Odun was an enthusiast of influential clans, utterly fascinated by those that had persisted for generations while wielding considerable power, like the Keton family. Hearing Zhong Yun speak, his immediate thought was that something significant was about to unfold.

In Odun’s estimation, Zhong Yun was an enigmatic figure, the most inscrutable person he knew. His appearance was unremarkable, and his level seven physical prowess was merely average; he had shown no exceptional intellect in their casual interactions.

Yet, the more ordinary Zhong Yun appeared, the more convinced Odun was that he hid depths. In the entire dormitory, Zhong Yun was the most inconspicuous, but paradoxically, he was the most valued by their instructors. He’d never had a brilliant performance, yet the prodigious talent Wei Wei treated him with special regard.

Odun knew Zhong Yun's mentor: the honorary president of the National Artifacts Association, one of the foremost appraisal masters in the antique world, whose discerning eye had authenticated countless rare treasures. For him to favor Zhong Yun could not be without reason.

As for Wei Wei, beyond her title as the First School Beauty, few knew she held the record as the youngest person ever to reach level seven physical arts. No one knew what level she had attained now.

If she could cast aside Su Qi, himself a prodigious talent considered the most outstanding heir of the Keton family, to choose Zhong Yun, then Odun would be insulting his own intelligence if he continued to view Zhong Yun as an ordinary person.

Therefore, when Zhong Yun posed that question, Odun did not treat it as a casual inquiry. His first instinct was that Zhong Yun must have overheard some rumor from somewhere.

Keton Star was on the verge of chaos? That was terrible news, and even worse, his own family had not heard a whisper of it beforehand. This meant they would be unable to seize the initiative in the impending turmoil.

"A few major powers are clashing?" Zhong Yun frowned deeply, suddenly recalling the mysterious figures who appeared at the Keton family base. Could it be about the treasury?

"On Keton Star, how many forces can truly challenge the Keton family?"

"There are only two forces that can genuinely contend with the Keton family." Hearing Zhong Yun’s question, Odun felt a bit strange; didn't he know this?

He explained, "One is the Star Fortune Group, a conglomerate formed by several allied families. They monopolize nearly seventy percent of Keton Star's shipping. The other is the Wei family, which controls the families within the Garrison Command Headquarters."

Zhong Yun pondered for a moment, deciding this matter was beyond his ability to intervene. Moreover, chaos on Keton Star might actually benefit him; he could take advantage of the confusion to fish for opportunities.

The next day, Zhong Yun requested leave from his mentor and met Wenzhu outside the school. Wenzhu had been highly efficient; she had already notified him the previous night that she had secured a renowned research lab, and they arranged to go together the following day.

For Zhong Yun, the sooner the device was built, the better it was for him. No one knew when Keton Star might erupt into disorder.

The Hengguang Research Institute, fully capable of operating at its cutting edge, was known within insider circles to be backed by the Keton family.

Hengguang Research Institute possessed a skyscraper a hundred stories high, appearing from the outside much like a standard office building. Wenzhu handed Zhong Yun an access card that granted him unimpeded passage throughout the facility.

It was clear Wenzhu held a significant position within the Keton family; not just anyone could enter the research institute, especially not someone who could bring an 'Aura-born' person inside. Her influence was evident.

Zhong Yun remained silent throughout the journey, nor did he ask why she could bring him here. Wenzhu naturally offered no explanation; a tacit understanding existed between them.

Finally, Wenzhu led Zhong Yun to the fifty-sixth floor. "This is the laboratory established most recently last month. It contains the most advanced instruments and equipment."

Zhong Yun stepped inside. It was a vast space filled with numerous large pieces of machinery, most encased in silver metal. He had seen this scenario several times before; the research facilities at Dawu’s Keton Clan Group and the labs at Pearl Academy were similar.

A dozen young people in protective suits stood inside the lab. Wenzhu explained they were his assistants, specially assigned to operate these advanced instruments.

Wenzhu then guided Zhong Yun, briefly outlining the function and purpose of the equipment. Zhong Yun listened intently, all the while mentally calculating which components required which machines. After the comprehensive tour, which took nearly two hours, Zhong Yun had a rough blueprint in mind.

He began assigning tasks to the assistants, issuing orders in a steady stream; there was no confusion among them.

Wenzhu watched from the side, observing Zhong Yun systematically directing the assistants' work. This demeanor was quite similar to that of directors presiding over large-scale experiments.

Due to the minute specialization of labor, no major project could be completed by a single individual; it required the combined efforts of many forces.

Take a relatively large experiment, for instance; it involves numerous specialized pieces of equipment. One person cannot master all of them, nor can they possess the necessary energy. Therefore, an experiment is usually commanded by an experienced engineer, carried out through the combined efforts of many technical personnel.

Wenzhu noticed that Zhong Yun seemed to have commanded similar experiments before; otherwise, he couldn't handle the situation with such practiced ease.

She grew even more curious. To command such an undertaking, the minimum requirement was to be a B-rank mechanic with over ten years of professional experience. Zhong Yun should not possibly meet that criterion; so how was he doing it?

"Is it possible to purchase some components from here?" Zhong Yun suddenly turned and asked.

"What?" Wenzhu, deep in thought, startled. She hadn't heard him clearly.

"I want to buy some high-grade components; I wonder..."

"Leave it to me," Wenzhu agreed instantly. She wanted to see what Zhong Yun was creating.

Zhong Yun handed her a list. Wenzhu examined it closely; it detailed extremely high-end components, many of which could only be manufactured in limited quantities within a laboratory setting.

"This..." Amidst her surprise, Wenzhu looked troubled. These items could not be bought on the open market; major labs guarded them like treasures, afraid their peers would reverse-engineer them.

"What? Is there a problem?" Zhong Yun asked, sensing her hesitation.

Wenzhu gritted her teeth. "No problem. I'll go get them now." Zhong Yun's knowledge of these components suggested his identity was indeed unusual. Throughout the entire Mings Kingdom, only a minuscule fraction of the most elite masters would possibly know about these latest products that hadn't yet been made public.

She began speculating which master Zhong Yun might be a disciple of; only such a connection could explain his familiarity with these components.

What utterly baffled her was this: given Zhong Yun's presumed status, why would he involve himself with the Archaeology Department? Archaeology and mechanics were entirely different worlds.

However, regardless of the mystery, Wenzhu was determined to retain Zhong Yun for the Hengguang Research Institute. Setting aside his own skill level, if he truly had a master backing him, as she suspected, then cultivating a relationship with Zhong Yun was absolutely necessary.

Watching Wenzhu hurry away, Zhong Yun fell into thought. Without massive energy sources, this laboratory was vastly superior to the one in Dawu. He guessed this must be the top-tier laboratory in the Mings Kingdom.

That Wenzhu could bring him here meant her status within the Keton family was extraordinary. She was likely a key figure.

A moment later, Wenzhu returned. "Those items will be delivered shortly."

Hesitantly, she asked, "Could you tell me what kind of machinery you intend to build?"

It was clear this question had been weighing on her for a long time; it must have taken effort for her to ask it now. In Zhong Yun's memory, Wenzhu was a very straightforward woman.

"If I told you I plan to build a mecha, what would your reaction be?" Zhong Yun asked playfully.

Wenzhu shook her head. "Those components cannot build a mecha."

Zhong Yun glanced around. Seeing the assistants preoccupied with their tasks, he leaned closer to Wenzhu. "I’ll tell you a secret; you absolutely cannot repeat it."

Wenzhu’s ears perked up instantly, and she looked around alertly, lowering her voice to mimic his whisper, "What secret?"

"I discovered a massive treasure, but it’s buried too deep. It’s hard to dig out. So, I want to build an advanced engineering robot—one capable of digging down to the mantle," Zhong Yun whispered, revealing the alleged truth.

Just that? Wenzhu was left speechless, finding the revelation quite anticlimactic. To her, a treasure held less importance than a novel piece of machinery.

An engineering robot that could dig to the mantle? What purpose would that serve? With large-scale excavation equipment, one could dig to the planet's core. To use so many high-end components just to create an engineering robot seemed, in her view, wasteful.

However, seeing Zhong Yun look so enthusiastic, she kept her reservations to herself, treating it as the price of winning him over. Wenzhu’s enthusiasm waned considerably. The thought that she had gone to so much trouble just to create an excavation robot left her feeling a surge of frustration.

After watching for a while, Wenzhu finally couldn't bear it any longer and made an excuse to leave midway.

Seeing her finally gone, Zhong Yun revealed a triumphant, cunning smile. He hadn't expected her to be so easily fooled; he had even prepared several 'performances.'

With Wenzhu gone, Zhong Yun could proceed without constraint. He issued a string of commands, and the dozen assistants immediately dove into busy work.

Wenzhu went to another lab to discuss matters with the engineers. By the time she remembered Zhong Yun, it was already evening. She hurried back to the facility.

In the lab, only a few assistants remained cleaning up; Zhong Yun had already left.

Hearing this, Wenzhu felt a wave of disappointment. As she turned to leave, she suddenly recalled something. "Oh, what did he end up making?" The assistant he had spoken to hesitated slightly. "You better come see for yourself." He then brought up an image on a screen.

Wenzhu looked, and was instantly stunned silent.

P: Last day, asking for monthly votes. The next chapter will be very late. (To be continued, for the rest of the story, please log in to .**.m for more chapters.)