No Need to Force It

"By the way, Yuhao, our Shrek Soul Engineering Academy does not currently possess a mature system to support the core technology of high-density Soul Power Level storage, but the Sun Moon Empire does."

Su Ming looked at the laboratory bench, his tone steady and frank, carrying a rational calmness:

"With our current foundation and equipment, we cannot overcome this final hurdle for the time being. If we force our way through, we will only stagnate, wasting time and doing more harm than good. Since this path is blocked, let us set it aside for now and delve into other viable research directions."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao lowered his eyes to look at the prototype of the Armor Beast, which had cost them countless efforts and was only one step away from completion. A heavy layer of disappointment and unwillingness instantly clouded his eyes.

For some time now, he had practically lived in the soul tool laboratory, polishing parts day and night and debugging soul power circuits.

He had poured all his spare time into the research and development of the Armor Beast.

Seeing that the research, into which he had poured so much heart and soul, was about to be successfully concluded, only to be forced to a halt at the most critical stage of soul power storage.

This gap made him, still immature in temperament, difficult to accept for a moment.

The young man's shoulders slumped slightly, his once-bright eyes dimmed, and a lingering gloom hung between his brows, his heart filled with frustration and regret.

Su Ming took in his dejected appearance, understanding his feelings. Still, not wanting him to give up, he softened his tone to gently guide him.

He reached out and patted Huo Yuhao on the shoulder, his tone carrying firm confidence:

"Yuhao, don't be discouraged. We have never had only one research project. Don't forget, we still have the core project of Battle Armor R&D in our hands; we can completely switch tracks and continue to make breakthroughs."

After a slight pause, Su Ming took the opportunity to point out a brand-new research direction for Huo Yuhao, meticulously breaking down the R&D approach:

"Besides that, you can specialize in the optimization and improvement of high-mobility flying Soul Tool devices. The flying Soul Tool devices currently common on the continent have many drawbacks.

The fuselage is fragile and easily damaged, the soul power consumption is huge, and most fatally, the maneuverability is extremely poor.

Once you encounter complex terrain or sudden combat situations, you cannot adapt flexibly at all, and the fault tolerance rate is extremely low."

"If you specialize in this field and target the optimization of its turning, acceleration, and evasion capabilities, you will thoroughly solve the shortcomings of existing flying devices."

Su Ming's eyes were clear, sketching out a future combat scene for Huo Yuhao, his voice carrying a strong sense of infection:

"Imagine, in the future, you will be piloting an exclusively flying Soul Tool that is extremely flexible and super fast, looking down from a high altitude and attacking from above.

Coordinated with dense Soul Tool artillery fire, opponents on the ground will have no way to defend or dodge, and can only be passively beaten, with no power to fight back."

This prospect, full of promise, was like a spark, instantly lighting up Huo Yuhao's gray mood.

The young man, who had been hanging his head, slowly lifted it. His dim eyes lit up bit by bit, and a fiery glow reignited within them.

In his mind, that shocking scene appeared involuntarily:

He was walking on the air, traveling a thousand miles in an instant, controlling the entire field with extreme maneuverability, while Soul Tool artillery fire poured down, sweeping away all enemies.

The frustration that had originally lingered in his heart gradually dissipated, replaced by intense anticipation and a desire to delve deeper.

In his sea of consciousness, the lazy voice of Sky Dream Ice Silkworm rang out at the right time, carrying its usual free-spiritedness and confidence, taking the opportunity to encourage him:

"Little Yuhao, your Big Brother Su is right. Cultivation and scientific research are just like this; hitting a wall is a common occurrence. Changing direction is like finding a new path through the darkness. With me here to help you deduce the operation of soul power and optimize the soul tool circuits, and with that kid Su Ming leading you to study cutting-edge technology, in time, you will surely become the most top-tier and powerful Soul Engineer on the entire continent!"

Under this dual guidance, the knot in Huo Yuhao's heart completely vanished, the gloom covering his mind was swept away, and his whole body was once again full of drive.

He nodded heavily, his eyes extremely firm: "Big Brother Su, I understand! I won't dwell on it anymore. I will focus on researching this brand-new Soul Tool technology right now!"

Seeing the young man in front of him quickly perk up, looking spirited again with his sharp edge reappearing, Su Ming was quite satisfied.

Huo Yuhao's temperament was resilient; he could correct his mistakes and not wallow in failure. This temperament was the most important trait for becoming a top-tier Soul Engineer.

Subsequently, the two gathered in front of the precision laboratory bench to seriously discuss the priority of subsequent R&D.

After careful weighing and planning, the two finally finalized a brand-new R&D plan.

The difficulty of making Battle Armor was on par with that of the Armor Beast.

Therefore, in order not to waste the results of their previous polishing, they decided to spend a few days first.

To perfect and produce the basic arm components of the Battle Armor, completing this phased achievement.

As for the complex processes of the Battle Armor's subsequent torso, core drive, and soul power linkage, the requirements for the Soul Tool level, soul power foundation, and technical knowledge were extremely high.

With their current strength, it was not enough, so they decided to shelve it completely for the time being, waiting until their future Soul Power Level and Soul Engineer cultivation improved, and their knowledge and experience became deeper, before restarting in-depth R&D.

During the period when the Battle Armor and Armor Beast projects were suspended, their core research focus.

Would be placed entirely on the improvement and upgrading of high-mobility flying Soul Tool devices, striving to overcome all the shortcomings of existing flying devices.

By the time all research plans were finalized and the subsequent R&D context was clarified, the night outside the window had already deepened.

The moonlight spilled over the courtyard of Shrek's laboratory. The night was deep and the dew was heavy; it had already passed the best time for cultivation.

Su Ming glanced at the clock on the wall and gave Huo Yuhao a gentle instruction:

"It's getting late. You should go back to rest first and complete your daily soul power cultivation. The foundation of Soul Tool R&D lies in soul power. Only by solidifying your own cultivation.

And having sufficient and profound soul power support can subsequent precision manufacturing and high-intensity testing proceed smoothly. You must never put the cart before the horse."

Huo Yuhao solemnly agreed, packed up his experimental equipment, and carefully stowed away all his research blueprints. With a brand-new goal and a surge of motivation, he left the soul tool laboratory with a light step.

Night draped over the entirety of Shrek Academy, the evening breeze carrying a cool chill from the woods as it brushed gently against the bluestone path.

Su Ming walked slowly on his way back to the dormitory, the day's preoccupation with Battle Armor blueprints, soul tool circuits, and mechanical parameters having long since dissipated.

The calm focus he had maintained while conducting research in the lab faded away, leaving his heart filled with lingering concerns, all of which were tied to one person—Zhang Lexuan.

His heart was full of hesitation and conflict.

Sister Lexuan was gentle and quiet, elegant and refined, like a cool breeze in the mountains or the bright moon amidst the trees. Her nature was soft and reserved, and she had never been one for flashy or intense displays.

Su Ming knew clearly that if he were to act rashly and reveal his feelings too fervently or directly in such a short time, Zhang Lexuan, with her gentle and introverted personality, might not be able to adapt.

He even harbored a faint worry that such eager intensity would not only fail to bring them closer together.

Instead, it would appear abrupt and reckless, shattering the gentle and harmonious atmosphere they currently shared, ultimately backfiring and causing Sister Lexuan to feel constrained and intentionally distance herself.

Yet, upon second thought, he found himself in a dilemma.

Ever since he arrived at Shrek Academy and met Zhang Lexuan, being open, sincere, and direct with his affection had always been his true nature.

For so many years, this was how he had treated everyone and everything he loved; he had never intentionally concealed or disguised his feelings.

Sister Lexuan had never rejected him, nor had she ever shown the slightest impatience regarding this matter.

To intentionally become reserved and timid, to hide his true heart and feign distance, would not be like himself at all.

These two thoughts tugged and tangled repeatedly in his heart, leaving Su Ming—who was usually calm, rational, and never troubled by his scientific research—feeling at a loss. He walked slowly along the path, brow slightly furrowed, his heart full of indecision.

He lowered his gaze, his thoughts in disarray as he looked down at the roadside, where moonlight spilled over the grass, casting tiny, fragmented shadows.

A small, elegant white wildflower bloomed quietly, looking pure and beautiful.

Su Ming paused, subconsciously leaned down, and gently plucked the flower into his palm.

The evening breeze stirred the petals. As he stared at the flower in his hand, a childish yet sincere thought suddenly occurred to him: why not let fate decide for him?

He gently plucked a soft petal with his fingertips and whispered in his heart: "Be reserved."

Then he plucked another, whispering: "Be bold."

One by one, the petals drifted down, scattering into the wind.

"Be reserved..."

"Be bold..."

"Reserved..."

"Bold..."

The alternating whispers echoed in his heart, and as the petals fell, his conflicted mood rose and fell with them.

The final petal slipped from his fingertips and landed softly on the ground.

The result was—be bold.

Su Ming was slightly stunned. The next moment, the conflict between his brows melted away, and a clean, gentle, silly smile slowly spread across his lips. The hesitation in his eyes vanished completely.

He murmured to himself, his tone relieved and firm: "So even the heavens think I should remain true to myself and not hide anything."

Since this was the will of heaven, he would follow his heart.

There was no need to be intentionally reserved or timid, no need to walk on eggshells; he would continue to be his open and sincere self.

Su Ming reached a decision in an instant, a gentle light igniting in his eyes:

"Then it is settled. Tomorrow, I will prepare a bouquet of flowers and go to see Sister Lexuan, open and unreserved."

No need for disguises, no need for constraint; he would rush toward the gentleness in his heart with the most sincere version of himself.

With his inner conflict resolved and the weight lifted from his heart, the evening breeze felt pleasant, leaving him with nothing but a sense of ease and tenderness.

Su Ming brushed the remaining floral residue from his fingertips, his expression relaxed. With a relieved smile, he shook his head slightly and walked toward the dormitory with a light, rhythmic step.

The night was gentle, and his heart was at peace.

Upon returning to his room, he washed up, tucked away the small anticipation in his heart, and closed his eyes in peace, waiting for tomorrow's reunion.