Chapter 209

The successful deployment and activation of the 【Geopulse Resonance Harmonic Analysis Array】 was like installing a "God's Eye" into the "New Era," granting insight into Earth's inner organs. The real-time shifting crustal stress map in the command center brought unprecedented security—and triggered an earthquake within the Science Council.

A group of old-school scientists led by Smith Professor had originally harbored reservations about Qin Feng bypassing the existing scientific system to directly provide "black box" technology, even privately viewing it as a violation of scientific spirit. But the array's terrifying capabilities, which overturned established geoscience understanding, shattered their stubbornness completely.

Data does not lie. The map, clearly depicting crustal energy flow and stress accumulation, achieved precision and foresight no existing theoretical model could match. Before this ironclad fact, so-called "scientific paradigms" appeared utterly feeble.

Smith Professor's attitude underwent a complete 180-degree turn. He transformed from an initial skeptic into the most fervent advocate and student of the 【Geopulse Resonance Harmonic Analysis Array】. He spent nearly every day immersed in the command center, hungrily studying the system's real-time flood of data, attempting to grasp even a fraction of the mysterious core algorithm provided by Qin Feng.

"Incredible... this energy vortex precisely predicted the epicenter of the 6.8-magnitude quake in the Kuril Islands 72 hours in advance!" Smith pointed at the screen, murmuring excitedly to his assistant. "And here—pressure anomalies near the Mariana Trench... this pattern, this pattern I've never seen in any literature! Mr. Qin has provided an entirely new language of geophysics!"

In his eyes burned the pure light of a scientist confronting unknown truth—a reverent bowing before the limits of knowledge, transcending personal dignity. His address for Qin Feng had long since shifted from the distant "Mr. Qin" to the respectful "Mr. Qin," and sometimes even slipped out as "Master Qin."

Most other members of the Science Council underwent a similar psychological transformation. Qin Feng, through one technology after another surpassing the era, silently declared a fact: the knowledge system he possessed far outpaced modern science. Following him was not blind obedience—it was the shortest path to truth.

This complete ideological submission solidified Qin Feng's absolute authority within the "New Era" core far more effectively than any administrative decree.

Yet this flourishing, monolithic scene did not fully shield itself from outside scrutiny.

The "New Era's" rapid rise and its display of technological power far beyond the current era had drawn intense attention from global powers. Openly, requests for cooperation and probes for technical exchange never ceased; secretly, intelligence gathering and infiltration activities never stopped.

Among them, one organization stood out as particularly "persistent"—a multinational high-tech conglomerate named "Pandora."

"Pandora" publicly operated in cutting-edge fields such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and new energy, with deep ties to multiple major nations' militaries and a reputation for aggressive and bold tactics. Its current CEO was a woman named "Lilith." Public information about her was scarce; all that was known was that she was young, beautiful, and utterly ruthless in pursuit of her goals.

Over the past few months, "Pandora" had sent multiple rounds of cooperation offers to the "New Era," each time improving the terms—from joint development to technology licensing—covering nearly all technological domains the "New Era" had revealed, especially the recently hinted energy and materials technologies.

But every single invitation was politely yet firmly declined by Su Wenqian, on Qin Feng's orders.

The "New Era" would not share its core technologies with outsiders. That was Qin Feng's bottom line.

On this day, Qin Feng was reviewing the latest progress report on the Deep Space Mothership in the Ding Ceng Ban Gong Shi. Su Wenqian entered, knocking softly, her face carrying an unusual gravity.

"Sir, Ms. Lilith of the Pandora Group has sent an encrypted communication request," Su Wenqian paused, then added, "It's highest-priority private line—she specified it must be received by you personally."

Qin Feng didn't look up. "Reply that I'm unavailable."

"She... anticipated you might refuse," Su Wenqian's voice sounded strange. "She said she merely wants to play a 'little game' with you—the stakes are... a curious signal near the crash site of the Star Ring, one you may not yet know about."

Qin Feng's fingers paused slightly on the documents.

The Star Ring wreckage! It was the direct cause of Earth's destruction in his past life—and the ultimate threat he must confront in this life. He knew every crash site by heart, through both the system and his past memories, and had already dispatched covert reconnaissance units to monitor them.

How did Lilith know about the Star Ring? And what "curious signal"?

Was it bluster—or did "Pandora" truly possess information he didn't?

Qin Feng finally lifted his head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Connect it."

"Yes." Su Wenqian operated a few controls. A massive holographic projection screen lit up on one wall of the office.

The screen did not show the expected office backdrop, but a deep, virtual space where dark purple data seemed to flow. At its center sat a woman on a lavish high-backed chair.

She wore a daringly cut crimson evening gown that accentuated her breathtaking curves. Her skin was whiter than snow, contrasting sharply with the gown's intense hue. Her long black hair fell loosely, framing a face of almost demonic beauty. Her eyes, an uncommon violet, stared directly through the screen with unmasked, predatory amusement.

"At last, I see you, Qin Feng," Lilith spoke, her voice uniquely languid and husky, like a lover's whisper yet carrying undeniable dominance. "You're even more captivating than your files suggested."

Qin Feng stared at her without expression. "Ms. Lilith? What is your 'little game'?"

"So direct. I like that." Lilith laughed lightly, crossing her long legs and leaning forward slightly—a motion that made her already formidable figure even more imposing. "The game is simple. I know you've recently built a fascinating little toy—something called... the Geopulse Resonance Array? Let's make a bet."

Her violet eyes gleamed with cunning.

"I wager... that within the next three months, a massive deep-focus earthquake exceeding 100 kilometers in depth and reaching a Seismic Moment Magnitude of 8.5 or higher will occur along the Ring of Fire. I'll stake 10% of Pandora's pure profits over the next three years against your... complete technical blueprint of that array."

Betting on a geological event? With such an enormous stake?

Su Wenqian frowned beside him. Was this woman insane? Geologic prediction was inherently uncertain—especially for such a low-probability deep-focus megaquake. This was pure gambling!

Qin Feng instantly understood her intent. Lilith didn't care about winning or losing the bet—she was using this extreme method to test the 【Geopulse Resonance Harmonic Analysis Array】's ultimate predictive limits! If Qin Feng accepted and won, he proved the system's divine nature; if he lost, she obtained the blueprint. Either way, she gained critical information about the system.

And she had dangled the "Star Ring" and the "curious signal" as bait.

"Your wager holds no interest for me," Qin Feng said, his tone unchanged. "Pandora's profits mean nothing to me."

"Oh?" Lilith wasn't surprised. Her smile deepened; her tongue lightly traced her red lips, exuding an utterly seductive and dangerous charm. "What if I add myself?"

She rose, pacing slowly within the virtual space as if displaying a perfect work of art.

"If you win, I'll reveal the secret of the Star Ring signal, deliver Pandora's 10% profits as promised, and... I myself will serve you for three years. Whatever you ask of me... you may have. Of course, if I win, the blueprint is mine—and you must come personally to Pandora's headquarters to dine with me. How fair is that?"

This was no longer mere technical probing—it was a personal, naked challenge and hunger for conquest.

Su Wenqian's face darkened instantly, her gaze toward Lilith filled with vigilance and coldness.

Qin Feng fell silent for a moment, then smiled. The smile was faint, yet carried the indifference of one looking down upon ants.

"Ms. Lilith, you are very confident. And very... naive." He spoke slowly. "You have no idea what you're trying to peer into, nor do you comprehend how worthless your wager appears to me."

Lilith's smile froze slightly.

"However," Qin Feng changed tone, "the 'signal' you mentioned... does pique my interest. I accept your bet."

Lilith's eyes instantly blazed with triumph, like a hunter watching prey step into the trap.

"But," Qin Feng's voice turned icy, unyielding, "the stakes must change."

"If you win, the blueprint is yours. But if you lose..." Qin Feng's gaze pierced the screen like twin cold beams, striking straight into Lilith's soul, "I demand all of Pandora's research materials on the Star Ring and extraterrestrial civilization—including raw data and all analytical reports. As for you personally..."

Qin Feng paused, his tone devoid of any emotion, as if discussing an inanimate object.

"Your value is insufficient to serve as my wager."

At these words, Lilith's smile in the virtual space froze completely.

For the first time, a man had made her feel utterly ignored and devalued. Yet simultaneously, a fiercer, wilder desire for conquest ignited within her.

This man... was extraordinary! Stronger, more arrogant than any opponent she'd ever faced!

She must possess him! His technology—and him!

"Fine! Deal!" Lilith nearly growled, her voice trembling with excitement. "Qin Feng, you will pay for your arrogance. You—and your technology—will one day be mine!"

The communication was abruptly severed. The screen went dark.

The office fell silent.

Su Wenqian looked at Qin Feng with concern. "Sir, that woman is dangerous. She..."

"A mere clown," Qin Feng cut her off, returning his gaze to the documents on his desk, his voice calm and unruffled. "The Star Ring signal... is worth attention. Notify the reconnaissance units to increase surveillance on all wreckage sites, especially energy readings and non-Earth conventional signals."

"Yes, sir." Su Wenqian suppressed the unease in her heart and bowed to accept the order.

Meanwhile, in a real office on the top floor of the distant "Pandora" headquarters.

Lilith shut off the Communication Equipment, walked to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window, and looked down at the bustling city below. The seductive charm was gone from her face, leaving only an icy sharpness and a madness that brooked no failure.

She gently swirled the red wine glass in her hand, her violet eyes reflecting the city's lights.

"Qin Feng… you can't escape." she murmured to herself, like a witch's curse.

"You are mine… sooner or later, you will be."