Chapter 554: Prototype Submission

Inside the laboratory.

A spark of inspiration burst forth in True Lord Magneto’s mind. As her Dao Heart slightly receded, intricate blueprints rapidly formed within her pupils, one after another taking shape under her hand.

Finally, gazing at the complete design of the Yin Artifact—especially the strange markings etched across its outer shell—True Lord Magneto frowned slightly.

“Lately, I’ve been designing quite a few experimental models for the Nascent Soul Law Husk project,” she mused inwardly.

“But why do I… always end up drawing these strange patterns and decorations?”

She shook her head, trying to recall the source of those inspirations, yet could not trace them back no matter how she tried. The more she thought, the deeper her confusion grew.

…

Zhang Yu carefully reviewed the memory of his stocking-shaped artifact design, then extracted part of the inspiration and went to discuss it with Ye Xingli.

After all, the condition for copying each other’s Dao Seeds required both parties to collaboratively complete the design of an artifact.

Zhang Yu thought, If I just send her my blueprints directly, wouldn’t that make it solely my design? How could that fulfill the requirements for Dao Seed replication?

As he explained his ideas, Ye Xingli nodded repeatedly, her eyes lighting up. “That’s a good concept. Wait a moment—I need to note it down.”

A flicker of light flashed in her eyes before she said, “But I don’t have time to discuss your design right now. I need to finish the one I’m working on first.”

After talking with Ye Xingli, Zhang Yu realized he had misunderstood her intentions.

“So Senior Sister isn’t designing a Law Husk for herself… but rather an artifact product suited for college students.”

As Zhang Yu learned, though Ye Xingli’s fan count had skyrocketed recently, her product sales remained stagnant.

The main reason was simple: the products from Wanfa University were too high-end, while Ye Xingli’s fans were too poor to afford them.

“My followers are 53% college students and 35% lower-academy students,” Ye Xingli sighed. “Their incomes are extremely low. For anything priced above one spirit coin, their purchase intent drops sharply.”

“I could collaborate with low-end brands,” she continued, “but those lack distinction and core competitiveness—and those companies don’t give us good terms either.”

“So I thought… why not design a unique product under my own name? Something made for poor folks.”

“But after thinking about it these past few days, something still felt off.”

Then she turned to Zhang Yu with a faint smile. “After our chat just now, I finally realized what’s missing.”

“What I lack is communication—an exchange of real information.”

“I barely understand the lives of lower-academy and vocational students. How can I design something they actually need?”

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred. “I have plenty of contacts among the lower academies and colleges. I can help you gather information for your design.”

“Thank you, Zhang Yu,” Ye Xingli replied sincerely.

Then, after a pause, she sent him a message: [1 Spirit Coin].

Zhang Yu smiled inwardly. Indeed, a Senior Sister who sends money always feels more genuine.

As for gathering data on the poor—that was child’s play for Zhang Yu, considering how many poor people he knew.

He immediately posted a survey in his hometown chat group, and soon, responses flooded in daily.

One person wanted an ocular Law Husk rivaling the Heavenly Eye, but for only one spirit coin.

Another hoped for a mouth without taste buds that could digest excrement and urine efficiently.

A third wanted a body that didn’t produce waste at all.

Someone even asked for limbs that could transform into wheels or multipurpose tools.

Others wanted skins of demon-kin or beast-hide to resist environmental damage.

As Zhang Yu skimmed through the replies, he realized every request pushed humanity further away from being human—transforming themselves into beasts, into tools.

But he didn’t activate the power of Heavenly Craft Opens Creation just yet, knowing such inspiration could risk Dao Heart regression.

Both he and True Lord Magneto lacked understanding of life at the bottom of the university hierarchy. To hastily invoke that divine power now would be wasteful.

Zhang Yu decided to continue collecting data for a while longer before using Heavenly Craft Opens Creation to draft the blueprints—and then share them with Ye Xingli for collaboration.

…

More than a week passed in the blink of an eye.

It was now early February.

Inside Jin Jun’s laboratory.

Brilliant light surged skyward as golden flames erupted from within the prototype machine, causing the entire device to slowly levitate.

Cheers and applause filled the room.

Jin Jun smiled and nodded repeatedly. “Finally succeeded.”

It had been nearly two months since he last completed a Level-5 prototype machine.

During this time, under immense pressure and nonstop funding drains, with expenses far exceeding budget, he had finally completed the Level-11 prototype today.

He knew this meant he now qualified to submit for the Military License evaluation.

“But it’s still not enough,” he muttered.

“The success rate at Level-11 is too low. I need something higher.”

Feeling both relief and ambition, Jin Jun announced to his assistants that they would take half a day off. They could use the time to attend online lectures and relax before returning to work.

He knew several of them had upcoming final exams and were under heavy academic stress. Letting them study a bit could help ease their burden.

But only two hours later, Jin Jun’s sense of triumph turned into tension.

“What did you say?” he asked, staring at the message from his friend. “Zhang Yu has already submitted his Military License application?”

The message came from his close friend Bei Wufeng—ranked second in the Artifact Refinement Department and a long-time ally.

Jin Jun could hardly believe it.

He had spent extra money and manpower to maximize speed, efficiency, and quality—how could Zhang Yu already be ready for submission too?

“Zhang Yu’s prototype surpassed Level-11? Level-12? Level-13? Or what?”

He shook his head. “Impossible.”

“Or maybe he’s just rushing into the review with a barely Level-11 model?”

But Zhang Yu wasn’t an idiot.

“The success rate would be far too low…”

Caught between disbelief and calculation, Jin Jun began to hesitate.

“Should I also apply for the review?”

After thinking it over, he decided to first gather intelligence—to find out exactly what Zhang Yu had accomplished.

He summoned Su Yunni and explained the situation.

Su Yunni was surprised but quickly sent a message to Ziyun Zhen to inquire, yet no reply came for a long time.

“Where is she?” Jin Jun pressed. “Go find her in person.”

“As long as she’s willing to share what Zhang Yu’s up to, I’ll pay her. Money is no issue.”

…

At a construction site in University City.

A magnetic channel was being dug up for renovation.

Projects like this had become common across the city in recent months—Ziyun Zhen was used to it by now.

Yet as she looked at the bustling site, she couldn’t help but sigh, recalling Zhang Yu’s earlier words.

“Xiao Zi,” Zhang Yu had said with a smile, “the lab work’s done. This month, your job’s shifting to the construction site.”

“What? The construction site?” she had protested. “Boss, I… I can’t possibly work there!”

“What’s wrong with the construction site?” Zhang Yu replied. “I’m your boss. If I say we need help there, you help there.”

“I’ve taken on several Artifact Refinement Department contracts through these sites. You’ll still be helping the department.”

“What’s wrong? You don’t want your name listed on the prototype project anymore?”

Thinking of the Heaven-Sun Radiance Divine Prototype and its high chances of passing the review, Ziyun Zhen had reluctantly agreed—and thus arrived at the site.

Ying Xin accompanied her, introducing the surroundings and today’s tasks.

Just then, Fu Xinyao spotted Ziyun Zhen from afar, her eyes lighting up. “An Artifact Refinement student? Finally!”

As Pleasure and Harmony University’s hidden agent in Wanfa University, Fu Xinyao had been quietly gathering information.

However, due to complex jurisdictional barriers and the financial crisis, her operations had long been stalled.

Only recently had she reconnected with the Civil Engineering Department through Su Yanyang—a student rumored to be close to Zhang Yu.

But after a few deep exchanges, Fu Xinyao had been horrified to find herself growing lazier by the day—almost ready to convert to the Rest-and-Relaxation Cult.

Thankfully, she resisted through sheer willpower and returned to her mission.

Now, seeing Ziyun Zhen confirmed her suspicions: as the Civil Engineering Department revived and construction projects restarted, Artifact Refinement students were naturally being drawn into the mix.

Elsewhere, after a while on the job, Ziyun Zhen suddenly noticed Su Yunni arriving at the same site.

“Su Yunni?” she asked curiously. “What brings you here?”

Su Yunni took one look at Ziyun Zhen—her frail frame and worn-out Law Husk exterior—and said, “You’ve been working overtime a lot, huh?”

Ziyun Zhen smiled faintly. “There’s just too much work. Besides Zhang Yu, I’m the only one left on the project team. It’s exhausting, but the experience has been invaluable.”

A flicker of envy crossed Su Yunni’s eyes. In Jin Jun’s team, opportunities were scarce—too many experts, too much competition for every task.

“Isn’t the lab busy today?” Su Yunni asked. “What made you come to a construction site?”

…