Statues of the Hongchen Siblings

Ling Zichen slammed a stack of documents in front of Huo Yuhao, the papers sliding half a foot across the table. She stood with her arms crossed, raising an eyebrow slightly. "I've finished all the tasks you assigned me. Are you satisfied now?"

Huo Yuhao glanced at the document and nodded slightly. "Yes, very good. The new task list is ready. You can view it on the Soul Guidance Screen."

Ling Zichen slammed his hand on the table, making the files rattle, and roared:

"Huo Yuhao, do you think I'm a perpetual motion machine? Is it fun to make things difficult for me?! I refuse to carry out orders!"

Someone who can live from now until Ten Thousand Years in the future... and become an advanced Mecha human, is practically a perpetual motion machine, right?

Thinking this through, Huo Yuhao said calmly, "You'd better take a look at the mission details before deciding whether to refuse."

Ling Zichen frowned, annoyed, and took out the Soul Guidance Screen to look at its contents. When the mission title appeared, she felt a sense of confusion.

These are... Mecha design blueprints? Just blueprints designed by a level six Mecha Designer, what's the big deal? Does she think she's never seen them before?

As he thought this, a stream of data flashed in Ling Zichen's eyes. His mind raced, and he began to analyze the unusual aspects of the data, gradually revealing an expression of surprise.

Is this Battle Armor Style Mecha that combines the advantages of battle Battle Armor and Mecha?

With this design, it seems that ordinary people could also wear and use it...

After waiting quietly for a moment, Huo Yuhao continued:

"It's quite challenging. Would you like to participate in the research? If you can complete it, you'll be given priority to be equipped with this Mecha."

Having accepted Muyue's legacy, he naturally began researching the Super God Rank Mecha. What he gave Ling Zichen now was a derivative of that research, but it was still just a theoretical design. To actually manufacture it, many technical hurdles would need to be overcome.

"Hmph, the research project you gave me isn't difficult enough to stump me... but this one is quite interesting."

Ling Zichen looked at the blueprints for a while, licked his lips, and looked at Huo Yuhao with interest, "You've entrusted such an interesting research project to me?"

"Those are just design drawings. Whether a finished product can be manufactured depends on subsequent research. If you can do it, you can consider it your achievement."

Ling Zichen sized Huo Yuhao up and down for a moment, then crossed his arms. "I'm not that shameless. Once the research and development is complete, I'll add your name as the designer."

At this point, she could no longer contain her excitement.

"Once this Mecha is developed, can an ordinary person unleash its full power?"

Ten Thousand Years Ago, because Ming De Hall made a significant breakthrough in the research of energy storage Soul Tool, the use of Soul Tool was no longer limited to soul masters.

With the advancement of technology, nowadays, equipped with advanced soul-guided batteries, ordinary people can also pilot Mecha. However, many limitations remain. White Level Mecha and Yellow Level Mecha are manageable, but for stronger Mecha to unleash their full potential, a soul master is required as the core driver. This involves various issues such as combat capabilities and energy...

As for the design blueprints Huo Yuhao gave her... from her observation, although it's still in its early stages, it's definitely aimed at surpassing the Red Level Mecha. If ordinary people can fully master it, that would have extraordinary implications.

Huo Yuhao nodded. "Okay, you're not a Soul Master, so you didn't notice it at first. Take a look at the energy device structure in the very center."

Upon hearing this, Ling Zichen began to examine the design carefully. Then, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his fingertips hovered three inches above the design drawing.

This is... Soul Core?

Simulation the operation of Soul Saint's Soul Core through a soul-guiding array, absorbing external Power of Heaven and Earth as its power source... an artificial Mecha soul master?

Ling Zichen murmured, "I see, that's how it works... But is it even possible?"

She had actually envisioned ordinary people becoming powerful through Soul Tool, but that required completing the research on the Source Core and designing a super Mecha ordinary people could wear through terrifying energy amplification.

At that time, with Single Positive Circulation Source Core as an energy supply, it was not impossible for ordinary people to possess strength comparable to Titled Douluo. The path that Huo Yuhao was researching was similar to hers, but also different; it was more like making Mecha wearers become a different kind of Soul Master.

Huo Yuhao's tone was calm, "Why not? Ultimately, Soul Core can be condensed outside the body and then absorbed inside. The Spirit Pagoda's research data on Power of Space is now quite comprehensive; creating Simulation Soul Core isn't..."

Seeing Ling Zichen looking at him with a blank expression, Huo Yuhao stopped talking.

Oh, this is experience from Ten Thousand Years Ago.

In that era, the technology for condensing Soul Core was not yet perfect. Some people who did not have a teacher to guide them in condensing Soul Core would experiment with Power of Space on their own. They would condense Soul Power Vortex outside their bodies, watch it continuously absorb the Power of Heaven and Earth to grow stronger and explode, and study the method of condensing Soul Core.

The method for condensing Soul Core is now perfected. Soul Saint could simply condense Soul Power Vortex within their bodies without any experimental process. Few people have studied the history of Soul Core development, let alone Ling Zichen, who is just an ordinary person and naturally knows even less about this.

However, having experienced the process of technological research and development and its refinement, Huo Yuhao's understanding is more profound than others, and he understands that Simulation Soul Core is indeed possible.

Huo Yuhao returned to the original question, "In short, I believe this is feasible, but you lack sufficient knowledge about Soul Core. You can learn more about this before making a decision."

"No, I'll participate." Ling Zichen gave Huo Yuhao a complicated look, took a deep breath, and said, "Putting everything else aside, your skill level is truly admirable. I trust you."

Huo Yuhao approached the research from the perspective of a Soul Master, while she focused on the perspective of an ordinary person. These two completely different research directions converged in a wonderful way at a certain point, and the difference in perspective sparked more inspiration.

If Simulation Soul Core can be successfully developed, many technologies could break through their bottlenecks.

"Even Single Positive Circulation Source Core can utilize this technology..."

Putting away the blueprints, Ling Zichen looked directly at Huo Yuhao with a serious gaze for the first time, the sharp light in her eyes softening somewhat.

Regardless of their personal qualities, technically they can complement each other.

After thinking for a moment, she said in a low voice, "The previous invitation still stands, but this time it's a personal invitation."

Huo Yuhao met her gaze. "If it's just for sightseeing, I can go take a look when I have time."

"What ever."

Ling Zichen gave a soft hum, but didn't say anything more. He simply turned and walked towards the lab table, his back view exuding a rare drive.

Just then, Huo Yuhao's voice rang in her ear, "Any research requires precautions. I don't want to hear one day that headquarters has been blown up because of internal experiments."

Ling Zichen paused, glancing at Huo Yuhao in surprise, but seeing that the latter had already lowered his head to draw new blueprints, he could only frown and leave.

His words were loaded with meaning... What did he know?

On the other side, after she had been gone for a long time, Huo Yuhao took out a Rare Metal, used the Siphon Rune Soul Guidance Array to extract the source, felt its energy, and squinted his eyes.

The principle of the Single Source Core is to guide the fusion of Metal essence, causing the energy contained in the Metal essence to explode a thousandfold or ten thousandfold, similar to nuclear fusion. The Single Positive Circulation Source Core makes this explosion controllable and allows for continuous recycling.

Unprocessed Rare Metal have decent energy, but the energy they contain isn't very strong. However, taking Heaven Forging Metal as an example, if someone could make Heaven Forging Metal complete this kind of energy fusion, the power it unleashed would be equivalent to the full-force attack of Peak Third Rank God without Divine Position, not much different from the Eternal Heaven Kingdom.

No one has been able to accomplish this yet. The Federation's Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell were made by extracting a large amount of common Rare Metal from the Source, but this also shows the potential and terrifying nature of Source technology.

Ling Zichen's parents died in the explosion during the Source Research, and Ling Zichen himself was also severely affected. A rare research talent, he shouldn't ruin himself by acting recklessly...

After a moment of thought, Huo Yuhao turned to another matter.

"The Third Soul Core... Shall we try utilizing Single Positive Circulation Source Core?"

The reason Ling Zichen was able to live for Ten Thousand Years was that she implanted Single Positive Circulation Source Core made of God-Rank Metal into her body, which provided Ling Zichen with a continuous supply of energy, forming a virtuous cycle. It was equivalent to implanting a constantly regenerating Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell into her body as an energy source.

However, this approach is far too dangerous. Not to mention that it's equivalent to implanting a God Rank bomb inside the body, the difficulty of implanting such a bomb is no easier than becoming a god.

If things had gone according to plan, after Douluo Star absorbed the Abyss Plane, many Limit Douluo broke through to Level 100. With the talent of the generation of powerhouses like Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan, even if they hadn't achieved it at that time, they would definitely have become Level 100 True God in the end.

Even after becoming gods, their fate was still rather tragic.

Speaking of this, we have to mention something outrageous: the lifespan of True God- level powerhouses in this era and beyond is only Thousand Years at most... which is about the same as the Limit 20,000 years ago.

According to the original novel, some of the powerful figures of Xie Xie's generation reached the end of their lifespan. Under Ling Zichen's leadership, they wanted to modify themselves and continue to live by implanting Single Positive Circulation Source Core, just like her, but the result was not ideal.

Those powerful individuals ultimately couldn't withstand the pain, lost control and went berserk, and were eventually defeated and killed by Ling Zichen's team...

Even True God might fail, which shows how difficult it is. In the end, only Ling Zichen and Yi Zichen successfully completed the Single Positive Circulation Source Core implantation operation.

"However, the benefits are also obvious. If we can use Single Positive Circulation Source Core to complete the Third Soul Core, it will be easier to accumulate a foundation comparable to Second Rank God under the suppression of the plane."

Huo Yuhao moved with his will, his fingertips tracing intricate soul-guiding patterns in the void. The Metal essence in his palm suddenly trembled, its internal atoms beginning to rapidly shift, a blinding white light flowing across the metal surface, its energy level rising continuously, until finally—

Boom!

A blinding white light suddenly erupted, and a violent torrent of energy swept out like an angry dragon, but it was enveloped by a layer of starlight sphere and could not spread out.

Seeing this, Huo Yuhao remained unmoved.

Breaking through technological bottlenecks always takes time.

"Let's keep this plan for now. Whether it's Ling Zichen's team or my team, completing Single Positive Circulation Source Core will take time... Even combining the research results from both sides, it won't be that easy."

The next day at noon, the blazing sun shone on the Spirit Pagoda Square, where everyone was gathered, preparing to board the Soul Guidance Flying Vehicle to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

Xie Xie walked up to Huo Yuhao and lowered his voice, "Boss, who are they?"

His gaze drifted to the two beautiful figures chatting and laughing with Gu Yuena not far away, his eyes filled with amazement and doubt.

Beside Gu Yuena stood a tall, blonde woman dressed in a well-tailored white outfit that accentuated her perfect figure. She was speaking to Gu Yuena with her head slightly turned, a faint smile playing on her lips, exuding elegance in every gesture.

Beside her stood a blue-haired girl. The girl had an even more outstanding figure, but she seemed somewhat uneasy at the moment, her hands folded in front of her, occasionally stealing glances at Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao, her cautious appearance resembling that of a frightened little rabbit.

The three women standing together formed a beautiful sight, but Xie Xie felt more puzzled than amazed.

That blue-haired girl isn't important; she was probably punished by Boss Yuhao and Sister Na. (Lan Fozi:... You're right.)

The important thing is that blonde girl with red eyes; she actually overpowered Sister Na!

Xie Xie confirmed that he wasn't mistaken. Although Sister Na still had a cold expression, her despair and the way she was subtly pleading for help from Boss Huo were all too obvious.

"As expected of the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters, they actually have someone who can suppress Sister Na."

Xie Xie sighed inwardly.

"The person next to Na'er is her... older sister, the Candidate Spirit Envoy — Gu Ruiqiu."

Seeing Gu Yuena's gaze, Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly, explaining as he walked over.

"The other one is Lan Fozi, my colleague at the Soul Guidance Research Institute. She received a mission from higher-ups to accompany us to the Ming De Hall to participate in a collaborative research project."

Lan Fozi shuddered upon hearing this, tears welling up in her eyes.

That high-ranking official was actually you, wasn't it, Lord Huo Yuhao?

Upon hearing this, Xie Xie and the others instantly understood.

No wonder he could suppress Gu Yuena... it turns out it's a natural bloodline suppression.

After hearing about the matter that concerned her most, Xu Xiaoyan subconsciously turned her gaze to Lan Fozi beside her.

She appeared to be around eighteen years old. Her form-fitting white dress accentuated her stunning figure; her slender waist, barely a handful, was draped in the tight fabric, creating a striking contrast that made her ample bosom even more prominent...

After squinting and examining herself for a moment, Xu Xiaoyan looked down and saw her toes. Her face immediately fell, and she secretly made up her mind.

No, I need to supplement my nutrition more. From now on, I'll change my breakfast from two fried eggs to three fried eggs!

On the other side, Gu Ruiqiu was chatting happily when she suddenly saw Huo Yuhao approach and naturally take Gu Yuena's slender hand. His red lips pursed almost imperceptibly before revealing a perfect and elegant smile.

"Let's stop here for now, Na'er. Keep up the good work after you enter Ming De Hall!"

As she spoke, she smiled and greeted Xu Xiaoyan and the others before turning to leave.

That's enough. The Master has already asked Huo Yuhao for help; if we continue, we'll get beaten up.

Gu Yuena stared expressionlessly at her retreating figure as it disappeared into the Spirit Pagoda.

Suddenly, she turned her head to look at the uneasy Lan Fozi, who immediately took a half step back like a startled deer, her chest heaving violently, causing even the pearl decorations on her light blue dress to tremble slightly.

Clearly, she was too nervous to notice Gu Yuena's embarrassed state when Gu Ruiqiu had teased her earlier.

Seeing this, Gu Yuena's expression softened, and she smiled at Huo Yuhao, who had rescued her, and said, "Yuhao, let's go."

"... Hmm." Huo Yuhao's gaze lingered on Lan Fozi for a moment, then he nodded with a complicated expression, and together they boarded the flying car that had landed in the square.

Lan Fozi was stunned for a moment, then realized what was happening and hurriedly followed.

As the flying car began its descent, a visually striking complex of buildings gradually came into view.

"Is this the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?" Xu Xiaoyan pressed her entire face against the porthole, her nose making a cute circle against the glass.

Xie Xie stroked his chin and commented, "Hmm... it really fits the Bing Bing, impersonal aesthetics of Mingdu."

Six silver-gray metal buildings were arranged radially, connected in the center by a fully transparent soul-guiding energy channel that refracted Seven Colors light under the sunlight. On the main building at the very center, the words "Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy" shone brightly under the reflection of a special coating, and could be clearly seen even from miles away.

But compared to the building, everyone's attention was quickly drawn to the several statues in the center of the academy square. In the center was the image of an old man, with four large, flamboyant characters engraved on the base: Silver Moon Douluo.

Behind him, two young figures were the most eye-catching.

A young man and a woman.

Upon seeing them, Huo Yuhao's eyes stirred with emotion.

Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen...

(End of this chapter)