Chapter 6: The Mentor's Email and

The news that Li Yang's exoskeleton could walk.

It genuinely excited Feng Yan for several days; even walking to work he felt light-footed.

But this excitement didn't last long before reality doused him with cold water, chilling him to the bone.

Being able to walk doesn't mean walking well.

In the warehouse, under Li Yang's control, the exoskeleton's movements remained stiff.

Like a tin man with rusty joints.

Quick turns?

Don't even think about it; being slightly faster could lose balance, and he has to rely on Li Yang's own strong core strength to muscle it back.

The load test was even more nerve-wracking; with an added twenty kilograms, walking became a staggering gait.

The creaking sound from the joints made Feng Yan's heart leap with fright.

"Still not working," Li Yang said, taking off the gear, sweat already soaking the back of his work clothes.

He pointed to the positions of the exoskeleton's knee and hip joints.

"The load-bearing structure and transmission efficiency of these key parts have reached their limit."

"The material strength isn't enough; we can't afford good lightweight alloys."

"The coordination between the motor and hydraulic system can't keep up; the response delay is too large."

He wiped his sweat, his eyes showing frustration and unwillingness:

"At this rate, all we can do is perform a wrestling match in place!"

Feng Yan watched the exoskeleton sink back into silence, his brow tightening.

He knew that relying solely on Li Yang working alone behind closed doors...

... and the previous piecemeal "scrap" support had already hit the ceiling.

We need to bring in some "substantial" resources.

Feng Yan suddenly thought of someone—his university mentor.

Professor Han Zhi chen of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Dragon City University.

Although Professor Han has retired, his influence remains in academia and industry.

Most importantly, Professor Han loves talent, especially appreciating young people who are thoughtful and willing to endure hardship.

That evening, Feng Yan brewed a cup of strong tea and sat before his computer.

He carefully chose his words and wrote a long email to Professor Han.

He didn't have time to talk about ideals; instead he tried to be objective, even bringing the rigor of an academic report, describing Li Yang's situation:

A young man without a formal background but with extraordinary talent for mechanical design and system integration.

Under extremely limited conditions, he independently designed and built a prototype exoskeleton with basic motion functionality.

He specifically listed the current concrete bottlenecks:

Key load-bearing components (such as the knee joint and hip joint connectors).

Need higher specific strength lightweight materials (attached with a rough stress analysis and ideal performance parameters).

The coordinated control precision of the hydraulic system and motor drive is insufficient, needing better-performing sensors.

(Such as high-precision IMUs and pressure sensors) as feedback support.

The power density of the energy system needs to be increased to meet the instantaneous power demands of more complex actions.

He also attached a few photos of partial structures that Li Yang agreed to provide, not involving core design, along with simple test data curves.

At the end of the email, he wrote:

"Professor Han, it's presumptuous of me to bother you after all these years."

"But after the student's field investigation, I deeply feel that this young man has steadfast character, excellent talent, and hands-on ability."

"Although his technical approach seems unconventional, it contains ingenuity; it would be a shame if it were to fail midway due to lack of resources."

"We don't ask for special treatment; we only ask that you guide us in materials and systems."

"Recommend a few high cost-performance alternatives or publicly available authoritative references; to us, that would be sending charcoal in the snow."

After clicking send, Feng Yan let out a long sigh, but his heart remained uneasy.

Professor Han is rigorous; wouldn't he also think that the two of us trying to build an exoskeleton is too childish?

During the two days waiting for a reply, Feng Yan continued to run through that annoying list of companies during the day.

At night he went to the warehouse to brainstorm with Li Yang how to optimize that pitiful code and structure from any angle.

The two of them, facing the computer screen and piles of parts, often stayed up half the night.

The instant noodle cups they had just cleaned began to pile up again.

Just as Feng Yan was beginning to feel hope was slim, the email notification finally sounded.

He practically lunged at the computer to open the email.

It was Professor Han's reply, as always concise yet every word precious:

"Little Feng: I've received your email. The observed structural design indeed has unique merits, especially considering his background and conditions, which is no small feat."

"The bottlenecks you mentioned are typical early-stage issues for such projects…"

Then, Professor Han, like an experienced guide in the fog, pointed out several clear and feasible paths:

Materials: He recommended two specific models of domestically produced high-strength aluminum alloys usable for key load-bearing parts.

And he detailed their performance trade-offs and processing precautions.

What further brightened Feng Yan's eyes was that Professor Han specifically mentioned.

For the initial functional verification stage, one could try contacting the agents or large processing factories of specific brands.

To inquire whether there are any "test batch surplus" or "by‑products from process adjustments" that meet specifications flowing out.

The price will be much lower, yet the performance is sufficient to meet testing needs.

Regarding sensors: he did not directly recommend any expensive foreign goods.

Instead, he pointed out several domestic and international IMU and pressure sensor brands with high cost-performance and their specific models.

He also reminded them to pay attention to the importance of drive compatibility and filtering algorithms.

Regarding power: he suggested they temporarily focus on improving the efficiency of their existing battery management.

And he recommended a supercapacitor model that can be combined with lithium batteries to form a hybrid power system to meet short-term high-power demands.

At the end of the email, Teacher Han wrote: "Observing the details of his work, this young man has a resolute character."

"He possesses both talent and hands-on ability; he is certainly material that can be shaped. I hope you will guide him well."

"The Industrial Innovation Exchange Conference to be held next month in Yun Chuan City, I can recommend to the academic committee."

"Add a 'special invitation personal innovation project display point' and include you in it."

"This conference is not something you can just sign up for and exhibit; it requires qualification review."

"Although the location may be remote, it is still an opportunity to showcase. If there is progress, we can contact again."

Feng Yan read the email over and over three times, so excited he almost crushed the mouse.

This is not just guidance; it's practically giving them a full-map cheat in the dark!

He even pointed out the way to get into the exhibition!

Originally Feng Yan was worrying about how to register for the exhibition, but now it's great!

He immediately screenshotted the email's core content (hiding Teacher Han's personal information and specific channel description) and sent it to Li Yang.

Li Yang's reply came faster than ever before, and with a few extra words:

"Received. Teacher Han is impressive. I will inquire about the material channels."

With the direction set, the key now is just to implement it.

Feng Yan immediately sprang into action, turning himself into a 'network-digging machine'.

He first contacted a senior fellow student of Teacher Han's who works as an R&D manager at a new materials company in the provincial capital.

On the phone, he first enthusiastically reminisced about the arduous days of mooching meals in Teacher Han's lab back then.

Then he offhandedly mentioned that Teacher Han has recently been paying close attention to a folk technology project.

They happen to need some specific aluminum alloy models for testing.

The quantity is small; he asked whether the senior fellow student could conveniently point the way or 'support' a few samples.

Upon hearing it was a project Teacher Han cared about,

and after Feng Yan explained Li Yang's situation (hiding the official background, emphasizing his astonishing potential),

he also readily replied: "Hey, why didn't you say so earlier! We happen to have a batch of leftover material from the previous process debugging."

"The performance definitely meets the standard; the size is just a bit irregular. If you don't mind, I'll have someone look for it and send you some pieces as test samples."

The material issue can now be considered hopeful!

Next came the sensors and capacitors.

Feng Yan then rummaged around and found a junior fellow student who works at a local sensor agency.

And a classmate who does R&D at a new energy company.

Likewise, they were acting under the banners of 'alumni mutual aid' and 'supporting interesting frontier exploration'.

They inquired whether they could purchase small quantities of specific component models at internal prices.

The process remained unsmooth, hitting walls being common.

But relying on the 'Teacher Han's concerned project' as a stepping stone and Feng Yan's silver tongue,

they eventually coordinated a batch of sensors and capacitors discounted at 30 percent.

Looking at the components in the cart that had finally become 'within reach,' Feng Yan gritted his teeth, once again paid out of pocket, and emptied the cart.

At the moment of successful payment, he seemed to hear his wallet wailing.

"Looks like I really have to quit milk tea this month..." he covered his chest, feeling both pain and joy.

A few days later, when Feng Yan held that small, heavy box representing hope and support, the 'treasure',

including the aluminum alloy scraps sent by the senior fellow student and the self-purchased sensors and capacitors, it reappeared in the 'Tie Lang Gong Fang' workshop.

Li Yang stared at those things he could only previously drool over by looking at their parameters, and was stunned for a while.

He picked up a piece of shiny aluminum alloy scrap, his fingers repeatedly rubbing its cold surface.

He also looked at the brand-new packaged sensors and capacitors, giving Feng Yan a complex glance.

"This is... the materials and components Teacher Han pointed us toward, which I got with the help of the senior and junior fellow students."

Feng Yan said it lightly, placing the box in a corner of the workbench: "Use it first and see if it works."

Upon hearing this, Li Yang said nothing, merely nodding heavily, keeping that weighty favor in his heart.

He turned and picked up a piece of new material, comparing it against the drawings, his gaze focused as if examining a priceless treasure.

"One can't take things for nothing," after a while Li Yang muttered, his eyes never leaving the part in his hand.

"You provide the resources, I provide the technology. Whatever we make counts as ours together."

Feng Yan froze for a moment, then laughed.

His heart warmed; this truly upgraded them from 'enthusiastic netizens' to a 'community of shared destiny.'

"Done!" Feng Yan slapped his thigh, "But just the two of us secretly working won't cut it; we need a goal."

He then pulled out his phone and pulled up the information about the Industrial Innovation Exchange Conference mentioned in Teacher Han's email.

"Teacher Han secured us a 'special invitation exhibition' opportunity; although the spot is likely so remote you could photograph bird nests, it's still a chance to show our faces!"

"Let's take this as our target, and make a prototype of your exoskeleton that can bluff people just to show up!"

"How about it, dare or not to do it?"

If it actually works, the two of us will finally take off.

Li Yang leaned over to glance at the information on the screen.

Li Yang's eyes instantly lit up with the familiar, tech‑nerd desire for challenge and competitiveness.

Li Yang almost didn't hesitate, responding briefly and forcefully:

"Do it!"

In the warehouse, the soldering iron's smoke rose again in thin curls, and the sound of metal being cut was harsh yet full of power.

But this time, the air was no longer filled with the silence of solitary exploration, nor with the petty repairs of before.

Instead, it was a bustling siege‑battle atmosphere, now that a clear goal and crucial supplies had been secured.

Feng Yan didn't idle either; rolling up his sleeves, he began helping to tidy the battlefield‑mess of parts and tools.

First, they had to clear a workable space for Senior Engineer Li.

While sorting things out, they mentally calculated:

The exhibition was less than a month away—time was tight, the task heavy, and from now on, they truly had to go all‑out.