After this attempt at a breakthrough, Celestial Mechanism Headquarters waited for the outcome. They had already prepared themselves for yet another failed attempt.
Yet what puzzled the Upper Layer of Celestial Mechanism Headquarters was that the Profound Court had originally promised to inform them of the outcome and permit them to record it. Many days had passed since the incident, but they had still received no definite answer. They submitted inquiries several times, only to be told to wait for the time being.
This response left many people bewildered. At the same time, speculation within the Celestial Mechanisms Bureau suddenly multiplied, giving some people all manner of further ideas.
In the days that followed, more news regarding the outcome of this matter spread around. Some of those reports left quite a few people in the Headquarters both excited and stirred up, while also brewing dissatisfaction.
One day, as Master Craftsman Yu was having his midday meal, he said to Master Craftsman Long, who had just been about to pick up a slice of meat dipped in sauce, "Brother Long, have you heard the recent news? This breakthrough attempt may have succeeded."
Master Craftsman Long put the slice of meat into his mouth, savoring its tender texture and the rich fragrance of the sauce. He slowly chewed and swallowed before setting down his jade chopsticks. "I have heard it, but that seems unlikely."
Though he too hoped this attempt would succeed, it was fundamentally no different from the last one. There had been no great breakthrough in technique, and few improvements. At most, they had merely replaced the spiritual power used. He held little hope for it.
In truth, most of the master craftsmen of the Celestial Mechanism Institute understood this. Otherwise, the opposition last time would have been far fiercer