The morning sun shone through the mist onto the training grounds, warm and gentle. Xiang Fan arrived early as usual, gripping his ordinary training sword and practicing each move of the Tianxiao Sword Style. His movements were still slow and meticulous, the blade's path through the air barely perceptible with the fluctuations of spiritual energy, but today, a subtle hint of anticipation lingered between his brows.

With each swing of his sword, his expression was more focused than usual, as if all his thoughts were concentrated on the rhythm of the sword's movements. Sweat streamed down his forehead, but he didn't stop until he had completed the entire set of sword moves. The moment he sheathed his sword, he stood up straight, panting slightly, and a glint of light appeared in his eyes.

After the practice session, Xiang Fan slowly walked toward the Dharma Elder's office. It was a small bamboo and wood pavilion nestled among the verdant bamboo forest, filled with spiritual energy and exceptionally peaceful. He hesitated for a long time before glancing down at the application form in his hand. He clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and finally mustered the courage to step forward.

He knocked lightly on the door, and the elder's steady voice came from inside: "Come in."

Xiang Fan pushed the door open and walked in, handing over the completed application form with both hands. The Dharma Master was sitting at his desk, flipping through a thick tome. When he saw someone coming in, he looked up and glanced at them. When his eyes fell on the application form, his brows raised slightly.

"Mecha courses?" the elder muttered softly, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Are you interested in this?"

Xiang Fan lowered his head, rubbing the corner of his clothes with his fingers, and said in a voice as low as a mosquito's hum: "Hmm... I want to learn a little and understand a little."

The elder was silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on Xiang Fan, as if assessing his resolve and ability. He then reached out to take the application form, his tone softening slightly. "Although your cultivation is a little slow, if you study diligently, you might find a path that suits you."

These words seemed to carry a certain power, shocking Xiang Fan's heart. He raised his head, a long-lost light flashed in his eyes, and he bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Elder!"

The elder nodded, put the application form into the bamboo tube on the table, and continued to organize the documents with his head down, as if he had inadvertently missed the excitement and gratitude that had been suppressed for a long time on Xiang Fan's face.

Xiang Fan's steps were much lighter as he walked out of the elders' office. He looked up at the gradually brightening clouds in the sky, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, a smile that he didn't even realize.

After sword training, Xiang Fan sat alone in a corner of the training grounds, leaning against a thick bamboo tree, his gaze fixed on the distant mecha classroom. People were coming and going there, with many disciples entering the classroom in twos and threes, their faces lit with excitement as they discussed the course content, their voices filled with suppressed anticipation.

Xiang Fan pulled the spirit stone his father had given him from his storage bag and gently stroked its surface, as if to confirm its presence. He placed the spirit stone back into the bag, patted it gently, and said with a firm look, "We must not waste this opportunity."

His mind flashed back to scenes from previous virtual battles: those movements that perfectly combined spiritual energy and mechanical power, those difficult maneuvers that required precise judgment and spiritual energy control. Every scene was as clear as if etched into his memory, and now, these images burned in his heart like a blazing flame, driving him to pursue higher goals.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, almost feeling the weight of the mecha controls—the cool touch of the metal, the delicate feedback from the flow of spiritual energy, even the momentary resonance between his fingertips and the mecha. He knew that the feeling of controlling a real mecha was far more than a virtual one could ever hope to match, and this time, he finally had the chance to experience that true power.

"What will it feel like..." He whispered to himself, his eyes full of anticipation.

The morning breeze carried a hint of coolness, the bamboo forest swayed gently, and the sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves onto the ground, dappled and warm. Xiang Fan leaned against the bamboo tree, his hands gently clenched, as if he had already touched the impending future.

This time, he no longer had any hesitation in his heart.

A few days later, the mecha class began as scheduled. The class was held in the Lingxiao Sword Sect's main hall. The morning's spiritual energy enveloped the entire building like a veil, creating a solemn and mysterious atmosphere. The disciples took their seats early, eagerly awaiting the start of the class.

With a gentle mechanical hum, a basic aura-powered mecha was wheeled onto the podium. Its body was dark silver, its design simple yet exquisite. Its joints featured psionic interfaces that flowed like patterns of light, and its chest energy core radiated a faint glow, like a beating heart. Lines of aura traced across its surface, exuding a chilling beauty.

As soon as the mecha appeared in front of everyone, exclamations were heard in the classroom.

"Is this an aura-powered mecha? I heard this basic mecha is also very powerful in actual combat!"

"Look at that spiritual energy engine. Its structure is so complex. The products of the main sect are truly extraordinary!"

Xiang Fan, sitting in the last row, never took his eyes off the mecha. His gaze was fixed on the mechanical behemoth on the podium, eyes filled with concentration and wonder. From the psychic interfaces at the joints, to the protective shell of the chest energy core, to the spiritual control panel in the cockpit, every detail seemed to be telling him about a brand new world.

"It's even more sophisticated than I imagined..." He muttered to himself, his voice low enough for only himself to hear. His fists clenched involuntarily, and he leaned forward slightly, as if wanting to get closer to the mecha.

The mecha master on the podium was a Foundation Establishment Master from the main sect. He wore a dark blue mecha master robe and exuded calmness and confidence. His voice was soft, yet magnetic, easily drawing everyone's attention.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!