MTLNOVEL Chapter 33: Fisherman Profit?
In addition to Gu Yuena, there were two people observing Huo Yuhao's operation at the scene: Li Yucheng, the president of the Mecha Masters Association, and Xia Haoxuan, the vice president.
Having witnessed Huo Yuhao's exceptional talent multiple times, Li Yucheng remarked that he could now watch such scenes with calm composure, though those around him clearly could not.
Xia Haoxuan observed Huo Yuhao's nimble fingers lightly tapping on the rare metal, executing a flawless three-arc cut in an instant, as if it had been precisely measured with a ruler.
He was filled with admiration and a sense of pride.
Such precise movements and the state of complete physical and mental unity were beyond the capabilities of many eighth-level designers he had encountered.
Only those accustomed to crafting ninth-level soul tools could effortlessly enter such a realm.
Geniuses like Huo Yuhao were truly wizards of their craft.
A disciple like him was undoubtedly the dream of any maker seeking to pass on their legacy.
After watching Huo Yuhao's fluid and precise movements, akin to a magic circle forged through countless temperings, Xia Haoxuan couldn't help but say:
"President, you're getting older and your energy is waning. Why not let me take over Huo Yuhao's training? While I may not be as skilled as you, I have more time and energy to dedicate to teaching him."
"Go on, dream on!" Li Yucheng waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed.
"You still want to poach him? Focus on teaching your own apprentices."
Xia Haoxuan retorted with dissatisfaction, "President, you can't be so selfish. I was the one who discovered him in the first place. With your daily responsibilities managing the association, how can you find the time to properly mentor a disciple? We should swap roles, you handle the administrative duties, and I'll take over his training!"
"He's affiliated with the Spirit Pagoda, and I'm already planning to introduce him to the headquarters. Don't get any ideas," Li Yucheng shot back, effectively silencing Xia Haoxuan.
"Anything else you'd like to add?"
"...Fine, you win this time," Xia Haoxuan muttered, casting a regretful glance at Huo Yuhao before turning and leaving the room.
With Xia Haoxuan gone, Li Yucheng refocused his attention on Huo Yuhao.
As Huo Yuhao completed the soul tool array on the metal, Li Yucheng approached with a smile and inspected the work.
"Excellent. You've thoroughly mastered the energy transformation soul tool array I taught you earlier. However, here and here," he pointed to two specific spots on the rare metal, "you can make some improvements to perfect the array. Of course, these are just minor refinements..."
Gu Yuena watched as Huo Yuhao listened attentively and humbly sought advice.
She couldn't help but feel out of place.
While designers and manufacturers shared overlapping knowledge, the technical details they were discussing were beyond her understanding.
...
Meanwhile, a young man in his teens was searching for someone in the association's hall.
Spotting Xia Haoxuan emerging from a room, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over to ask:
"Teacher, I'm about to take the third-level manufacturing engineer exam. Do you have time to serve as an examiner?"
Xia Haoxuan glanced at him, unimpressed. "Level three? How old are you, and you're only at level three? Look at others your age..."
The young man stared at Xia Haoxuan with a blank expression, utterly confused about what he had done wrong to earn such a scolding from his teacher.
Back in the day, he too had been someone else's prodigy...
Xia Haoxuan vented for a while but still felt a sense of defeat gnawing at him.
Huo Yuhao had been discovered by him first.
When the young man had come to take the second-level manufacturing engineer exam, Xia Haoxuan had been the examiner.
However, since Huo Yuhao hailed from the Spirit Pagoda, Xia Haoxuan had assumed the boy wouldn't join the Mecha Masters Association.
Following standard protocol, he had reported Huo Yuhao's information to the president, never expecting things to turn out this way.
If only he had taken Huo Yuhao under his wing directly back then...
"No, the more I think about it, the more it stings. Why didn't the president do anything special? He just made a trip to the Spirit Pagoda and came back with a peerless genius for free."
After some deliberation, Xia Haoxuan decided to take matters into his own hands. He pulled out his soul tool communicator.
"Knowing you as I do, I'm sure you're planning to show off Huo Yuhao at the headquarters later. But since you haven't reported his existence to the headquarters yet... well, don't blame me for what happens next."
When the call connected, Xia Haoxuan's face instantly lit up with a smile. "Hello, Teacher? I've found someone extraordinary in the East Sea..."
…
Meanwhile, Li Yucheng was in the middle of instructing Huo Yuhao on the intricacies of the soul tool array when his soul tool communicator buzzed.
He glanced at it, apologized to Huo Yuhao, and stepped out of the room to take the call.
When he returned, the scene inside the room made his expression darken instantly.
No matter how many precautions you take, it's hard to guard against a determined thief. He had let his guard down.
Fine, Xia Haoxuan, you want to play dirty? Just you wait!
"Yuhao, you're the most talented soul tool engineer I've ever seen in my life. My teacher is a ninth-level designer at the headquarters of the Mecha Masters Association. He's heard about you and is very interested. How about it? Would you like to become my junior brother?"
Xia Haoxuan's voice was warm and inviting.
"And there's also this young lady here. Becoming a third-level designer at such a young age is no small feat. Your future is bright, and I'd be happy to introduce you to a suitable teacher."
Xia Haoxuan smiled, his tone dripping with charm.
Why settle for recruiting just one genius when you can win over two?
As for the fact that they were from the Spirit Pagoda?
It didn't matter. The Mecha Masters Association even had members from the Body Sect!
"President Xia, your reputation precedes you. Without the guidance of my predecessors, I wouldn't be where I am today."
"Alas, being overly modest isn't a sign of sincerity. How long has the president even taught you? He's old and doesn't have much time to spare for teaching. It's not easy for him to carve out a little time every day. Why don't you learn from me first? I'll take you to the headquarters to meet my teacher in the future."
Huo Yuhao glanced at Li Yucheng, who was standing behind Xia Haoxuan, his face dark and emanating an ominous aura. Huo Yuhao's eyebrows twitched slightly.
This isn't about modesty or immodesty. If you keep talking like this, I'm afraid there'll be one more floating corpse in the East Sea by tonight.
Xia Haoxuan, of course, sensed someone approaching, but he was the type who "feared no authority."
Without hesitation, he pulled out a storage ring and handed it to Huo Yuhao.
"There's some rare metal inside. I prepared it just for you."
Li Yucheng took a deep breath, feeling he could no longer stand by and watch.
After a moment's thought, he also retrieved a pass and a small soul tool from his storage ring, handing them to Huo Yuhao.
"With this pass, you can access most of the association's rooms, including the storage room on the third floor where design blueprints and ideas are kept."
He had already prepared this pass. Huo Yuhao's self-study and discipline were exceptional, and Li Yucheng truly didn't have much time to spare.
It was better to give the boy some freedom to learn on his own.
As he thought this, Li Yucheng and Xia Haoxuan exchanged a glance, then quickly looked away.
Though no words were spoken, they both understood: Huo Yuhao was from the Spirit Pagoda.
If they wanted him to develop a sense of belonging to the Mecha Masters Association, they had to do their best to win him over while he was still young.
But that's no excuse for you to call your teacher behind my back!
Xia Haoxuan, you're asking for trouble! Li Yucheng thought, his expression cold and unreadable.
Huo Yuhao looked at the items in front of him, his expression turning slightly strange.
This feels a bit like... the sandpiper and the clam fighting, while the fisherman reaps the rewards?