Ten newcomers took their oaths and were now, as of this moment, genuine members of the "Xin Huo" (Spark of Hope).
Eight of them were outstanding performers during training, while the other two, despite slightly lower training scores, were highly skilled technicians who received special professional bonuses from Wang Chui. They were now apprentices under Wang Chui's direct supervision.
"Alright, alright, no need to make a fuss. You can visit the secret realm anytime. For now, let's get familiar with your work environment."
Wang Chui called out to the two technicians. He had completely forgotten his own earlier behavior, but now that the forging workshop was built, even the most awe-inspiring secret realm wouldn't faze him.
Time was up, and it was time to forge.
Long Junji let out a soft "Oh" and snapped back to attention.
He, along with another apprentice, quickly followed Master Wang Chui. However, his eyes couldn't help but dart around. The space was so vast, with nothing but those towering dragon-patterned pillars. They wouldn't bump into anything.
It was just too awe-inspiring!
Following Master Wang Chui, Long Junji entered a smaller corridor on the side of the palace. While called "smaller," it was still seven to eight meters wide, only significantly less so compared to the brightly lit main corridor at the entrance.
They walked all the way to the end, where a massive alloy gate stood, bearing the four characters 'Forging Workshop'.
Inside was a space comparable in size to a football field, filled with all sorts of equipment. Some of the equipment looked familiar, but most of it was strange and astonishing, as if it had been built a hundred years ago.
At the very core of this workshop, suspended high above, was a mechanical giant!
This giant was entirely brown. It only had an upper body, with no lower half, and was suspended in mid-air about ten meters off the ground. Its mechanical arms were exceptionally large.
"This ancient mechanical giant is the core equipment of our forging workshop," Wang Chui said, his gaze burning with intensity. "Its pair of mechanical arms are 'Gui Qi' (Mysterious Artifacts), possessing the ability to solidify the mysterious and change their shapes."
"Most importantly, this ancient mechanical giant can be controlled at will, without any clumsiness or delay. It can also extend and amplify our awakened abilities."
"Master Wang, I'll demonstrate some things for you. You will listen to my instructions and cooperate with the operation."
"Ah... Oh..." Long Junji stammered in response.
He watched as Master Wang Chui entered an oval-shaped control cabin. He reclined inside, and with a hissing sound, the cabin door closed. The next moment, the ancient mechanical torso suspended ten meters above lit up with red lights in its eyes, and its massive mechanical hands slowly transformed.
One turned into a giant hammer, and the other also transformed into a giant hammer.
Master Wang Chui's voice boomed from the ancient mechanical giant. "Push the number two alloy ingot onto the forging platform. What are you waiting for!"
"Right away, right away."
They knew which was the number two alloy ingot; they had studied with Master Wang before and were familiar with it. After joining the organization, they had also consumed the physical enhancement secret medicine, making them incredibly strong.
The two immediately transformed into porters. There were also many loading and unloading devices available—some of which were common in the outside world, recognizable to Long Junji, and usable.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
They brought the metal ingot in order and performed some coordinated operations. Soon, under the hammering of the mechanical giant's two massive hammers, the alloy ingot and mysterious materials in front of them slowly turned into liquid.
It wasn't a chaotic flow, but very orderly. Some flowed upwards, some downwards, gradually merging.
Was this what Master Wang Chui meant by extending and amplifying abilities? It seemed that after working for a few more days, they too could apply to awaken. And after awakening, their efficiency as assistants would likely increase even further.
In just a moment, various materials were continuously kneaded and transformed before them, gradually forming a war machine with a long, narrow cannon barrel and a pair of smooth wings attached to its sides.
Wang Chui stepped out, caressed the still warm weapon before him, and said, "Now, let's proceed with the characteristic testing of the first batch of ammunition."
…
Master Wang Chui was racing against time to research and develop weapons. After Yin Ling returned, she also threw herself into the research and development of new potions. Her current goal was to develop the second generation of physical enhancement secret medicine, a more advanced and potent one.
And to decipher the formula for the mental secret medicine. Once these two secret medicines were popularized, it would significantly boost the overall strength of Xin Huo, not only for the newcomers but for the veterans as well. Sometimes, the condition for advancing from the second awakening to the third might just be a difference of a fraction.
Now that the medical room was established, complete with supporting research equipment, both scientific and unconventional, the conditions were greatly improved.
"Master~" Xiao Huan's figure jumped out of the phone. "I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"I choose to hear both at the same time."
"Hmm, if that's your request..." She tilted her head, and another beam of light shot out from the phone, transforming into a duplicate of herself. The two identical Xiao Huans spoke in unison.
"Instructor Hei Dao (Black Saber) has been promoted to the third awakening!"
"An Jianyou has failed again!"
Fang You checked the details. This time, considering An Jianyou's history, he had not chosen to be present—after all, he had witnessed it twice already, and the information needed from the breakthrough process had been collected. He opted for remote guidance. He hadn't expected her to fail again. Perhaps next time, he should attend in person. In a state of shame and embarrassment, this girl might even perform beyond her usual capabilities?
"After An Jianyou recovers, notify her to write a reflection."
"Currently, the number of failed awakenings in Xin Huo is far less than successful ones. For the third awakening, only An Jianyou has failed. Thinking about it this way, her failure isn't entirely without value; it still holds some significance."
"The organization will remember her contribution."
The Apostle Dormitory had already been upgraded. Fang You went to see it but didn't have much time to rest. He spent most of his time in the training grounds. When he had life energy, he would practice the "Huan Kong Bu" (Illusionary Void Step). It was quite fast to learn, possibly because this skill matched his affinity well. When he was tired from training, he would open his computer and browse through the various information collected by Xiao Huan. It was from all over the world. Even though she had done a lot of filtering and the information was generally accurate, Fang You still had to deduce things himself.
"In the 'Shen He' (Divine River) of Peacock Country, a massive shadow has appeared. This is likely a four-star disaster-level 'Gui Xie' (Mysterious Evil)! It has already polluted a large area."
"The Empress of Sunset Country has become younger, possibly having awakened?"
"In a small town in Ouluo Country, there have been numerous disappearances?"
This third piece of news caught his attention. Mass disappearances? People killed or hunted by Gui Xie would sometimes go missing—depending on the Gui Xie's hunting logic—but it would never be on a large scale. The hunting logic of Gui Xie varied. He asked Xiao Huan to investigate the situation of this small town further. During the day, it seemed exceptionally quiet, but at night it became active, which was somewhat unusual... However, the network was not as smooth as it used to be, and the information Xiao Huan could gather was limited. Fang You silently took note. Xin Huo's base was almost completely sealed off, with no distinction between day and night. Yet, in the outside world, the sun set, and rose again.
"Master, the fourth floor has been opened~!"
The fourth floor, oh right! He had opened it yesterday.
Fang You stretched. "Let's take a break for a moment. It's a good chance to walk around and see. After looking around, I'll go to the restaurant outside for something to eat."
He walked down the spiral staircase, floor by floor.
Second floor, third floor. He soon arrived at the fourth floor. Outside the circular central area, bright golden light shone through.
"What is this..." He stepped out.
The fourth floor was very spacious and currently empty of anything. Apart from the hall in the central area connecting to the elevator and spiral staircase, there was nothing else. It was just vast! Outside was a circle of open land. Clouds drifted by, seemingly within reach. Rays of golden sunlight cascaded down from above, not scorching, but warm. A gentle breeze caressed his face. Standing on solid ground, the land hovered in the air, supporting the silver fortress.
…
At the same time, in Huangdu, the Investigation Bureau, Deputy Director's Office.
Knock, knock, knock—
A staff member pushed open the door and entered. "Director Huang, we've found some important information about Xin Huo!"
Huang Hongtian stopped writing. Finding important information in just one day, he was very satisfied with his subordinates' efficiency. With sufficient understanding, their interactions with Xin Huo would not be too passive, even if the current interactions were beneficial.
"Tell me about it." He said with a smile, then heard:
"Director Huang, based on the collation and analysis of information from multiple sources, we can confirm that the strongest Gui Xie hunter 'Xing Jinglei,' Director Pei of Pei Group, the young lady who appeared briefly on the Yincheng battlefield and saved countless lives, and Iluoxi, who single-handedly dominated the entire northern battlefield..."
"They... are all people from Xin Huo."