While Xiang Ning was eyeing him, Chen Tianhua was also doing the same. 

“So Dong Qianyi wasn’t lying. A strange mutant indeed,” said Chen Tianhua, smiling. He recalled the time Dong Qianyi had announced to the Twelve Great Prodigies about his disciple in the group chat. At the time, he had talked the kid up to the heavens as if there was no one ever like him. At the time, all they knew was that this kid was a smart one. A sixteen-year-old teenager who could win Dong Qianyi’s approval and become one of the key researchers in dimensional technology must be quite impressive. 

He remembered how Dong Qianyi had used the phrase ‘strange mutant’ to describe Xiang Ning. Not because he was a key researcher in dimensional technology, but because he had a frightening capacity to learn and master anything. 

You could memorize every word, every punctuation mark in a book but could you comprehend everything? Those textbooks contained concepts that were difficult to even explain with words, but Xiang Ning had absorbed it all at frightening speed, shriveling up until he was only skin and bones in the process. If they hadn’t noticed earlier, Dong Qianyi thought the genius would have died young. It had been half a year since then, and Dong Qianyi still didn’t dare let Xiang Ning study alone. What if he spent hours and hours studying again? 

Thus, he had set a rule that Xiang Ning could only study for a maximum of half an hour a day, afraid that something bad might happen. 

When he told the rest of the Great Prodigies about it, they only reacted mildly, not thinking much of it because it wasn’t logical at all. Dong Qianyi found it difficult to explain further, so he didn’t insist. It didn’t make sense anyway. 

Just imagine the ability to understand anything another person explains to you. You’ll even be able to point out errors in the key points, as if you knew it all along. 

Dong Qianyi had imagined countless times that if Xiang Ning had died from studying too hard that day, he would have been able to dissect his brain. 

When Xiang Ning heard Chen Tianhua’s remark, he relaxed. He was still afraid of some spy, but this guy was his master’s… uh, colleague? Since that was the case, there shouldn’t be a problem. 

“Mm, to be so strong at such a young age. You’re a strange mutant indeed,” Fu Yingxiao said with an awkward smile, but Chen Tianhua rolled his eyes. 

His errors still hadn’t been resolved. Although his intentions were good, he had been too naïve. However, there was still a silver lining because they managed to save the data collected from the dimensional ripple, which would be immensely useful to Dong Qianyi’s research. 

By the time Xiang Ning had arrived, the Shura spacecraft had been stopped successfully. They had been stopped by powerful members of Seven Deadly Sins, as well as the masters of Hang City. 

Why would Seven Deadly Sins work with Hang City? To infiltrate the internal system, one must first settle external threats. With other parties present, neither side could fight the other with peace of mind. They must first settle the Shura people, then they could fight all they wanted when the doors were closed. 

Chen Tianhua expected to also receive some of the remains of the Shura spacecraft. It would be great to let the other Great Prodigies evaluate the Shura people’s technological level and workmanship. Thus, unknowingly, Fu Yingxiao had won his redemption. 

“Uh… nice to meet you, Mr. Chen. I guess I should introduce myself.” Although he knew Chen Tianhua knew about him, out of respect, it would be polite to introduce himself. “My name is Xiang Ning, an upper secondary, first-year student from Qiling Academy, disciple of Mr. Dong Qianyi. I participated a little in researching dimensional storage technology,” he humbly said. 

Chen Tianhua nodded. “A mutant indeed. You’re also working on dimensional pylons with your master, right? My third-generation engine technology relies on you guys, I hope it’ll be made while I’m still alive.” 

“Thank you for your praise, Mr. Chen, but there’s still a lot for me to learn. I’ve learned a little about the Twelve Great Prodigies and I was very interested in your engine technology. If it weren’t for you and your master’s efforts, humanity might not have been able to achieve interstellar travel by now.” Xiang Ning scratched his head. 

Fu Yingxiao was stunned watching Xiang Ning and Chen Tiangong exchanging praises. 

“Oh? You’re interested? If you’ve got the chance, you’re welcome to learn from me.” 

“Really?!” Xiang Ning’s eyes brightened, then, before Chen Tianhua could hesitate, he cut him off. “Thank you so much, Mr. Chen. After I’ve completed the tasks for the tournament, I’ll come visit you!” 

Mr. Chen was stunned, then laughed when he saw how impatient Xiang Ning was. He hadn’t felt joy like this in so long. “I don’t have a problem with that, but will you be able to learn it? Although knowledge is precious, time is limited. If I kidnap you, won’t Dong Qianyi kill me?” 

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I learn fast. I still have… a third of the storage space left in my brain. It shouldn’t be a problem,” Xiang Ning sounded like he was joking, but it was true that he only had a third of his knowledge storage space left. If he didn’t increase his mental power, he wouldn’t be able to comprehend the knowledge. More specifically, he could understand, but not remember it. 

“Mm, have a seat,” said Mr. Chen. 

Xiang Ning shook his head. “I’ve been out far too long. I must return.” 

“Are you feeling alright?” 

“I’m fine, I just need some rest. But—” 

“Don’t worry, no one can leave Hang City that easily. I don’t know about other cities, but the masters in Hang City take their jobs seriously.” Chen Tianhua grinned. 

Xiang Ning nodded. “If that’s the case, I’ll be returning now. Mr. Chen, I’ll see you again.” He turned to leave. 

Fu Yingxiao finally came to his senses after Xiang Ning left, feeling apprehensive. Had Chen Tianhua ever laughed like that before? Since when was he so friendly to a kid? He couldn’t believe that Chen Tianhua had promised to let the kid learn from him. Everyone who knew him knew that he would only be willing to pass his knowledge to one person—his disciple. It wasn’t because he was selfish; he was afraid of sacrificing innocent lives, because creating engines was no child’s play. A simple mistake could be destructive. 

An engine could function well on Earth, but what if it became problematic the moment it reached space? Now, that special person had appeared, and they already had their own master, and a system, too. Fu Yingxiao had never heard of anyone who could cross fields like that. 

Wished I have the comprehension skill too. Would make my life so much easier T_T