Li Yucheng stepped forward at the right moment to interrupt, forcing a smile as he said, "Elder Feng, Yuhao already has a teacher. Please don't make things difficult for him."
This person was an elder from the Mecha Masters Association, of the same generation as Li Yucheng, but their abilities were worlds apart.
"Hmm? It seems Yuhao hasn't formally taken a master yet, has he?"
Feng Xuan'ang looked inquiringly at the people around him, "I've never heard of President Li taking a disciple. Have any of you?"
"No."
The people around him all shook their heads.
Feng Xuan'ang turned back to Li Yucheng, showing a helpless expression, "President Li, I know you cherish talent, but you can't lie about this."
Li Yucheng's expression changed dramatically.
Seriously, do you have no shame? Now I see why you brought so many people with you, just to back you up?
Huo Yuhao stepped forward to help Li Yucheng out of the awkward situation, "Over the past two years, Elder Li has been teaching and guiding me, solving my doubts. In essence, he is already my teacher."
Feng Xuan'ang raised an eyebrow. Seeing Huo Yuhao himself smoothing things over, he decided not to press the issue further, simply smiling and saying:
"Yuhao, he's an eighth-level craftsman. By now, he probably can't teach you much anymore. Why not come and learn with me? Don't worry, for a genius like you, I don't care about formalities."
"..."
Utterly shameless.
Li Yucheng took a deep breath, "I am now a ninth-level craftsman."
The smile on Feng Xuan'ang's face froze, and a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes. "Oh? When did you break through to the ninth level? Why haven't I heard about a promotion ceremony?"
Li Yucheng snorted coldly, "I just passed the assessment yesterday and haven't had time to announce it yet. Elder Feng is quite well-informed, even knowing about Yuhao's situation."
Huo Yuhao added with a smile, "Elder Li has completed a soul power amplifier that can enhance the power of ninth-level soul tools."
Feng Xuan'ang's pupils constricted sharply as he looked at Li Yucheng in shock and disbelief, "You actually completed the project the president assigned you?"
Originally, the soul power amplifier was a grade-less soul tool that could elevate soul tools below the ninth level by one rank. However, in this era, such a soul tool seemed rather useless.
This was because crafting it required diamond gold, and from one kilogram of gold, only thirty grams of diamond gold could be refined. The consumption of rare metals was simply too high. It would be better to forge it into other soul tools or simply create stronger soul tools instead.
Thus, the soul power amplifier was essentially obsolete. However, both within the association and the Illustrious Virtue Hall, there were ongoing projects aimed at utilizing the rare metals forged today to create more powerful soul power amplifiers.
A breakthrough in this technology could significantly elevate the overall level of soul tools and potentially change the entire landscape of the soul tool industry.
Feng Xuan'ang was truly astonished. He hadn't expected Li Yucheng to solve this problem that had plagued the association for years. After all, even the Mingde Hall hadn't made any groundbreaking progress in this area.
This wasn't something that could be achieved by just following the structure of diamond gold.
Li Yucheng stroked his beard, a hint of pride flashing in his eyes, "It's just a minor achievement, and it's only just been completed. It can only increase the power by a few tenths, still far from making a ninth-level soul tool comparable to a tenth-level one... Furthermore, I owe much to Yuhao's unique insights into the core formation. Without that, I wouldn't have been able to complete it by merely replicating the structure of diamond gold."
As he spoke, he looked at Huo Yuhao with a sense of gratitude.
A few years ago, sharing this project with Huo Yuhao and researching it together had been the best decision of his life.
He had originally thought that he would need to rely on Huo Yuhao to complete the new soul power amplifier. However, during the two years of research, Huo Yuhao had given him even more surprises, allowing him to personally complete this soul tool and thereby become a ninth-level mecha craftsman.
Meeting Huo Yuhao had been his good fortune.
Feng Xuan'ang frowned deeply, "Even among ninth-level craftsmen, there are differences in skill. I've been submerged in the ninth-level realm for twenty years, and my understanding of core formations far surpasses yours. You've probably already taught Yuhao everything you know."
Li Yucheng's face turned slightly red, "That's..."
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, a voice suddenly came from not far away: "What's the big discussion here? Why is everyone gathered around?"
Everyone turned to see a robust old man striding in. He had white hair and beard, a vigorous spirit, and a pair of sharp, bright eyes.
"President!" Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang exclaimed simultaneously, bowing along with the others.
The president of the Mecha Masters Association, Yi Hongchen, waved his hand, his gaze falling on Huo Yuhao as he asked with interest, "You must be the sensational Huo Yuhao, right? The whole hall is talking about you. I'm Yi Hongchen, the president of the Mecha Masters Association."
Huo Yuhao had long known of the man's existence, but seeing him now still gave him a sense of timelessness.
The Hongchen family... Perhaps this was the second biggest change after the Spirit Pagoda?
Meeting the descendants of old acquaintances was also his first encounter since returning to this era...
The thought flashed by, and Huo Yuhao's eyes carried a hint of a smile as he bowed politely, "Greetings, President."
Yi Hongchen smiled faintly, "No need for formalities. It's rare for someone so young to have such achievements."
What's even rarer is that despite the crowd's admiration, he remains calm and composed, neither arrogant nor impatient. This steadiness is more admirable than talent.
Originally, I wanted to observe him carefully, but now it seems perhaps it's unnecessary...
He turned to Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang, "You two, arguing over a junior like this, aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Feng Xuan'ang quickly explained, "President, we were just..."
Yi Hongchen cuts him off, "Enough, I already know."
He paused, his gaze sweeping between Li Yucheng and Feng Xuan'ang, his tone leisurely, "Since you two can't agree, why don't we—"
He suddenly turned, smiling at Huo Yuhao, "Let me take him under my wing. After all, if Yucheng brought him here, he must have hoped I'd be interested. And he wasn't wrong, such a well-rounded genius is a first for me."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell into a temporary silence.
Feng Xuan'ang grew anxious, "President, you're usually so busy with affairs. How would you have time to personally guide a newcomer? Moreover, Yuhao is from the Spirit Pagoda..."
Yi Hongchen interrupted, "It's just a matter of sectarian bias. If you can set it aside, why can't I? Besides, the association and the Spirit Pagoda have many collaborative projects. This is a good opportunity to deepen our exchanges."
Hearing this, a knowing smile flashed in Li Yucheng's eyes. He had anticipated the president would be interested, but he hadn't expected it to be so straightforward.
With the president stepping in, Feng Xuan'ang will have no chance.
After all, the president was from the Hongchen family, one of the continent's few tenth-level mecha designers, the creator of several tenth-level soul tools!
Feng Xuan'ang wanted to say more, but Yi Hongchen had already waved his hand, leading Huo Yuhao and the others toward a workshop.
Watching them leave, Feng Xuan'ang suddenly became excited.
"This child not only has extraordinary talent but also an excellent temperament. In the future, he'll be the master of the Spirit Pagoda. You're really lucky."
Li Yucheng didn't respond.
Seeing this, Feng Xuan'ang didn't mind, just helplessly withdrawing his gaze.
Over the past two years, the Spirit Pagoda had been actively promoting Huo Yuhao's reputation.
This was both building momentum and a test.
With so many honors bestowed upon him, if Huo Yuhao were to collapse under the pressure or become lost in the fame, he would never become the next master of the Spirit Pagoda.
But based on today's interaction, Huo Yuhao not only has exceptional talent but also an excellent temperament. No wonder the president made such a decision so directly.
'Sigh, I was just a step too late. If only Haoxuan had mentioned it earlier, I wouldn't have let Li Yucheng get the upper hand…'