Chapter 139: Provocation

The smoke of special operations training had not yet fully faded from memory when Qin Feng returned to Luocheng, bearing the sharpness honed by the Gobi's sandstorms and a more consolidated inner restraint. His exchange with China's top special forces units not only earned official recognition for "Shield"'s combat capabilities but also gave Qin Feng a new understanding of his own power's control and potential, now that he had shed his reliance on the system. The weakening effect of 【Life Enhancement】 seemed to have accelerated its recovery due to this extreme trial.

Yet peaceful days are always brief. Just as he prepared to devote more energy to the 【Search Operation】 and analysis of the research team's findings, a provocation originating from the business world—laden with naked humiliation—coiled around him like a venomous snake.

The provocateur? "Chuangsheng Technology," the very entity that had long been locked in covert and open rivalry with the 【Qin Feng System】 in the biotech field!

This time, they chose an exceptionally cunning angle—academic reputation.

"Chuangsheng Technology" suddenly announced with great fanfare that its chief scientific team had published a landmark paper in the sub-journal of 【Nature Biotechnology】, claiming a "milestone breakthrough" in the field of "telomerase-directed activation and non-destructive repair." Its core data and research pathway bore astonishing similarity to several papers previously published by Su Jin in top-tier journals, which had established Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' leadership in this domain—but at critical junctures, it offered "more optimized" and "more efficient" explanations and experimental validation.

More intriguingly, in its press release, "Chuangsheng Technology" deliberately used highly pointed phrases such as "true originality," "disruptive progress," and "farewell to imitation," directly targeting Su Jin and Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals, implying that Su Jin's prior research involved "borrowing" or even "plagiarism," while asserting that "Chuangsheng Technology" was the true pioneer and leader in this field!

This paper and the ensuing public backlash exploded like a bomb, igniting massive turmoil in both academic and industrial circles!

Su Jin's academic reputation and Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' technological credibility faced unprecedented scrutiny!

"Boss Qin! 'Chuangsheng Technology' is utterly shameless!" Chen Ming reported, face dark with fury, holding a tablet flooded with trending topics. "Their paper's core concept clearly stole unpublicized ideas from Dr. Su's early research, then forcibly generated data using their vastly larger resources and… more ruthless experimental methods. Now they're turning around and accusing her!"

Qin Feng stared at the paper's abstract and the provocatively worded press release on screen, his gaze icy.

He knew perfectly well that Su Jin's research was original, backed by advanced theories provided by the system (though Su Jin herself was unaware). "Chuangsheng Technology"'s actions were nothing less than naked academic plunder and commercial defamation!

This tactic was more insidious and deadly than Liang Family's financial ambush or Liu Qianqian's sycophancy—it struck at the very foundation of the 【Qin Feng System】: technological superiority and academic credibility!

"How is Dr. Su holding up?" Qin Feng asked in a low voice.

"Dr. Su is furious, but she insists on responding through academic channels—she's working through the night preparing rebuttals and more solid experimental data. But… they're coming at us hard and have seized the initiative; public opinion is heavily against us," Chen Ming replied gravely.

Qin Feng nodded. He trusted Su Jin's academic integrity and ability, but academic disputes often drag on and easily let the opponent dictate the terms. "Chuangsheng Technology" chose this moment to strike not merely to compete for academic prestige, but likely to damage Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals' stock price, disrupt its financing and partnerships, and even… interfere with the ongoing treatment of Ailin!

Their intentions are murderous!

"We won't just defend passively," Qin Feng rose, walked to the window, and stared down at the ceaseless river of traffic below, his eyes sharp as blades. "If they want to play, we'll play a bigger game."

He turned to Chen Ming and issued his orders:

"First, fully support Dr. Su's academic counterattack—supply any resources she needs! Simultaneously, contact top domestic and international scholars and journals we're allied with to expose the data irregularities and ethical violations in 'Chuangsheng Technology''s paper!"

"Second, in the name of Qin Feng Pharmaceuticals, hold a global press conference to directly refute 'Chuangsheng Technology''s slander—and announce that we will publicly release the 【Phase Two】 clinical trial data for the 【Cell-Oriented Repair Inducer】 within three months!"

Chen Ming gasped: "Boss Qin, the Phase Two data isn't complete yet, and it involves Ailin's treatment—isn't this too rushed?"

"Precisely to catch them off guard!" Qin Feng's tone was ironclad. "They claim to be 'more optimized' and 'more efficient'? We'll show them with concrete, clinically imminent progress what true leadership looks like!"

He paused, a flash of cold light in his eyes:

"Third, in my personal name and that of 【Yaofeng Capital】, launch a full commercial investigation into 'Chuangsheng Technology,' its affiliated funds, and major investors! I want to know their funding chains, technology sources, and… every illicit transaction!"

"Fourth," Qin Feng's voice turned utterly frigid, "send a private letter to Liu Shiyin, CEO of 'Chuangsheng Technology.'"

Chen Ming immediately pulled out his notebook.

Qin Feng spoke slowly, each word deliberate: "Tell her: a thief in academia, a provocateur in business, is not worthy to be my opponent. If she wants to play, I'll oblige. But the cost—'Chuangsheng Technology'… may not be able to bear it."

A string of orders, like unsheathed swords, gleamed with lethal intent!

Qin Feng no longer concealed his fury or his dominance.

"Chuangsheng Technology"'s provocation had enraged him utterly.

Since they refused to play by the rules, he would no longer show restraint!

He would make Liu Shiyin and "Chuangsheng Technology" understand: provoking Qin Feng was the greatest mistake they had ever made!

"Also," Qin Feng added, "notify Lei Zhan to upgrade security for Dr. Su, Ailin, and all core researchers. I suspect that, in desperation, they may resort to more extreme measures."

"Yes!" Chen Ming bowed solemnly and turned to act.

Alone in the office, Qin Feng stared out at Luocheng's sky, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Liu Shiyin…

"Chuangsheng Technology"…

"Prometheus Foundation"…

This time, old grudges and new ones will be settled together!

He wanted to see how long this seemingly cold and mysterious woman—and the power behind her—could withstand his wrath!

Provocation?

Then prepare to be utterly crushed!