"Your Excellency Luo Chuan, it must have been two years since we last met," Sain exclaimed, a young man with a straight posture and green pupils standing behind him.
"About that," Luo Chuan responded indifferently, "What brings you here, Your Excellency Sain?"
"I have always held Professor Wu in high regard and came to visit as soon as I was free," Sain said, his face showing regret. "I am a faithful follower of Professor Wu, but unfortunately, I have never caught his eye."
"The professor is not back yet, Your Excellency Sain, it seems you’ve come here in vain," Luo Chuan said, his demeanor and tone clearly meant to keep him out.
However, Sain, as if he did not understand the hint, looked around perceptively and, seeing Li Ming approaching, his face immediately lit up with an even warmer smile. "So this must be Professor Wu’s new student."
"And you are?" Li Ming inquired with a probing expression.
"You may call me Sain, and this is Youke," Sain introduced himself, while the young man named Youke looked up at Li Ming, sizing him up.
"Your Excellency Luo Chuan, do you not intend to let us in? We can’t just stand here forever."
Sain’s statement implied a resolve to enter, making Luo Chuan frown, but after pondering for a moment, he said flatly, "Please, my apologies for the lack of hospitality."
Sain was quite polite, "Your Excellency Luo Chuan has always been , I naturally hold no grudges."
Luo Chuan led the way, and after walking a distance, Sain suddenly stopped, turned with a smile, and said, "Your Excellency Li Ming, could you perhaps show Youke around? I have some matters to discuss with Your Excellency Luo Chuan."
Hmm? Li Ming looked at Luo Chuan, saw that he was also frowning and, after a moment’s consideration, replied, "Of course, please rest assured, Your Excellency Sain."
Sain smiled, "That would be most appreciated."
Sain and Luo Chuan headed to Luo Chuan’s office while an awkward silence fell between Li Ming and Youke.
"There are many areas in the lab that are off-limits, come with me," Li Ming took the initiative, naturally not intending to let the fellow wander about on his own, deciding instead to take him to his own studio.
"Have a seat," Li Ming said, pointing to the cluttered metallic parts around.
Youke looked around, failing to find a place to sit, but his gaze landed on a plasma longsword on the workbench, his eyes lighting up.
"May I take a look?" he asked, moving closer, eagerness evident in his eyes.
"No," Li Ming dismissed casually.
Youke paused, his eyebrows furrowed, but then relaxed, turning to look at Li Ming. "What are you doing?"
"Blacksmithing," Li Ming responded tersely, busy with a tool disassembling a life-detection device in his hands.
Youke leaned in for a closer look, then quickly lost interest, frowning again, "I heard you have a level-eight development potential?"
"Why waste time on such trivial matters, or are you pretending in front of me?"
"Pretending?" Li Ming glanced at him, weighing his words. "May I ask, who are you exactly?"
"You don’t know?" Youke was surprised.
"Should I?" Li Ming countered.
Youke hesitated, "I am the fifth son of Sela’s King, the top scholar of this year at the Royal Academy."
"Oh, a prince, my apologies," Li Ming said nonchalantly, finally recalling the name that Qi Xing, the chatterbox, had mentioned.
This guy was touted as the most formidable person in recent years at the Sela Royal Academy, with a level-twelve development potential. When his genes had been initially decoded, it is said that even the Sela Civilization was astonished.
A level-twelve development potential, given enough resources, stands a good chance of becoming an A-level Life Form.
They were about the same age, but he had already reached a D-level Life Form, far surpassing Roth and his peers in development progression.
"We are both number ones," Youke added, his self-introduction carrying a boastful tone, which was why he included this comment.
"Oh," Li Ming responded still indifferently, accompanied by the sound of an electric screwdriver.
Youke sighed, "It’s a pity that we can’t compete this time. I know you come from a humble background. Normally, with your development potential, you should have also been able to become a D-level Life Form."
Buzz—Buzz—the electric screwdriver continued without pause.
Youke continued, "It’s unfortunate that there are no E or F-level Life Forms in the delegation, and thus you won’t receive the corresponding honors."
As he spoke, he kept his eyes fixed on Li Ming, believing him to have mysterious, formidable power as Your Excellency Sain had suggested.
No one among the E-level Life Forms at the Royal Academy could match him, which is why they had all been sent away.
Additionally, Your Excellency Sain speculated that this person was the trump card of the Capital Polytechnic, and even if the F and D-levels all lost, with him still in play, at least the E-level could secure a victory.
But now, this person was in no position to be of use, and he believed that this must have disrupted their plans.
Li Ming turned, placing the metal baseplate on the side heater.
Drip—Drip—the high temperature melted the solder joints, and Li Ming picked up the metal baseplate.
Youke was greatly surprised, Li Ming showed no reaction; it was as if Youke’s punches had landed on cotton.
For a moment, he did not know what else to say, and also felt a bit irritated as Li Ming continuously ignored him, making him feel like a fool.
"Your Excellency Li Ming, is this how you treat your guests?" he said, his voice becoming louder, even thinking of reaching out to grab the tool from Li Ming’s hand.
Then, before he knew it, everything blurred, and with a "Bang," pain shot through the back of his head, his vision spun, and he collapsed to the ground, passing out.