A moment later, inside the laboratory.
The youth lowered his eyes slightly, holding a piece of Star Silver in his hand.
This metal had a relatively soft texture but possessed excellent energy conduction properties; it was generally used as the core material for Rank 3 to Rank 4 soul tool arrays.
The silver-white carving knife was held steadily by the youth, his eyes flowing with a golden light, while an exceptionally bright yellow soul ring manifested beside him.
Crafting a Rank 3 soul tool array core would be a nightmare for any normal eight-year-old boy. Unfortunately, this blue-haired youth clearly did not belong to that category.
Behind the one-way glass to the side, Jing Hongchen held his breath, his eyes fixed deathly on the youth's hands.
He watched the boy in front of him precisely control every bit of his soul power, completing the final stroke of this core at the exact moment his soul power was completely exhausted!
"Sun Moon Empire profanity!"
Jing Hongchen couldn't hold it back; his mind was reeling.
Wait.
With a soul power cultivation of only Rank 16, you actually hand-carved a Rank 3 soul tool array core?!
Although this was just a core and there was still a huge gap between it and a finished product, you still had to look at the circumstances!
Eight years old, Rank 16—from the perspective of soul power level, he would already be considered a minor genius in the Sun Moon Empire. However, being so young and pairing that with hand-carving a Rank 3 soul tool array core... that wasn't just a genius.
This was a monster!
I must keep this child! I have to teach him personally!
Various thoughts flashed through his mind, and Jing Hongchen made a decision instantly.
Turning his head, he looked at his student Lin Mei: "Within three hours, I want all the information on this child placed on my desk!"
"Ah... me?" Lin Mei blinked, her eyes showing a "clear" (clueless) look.
Heavens be witness, although she was called Jing Hongchen's student, she was essentially just someone with decent talent who was lucky enough to become his pupil.
Unfortunately, her personality was actually very lazy; she was the type to slack off whenever possible. Her Rank 6 soul tool master rating was only achieved by relying on her Soul Saint cultivation and the knowledge she hadn't yet forgotten from Jing Hongchen.
Otherwise, tasks like recruitment wouldn't have fallen on her shoulders.
Seeing his student's clueless gaze, Jing Hongchen fell silent again. Hesitating, he spoke:
"You keep an eye on this child for me. Fulfill whatever requests he has. Regardless, you must make sure he stays here, understood?!"
Jing Hongchen's tone became stern. Lin Mei, realizing the gravity of the situation, hurriedly nodded.
"Yes!"
Jing Hongchen turned back and took a deep look at Huo Yuhao, who had already begun meditating inside the glass to recover his soul power, before turning and leaving directly.
This visible talent had made his heart pound fiercely.
A thought had uncontrollably sprouted in his mind to take this terrifyingly gifted youth as his student, but his reason told him to steady himself first.
He wanted to investigate the boy's background first—verify his identity was clean—before officially taking him as an apprentice.
Of course, until then, this child wasn't allowed to go anywhere! He absolutely could not be discovered by those people in the Veneration Hall!
Jing Hongchen left in a burning hurry.
Meanwhile, a smile appeared on the lips of the boy who was quietly meditating—unobtrusive and fleeting.
Mm... step one, easily achieved.
...
In the blink of an eye, two days passed. Today was also the final day of recruitment for the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy.
In his office, Jing Hongchen carefully read the information that had just been delivered to him.
Using his own network of contacts and spending two days, Jing Hongchen finally obtained information regarding Huo Yuhao since he entered the city.
The information was very clean. Since stepping through the gates of Radiant City, the boy had spent his time asking for directions. It took him several hours just to barely find the recruitment office, and then he walked for a very long time to reach the academy gates.
However, beyond that, regarding the boy's life story, it was a total blank.
Did this count as a suspicious point? Not necessarily. After all, one could tell from Huo Yuhao's clothing that he came from the countryside.
Coming from the countryside, no information to be found, yet gifted with extraordinary talent—there were many such students every year. It was quite normal.
If it were anyone else, Jing Hongchen might slightly suspect they were a spy. But an eight-year-old child with such terrifying talent? Who would use such an asset as a spy? That would be throwing away a treasure.
Having finished reading everything in the report, Jing Hongchen let out a long breath. Without any hesitation, he stood up and left the office.
There was only one thing on his mind right now!
And that was!
Taking a disciple!
...
Inside the laboratory.
Huo Yuhao had easily conquered the older sister named Lin Mei with his cooking skills.
Watching Lin Mei holding a roasted fish in both hands, eating while frantically expressing gratitude, and sensing the satisfaction, joy, and other positive emotions radiating from her, Huo Yuhao showed a satisfied smile.
He was just about to tell the "big sister" to eat more slowly to avoid getting a fish bone stuck in her throat when, in the next moment, he sensed an aura he had felt a few days ago rapidly approaching.
Huo Yuhao's words stalled. A moment later, a figure pushed open the door and walked straight up to him.
"Child! Become my disciple!"
Huo Yuhao: ???
That direct?
Jing Hongchen seemed to realize he had lost his composure slightly. He quickly collected himself and spoke:
"Child, I am Jing Hongchen, the Dean of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy, the Hall Master of the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and a Rank 9 soul tool master.
"Perhaps you haven't heard my name, but none of that is important. What matters most is, child, are you willing to take me as your teacher?"
Jing Hongchen's tone was exceptionally serious. This was the first time he had been this earnest about taking a student.
He had no choice; Huo Yuhao's talent was simply too dazzling. If such a talent didn't become his disciple, Jing Hongchen wouldn't be able to eat or sleep in peace.
—If this child is taken as a disciple by Kong Deming, the Illustrious Virtue Hall will probably be named Kong or Xu before long, right?
So, no matter what, he was determined to take this child!
"That... Senior..." Huo Yuhao said in a low voice, his words carrying a hint of hesitation.
"What is it, child?" Jing Hongchen asked hurriedly.
"May I ask, after I take you as my teacher, can I still enroll in the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Tool Academy? It seems classes start tomorrow, and I haven't registered yet..."
"Eh?"
Jing Hongchen froze, then burst into laughter: "Hahahahaha... It's fine, child! As long as you become my student, you will definitely be able to attend class tomorrow!"
"Is that so? Then, I am willing to take you as my teacher, Senior." Huo Yuhao spoke happily, a trace of excitement appearing on his face, showing the normal expression of an eight-year-old boy.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's agreement, Jing Hongchen became even happier. At the same time, he thought of his grandson and granddaughter.
He could have this child attend classes together with Xiao and Meng!
Perfect!