Xuan Ziwen: Why choose me? First meeting with Ju Zi in the laboratory

The next day.

The Sun Moon Empire Royal Soul Engineering Academy begins its new school year.

Unlike the outer academy, Illustrious Virtue Hall's admissions are more similar to the postgraduate system of the previous life. Students who pass the assessment can choose their own teachers, and teachers can also choose whether to accept them. If they are not satisfied, they can refuse to become full-time students after the internship period with a reasonable excuse.

Early in the morning, a line of the Illustrious Virtue Hall researchers stood in place, led by Lin Jiayi, their eyes sweeping over the group of students who had passed the assessment and were about to the Illustrious Virtue Hall.

These talents, selected from the empire's top academies, are all, without exception, exceptional soul guidance geniuses, or even prodigies.

Of course, monsters like Xiao Hongchen are extremely rare. Don't be fooled by his usual carefree and talkative narcissistic demeanor; in the field of Soul Tool, he is truly a genius that comes along only once in a century.

"Everyone, let's begin choosing our mentors," Lin Jiayi said with a smile, his hands behind his back.

However, his gaze was particularly fixed on Lu Cheng. The information had already been reported to the hall master, but unfortunately, the hall master had been busy negotiating with the Shrek Academy about the list of exchange students between the two academies six months later, so he temporarily assigned him to pay more attention to Lu Cheng.

Who would you choose?

Lu Cheng wasn't particularly conspicuous among the crowd. Besides the many teachers, only Meng Hongchen knew about Lu Cheng's assessment results that day. The girl wasn't a gossip, so she naturally had no intention of spreading such idle talk.

The students present were all sixth-year students of the Sun Moon Empire Royal Academy, around seventeen or eighteen years old. Their choices were mostly based on mentors with strong abilities or extensive connections. As for Xuan Ziwen, no one actually chose him. After all, in everyone's eyes, this teacher was "mediocre" and rather boring, so naturally few people chose him.

"Another year of no harvest?" Xuan Ziwen looked at the dwindling number of students, his expression calm.

He's gotten used to it all; after all, scientific research is his top priority, and having too many disciples would just be a hassle.

Wang Shaojie, who joined the lab last year, was clearly there for Ke Ke. Zi Mu also joined the lab because he liked Ju Zi. Among this group of guys, only Ju Zi has some talent in the Soul Tool Department, but she always looks sleepy and doesn't study properly. Even if we recruit another one, he'll probably just be there to coast along.

Just as Xuan Ziwen calmly accepting all of this, a gentle voice rang out from in front of him.

Teacher Xuan Ziwen..."

Lu Cheng smiled.

"Huh?" Xuan Ziwen's eyes flashed with surprise. He knew this young man all too well. In the file issued yesterday, his almost abnormal talent was specially marked. Eighteen years old, Level 7 Soul Engineer, and he was rated S yesterday. Looking at the Illustrious Virtue Hall, there were few who could compare with him. Even Ma Rulong was slightly inferior.

She actually chose to join his lab?!

Could it be that this kid likes Ju Zi too?

Otherwise, given his extremely low popularity at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, it's hard to believe that this obviously rising star and prodigiously talented individual would choose his laboratory.

"Teacher Xuan." It was only after Lin Jiayi reminded him that Xuan Ziwen, somewhat bewildered, led Lu Cheng toward the teaching building behind them.

"You... are you called Cheng Lu?" On the way, Xuan Ziwen finally showed some joy as he looked at the handsome young man. The Level 7 Stationary Soul Cannon was a decent piece of work, and he had seen it before, but the fact that he could do it so skillfully and proficiently definitely showed that the boy had a solid foundation.

"Yes, Teacher Xuan," Lu Cheng said with a smile and a nod.

"Why did you choose me?" Xuan Ziwen couldn't contain himself any longer. "I remember that the research projects I did before weren't very successful. Right now, all I have is the Fully Automatic Soul Tool Detector and the bionic technology project, which is about to be halted by the higher-ups. Logically speaking, a genius of your caliber should be working for Researcher Wu or Researcher Zhang. They have ample funding, rare metals, and even connections. But me..."

"You guessed right, I'm very interested in one of the topics you researched before," Lu Cheng said with a smile.

"Which one?" Xuan Ziwen's eyes widened in surprise.

"Neural Operating System," Lu Cheng said, enunciating each word clearly.

"..."

Xuan Ziwen was stunned for a moment, then revealed an expression of understanding. "So you're interested in that thing. Indeed, Illustrious Virtue Hall previously launched that project, investing money and manpower, and I was fortunate enough to participate. But in recent years, Illustrious Virtue Hall has gradually shifted its focus to humanoid mechs. That thing doesn't require mature operating system technology; it only needs rough skin to lift the big iron shell, so the project was shut down by the hall master."

As he spoke, a hint of regret crossed his eyes. "Child, you have great talent, you shouldn't be wasting it on this. Even if you succeed, it will be a thankless task, and the rewards will be far less than what you put in."

"Teacher Xuan, I'm just interested in this, it doesn't mean I'm going to stubbornly stick to it to the end." Lu Cheng smiled, "I'm more interested in humanoid mechs, but the current humanoid mechs are too low-level and can be mass-produced. I hope to create high-combat-power, high-tech mechs..."

What is the Body Sect least lacking?

Top-tier expert.

When he returns in a few years, there will probably be one or two more Limit Douluo, not to mention Super Douluo; there will be more than you can count on two hands.

The Body Sect is known for its small but elite numbers, unlike the Sun Moon Empire which can mass-produce large numbers of Soul Engineer like an assembly line. Therefore, it can only focus on its elite forces.

Ordinary soul-guided mechs might even be a burden to experts of the Body Sect, as they solidify their combat power in the mechs. They dare not presume to develop Battle Armor, and they cannot take too big a step, but at least they must create a targeted "operational system" capable of supporting experts at the Super Douluo level.

Jing Hongchen, does Kong Deming not want to develop humanoid mechs?

No, it's because they couldn't develop an operational system that could rival their own combat strength and match their powerful Spiritual Power. The fact that they invested a lot of manpower and resources back then is enough to prove that the Sun Moon Empire never looked down on this aspect; it was just a matter of temporarily suspending and shelving it.

That thing is extremely important; it's the core key connecting the Soul Master and the mecha. If they're not compatible, at best their Spiritual Power will be damaged, and at worst their brain will be destroyed, turning them into an idiot.

"Hmm... that's a good thing." Xuan Ziwen pondered for a moment, then smiled.

"I've always been quite interested in Spiritual Operating System. I was really itching to get my hands on one when the project was halted back then. Since that's the case, I could try to get my hands on it and continue my research."

"Won't the academy care? After all, it's classified..." Lu Cheng forced a smile and said nonchalantly.

"No, that project is practically abandoned. Nobody cares. Everyone agrees that there won't be any further breakthroughs in the field of Spiritual Operating System for at least the next hundred years. The original laboratories have all been converted into..."

As Xuan Ziwen spoke, he led Lu Cheng to a large metal door and swiped his card to enter.

Lu Cheng glanced at it seriously and then swiped his card.

The metal door that Huo Gua forcibly sawed open in the original story.

"They don't seem to be here..." Xuan Ziwen scratched his head. "I was planning to introduce you two, but it's okay, Xiao Lu, this will be your workstation from now on. Our lab conditions might be a bit tough, unlike the other larger labs, we don't have independent..."

"It's alright, Teacher Xuan. If I were afraid of hardship, I wouldn't have been able to get into the Imperial Academy," Lu Cheng interrupted with a smile.

"That's good. I forgot you're from another province." Xuan Ziwen introduced them briefly, then turned and left. As for the assessment of the newly recruited disciples, he had long forgotten about it, and indeed, it was unnecessary.

In his eyes, what are interns? This is his Grandmaster in the lab, his future pride!

After watching Xuan Ziwen leave, Lu Cheng looked around. A familiar feeling, a familiar atmosphere...

The forging table in front of him was large enough to support the polishing of an eighth-level soul guidance array core, and the rare metals on display were also exceptionally complete. It can only be said that Illustrious Virtue Hall is indeed worthy of its name, exuding an air of wealth and power everywhere. Compared with Shrek's Soul Tool Department, it is like the two extremes.

"Since we're already here..."

Lu Cheng took out two pieces of Heavy Silver with considerable satisfaction, placed them on the polishing machine and cut them into two fingernail-sized shapes. Then, he gripped his right hand, and a jade-green Carving Knife appeared in his palm. He began to carve the pieces like dragons.

Hours passed in the blink of an eye.

As afternoon approached, several figures arrived together, laughing and joking, and passed through the access control to enter the laboratory.

"Oh, I heard from Teacher Xuan that today is the enrollment season? I wonder if it will be male or female students coming..." a pretty and cute girl said with a smile.

"In short, we still need to establish the authority of our seniors. We all entered the lab around the same time, so we're all seniors to those newcomers." Another tall, dark-skinned young man with the distinctive skin tone of the Sun Moon Empire's royal family also laughed, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance and disdain.

"You agree, right, Zi Mu?" he said, nudging the arm of the handsome, blond-haired, blue-eyed man beside him.

"..." The latter shrugged, seemingly unwilling to get involved.

However, Ke Ke echoed Wang Shaojie's words, "Great! Let the new juniors see how powerful I am, and make them submit to me completely, hehe."

"I'm so tired, I need to catch up on my sleep when I get back." The last girl, with fair skin like mutton fat jade and a beautiful face, but looking somewhat haggard, waved her hand.

However, as soon as everyone entered, they could clearly hear the harsh sound of polishing. Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a tall, upright figure facing them, focused on polishing the metal casing.

In his hand, two jade-like rings slowly took shape.

"Hey, newbie... you're using the lab equipment without our permission?" Wang Shaojie said imperiously, his words purely nitpicking, without the slightest hint of pretense.

"Hello, hello..."

Seeing that Lu Cheng ignored him, he became even angrier and planned to put on airs as a senior and give this guy a good kick.

"Oh?"

Lu Cheng slowly put down the ring, stood up, and glanced at the crowd behind him.

"So handsome..." Ke Ke was speechless. He was at least on par with Zi Mu in terms of handsomeness, or even better. Her arrogance, which she had just felt because of her senior, vanished in an instant.

Ju Zi's expression remained calm; she merely raised an eyebrow. What an unfamiliar face.

He doesn't seem like a junior from the Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

"Junior students?"

Lu Cheng glanced around at the group of people, extended his hand to take the lead, and said in a gentle tone, "Cheng Lu, from another province, is a new student admitted to the Illustrious Virtue Hall this year..."

"Level 7 Soul Engineer?" Only Ke Ke caught a glimpse of the badge symbolizing Level 7 Soul Engineer on Lu Cheng's chest. Her red lips parted slightly, clearly somewhat dazed. In any place, the strong are respected, which is why Lu Cheng, who entered the laboratory later, could openly call himself a senior.

"Hello, Senior Cheng."

Wang Shaojie was clearly startled as well. His eyes twitched, and he was about to say something when Ke Ke pushed him away, quickly stepped forward, and stretched out her little hand, her eyes sparkling. "My name is Ke Ke."

"Ju Zi, hello senior."

Ju Zi tossed her jet-black hair and calmly and gracefully extended her hand.

"My name is Zi Mu, hello senior." The blond, handsome boy said, a little nervous.

After all, this young man was not much older than them, maybe a year or two at most, but his exaggerated and somewhat abnormal talent was enough to make even the proud ones like them obediently call him senior.

These prodigies are basically top-tier laboratory experts, like Grandmaster, and in time, they might even be qualified to sit on the same level as Teacher Xuan.

Why would it appear in Teacher Xuan's dilapidated lab? Could it be that he's from another province and has no connections or influence? That shouldn't be the case...

"I..."

A hint of regret flickered in Wang Shaojie's eyes. With his royal background, although he wasn't afraid of offending anyone, it was still a risky move to do so. He was arrogant, but not stupid.

Since this is our first meeting, let me treat you to a meal.

However, Lu Cheng subconsciously ignored him, bypassed Wang Shaojie, and greeted the others with a smile as they left the laboratory. He also gave the two level-six Defensive Soul Tool diamond rings he had just made to Ju Zi and Ke Ke, and even gave Zi Mu Lu Cheng a not-so-bad gift.

Only Wang Shaojie's face turned bright red as he watched Lu Cheng "buy off" his classmates in just one meeting, while his goddess Ke Ke, whom he had been pursuing unsuccessfully, smiled exceptionally brightly.

"Damn it, he's just a country bumpkin from another province, how dare he look down on me and act like a senior?" Wang Shaojie glanced at the crowd leaving and ignored him completely. His face turned even more purplish-blue; he had completely lost face.

"Right, Level 7 Soul Engineer from another province will have one or two levels deducted from their Mingdu!" Wang Shaojie suddenly remembered something, his face full of gloom. "I almost got fooled too!"

"So what if you made two level-six Defensive Soul Tool? Who knows if they were bought? And you're just pretending they're a pair..."

"Just you wait, if I don't expose you tomorrow, I'll change my surname to yours!" Wang Shaojie rushed out, unable to find the direction the others had gone, and cursed as he did so.

Lu Cheng chatted and laughed with Ke Ke as if nothing had happened, having long since forgotten about her. She was just a nobody from the royal family of the Sun Moon Empire; he wouldn't be afraid of her even if Xu Tianran came.

I glanced at the Ju Zi; this girl, speaking of which, was actually Xu Tianran's spy.

Should we take advantage of this?