall into that category.

Behind the one-way glass, Jing Hongchen held his breath, his eyes fixed intently on the youth's hands.

He watched as the youth precisely controlled every bit of his Soul Power, completing the final stroke on the core at the very instant his Soul Power was completely exhausted!

"Sun Moon Empire profanity!"

Jing Hongchen could not hold it in. His mind felt like it was about to explode.

No.

With sixteen levels of Soul Power, you made a Rank 3 Soul Guide Array Core by hand?!

Although it was merely a core and still far from a finished product, look at the circumstances!

Eight years old, Level 16. Judging by his Soul Power Level, he was already a minor genius even in the Sun Moon Empire. But at such a young age, to produce a Rank 3 Soul Guide Array Core by hand—this was no longer merely genius!

He was a monster!

No, I absolutely have to keep this child! I have to teach him personally!

Thoughts flashed through his mind, and Jing Hongchen made his decision in an instant.

Turning around, he looked at his student, Lin Mei. "Within three hours, I want every bit of information on this child placed on my desk!"

"Me?" Lin Mei blinked, her eyes utterly clear.

Heaven and earth bore witness: although she was said to be Jing Hongchen's student, in essence, she had merely been fortunate enough to become his student because her talent was decent.

Unfortunately, she was actually quite lazy by nature, the type to slack off whenever she could. She had only earned her Rank 6 Soul Engineer certification thanks to her Soul Saint cultivation and the knowledge she had learned from Jing Hongchen, which she had not yet completely forgotten.

Otherwise, matters like student recruitment would never have fallen to her.

Seeing the clear look in his student's eyes, Jing Hongchen fell silent again. After hesitating, he said,

"Keep an eye on this child for me. No matter what he asks for, fulfill it. In any case, make sure he stays here, understand?!"

Jing Hongchen's tone turned serious. Lin Mei evidently realized the severity of the matter and hurriedly nodded.

"Yes!"

Jing Hongchen turned back and gave Huo Yuhao, who had already begun meditating inside the glass enclosure to recover his Soul Power, a deep look before directly turning to leave.

The talent visible to the naked eye had stirred him deeply.

He could no longer suppress the thought of taking this terrifyingly gifted youth as his student, but reason still made him want to steady himself first.

He wanted to investigate the youth's background and at least make sure there was nothing wrong with the child's identity before taking him as a disciple.

Of course, before that, the child could not go anywhere! He absolutely could not be discovered by those people from the Hall of Reverence!

Jing Hongchen left in a rush.

At the same time, an imperceptible smile that vanished in an instant appeared at the corner of the quietly meditating youth's lips.

Mm. The first step had been achieved with ease.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed. Today was also the final day of admissions for the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy.

In his office, Jing Hongchen carefully read the information that had just been delivered to him.

Using his connections, Jing Hongchen had spent two days finally obtaining information regarding Huo Yuhao since he entered the city.

The information was very clean. From the moment the youth entered Mingdu through its gates, he had asked for directions all the way. It took him several hours just to barely find the location of the admissions office, and after walking for a very long time afterward, he finally reached the academy gates.

However, aside from that, there was nothing about the youth's background.

Was that suspicious? Not really. After all, Huo Yuhao's clothing and appearance made it clear that he had come from the countryside.

He came from the countryside, so there was little information to investigate, yet he possessed extraordinary talent. There were many students like that every year. It was perfectly normal.

If it had been anyone else, Jing Hongchen might have been somewhat suspicious that they were a spy. But an eight-year-old child with such terrifying talent—who would use someone like that as a spy? That would be sending a treasure into the enemy's hands.

After reading everything in the report, Jing Hongchen let out a long breath. Without any hesitation, he rose and left his office.

There was only one thing on his mind right now!

That was!

Taking a disciple!

Inside the laboratory.

Huo Yuhao had easily conquered the older sister named Lin Mei with his cooking.

Watching Lin Mei hold grilled fish in both hands as she ate and thanked him wildly, and sensing the positive emotions of satisfaction and joy emanating from her, Huo Yuhao revealed a satisfied smile.

He was just about to tell her to eat more slowly and be careful not to choke on a fish bone when, the next moment, he sensed an aura he had felt several days ago rushing toward him at incredible speed.

Huo Yuhao stopped speaking. Then, in the next instant, a figure pushed open the door and walked straight up to him.

"Child! Become my disciple!"

Huo Yuhao: ???

That direct?

Jing Hongchen seemed to realize that he had lost his composure. He quickly collected himself and said,

"Child, I am Jing Hongchen, the dean of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy, the master of Mingde Hall, and a Rank 9 Soul Engineer.

"Perhaps you have never heard my name, but none of that is important. The most important thing is, child, are you willing to take me as your master?"

Jing Hongchen's tone was exceptionally earnest. This was the first time he had ever been so serious about taking on a student.

He could not help it. Huo Yuhao's talent was simply too dazzling. If someone like him did not become his disciple, Jing Hongchen would not be able to eat or sleep in peace.

—If this child were taken in as Kong Deming's disciple, Mingde Hall would probably be surnamed Kong or Xu before long, wouldn't it?

So no matter what, he was determined to take this child as his disciple!

"Um, Senior," Huo Yuhao said softly, his words carrying a hint of hesitation.

"What is it, child?" Jing Hongchen hurriedly asked.

"May I ask, if I become your student, can I enroll in the Sun Moon Royal Soul Guide Academy? It seems classes start tomorrow, but I still haven't enrolled."

"Hmm?"

Jing Hongchen froze for a moment, then broke into a smile. "Hahahahaha. It's fine, child! As long as you become my student, you will definitely be able to attend class tomorrow!"

"Is that so? Then, I am willing to take you as my master, Senior." Huo Yuhao spoke happily, showing a hint of excitement on his face—the normal expression of an eight-year-old boy.

Hearing Huo Yuhao agree, Jing Hongchen became even happier. At the same time, he thought of his grandson and granddaughter.

He could have this child attend class with Xiao and Meng!

Perfect!