The Flying Disc Workshop was an inconspicuous, small establishment.
In the simple workspace, Chen Cha furrowed his brows, staring at the half-finished mechanical construct on the table.
An elderly man dressed in black robes, with graying beard and sunken eyes, he was currently seated in a floating mechanical chair a few feet above the ground, racking his brain but unable to think of a solution.
His design had hit yet another impasse.
"Who knows how long I’ll be stuck again this time!" Chen Cha sighed heavily.
Designing mechanical constructs was truly unpredictable.
Sometimes a solution would come in a day or two; other times, it could take weeks or even months.
Chen Cha had previously taken an entire year to solve a particularly challenging problem.
Casting a glance at the ledger in the top right corner of the table, his expression darkened further.
Exceptional mechanical constructs required inspiration and clever design.
Chen Cha had a solid foundation, especially skilled in formations, but he severely lacked creative insight.
In the past, he hadn't considered this a problem, which led him to borrow funds to start the workshop.
Reality had dealt him a harsh blow. Not only had he exhausted his savings, but he was now buried in debt.
Selling the workshop wouldn’t even cover what he owed.
It was too late for regrets.
Chen Cha knew that his only way out was to design an outstanding mechanical construct that would become a market sensation, bringing him a windfall and a chance at recovery.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Chen Cha frowned slightly. "What is it?"
A voice came from outside, "Master, there’s someone here who wishes to consult with you."
Chen Cha nodded, "Bring him here."
Strapped for cash, he was eager to pay off his debts.
Normally, he wouldn’t engage in consulting, but now, he was forced to earn money wherever he could.
A moment later.
Ning Zhuo walked in slowly, "Greetings, I am Ning Zhuo, here to pay my respects to Master Chen Cha, the Formation Master and seek your guidance."
The old man gave a curt nod, maintaining a dignified demeanor while quickly sizing Ning Zhuo up.
Ning Zhuo wore a clean white robe, his gaze was calm and pure, his face youthful and fresh.
Chen Cha’s eyes lingered briefly on the jade pendant at Ning Zhuo’s waist, noticing the character "Ning" carved into it.
"The Ning family?" Chen Cha's eyes gleamed.
Fire Persimmon Immortal City was ruled by four major powers, foremost being the City Lord’s Mansion, with its Nascent Soul stage lord.
Following that were the Zhou family of formations, the Zheng family of weaponry, and the Ning family of talismans.
His spirits lifted slightly, "A junior from a prominent clan—he might have a substantial background. Perhaps this business could be scaled up if I subtly point out more areas of improvement to encourage him to ask more questions."
After signing a confidentiality contract, Chen Cha invited Ning Zhuo to sit.
The contract bound both parties to keep the consultation strictly confidential.
Chen Cha took a sip of his bitter tea, his face expressionless, and inquired about the issue.
Ning Zhuo explained that he had designed a mechanical construct but had encountered a design problem.
Chen Cha chuckled inwardly, thinking, "Are you in the same boat as me?"
He didn’t take it seriously.
As a mechanical cultivator, workshop owner, and knowledge dealer, he had encountered many young cultivators like Ning Zhuo before.
"Youngsters always think they’re special."
"Their designs are usually horrendous, unbearable to look at! Some constructs are even self-contradictory, collapsing as soon as spiritual power is infused."
Outwardly, he gave a slight nod, gesturing for Ning Zhuo to continue.
Ning Zhuo explained, "Every year during the Fire Persimmon Festival, there are injuries, so I thought of designing a mechanical construct to pick the fire persimmons."
"I named it the fire explosive monkey. It’s already designed, only one last hurdle remains…"
Chen Cha was already losing patience.
"Enough," he waved, "just show it to me."
Ning Zhuo took out the fire explosive monkey from his storage bag.
Chen Cha raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The fire explosive monkey was covered in red fur, smooth and sleek, with a level of elegance that immediately captured Chen Cha’s attention.
Chen Cha, being at the Foundation Establishment stage, released his divine sense to inspect it.
The next moment, his eyebrows nearly shot up, but he managed to restrain himself.
"This mechanical monkey isn’t simple!"
While Chen Cha lacked design talent, his vision was keen enough to notice the many extraordinary aspects of the fire explosive monkey.
As he ran his hand over its fur, he was impressed, "The seams are flawless, as if it’s one seamless body. Numerous talismans woven into the lining reinforce the fur’s durability. The craftsmanship is meticulous and precise, comparable to a seasoned tailor."
Unable to find any faults, he made a mild comment, "The basic fur stitching is passable."
Ning Zhuo nodded in agreement, "Indeed, I used the traditional spiritual embroidery method. I used fire-hair mouse skin, but since the material was small and fragmented, I had to use extra silk thread, which weakened its fire resistance along the seams."
"Oh? You did this?" Chen Cha looked up, surprised.
Designing didn’t always equate to constructing.
For someone so young, Ning Zhuo’s skill was remarkable.
"Perhaps this is his forte," Chen Cha thought as he continued inspecting with his divine sense.
He noticed the frame of the monkey and felt a stir. "Heavenly gold?"
"Heavenly gold is light and tough, with limited spatial capabilities. Using it for the frame implies a storage function?"
As he continued, he confirmed, "Indeed."
Chen Cha observed the storage formation carefully inscribed on the frame.
"This storage formation is well-fitted, fully utilizing the frame and minimizing occupied space."
"Such a compact formation arrangement demonstrates impressive skill!"
"This mechanical monkey even allows for future upgrades. The creator has a broad vision."
Chen Cha mentally praised Ning Zhuo as he shot him another glance, returning his focus to the monkey.
Finding no faults with the frame, Chen Cha remarked, "Using heavenly gold for the frame is a standard choice, with no special flair. The formation adjustment is minor and builds on predecessors' work, hardly noteworthy."
Prepared for Ning Zhuo’s retort, Chen Cha was surprised when Ning Zhuo nodded in agreement.
"My first choice was hollow shell snail. Using its powder mixed with a bit of refined iron and molded would yield a frame with storage capabilities surpassing heavenly gold. Unfortunately, this hollow shell snail is rare in Fire Persimmon Immortal City."
Chen Cha was taken aback. "He knows that too?"
Hollow shell snail with refined iron was indeed superior, perfectly complementing fire-hair mouse skin.
Chen Cha cleared his throat, casting a deep look at Ning Zhuo, "As long as you understand."
He resumed his inspection with his divine sense.
The monkey’s muscles caught his attention. "Are these muscles made of oily smoke clay, further fortified for fire resistance?"
"No… not quite. It seems to be a new material refined with a pill method, primarily based on oily smoke clay."
"This… might be an original creation."
"Did this youth, Ning Zhuo, make this himself?"
Chen Cha grew skeptical.
For someone so young to exhibit such mastery in pill refinement was astounding.
Creating an original material, even for non-consumable applications, was rare.
Chen Cha suppressed his doubts and admired the sculpted muscles, "Just the skill to shape these materials could qualify the creator as the second hammer in an artifact workshop. For crafting smaller artifacts, he might even serve as the main hammer."
At this point, Chen Cha began to feel frustration.
This mechanical monkey was so flawless that finding any flaw seemed impossible.
Without flaws, how could he expand this business deal?
Many clients had spent far more than planned because Chen Cha had pointed out additional flaws, prompting further questions.
They had complaints about the cost but acknowledged that his guidance was accurate and effective.
Grinding his teeth, Chen Cha continued his inspection.
When he examined the monkey’s hand, his eyes gleamed.
He clicked his tongue in silent admiration, "The design of these hands is exquisite."
"These miniature formations interlock, enabling complex finger movements with agility."
"Such a novel combination of formations—it’s truly brilliant!"
"Was this Ning Zhuo’s work too?"
"Who is he? A prodigy of the Ning family? How come I’ve never heard of him?"
Chen Cha struggled to maintain his composure until he examined the monkey’s head.
There, he couldn’t suppress a hint of shock.
Inside the head were three orbiting spirit orbs!
"Spirit orbs are usually offensive artifacts, controlled remotely, capable of changing trajectory. But now, they’ve been repurposed to orbit inside the monkey’s head as a divine sense receiver. I’ve never seen anything like this!"
"And the numerous talismans inscribed within the monkey’s head to enhance it…"
"An ingenious creation!"
Just by observing, he realized the arrangement would work.
"What I lack is precisely this type of inspiration and originality."
With a pang of envy, Chen Cha asked, "How did you come up with this idea?"
Ning Zhuo replied, "I had to repurpose spirit orbs as a divine sense receiver out of necessity. If I added a formation disk, the cost would skyrocket. That’s why I chose this design."
"I sense it’s not the best solution, though. There could be hidden risks and instability."
Chen Cha’s eyes lit up.
"Cost!"
"Indeed, without a formation disk, the production cost is low."
"This is exactly the kind of exceptional mechanism I seek!"
"With its capabilities, it will undoubtedly sell well on the market!"
Then, a thought struck Chen Cha, and he looked at Ning Zhuo with a hint of annoyance.
Such a flawless construct—why consult him?
Did this young prodigy show it to him just for fun?
After his anger subsided, doubts crept in.
"Could such an excellent mechanical construct truly be made by this young man?"
"If I had designed this, I’d have proudly boasted about it."
"This reflects undeniable skill, beyond what ordinary people can achieve!"
"But this youth is a bit too modest."
"As if he lacks confidence, as if he’s claiming another’s work."