Chapter 297
"Xiao Tian?"
"I can't help but feel that you weren't being sincere when you said that to me."
"......"
"Say it again!"
"But you said we’re like an old married couple..."
"Say it!"
......
Two days later, Zheng Fa and the others were huddled in the old man's room, watching television.
Today was the day the old man was being honored on behalf of the nursing home.
The ceremony was quite grand, with a short segment broadcasted directly on the daily news.
They watched as the old man, looking sprightly, took the stage, excitement written all over his face as he received his prize and certificate, then hopped off the stage—everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Zheng Fa was mostly worried that the old man might suddenly act up in front of the camera.
......
On the road down the mountain, Team Leader Yang was personally driving, with two men—a middle-aged man and a young man—sitting in the back.
The car radio was playing an interview with the old man conducted by a reporter from the main station:
"Under the wise leadership of Director Zheng from the Hongshan Agricultural Research Institute..."
"This honor belongs to our director..."
"He is someone who does not seek fame or fortune..."
The Hongshan Agricultural Research Institute was one of the nursing home's public fronts.
The two men listening to the news had different expressions.
"Team Leader Yang," the young man couldn't help but ask.
"I’m Team Leader Yang now," he replied with a smile.
"Team Leader Yang, I heard this award was added at the last minute?"
The young man asked curiously.
The middle-aged man beside him tugged at his sleeve, but it was clear that the young man was a bit naive.
"Yes," Team Leader Yang said, glancing at him in the rearview mirror, "I was the one who applied for it."
"......"
The young man opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something.
"Do you think it's unfair?"
"I just think... it’s a bit hasty... the other awardees went through over half a year of evaluation."
Team Leader Yang smirked, "Let me put it this way... maybe ten or twenty years from now, this award ceremony will be remembered because of the Hongshan Agricultural Research Institute."
"......" The young man fell silent, and after a long pause, he finally spoke, "Team Leader Yang, is there really... a way to cultivate immortality?"
Team Leader Yang nodded with a smile.
The young man looked utterly bewildered.
"Still don’t believe it?"
"I believe it, how could I not? With such a big deal going on, how could I not believe?" The young man sighed deeply and added, "If it were just about cultivating immortality, I could accept that."
"But you said..."
"Immortals are playing with nuclear fusion..."
"That... sounds a bit too scientific."
At that moment, the middle-aged man spoke up: "Isn't there a saying? The end of science is theology."
"Wu Ge? What are you saying..."
The young man looked at his companion in surprise, feeling that the other’s acceptance was a bit too good.
"When I first got into nuclear fusion research, everyone said it would take fifty years to achieve..." Wu Ge said, "Now, twenty years have passed, and it’s still fifty years..."
"Everyone understands that breakthroughs in key technologies depend heavily on luck; you can't rush it, and any predictions will be inaccurate."
"But... how many fifty-year spans do I have left?"
The young man was taken aback.
Then the middle-aged man continued, "If he really has a method for nuclear fusion... forget about him claiming to cultivate immortality."
"If he said he was God, I’d accept that."
The young man pursed his lips.
Then Team Leader Yang said:
"Don’t just think it’s you... this rice has succeeded."
"In ancient times, they would have built a shrine for him."
"If the method for nuclear fusion really works," Team Leader Yang turned to look at the two men, "If he really wants to be a God, who could stop him?"
(End of this chapter)
---
Chapter 277: Too Much Internal Circulation
Zheng Fa had no time to play God; he was busy helping Tang Lingwu with her cultivation—she was about to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement.
It had taken her nearly a year to reach this level, which was neither fast nor slow.
Compared to Zheng Fa, who had reached Foundation Establishment in less than a year, Tang Lingwu naturally fell short.
But compared to Han Qi and the others, she was quite fast, especially since she had a single spiritual root.
Considering the nursing home’s less-than-abundant spiritual energy, Tang Lingwu's efforts were commendable.
Among the few at the nursing home, Zheng Fa actually had the highest hopes for Tang Lingwu:
Her privileged background made her simple-minded, her talent was high, and she learned quickly—she could easily impress Master Pang in the Xuanwei Realm.
Now, she was also the first to break through to the mid-stage of Qi Refinement.
Sitting outside the meditation room, Zheng Fa felt the fluctuations of spiritual energy inside. He extended his consciousness downward and saw Team Leader Yang leading the two men up the mountain.
......
Team Leader Yang reminded the two men behind him, "Your presence here is a sign of trust from above, and on the other hand, it’s also your opportunity."
The two exchanged glances, nodding slightly, their expressions tense.
They had been discussing this all the way up, and the more they talked, the more anxious they became.
The very idea of cultivating immortality was daunting enough.
Now there was also talk of some method for nuclear fusion.
Believing in science and superstition at the same time left no room for faith.
Hearing Team Leader Yang’s persistent reminders only made them more anxious.
"Don’t be nervous; Director Zheng isn’t a bad-tempered person," Team Leader Yang said with a smile to reassure them. "I just hope you can answer some of Director Zheng's questions."
They exchanged glances, knowing this was likely a political task... the higher-ups clearly valued this person immensely.
Their faces tightened even more.
After a while, the young man asked, "Team Leader Yang, do you think... I could learn to cultivate immortality?"
Team Leader Yang turned to look at him, noticing the middle-aged man beside him also had a hint of anticipation in his expression.
She nodded at both of them.
"What do I need to do?" The young man’s eyes lit up, eagerly asking, "Test my aptitude? Test my character? Or is it some kind of opportunity?"
"Write a paper."
"?"
"I'm not kidding. You know about Hou Lao, right? He wrote a paper on agricultural science in a spiritual environment, and now he’s practicing the Farmer's Stance."
As Team Leader Yang spoke, there was a hint of envy on her face.
However, Tang Muda also mentioned that they were still perfecting the contribution system—her role, while lacking in tangible results, counted as a liaison.
In the future, adding a few more contributions wouldn’t be impossible.
Slowly accumulating, even an academic slacker could have a chance!
......
Zheng Fa stood at the entrance of the nursing home’s main building, waiting for the three men.
"Mr. Zheng!"
Seeing him personally greet them, Team Leader Yang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
She had already confirmed—Zheng Fa really liked this group of academics.
Last time, when Hou Lao came, Zheng Fa even went out to welcome him.
She didn’t receive such treatment.
She mentally noted this down, planning to add it to Zheng Fa's profile.
The higher-ups’ concern for Zheng Fa was more absurd than anyone had imagined.
Zheng Fa’s profile had been growing day by day.
What Team Leader Yang found most unbearable was that Zheng Fa's previous exam papers had been collected and were being evaluated by a group of people.
They claimed that a person's character could be discerned from their handwriting.
She didn’t fully believe that.
But some analyses, Team Leader Yang found quite accurate—
Zheng Fa was someone who avoided trouble, valued friendships, and had a great passion for knowledge.
In a way, he was more straightforward and easy to get along with than any of Team Leader Yang's previous targets.
These days, she even felt very comfortable working alongside Zheng Fa—
Zheng Fa had a good temperament, and her position was significant; even a casual remark from her could draw attention from all levels.
This feeling... how could it be described as anything less than a thousand years of bliss?
Thus, whether in public or private, she was unwilling to upset Zheng Fa.
Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel regret—
Who would have thought that the high school romance, the classes skipped, and the uncompleted exams from over a decade ago would turn into a sharp arrow?
Causing her to lose Zheng Fa's favor...
......
With the arrival of the three men, the Golden Core Engineering Seminar officially commenced in the main conference room of the nursing home.
The two newcomers sat in their seats, looking at the PowerPoint presentation at the end of the room, which detailed the analysis of twelve types of Golden Core structures...
They felt a bit dazed.
Wait, is cultivating immortality this modernized?
Zheng Fa glanced at the two men and began explaining the essence, thought processes, and precautions regarding these twelve types of Golden Cores.
Of course, the main focus was to translate the original cultivation terminology into something the people in the room could understand.
"Among these twelve types of Golden Cores, I know the composition of eight."
This information was gathered from interviews with four Yuanying from the Jiushan Realm, along with insights from about ten Golden Core disciples.
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