Capítulo 602: Chapter 543: Hiring an Assistant
Late October.
Zhang Yu rented Ye Xingli’s experiment again.
The reason for choosing to rent here is partly because Ye Xingli offers him a discount, and partly because Zhang Yu is interested in Ye Xingli’s Dao Seed.
At this moment, Zhang Yu is controlling strands of true fire to fly out, enveloping the pieces of metal materials before him.
As a military-grade puppet among magic treasures, the crafting technique and component structure of the Heavenly Sun Divine Prototype Machine is naturally far more complex compared to ordinary magic treasures.
Components such as the puppet’s skeleton, nervous system, control center, and magic core… each part is a highly precise and intricate magic treasure.
The process of refining the prototype machine can be simply described as completing these individual modules first, then assembling and debugging them.
Zhang Yu is currently working on crafting the skeleton part of the prototype machine.
The skeleton of the Heavenly Sun Divine, which embodies the force of utmost hardness and masculinity, requires meeting requirements such as high strength, heat resistance, powerful mana conductivity, and fire transformation capabilities when crafted.
It can be said that each bone of this prototype machine contains more advanced technology than many magic treasures possessed by students in University City.
However, for Zhang Yu, who has already cultivated through the Taiqing Realm and mastered various artifact refining techniques, the process of crafting the skeleton quickly went from unfamiliar to skilled, then from skilled to effortless.
Watching Zhang Yu’s actions, Ye Xingli couldn’t help but remark, “When did you become so adept at crafting bio-mimetic skeletons?”
Zhang Yu replied, “Wasn’t there an economic crisis recently? I happened to have some free time, so I studied all the related technology of the Heavenly Sun Divine thoroughly, watching some tutorials and online courses.”
“Unexpectedly, the practical application doesn’t seem too difficult either.”
“Of course, it probably has something to do with the artifact refining techniques I’ve cultivated before. Those techniques greatly enhanced my refining abilities.”
This was a prepared explanation from Zhang Yu, as he intends to craft the prototype machine step by step, openly proving his skills incontrovertibly.
As for why he’s learning so quickly? Ask about his refining talent.
Watching Zhang Yu’s operation at this moment, Ye Xingli immediately sensed the talent on the other side.
“Learning so quickly?”
“This guy Zhang Yu… seems to have a special knack and instinct in the path of artifact refining, mastering anything exceptionally fast.”
Recalling the first time witnessing Zhang Yu’s refining process and his subsequent rapid progress, Ye Xingli couldn’t help but marvel, “Although assisted by the Divinity Transformation Dark Instrument, Zhang Yu’s inherent refining talent should not be underestimated.”
“Initially, I thought Zhang Yu wasn’t talented in this aspect. Thinking back, the master’s insight was indeed sharper.”
While Ye Xingli was contemplating, Zhang Yu spoke up, “Senior sister, I must thank you for lending me your lab these days.”
Ye Xingli waved her hand, “I’ll spend most of my time participating in school training for next year’s top ten tournaments, so renting this lab to you works perfectly.”
Gazing at Ye Xingli, Zhang Yu noticed that after returning triumphant from the top ten tournaments, her departmental ranking had risen to the third in the Artifact Refining Department.
Moreover, if Zhang Yu looked a bit longer at Ye Xingli’s head, he could see the third rank in the department briefly flicker and jump to tenth place in the whole school ranking.
Seeing the ranking, Zhang Yu thought enviously, “I’ve heard that once ranked in the school’s top ten, you can get a loan of thousands of spirit coins; I wonder if the senior sister has applied for it.”
He casually asked a question he’d long wanted to know, “Senior sister, if I want to participate in next year’s top ten tournaments, what’s the process?”
This seemed to Zhang Yu like something he needed to know early on. Otherwise, he might struggle for ages only to miss the registration time, competition process, or fail to meet the selection criteria, leading to regret with no outlet.
Hearing this, Ye Xingli froze slightly and thought to herself, “Although Zhang Yu is very gifted, it’s unlikely he’ll have a chance next year.”
After all, in Ye Xingli’s view, next year’s top ten tournament will be unprecedentedly fierce. The school will surely focus all resources on upperclassmen who have already proven themselves, supporting them to compete for Immortal Sect Techniques.
“Unless Zhang Yu can surpass us in less than a year.”
But, upon considering this, Ye Xingli knew it’s impossible.
“If Zhang Yu can successfully craft a prototype machine in his senior year, then that’s already remarkable.”
“Under ordinary circumstances, he might even take a stroll in the top ten tournaments.”
“Yet next year… he probably won’t even make the list.”
If it were Ye Xingli’s own thoughts, she might dismiss Zhang Yu’s delusion, advising him not to carry out such unrealistic plans.
She’d also prefer he not speak such absurd things in her presence, as they merely waste everyone’s time.
But at this moment, lines of responses from the impoverished simulator floated across her vision.
Ye Xingli then smiled slightly and said, “You want to join next year’s top ten tournament? Senior sister supports you.”
“Typically, the school team’s guiding teachers will actively seek participants. If they don’t approach you, you can also proactively reach out to them to sign up before June next year.”
“In terms of selection conditions, in previous years, it required at least mastering two military-level powers. If you’ve achieved a military certification for the Heavenly Sun Divine, you can try with them.”
“However, next year’s competition is particularly fierce, and the selection requirements may be higher. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get selected…”
Zhang Yu listened and nodded slightly, keeping the information Ye Xingli had mentioned in mind, while feeling an increasing sense of urgency.
“To participate in next year’s top ten leagues, every single second mustn’t be wasted.”
After finishing talking about the competition, Ye Xingli looked at Zhang Yu’s actions and reminded him, “Refining the bones is a troublesome task, not only is the process extensive, but the prototype machine also requires a large number of bones, making it extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive.”
“But actually, the initial preparation steps in the refining process, including material selection and impurity refining, are relatively simple. You may consider hiring an assistant to help.”
Zhang Yu naturally had already considered the issues Ye Xingli raised.
As an incredibly complex and precise magic treasure, the prototype machine of the Heavenly Sun Divine does not have every step shrouded in mystery; there are many repetitive, low-skill steps.
It’s necessary for Zhang Yu to carry out a few complete refinements himself to prove his grasp and direction are correct. Then, delegate the simple, repetitive preparation work to an assistant and focus on completing the crucial parts himself, greatly enhancing his efficiency.
“The initial complete refinement is the most time-consuming.”
“If I were to refine alone, it would probably take 3 months to fully refine a level 1 prototype machine, then repeatedly refine and improve it to raise the prototype level.”
“But if you hire someone to assist, efficiency could be increased to within 2 months or even 1 month.”
Thinking of Jin Jun, who started a few months earlier than himself, Zhang Yu understood that to catch up and surpass him, hiring an assistant was clearly a safer choice.
Thinking about this, Zhang Yu asked Ye Xingli beside him, “Senior sister, do you have any recommendations?”
Ye Xingli said, “How about Zi Yunzhen? After my project here ends, she should not yet have entered another laboratory.”
Zhang Yu thought of the busy scene in this laboratory a while ago and nodded slightly, “What’s her price?”
In his heart, he thought, “I just wonder if Zi Yunzhen can handle the work on my side. Later, I’ll have to interview her and measure her related abilities…”
Just as Zhang Yu pondered over this, he heard Ye Xingli say, “The rate I offered her back then was 2 spirit coins a month, where she could work 14 hours a day and offer 12 hours a week of free overtime, which can be distributed at any time during the week.”
“Just 2 spirit coins?” Zhang Yu was taken aback, “What the heck is this diligence? Is she really a student from the Artifact Refining Department?”
Ye Xingli said, “Zi Yunzhen is quite talented in assisting.”
Zhang Yu thought, “Is that just talent? That’s extreme talent. How many students in the Artifact Refining Department would work for such a low salary?”
Zhang Yu immediately said, “She’s the one!”
Although Zhang Yu currently seems to have sufficient funds, in Kunxu, no one dares to say they’re not short of money. Hiring an assistant must also consider cost-efficiency.
With Zi Yunzhen’s ultimate cost-efficiency, Zhang Yu believed that even if her artifact refining skills were lacking, she’d be worth hiring.
Ye Xingli said, “Although she’s cheap, she has requirements for the projects she participates in — she must be able to learn something from them.”
…
Zi Yunzhen looked at the message sent in the small group, a trace of envy in her eyes.
It was Su Yuni, the class top performer, who was sharing her recent project experiences.
Since joining Jin Jun’s laboratory, she often sends such updates.
Su Yuni: Jin Jun’s skills in artifact refining are profoundly accumulated; just a few words from him can be immensely beneficial to us.
Su Yuni: The project’s funds are truly ample; every day, we have opportunities to practice.
Su Yuni: We’re already close to completing the magic core, and soon I’ll be familiar with every component of the Heavenly Sun Divine prototype machine.
Zi Yunzhen also wished she could participate in these military-level magic treasure projects like Su Yuni.
Especially since Jin Jun is generous with remuneration, offering spirit coins that satisfy many senior assistants.
Unfortunately, Zi Yunzhen’s resume submitted to Jin Jun has sunk without a trace, with absolutely no response.
At this moment, Zhang Yu’s message appeared in her view.
Zhang Yu: Zi Yunzhen, are you interested in joining my project?
Hearing this, Zi Yunzhen thought briefly and recalled that Zhang Yu also claimed to complete the prototype machine refinement within this school year.
Zi Yunzhen, of course, was skeptical of this.
Although she earns fewer spirit coins, it’s to increase her learning opportunities. Whether sending resumes to Ye Xingli or Jin Jun, she hopes to learn from these top students.
“Zhang Yu hasn’t mastered a single military-level technique from the Artifact Refining Department, nor has he won any awards, yet he’s starting to refine the Heavenly Sun Divine… This project is probably doomed.”