With the end of the holiday, Jing Shaoyu and the other students of Class Zero found themselves facing an even stricter training regime under Wu Zhangkong.
Everyone understood that their ultimate goal was Shrek Academy. As such, despite the grueling nature of Wu Zhangkong's methods, none of them voiced complaints or dissatisfaction. Instead, they gave their all, immersing themselves completely in cultivation and study.
Even the typically lazy Xu Xiaoyan showed a significant change after the trials of the Tianhai Alliance Competition. She had tempered her laid-back attitude and finally began focusing on her martial soul and soul power cultivation. This unexpected transformation even earned her a rare word of praise from Wu Zhangkong in a private conversation with Jing Shaoyu.
Jing Shaoyu merely smiled at the compliment, refraining from explaining that Xu Xiaoyan's newfound diligence likely stemmed from a conversation she had with her elders, Xu Daoheng and Xu Mingcheng. After learning about the responsibilities resting on her shoulders, she had no choice but to force herself to accept them, however reluctantly.
This was undoubtedly a good development. Xu Xiaoyan's talent was undeniable—her previous half-hearted efforts had still brought her to the level of a Soul Grandmaster. Now that she was taking her training seriously, she might not surpass Jing Shaoyu, but at the very least, she could match Gu Yue, which was precisely what she wanted.
Sometimes, having a rival truly inspires progress, especially when that rival is also a romantic competitor.
---
Roughly half a month passed, and the Tianhai Alliance Competition concluded. The Eastern Sea Mecha Association's team, as in previous years, returned to Donghai City laden with accolades.
That very afternoon, Jing Shaoyu appeared at the Eastern Sea Mecha Association's "Trident" Building.
"Grandma Yu, I'm here," Jing Shaoyu called out as he knocked on the door to the president's office on the top floor of the designer building.
"Shaoyu? Come in!" A warm and gentle voice responded from within.
Pushing open the door, Jing Shaoyu found not only Grandma Yu, but also two elderly men who looked to be about her age. Their faces lit up with kind smiles as they noticed him.
"Grandpa Wang, Grandpa Luo! You're here too!" Jing Shaoyu greeted them in surprise.
"Come over, boy! We've been waiting for you," said Grandpa Wang, his tone cheerful. Wang Chonggu was one of the Eastern Sea Mecha Association's three vice presidents, the head of the Manufacturing Association, an eighth-rank mecha designer, Black-Class Mecha Master, and a Soul Douluo.
"Haha, Shaoyu, I've heard all about your achievements from Grandma Yu. You've really brought glory to our Eastern Sea Mecha Association this time!" Grandpa Luo, also known as Luo Feng, chimed in enthusiastically. Luo Feng was another vice president, head of the Repair Association, an eighth-rank mecha repair specialist, Black-Class Mecha Master, and also a Soul Douluo.
These two, along with Yu Qian, formed the trio that led the Eastern Sea Mecha Association. Together, they comprised the association's highest decision-making body, the Eastern Sea Mecha Association Committee.
The association currently lacked an official president, as no one had yet achieved mastery of all three disciplines—design, manufacturing, and repair—at or above the eighth rank.
The three saw immense potential in Jing Shaoyu and hoped that he might one day unify these disciplines, finally giving the association a true leader within their lifetimes.
---
"Shaoyu, I heard you encountered an evil soul master on your way back. Are you hurt?" Grandma Yu walked over, holding Jing Shaoyu's hand with a look of concern.
"I'm fine, Grandma Yu. Didn't Uncle Wu check on me when we returned? Didn't he tell you?" Jing Shaoyu replied with a reassuring smile.
"It's one thing to hear it, but another to see for myself," Yu Qian said with relief before her expression turned angry. "These evil soul masters are becoming bolder by the day. What is the Federation even doing? Do they only know how to fight over power and resources?"
"Hah! Old Yu, you should know how those politicians in Mingdu operate by now," Luo Feng interjected disdainfully. "Still, this time they seem to have angered City Lord Ouyang. The city has sent out mecha squads to sweep the area four or five times this month. Our repair association has been working nonstop as a result."
"Let's not dwell on such depressing topics," Wang Chonggu waved his hand dismissively. "Shaoyu, you're here to collect your reward, right? Don't worry, we've already prepared everything for you."
"That's right," Yu Qian nodded, producing a card Jing Shaoyu recognized immediately. "Here, Shaoyu, this is your champion's prize. In addition to the three million Federation coins from the Tianhai Alliance Competition, the Eastern Sea Mecha Association is awarding you an extra two million. That's a total of five million Federation coins. Keep it safe."
"Thank you, Grandma Yu! I won't be polite about this!" Jing Shaoyu said with a cheerful grin, taking the metal card.
"Now for the main event," Luo Feng said, his tone turning serious. "Shaoyu, as the youth division champion, the association will fully cover the materials and costs for either a Purple-Class mecha or a One-Word Battle Armor. So, what's your choice?"
"I've already decided," Jing Shaoyu said without hesitation. "I choose the Purple-Class mecha."
"Wise choice!" The three elders exchanged approving smiles. Luo Feng added, "Mechas are a man's game. Battle armor? That's too mentally exhausting for us mecha masters!"
Jing Shaoyu smiled but said nothing. He couldn't exactly tell them he intended to master both mechas and battle armor.
Wang Chonggu patted his shoulder. "Good boy. We've already decided—your Purple-Class mecha will be personally crafted by the three of us!"
"What?" Jing Shaoyu was stunned, his expression turning to surprise. "That's... that's too much!"
"Nonsense!" Luo Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Unless you think we're not good enough, don't even think about refusing."
"Alright, alright. Thank you, Grandpa Wang, Grandpa Luo, Grandma Yu," Jing Shaoyu relented with a wry smile.
Yu Qian chuckled. "Good. Now, when you go back, design a Yellow-Class mecha blueprint according to your ideas and bring it to me. I'll upgrade it into a Purple-Class mecha. With your skills, designing a basic Yellow-Class mecha shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"No problem at all!" Jing Shaoyu grinned. "In fact, I've already prepared one."
With that, he handed over a set of blueprints he had meticulously drafted in advance.
---
The three elders gathered around the blueprints. The design was a sleek humanoid mecha, devoid of the bulkiness typical of standard models. It looked more like an oversized suit of armor.
As they examined the details, the trio's expressions shifted from curiosity to astonishment.
"This... this design allows for transformation?" Wang Chonggu exclaimed. "Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"
"The material selection here is ingenious," Luo Feng added, his excitement evident. "Old Yu, what do you think?"
"What do I think? I think it's revolutionary," Yu Qian replied with a rare seriousness. "If we can build this, it could reshape the mecha industry."
After nearly an hour of discussion, Yu Qian looked up at Jing Shaoyu with admiration. "You're designing a dual-form Purple-Class mecha? What audacity!"
Jing Shaoyu gave a humble smile. "Is it doable, Grandma Yu?"
"Doable? Of course!" Luo Feng snorted. "With the three of us working on it, even a Red-Class mecha wouldn't be out of reach!"
"Rest assured," Yu Qian added with a smile. "It's a novel design, but it's well within our capabilities. You'll have it in two years, guaranteed."
"Two years?" Jing Shaoyu was pleasantly surp
rised. "I expected at least three. That's great news!"
"Leave it to us," Yu Qian reassured him.
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