I Must Be Dreaming-the Big Shot Wanted to Take Him as a Student?
Zhen Hua?
The moment that name was spoken, the air in the shop froze.
Quite a few passersby stopped when they heard it.
That Zhen Hua?
The continent's only Divine Craftsman, president of the Blacksmiths Association, a level ninety-two Titled Douluo—that legendary figure?!
Why would someone like him show up in a little place like this?
Almost everyone in the Douluo Federation knew the name Zhen Hua.
Chen Xing was a little surprised.
Of course he knew who Zhen Hua was.
In the Dragon King era, he was the continent's only Divine Craftsman, a Level Nine Blacksmith capable of forging Four-Word Battle Armor.
But a man like him should have been at the Blacksmiths Association. Why had he come to a small place like Aolai City?
As Chen Xing puzzled over it, he noticed the girl beside Zhen Hua.
She had called him Uncle Zhen Hua just now.
Could she be Mu Xi?
That would explain it. That would explain it.
Aolai City was not far from Eastsea City, so it made perfect sense for Mu Xi to come here.
Judging by Zhen Hua's expression, though, he had most likely taken an interest in Chen Xing's ability.
An idea suddenly came to Chen Xing.
He slowly raised his head and looked at Zhen Hua.
"Why should I tell you?"
Everyone present froze.
What was this kid saying? Had he lost his mind? How could he speak to Senior Zhen Hua like that?
Just standing before Zhen Hua made their legs go weak.
Sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere, Na'er immediately hid behind Chen Xing and instinctively pressed closer to his back.
She did not understand what had happened, but she could tell something was wrong.
Chen Xing patted the back of Na'er's hand to reassure her, then continued to face Zhen Hua without a trace of servility or arrogance.
Zhen Hua himself did not get angry. Instead, he laughed.
"Interesting."
He took a step forward and studied Chen Xing.
"Little one, do you know who I am?"
His tone was calm, as though he were stating the most ordinary fact in the world.
Tang Ziran, however, was so nervous his palms were sweating.
He hurriedly tugged Chen Xing's sleeve and lowered his voice.
"Little Chen, Senior Zhen Hua is the continent's only Divine Craftsman, and he's a god-class Mecha Engineer too! Apologize, quick!"
But Chen Xing did not listen to him.
Of course he knew Zhen Hua was a Red-Class Mecha Engineer. In fact, he knew even more than Tang Ziran did.
But he could not obediently lay all his cards on the table.
He had to raise the value of his ability.
After all, someone like Zhen Hua had seen too many geniuses.
If Chen Xing revealed his trump card too easily, Zhen Hua might not think it was all that precious.
The harder something was to obtain, the more people valued it.
Chen Xing met Zhen Hua's gaze and spoke evenly.
"I know who you are."
Zhen Hua paused.
"Oh? If you know, then why—"
"Because I know, I can't just tell you."
Chen Xing cut him off.
Zhen Hua fell silent.
He looked at the six- or seven-year-old before him and found neither fear nor ingratiation in the boy's eyes.
It was as though Chen Xing was certain of something.
Zhen Hua suddenly smiled.
Heh. This child really is different from the others.
With that thought, he took something from his wristband and set it on the table.
It was a palm-sized metal device with an intricate design. A faint glow of Soul Power flowed across its surface.
"This is the Core Controller of a Level Three Mecha."
Zhen Hua looked at Chen Xing.
"Tell me what that ability of yours is, and it's yours."
Chen Xing glanced down at it, then shook his head.
Zhen Hua blinked.
"Not enough?"
He immediately took something else from his wristband, considerably larger than the first.
"The core of a Level Four Mecha. How about that?"
Chen Xing shook his head again.
Mu Xi finally could not hold back.
"Hey, aren't you a greedy little kid? Any one of the things my uncle offered could feed your whole family for years!"
Chen Xing glanced at her but remained unmoved.
Seeing how impossible he was to sway, Mu Xi stamped her foot in frustration.
In the corner, the two Mecha Engineers exchanged a look, both grumbling inwardly.
The Core Controller of a Level Three Mecha? The core of a Level Four Mecha?
Either one would take Level One Mecha Engineers like us more than half a year to earn.
And this kid won't even give them a second glance?
That's the Divine Craftsman!
He's honoring you just by offering a trade.
How drunk do you have to be to turn him down like that?
Sure enough, Zhen Hua's smile gradually faded. He fixed his eyes on Chen Xing and asked again.
"Little one, what is it you want?"
Chen Xing lifted his head and looked Zhen Hua straight in the eye.
"I want to learn from you."
Zhen Hua froze.
"What did you say?"
"I want to learn about Mecha from you." Chen Xing repeated each word deliberately. "Will you teach me?"
The entire shop fell silent again.
Everyone found it hard to believe.
Beside Zhen Hua, Mu Xi's eyes widened as though she had heard the most absurd joke in the world.
In the corner, the two Level One Mecha Engineers drew sharp breaths.
A little kid with Zero Soul Power dared to make demands of the continent's only Divine Craftsman—and ask him to teach him?
He's lost his mind. Completely lost his mind!
But to everyone's surprise, Zhen Hua did not refuse.
He considered it.
Watching him think it over sent everyone's thoughts into turmoil.
Zhen Hua was actually considering it?
That Zhen Hua was actually considering it?
Could the Divine Craftsman really be about to teach a little kid with Zero Soul Power?
Then, under everyone's stunned gaze, Zhen Hua slowly spoke.
"Do you know how high my standards are for taking an apprentice?"
Chen Xing nodded.
"I do."
"And you think you can meet them?"
Chen Xing thought for a moment, then answered seriously.
"I can be your student, but I'd rather not enter into a Master-Disciple Relationship."
Zhen Hua frowned.
"Why?"
Chen Xing was silent for a moment.
A red-haired woman came to mind.
"Because I already have a teacher."
Zhen Hua studied him for a long while, then suddenly laughed.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
He turned and walked to the door, then glanced back at Chen Xing.
"Very well, little one. Come find me at the Blacksmiths Association in Aolai City tomorrow."
As he spoke, he took a Token from his pocket and tossed it over.
"I want to see for myself whether you're worth teaching!"
With that, Zhen Hua strode out of the shop with Mu Xi.
Chen Xing caught the Token. A large character for "Zhen" was engraved on it.
The passersby were stunned by what they had just witnessed.
Am I dreaming? A big shot actually wanted to take a child with Zero Soul Power as his student?
"Holy shit! Little... junior brother! You're incredible!"
"Yeah! The Divine Craftsman wants you as his student! The Divine Craftsman!"
Xu San and Wang Dagou shouted in excitement.
Na'er clapped hard for Chen Xing, her face full of joy, as though she were the one who had been accepted as a student.
Tang Ziran stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at the Token in Chen Xing's hand.
Was this his son?
His son had actually caught the Divine Craftsman's eye?
[This one's a divine rope craftsman, meow.]