https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-547-Who-s-Sabotaging-from-the-Shadows-Thanks-to-Magic-Eye-for-Becoming-Alliance-Leader-/13687259/
Chapter 546: Beginning to Take Human Form (Please Vote for Me)
After politely declining Zhang Yu’s invitation, Zi Wen Zhen was surprised to receive another message from him shortly afterward.
Zhang Yu: If you’re willing to join the project, I can answer any technical questions you have about the Tian Ri Huang Shen.
Zhang Yu: And if your Spirit Artifact breaks down, I’ll fix and maintain it for free.
The first offer—Zhang Yu’s willingness to answer technical questions—didn’t interest Zi Wen Zhen much. Despite his impressive alchemy skills, he’d only been in the Alchemy Department for a short time, and had barely begun studying Tian Ri Huang Shen technology. She had watched him fumble through various chaotic alchemy techniques in the lab herself. She simply didn’t believe he could have mastered the Tian Ri Huang Shen system in just a few months.
But the second part—free maintenance and repairs for Spirit Artifacts—sparked her curiosity.
She thought to herself: Just join temporarily, let Zhang Yu fix a few worn-out Spirit Artifacts for me, then find a reason to leave.
With that in mind, she agreed to Zhang Yu’s proposal. They settled on a one-week trial period—she would assist him in the project, and both sides would evaluate whether they were a good fit. If not, they could part ways.
…
That day, as Zi Wen Zhen arrived at the lab, her Eye Armor buzzed with a message from Zhang Yu.
“Do you have experience handling alloy materials?” he asked.
“Based on the file I sent you, prepare the preliminary screening and purify the impurities. That’s your task for today.”
Zi Wen Zhen glanced at the workload outlined in the document and gasped.
“Are you serious? I have to refine this much in one day?”
Zhang Yu nodded. “This is just the beginning. I have high expectations for you. Your efficiency directly impacts the entire project’s progress. I hope you’ll push yourself and grow quickly…”
As Zhang Yu turned and walked away, Zi Wen Zhen silently muttered: You want me to prepare this much material… do you even plan to use it all?
She glanced at the few skeletal fragments already refined and completed on the nearby experimental table.
That’s all? This is still far behind Jin Jun’s pace.
She shook her head, grumbling inwardly, but still began gathering materials—just waiting for Zhang Yu to finish repairing her Spirit Artifact, then she’d find a way to excuse herself.
Half an hour later, she had just finished preparing the second batch when she noticed most of her first batch had already vanished.
“Huh?”
“Using them that fast?”
She paused, frowning. Could they all be wasted?
In her mind, Zhang Yu had only just begun refining Tian Ri Huang Shen prototypes. If he was using materials so quickly, it had to mean he was failing repeatedly.
She turned to look at Zhang Yu’s workstation—and froze.
A swirling mass of milky-white material was slowly taking shape within a radiant column of True Flame. Around him, alchemy equipment continuously discharged crackling Thunder Fire, which Zhang Yu expertly guided to carve intricate Martial Energy Circuits into the material.
Watching his movements—fluid, precise, utterly confident—Zi Wen Zhen realized, in shock, that he was nearly finished with this section of the skeleton in mere moments.
So fast?!
Did he really just finish? How is this possible?
She recalled overhearing Su Yun Ni once describe how long it took to refine the skeletal components of the prototype machine.
Jin Jun’s team didn’t move this fast… did they?
She quickly sent a message to Su Yun Ni:
How long did it take you to fully refine a single bone back then?
Su Yun Ni replied:
About two to three hours.
But we had multiple upperclassmen assisting Jin Jun senior.
Speed came at the cost of massive material waste.
Why are you asking?
Zi Wen Zhen typed back:
I’m working on a project with Zhang Yu.
Just curious about the difference—no big deal.
Su Yun Ni replied:
Zhang Yu’s setup can’t compare to Jin Jun senior’s. Don’t be discouraged. If a spot opens up, I’ll recommend you to him.
Meanwhile, Zi Wen Zhen stared at the humanoid skeleton before her. Its intricate Martial Energy Circuits pulsed with golden energy, flickering rhythmically. With each pulse, the bones seemed to shift between solid and ethereal, a faint spark of fire flashing through them.
Zhang Yu said, “Now, join me in the testing phase.”
“If there are no defects, we’ll begin refining the nervous system next.”
As the skeleton passed strength tests, high-temperature resistance trials, and conductivity assessments—then transformed into streaks of fire under Zhang Yu’s command—Zi Wen Zhen grew increasingly astonished.
She stared, dumbfounded. If she hadn’t witnessed Zhang Yu crafting each piece from scratch over the past days, she might have suspected he’d hired someone else to do it.
And without even realizing it, her original plan—leaving after one week—had slipped her mind entirely.
Zhang Yu… maybe he really can surpass Jin Jun and win the military license before anyone else.
Even if he doesn’t beat Jin Jun, working under him on the Tian Ri Huang Shen project would still be invaluable.
And if he does…
The thought of Zhang Yu and herself—two fourth-years—defeating Jin Jun, claiming the military license, and gaining fame, prestige, and a legendary resume boost sent a thrill through her.
At that moment, Zi Wen Zhen made up her mind: she would stay. She would learn everything she could under Zhang Yu’s guidance.
Zhang Yu, glancing at her focused expression, seemed unsurprised. He’d expected her initial reluctance. He knew exactly what she was thinking—she wasn’t here for money, but for rapid experience, skill development, and high-impact project credentials. And he had no intention of letting her go.
He thought to himself: No need to raise her salary. She’ll stay on her own.
From then on, Zhang Yu pushed forward relentlessly, refining the prototype machine with Zi Wen Zhen by his side. Her work hours stretched from 14 hours a day to 16, then 20, and finally—24 hours straight.
As the project advanced at breakneck speed, Zi Wen Zhen never once brought up overtime pay or a raise.
A month passed in a flash.
By mid-November, Zi Wen Zhen stood before the nearly complete humanoid prototype, still stunned.
One month… and this is already close to being finished?
She checked her chat history with Su Yun Ni:
Jin Jun’s team is probably nearing their first assembly too.
Though both projects were nearing completion, Zi Wen Zhen knew the difference wasn’t just in timing—it was in the pace. Zhang Yu’s progress was terrifying.
But why has Zhang Yu been leaving the lab so often lately?
This is the critical moment! How can he afford to be distracted?
He should be focusing—pushing through to surpass Jin Jun and secure the military license!
She decided she needed to talk to him.
…
Meanwhile, outside the Research Division office.
Zhang Yu sat on a waiting chair, his expression growing increasingly impatient.
After a long wait, Feng Yuhao finally called him in.
“Ah, young man,” Feng said slowly, “what’s with the lack of patience?”
Zhang Yu frowned. “Master Feng, I’ve been busy with my project…”
Feng waved him off. “No matter how important your project is, nothing matters more than the school’s official initiative. You know how much the Principal values the Hua Shen Spirit Armor project.”
“From now on, you must fully cooperate with the inspection team. Pause everything else.”
Zhang Yu stared at Feng Yuhao. “Master Feng… are you targeting me?”
Feng smiled faintly. “Why would a teacher target a student?”
He dismissed him with a wave. “Go. Make sure you complete the assigned tasks. If you delay the school’s work, even your teacher won’t be able to protect you.”
As Zhang Yu walked away, Feng Yuhao clearly sensed the resentment, frustration, and simmering anger in his posture.
But to him, a student’s anger meant nothing. Let him stew. Eventually, he’d forget.
(End of Chapter)
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