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West Gate City, Mech Pilot Association
Xu Yuan and his group of fourteen people immediately drew attention.
Aside from Wu Zhangkong, the other thirteen members—though their physical development had matured due to cultivation—still exuded youthful energy and possessed clear, untainted eyes that betrayed their youth. They were clearly still in school.
Even Wu Zhangkong, who was already in his thirties, appeared youthful. With his Heavenly Frost Sword's near-perfect ice attribute and Soul Sage-level soul power, combined with his excellent physique, he looked no older than his mid-twenties.
They all appeared young.
However, their strong soul power fluctuations were impossible to conceal.
So, what were these people here for?
The receptionist at the Mech Pilot Association's front desk noticed them immediately and began to ponder how to handle the situation.
"Hello, we have a commission."
"Huh?" The receptionist was momentarily stunned.
You're just here to post a task?
Why bring such a large group just to post a task?
The receptionist patted their chest, internally grumbling, but outwardly put on a sweet smile.
"Respected soul master, what is the task you wish to post? I'll register it for you."
"A challenge."
"Eh?"
A challenge?
What kind of strange task was this?
This was the Mech Pilot Association. Shouldn't the tasks be related to mech pilots' needs?
"We need one Soul King above level fifty-five, one Soul Ancestor at level forty-nine, and three Soul Ancestors around level forty-three—a total of five people—for live combat. The reward for the task is Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal."
Xu Yuan calmly stated the details of the task without hiding it, allowing everyone in the hall to hear.
How unusual.
In this day and age, someone was actually using Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal to hire people for fights at the Mech Pilot Association?
Live combat?
And they'd get Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal just for fighting?
For Soul Ancestors, it might be tempting, but a Soul King?
Someone shook their head. He was a level fifty-six Soul King, but he wasn't particularly enticed by a single piece of Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal. Of course, he wouldn't refuse it outright, but lowering himself to fight these youngsters for just one piece of metal? His pride as a Soul King wouldn't allow it.
Glancing over, the man suddenly approached the front desk.
"I'm a level fifty-six Soul King. Does that meet your requirements?"
Xu Yuan smiled and nodded. "Of course, it does."
His gaze shifted to the other onlookers in the hall.
As expected, it didn't take long for others to step forward.
The reason was simple—the Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal Xu Yuan had displayed was eye-catching.
Wang Lin pointed to the jade silver in Xu Yuan's hand and asked, "Is the Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal reward you mentioned referring to this?"
Xu Yuan shook his head.
"Of course not. This is jade silver, a spirit alloy. Though it's also Thousand Refinements Grade-One, its value is completely different."
As Wang Lin's expression fell, Xu Yuan added with a turn of phrase:
"However, this jade silver was forged by me."
Xu Yuan looked at Wang Lin, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
Wang Lin's eyes flickered.
This kid was a forger?
And not just any forger—he could perform fusion forging, and the quality of his work was excellent.
"Kid, how can I be sure this was forged by you?"
Xu Yuan tucked away the jade silver and activated his brain martial soul. Four soul rings appeared one by one.
Purple, purple, purple, black!
The appearance of the four soul rings silenced the entire hall.
At this moment, everyone stared at Xu Yuan in shock.
A black soul ring!
And he was a Soul Ancestor.
Such a young Soul Ancestor, and he even possessed a ten-thousand-year soul ring.
There was no need to ask where he came from.
"What else do you need as proof?" Xu Yuan said calmly.
Wang Lin stood there, dumbfounded, staring at Xu Yuan's extravagant soul ring configuration with envy.
"You're a Soul King, so the hiring price will naturally be different. Three pieces of ordinary Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal—but what I showed earlier was just collateral. If you need Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal forged from specific materials, I can forge them for you. Of course, in that case, you'll need to provide the rare metals yourself."
The Thousand Refinements Grade-One metals Xu Yuan had displayed earlier were all sunken silver, along with the jade silver he had just taken back.
As a result, not many mech pilots stepped forward to inquire about the task.
Most of those present already met the requirements.
The standards for mech pilots weren't low, especially when it came to money. Those who could afford mechs either came from wealthy families or were at least Soul Ancestors or Soul Kings.
Xu Yuan's earlier words were also meant to attract the attention of those gathered in the hall.
Did he really expect to wait for someone to see the task and accept it?
That would take days.
By then, Xu Yuan's assessment deadline might have already passed.
Thus, the mech pilots waiting in the hall became his targets.
Fortunately, today's luck was good. There was a level fifty-six Soul King in the hall, along with several Soul Ancestors, which basically met the requirements.
"It's settled. You five will face our thirteen classmates one by one in combat. Each of them will be at least five levels lower than you. No need to hold back—use whatever means you have. The reward will be settled after the battle."
Wu Zhangkong frowned and interrupted Xu Yuan.
"You'd better find a few more participants. The academy requires a five-level gap, but they must also be in peak condition. If you rotate through battles like this, I won't give high scores."
Whether they'd even pass was questionable.
Xu Yuan, who had initially wanted to save time, could only reluctantly turn to the receptionist.
"Please help us arrange for a few more qualified Soul Ancestors. Also, try to contact them right away."
The receptionist hesitated.
This was the first time they'd received such a commission. Not all registered mech pilots in the association would necessarily be interested.
"I trust the association has the capability to handle this. Just relay my conditions."
Xu Yuan had chosen the Mech Pilot Association precisely because of the unique needs of mech pilots.
If they'd gone to another association, like the Mech Designer Association, they'd likely find everyone busy designing, with their soul-guided communication devices turned off—it would take half a day just to contact someone. Moreover, their needs weren't as pressing.
After all, once you reached the level of a Soul Ancestor or Soul King, you could accumulate quite a bit of wealth.
Only mech pilots grew poorer the higher they advanced.
Well, there were also forgers—but forgers only accumulated debt when striving for higher levels or during the immediate aftermath. Most of the time, they weren't poor, and they certainly didn't lack Thousand Refinements Grade-One metal.
There was a reason they'd come knocking.
The receptionist quietly accepted an additional piece of Thousand Refinements Grade-One sunken silver from Xu Yuan and began contacting the association's registered Soul Ancestors who were diligent task-takers, short on money, and in need of rare metals.
After a series of operations, Tang Wulin was left wide-eyed.
Wow, so having a single standout skill really could get you far.
Being a Blacksmith didn't mean you had to rely on the Blacksmith Association for help.
He took a deep breath, regained his composure, and reflected on Xu Yuan's entire operation. A faint realization began to dawn in his mind.
Perhaps this was one of the key points of the academy's assessment this time?
How to flexibly utilize your advantages.
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