Chapter 191

The first exploration mission of the Abyss Walker was, under Qin Feng's firm orders, adjusted to prioritize manual operation by him, with the AI system downgraded to a backup auxiliary role. This decision stirred some unrest within the exploration team, but no one dared question Qin Feng's decision.

Just as the team was completing its final adaptive training and preparing to depart on a chosen date, an unsettling message arrived from the Science Council of the New Era.

Sun Zhe reported to Qin Feng via encrypted communication, his tone tinged with resignation: "Mr. Qin, the Science Council's preparatory meeting has encountered some trouble. A certain… venerable old Academician publicly launched an attack during the meeting, sharply questioning our Explorer Invitation and the principles of the New Era, with highly heated language that shook several attendees."

"Old Academician? Who?" Qin Feng raised an eyebrow. Someone whom Sun Zhe would call "venerable" and bold enough to publicly challenge in such a setting was surely no ordinary person.

"It's Qian Fuli, Old Qian." Sun Zhe named a household word in academia: "He is a titan in materials physics, a senior Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, with disciples scattered across top research institutions worldwide, wielding immense influence. He insists that fundamental scientific research must rely on state power and a stable academic community, accusing us of 'digging at the foundations of academia,' of 'irresponsible commercial hype,' and even… calling us 'cancer cells of academia.'"

Qian Fuli?

Qin Feng recognized the name. A true scholar, old-fashioned in demeanor, a senior figure of immense prestige within China's academic circles. His criticism, in some ways, represented the traditional academic establishment's instinctive wariness and rejection of the New Era as a new phenomenon.

"How is the meeting going?" Qin Feng asked.

"It's deadlocked." Sun Zhe sighed. "Old Qian's prestige is too high. The moment he speaks, many scholars who were originally inclined now hesitate. Our arguments about the New Era's academic freedom and resource guarantees seem… pale and powerless against his grand ideals of 'academic inheritance' and 'national responsibility.'"

After listening, Qin Feng's face showed no anger—only a faint, intrigued smile.

"Cancer cells"? That metaphor is rather interesting.

He did not dislike people like Qian Fuli. On the contrary, he respected such old-school scholars who held pure beliefs in academia. Their concerns were not entirely without merit.

But respect was respect—obstructing his plans was another matter entirely.

"Connect me to the live feed of the meeting room." Qin Feng ordered.

"Yes."

Soon, a screen on one side of the study displayed the scene from the Science Council's temporary conference room.

The atmosphere inside was heavy. An elderly man in a plain Zhongshan suit, with white hair but sharp spirit, stood at the podium, delivering an impassioned speech—it was Academician Qian. His face was stern, his fingers occasionally tapping the table, his voice resonant:

"... Science is not a tree without roots, nor water without a source! It requires accumulation, inheritance, and generations of scholars silently toiling within a shared paradigm! Now suddenly appears this 'Sea City-State,' waving the banner of 'absolute freedom,' using money to pave the way, trying to dig away everyone's hard-won achievements and foundations? This is a grave irresponsibility toward the cause of science!"

Below, many older scholars nodded in agreement. Younger researchers, however, looked hesitant, lips moving but words unspoken.

Sun Zhe and the Council staff stood to the side, their expressions grim, yet unable to directly refute this academic titan.

Qin Feng watched silently, saying nothing.

Seeing no rebuttal, Qian Fuli's tone grew even more fervent: "I know many young people today feel the current system constrains them, that funding applications are hard, that seniority dictates advancement. But these difficulties are precisely the trials! The necessary tests on the path of science! To bypass them in pursuit of so-called 'absolute freedom' is to build castles in the air—to drink poison to quench thirst! I firmly oppose such acts that destroy the academic ecosystem!"

His words carried the stubbornness of defending tradition and order, and also the "care" and "concern" for the younger generation.

Yet to Qin Feng, this "care" was no less than an invisible shackle.

At that moment, a clear, calm voice, transmitted remotely, abruptly interrupted Old Qian's speech.

"Academician Qian, forgive me for speaking plainly."

All eyes instantly turned toward the source of the voice—the ceiling speakers.

It was Qin Feng!

Qian Fuli froze for a moment, then frowned sharply toward the camera: "Who are you?"

"I am Qin Feng." Qin Feng's voice, carried through the network, remained steady yet carried an undeniable force: "Founder of the New Era."

A low murmur rippled through the conference room. No one expected this mysterious financier to intervene directly!

Qian Fuli's face flickered with displeasure, yet he maintained scholarly decorum: "So you are Mr. Qin. Every word I spoke came from the heart, all for the long-term development of science. I hope Mr. Qin will reconsider!"

"I understand your concerns, Academician Qian," Qin Feng's voice remained calm. "But have you ever considered that the 'academic community' and 'stable paradigm' you defend might themselves be a kind of inertia obstructing innovation?"

Qian Fuli's face darkened: "What do you mean?!"

"I mean," Qin Feng said slowly, each word crystal clear, "the spirit of science lies in exploring the unknown, challenging authority, breaking conventions—not clinging to existing frameworks, repeating similar work, and waiting for step-by-step promotion."

"You say difficulties are trials—this is true. But some difficulties do not stem from the inherent depth of seeking truth; they arise from man-made barriers and rigid systems. These 'difficulties' don't burn off recklessness—they may extinguish sharpness and inspiration."

"As for 'cancer cells of academia'…" Qin Feng gave a light laugh. "If the current academic body has grown bloated and rigid due to 'benign' overgrowth, and now rejects new ideas, then perhaps a bit of aggressive 'cancer cell' stimulation—forcing it to metabolize, renew itself—is not entirely a bad thing."

"Preposterous!" Qian Fuli, enraged by Qin Feng's "heretical logic," turned red. "You're trying to turn academia upside down!"

"And if, after the upheaval, lies a broader starry sky—what's wrong with that?" Qin Feng countered, his tone suddenly sharp. "Academician Qian, you defend the glory and order of the past. I seek to open new possibilities and frontiers for the future. We were never on the same path."

He paused, denying Qian Fuli any chance to reply, and issued a direct order to Sun Zhe in the room, his voice amplified clearly throughout the chamber:

"Sun Zhe."

"Yes, Mr. Qin!" Sun Zhe immediately responded.

"The Science Council exists to gather the sparks of wisdom that dare to explore the unknown and embrace change—not to serve as a platform for stagnation and seniority-based hierarchy."

Qin Feng's voice turned cold and absolute:

"Now, please remove this disruptive old man."

The room erupted in shock.

Remove… remove Academician Qian Fuli…?

He was the academic titan! How dare Qin Feng?!

Sun Zhe was stunned, unsure what to do.

Qian Fuli trembled with rage, pointing at the camera, mouth opening and closing, unable to utter a word. He had spent his life revered—how could he endure such humiliation?!

"Should I repeat it a second time?" Qin Feng's voice returned, laced with undeniable pressure.

Sun Zhe snapped to attention and gave a sharp glance to two staff members in "Feng Qi" uniforms, responsible for meeting order.

Though nervous, the two men stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the speechless Qian Fuli: "Academician Qian, please… leave the room."

All scholars in the room stared, dumbfounded.

Qian Fuli's face flushed crimson, his chest heaving. Finally, he stomped his foot and spat:

"You whelp are not worth discussing with!"

Then, under the complex gazes of all present, he was "escorted" out of the room.

The door to the conference room slowly closed, sealing off the noise outside.

Inside, silence reigned.

Everyone was stunned by Qin Feng's thunderous, merciless action.

Qin Feng's voice sounded again, breaking the silence, his tone returning to its earlier calm:

"Now, the obstructive ones are gone."

"We can continue our discussion on how to truly freely… explore the boundaries of science in that city upon the sea."

Before the screen, Qin Feng severed the communication.

He leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep.

He knew this act today would inevitably stir up a great storm, further damaging his reputation in the traditional academic world.

But he didn't care.

He didn't need everyone's understanding or support.

He needed only those true companions bold enough to shatter the Locks and follow him into the unknown.

As for those blocking the path—"old men"?

Please leave.