Seven-Colored Lotus

A large group of people were gathered in a research room in the Ming De Hall, all staring intently at the Core Circle.

There are two people preparing for a competition.

After getting to know each other better over this period of time, Xu Mo expressed his desire to see Huo Yuhao's Soul Tool Technology, which led to this competition.

Having graduated from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy Ming De Hall as a researcher, he is already a Level 7 Manufacturer.

This time, they were competing in a project for Level 6 Manufacturer —manufacturing the core component of One-Word Battle Armor.

While ordinary parts of the One-Word Battle Armor can be crafted by level three or four Manufacturer, the core parts require a level six Manufacturer or higher to complete.

Xu Mo and Huo Yuhao each stood in front of their own workbench, with Rare Metal and tools for making the core components of the One-Word Battle Armor laid out in front of them.

Xu Mo glanced at Huo Yuhao, nodded slightly, and took out a jade-green carving knife from his Storage Ring. The tip of the knife shimmered with a strange light as he began to outline intricate patterns on the surface of the Rare Metal. With each stroke, a wisp of Soul Power was injected into it, and the metal surface immediately lit up with a faint glow.

Xu Mo's technique was indeed superb. His wrists flew, and the carving knife drew graceful arcs on the metal surface, gradually revealing the prototype of the Soul Guidance Array.

"Senior Brother Xu, aren't you going too far? Using the Azure Spirit Engraving Knife? This carving knife can automatically correct Soul Power fluctuations, reducing the error of the carved Magic Array by ten percent. Isn't it bullying to use it in a competition?"

A young researcher muttered to himself.

"You've been studying this a lot lately, haven't heard anything about it outside; he doesn't want to lose too badly."

Another researcher, glancing in Huo Yuhao's direction, said with a twitching face, "Look at what Researcher Huo Yuhao is doing."

The young researcher turned his head and stared wide-eyed.

Huo Yuhao did not use his hands to hold the carving knives, but instead used his Divine Power to control them.

Three carving knives simultaneously landed on the suspended Sentient Alloy — Spirit Gold —and began carving the Magic Array from different angles.

As a researcher at the Ming De Hall, what methods hadn't he seen?

He'd never seen this technique before!

"He can control three carving knives simultaneously?" the young researcher murmured to himself, still feeling like he was in a dream even with the facts right in front of him. "With such skill and Divine Power manipulation ability, I would believe he was a level ten Manufacturer."

The person next to him spoke with a complicated tone, "Not only that, he's also using the Inner Engraving Method; he's probably trying to create a double-nested magic Magic Array!"

The entire Manufacturing Room fell into an eerie silence.

The Inner Engraving Method differs from traditional methods of carving Soul Tool, which require damaging the surface of the material. The Inner Engraving Method requires the Soul Engineer to directly construct a complete Soul Guidance Array system inside the material without damaging it. This technique demands an extreme level of control over Divine Power and Soul Power, and anyone who can do it is Grandmaster.

To be able to accomplish this while controlling three carving knives... that's incredible.

Huo Yuhao's carving knife traced minute, almost invisible lines inside the metal, each line breathtakingly precise. These lines didn't remain on a two-dimensional plane, but rather intertwined into a three-dimensional network in space—like weaving a living, breathing organ with gold threads inside a sealed glass sphere.

A dreamlike light began to emanate from the inside of the metal sphere, and the interwoven energy channels formed an Ultimate precise double spiral structure at the center of the sphere. While the outer Magic Array rotated steadily, the inner Magic Array was undergoing a completely opposite reverse motion.

It was clearly a double-nested Magic Array. The outer Magic Array was responsible for energy conversion, the inner array controlled Soul Power compression, and there were other functions that the researchers could not immediately discern.

Xu Mo stopped what he was doing at some point and sighed inwardly.

There's no need to compare anymore.

The two sides are simply not on the same level; the match has lost its meaning, so let's just consider it an opportunity to broaden our horizons.

With this in mind, Xu Mo subconsciously began to study Huo Yuhao's actions.

"What is the purpose of this inner layer's Soul Power compression method, which is somewhat similar to Soul Core?"

As time goes by, the patterns on the surface of the Spirit Gold gradually become more complex, and more profound. Various textures intertwine and Entanglement, slowly creating a wonderful resonance.

As the last line was completed, Huo Yuhao withdrew his Soul Power, and the light in his eyes gradually faded. He gently waved his hand, and the completed core component floated into his hand, its surface shimmering with a dreamlike luster.

Everyone stared intently at it.

It was a silver crown, gleaming with a dreamlike moonlight glow under the Soul Guidance Lamp. The surface of the headband was covered with fine dragon scale patterns, layered and flowing like waves. At the very center of the crown, an Purple Crystal slowly rotated, making it look extremely magnificent.

Even these members of the Ming De Hall had never seen such a magnificent core component of One-Word Battle Armor; it was already comparable to Two-Word Battle Armor component.

"The core components of Battle Armor are usually located on the chest or helmet. The former is suitable for most Soul Masters, while the latter is suitable for Soul Masters who excel in Divine Power. The engraved Magic Array are also related to amplifying Divine Power. Could this core component be...?"

Some people suddenly realized what was happening and looked towards the corner.

In the corner, Gu Yuena, who was also watching the competition, paused for a moment before slowly walking towards Huo Yuhao. Her long silver hair swayed gently with each step, shimmering like stars under the Soul Guidance Lamp. When she stood in front of Huo Yuhao, the light of her crown was reflected in her Purple Crystal eyes.

Huo Yuhao smiled slightly, lifted the silver crown, and placed it on Gu Yuena's head.

The moment the crown touched Gu Yuena's hair, the dragon scale patterns suddenly came to life. The fine silver scales flipped up layer by layer, and the Purple Crystal spun faster, leaving pale purple streaks in the air.

The moment the crown was fully on, Gu Yuena was suddenly enveloped in a dazzling silver light. The other ten pieces of her Battle Armor simultaneously appeared, with silver-purple energy patterns connecting all the pieces into a complete circuit.

The head component was instantly refined by her, becoming the final piece of the Battle Armor puzzle.

The metal used to make the Battle Armor was Sentient Alloy — Spirit Gold —forged by Gu Yuena herself at Huo Yuhao's suggestion. It was a perfect match for her, and with Gu Yuena's Divine Power unknowingly restored to the Spirit Abyss Realm, the fusion was naturally effortless.

From this point on, the Battle Armor that Huo Yuhao personally designed and manufactured for her was complete.

In an instant, a vast and powerful aura erupted from her body, and a silver-purple energy storm swept around, causing even the air to tremble.

Silver-purple light flowed across the armor, and Gu Yuena stood serenely within it. The breastplate outlined graceful curves, and the dragon patterns on the shoulder armor seemed to pierce the sky; the scale patterns on the arm armor flickered with her breath, and the lines of the leg armor were sharp as blades. But the most dazzling thing was the crown—an amethyst hung on her forehead, and as the silver scales swirled, it made her look like Dragon Clan queen, naturally majestic.

Four Rings, One-Word Battle Armor Master!

Many researchers' eyebrows twitched.

To become One-Word Battle Armor Master at the Four Rings, especially at this age, is probably unprecedented in the history of the Federation.

However, more than being shocked, they felt a sense of "fullness".

They had witnessed the relationship between Gu Yuena and Huo Yuhao.

Imagine a girl being captivated when the person she loves personally crafts the core components of her Battle Armor, crowns her, and makes her a true One-Word Battle Armor Master... What girl wouldn't be moved by such a scene?

"No wonder Researcher Huo Yuhao, who usually focuses on his research, agreed to the competition. It turns out he was doing it to create Battle Armor components for Miss Gu Yuena." Xu Mo smiled helplessly.

Behind them, the researchers from the Ming De Hall exchanged bewildered glances. One of them muttered under his breath, "This isn't a competition, it's clearly a massive display of affection..."

They were force-fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).

Gu Yuena looked at Huo Yuhao with tender eyes, feeling a flutter of excitement at his "cunning".

"They didn't even tell me beforehand. If this continues, I really..."

Are you satisfied with this style?

Huo Yuhao transmitted his voice, asking with a smile, "Or would you like to add another pair of dragon horns?"

"Satisfy."

Gu Yuena shook her head slightly and said softly, "My One-Word Battle Armor is named Hao."

Huo Yuhao paused, meeting those purple eyes. The air in the Manufacturing Room seemed to freeze for a moment, and even breathing could be clearly heard.

"Ahem." Xu Mo stepped forward at the opportune moment and bowed solemnly to Huo Yuhao. "Researcher Huo, I apologize for my intrusion today. Your skills are truly admirable. The promised data is now yours."

He took out a soul guidance chip that glowed with blue light from his pocket.

Since he proposed the competition, there should be some kind of prize.

"Thank you for your help, Researcher Xu." Huo Yuhao snapped out of his reverie, nodded, and accepted the chip.

Seeing this, Xu Mo waved to his colleagues around him, "Everyone, please disperse. Don't delay Researcher Huo's research."

The researchers reluctantly dispersed, occasionally turning back to look at each other.

"That headdress design is so beautiful, it makes me want to try it on too..."

"How do you control three carving knives at the same time?"

I must ask you for advice when I have time.

After everyone dispersed, Huo Yuhao was about to put the chip into the Soul Guidance Screen when he suddenly felt a soft, warm touch on his cheek. Gu Yuena leaned closer and touched his cheek before quickly pulling away. Her silver hair fell down, and the tips of her reddened ears were faintly visible.

Huo Yuhao felt the heat on his face and looked at Gu Yuena, only to see that she had already casually taken his arm and was staring at the Soul Guidance Screen.

The information Xu Mo provided was about the Ming De Hall's research on Rare Metal, which was exactly what Huo Yuhao needed.

"Yuhao, wait for me a little longer. Once my Spirit Forging skills improve further, I can help you craft Two-Word Battle Armor. What kind of metal alloy do you plan to use then?"

Huo Yuhao also looked at the Soul Guidance Screen, "For one character, use two versions; for two characters, use three or four versions first. You can adapt gradually. We are pioneers on this path and need to explore it ourselves."

"Um."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuena nodded slightly.

Among Blacksmith, an alloy made of nine metals is known as the Godly Alloy. Legend has it that Battle Armor Heavenly Forging with that alloy can elevate the strength of Limit Douluo to another level, reaching... the level of a god!

However, from ancient times to the present, no Blacksmith has ever completed the Godly Alloy.

However, Yuhao has found a technique to fuse the source, making metal Fusion Forging simple. As long as she can complete the forging of those alloys and perfectly bring out their properties, perhaps one day she can really complete the Heavenly Forging of the Godly Alloy!

The two stayed at the research institute for two hours. Gu Yuena received a message from her Soul Guidance Screen, which she took out and glanced at.

"Yuhao, Xu Xiaoyan messaged me, asking us to go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy when we have time. Yuanen Yehui, whom we met before, wants to see us... maybe he wants to apologize?"

"I'll go there after I've seen my old friend."

Upon hearing this, Huo Yuhao put away the chip, glanced at the door, and his eyes flickered slightly.

Gu Yuena looked outside as if she sensed something, and the next second, her figure turned into specks of silver light and dissipated into the air—thoughtfully leaving her alone time for Huo Yuhao and his old friends.

At the same time, she also set up a Space Barrier here to prevent outsiders from disturbing or seeing the scene.

The room returned to silence.

Huo Yuhao gazed in the direction she disappeared, a gentle smile unconsciously curving his lips.

However, before the smile could reach his eyes, the metal door of the laboratory suddenly opened, and what came into Huo Yuhao's view was a fist covered in flames, which distorted the space in front of it.

Huo Yuhao made no move in response, not even lifting the hem of his clothes. The flames abruptly stopped a meter away from him, and the raging Fire Element instantly became as docile as a lamb, turning into fireflies and dissipating into the air.

"It's been a long time." Huo Yuhao gazed at the figure gradually appearing at the doorway. "Skyfire's unusual way of greeting me has surprised me somewhat. Is it a habit you developed while testing others at the War God Temple?"

"That's not it. It's just that I haven't heard from you for so many years, and I thought you had become a god or... encountered an accident. Now, suddenly hearing that someone is displaying Seven-Colored Lotus, I have doubts in my heart and worry that something has changed, so I took action to test you. Please forgive me if I have offended you."

Standing at the door was a humanoid creature made of flames, none other than Douluo, the leader of the Fire Host Clan of Skyfire.

He stepped into the room and bowed respectfully in apology.

The Fire Host Clan had no suitable environment to live in, which was truly devastating. Some of their people perished while searching for a lava environment.

If Huo Yuhao hadn't suddenly appeared before them and shown them the way, they wouldn't know how far they would have had to go to reach Mingdu and find the War God Temple.

For their clan, Huo Yuhao had saved their lives.

Although he paid Huo Yuhao, it was a fair exchange, and he didn't repay the debt of saving his life.

"It's alright. If I were in your shoes, I would have tested you too." Huo Yuhao shook his head and smiled, "After all, we've only met once and we're not familiar with each other. Your concerns are not unfounded."

Upon hearing this, Skyfire secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"What is your purpose in contacting me through your clan? Just tell me directly; if I can do it, I will certainly not refuse."

In his words, he had already decided to do something for Huo Yuhao unconditionally.

The kindness shown to us in the past must eventually be repaid.

Huo Yuhao suppressed his smile and selectively told him about the Evil Spirit Master and the Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell.

Hearing this, Skyfire, despite having many questions, nodded. "Alright, if the Godslayer-level Soul Cannon Shell is indeed placed in the War God Temple, protecting it is my duty. After all, it's a contract between our ancestors and the War God Temple."

At this point, Skyfire looked at Huo Yuhao, "Is there anything else we can help with? What happened just now was our duty, and we should even thank you for the information."

Huo Yuhao gently shook his head, slowly opening his palm upwards. "I was merely pointing out the way back then, Skyfire need not take it to heart. Besides... this advance payment is already the best gift!"

A lotus flower mark appeared in Huo Yuhao's palm, from which incandescent flames rose, their interior shimmering with Seven Colors light.

When the flame appeared, the Fire Element in the air began to surge and converge towards his palm as if on a pilgrimage.

It was none other than the Fire Host Clan's natal fire— the Seven-Colored Lotus!