Chapter 259: Acceptance Speech

The election of the Guanlan Yuan homeowners' committee has concluded; Xia Madam, with her characteristic gentleness and resilience, secured for herself and her family a small patch of peace. The community charter proposal passed smoothly; though rumors had not vanished entirely, they had visibly receded, no longer daring to be so brazen.

This small victory stirred no ripple in the vast tide of the New Era. People's attention was drawn instead to another grand event—the inaugural New Era Scientific and Technological Innovation Contribution Award ceremony, to be held in the central auditorium of the Sea-floor City, initiated and hosted by the Science Council.

This was the first time the New Era had established and awarded such a high-profile scientific prize, designed to honor outstanding researchers and technical backbone figures across key fields, and to inspire the Spirit of innovation. The award covered critical domains including energy, materials, biology, information, and the Deep Space Exploration Department; recipients would receive certificates and the symbolic "Starfire" medal personally presented by Qin Feng.

Upon announcement, the news sparked immense attention and anticipation among all residents, especially scientific and technical personnel. It was not merely recognition of individual ability, but the highest honor attainable within the New Era, a community built upon technology.

On the night of the ceremony, the central auditorium was packed to capacity. Soft lighting illuminated the solemn, technologically refined hall; a massive holographic projection floated above the stage, displaying the New Era's glorious journey from a single stretch of ocean to its present splendor.

Qin Feng sat at the center of the podium, still dressed in his simple dark attire, expression calm. Su Wenqian, the Science Council elders, and department heads sat on either side.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly; one award after another was presented. Recipients, trembling with excitement, stepped forward to receive certificates and the "Starfire" medal—engraved with stars and sprouts—from Qin Feng, delivering brief or impassioned acceptance speeches. The audience erupted in thunderous applause, the atmosphere both fervent and dignified.

Finally, it was time for the Deep Space Exploration Department award.

"... He made outstanding, groundbreaking contributions in deep-space environmental analysis, gravitational modeling, and the engineering realization of the Void Energy Spectrum Resonance Probe!" the host announced loudly. "The recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to Deep Space Exploration Award is—Dr. Evans!"

Spotlights fixed on Dr. Evans, who was nearly jumping out of his seat with excitement. He straightened his crooked tie, then hurried onto the stage.

As he took the heavy certificate and medal from Qin Feng, Dr. Evans's hands trembled. Facing the audience, he met countless eyes filled with reverence, took several deep breaths, and barely steadied his emotions.

"Th-thank you! Thank you, Council! Thank you, Mr. Qin!" His voice cracked with emotion. "I... I never imagined I'd stand here..."

He spoke of his childhood longing for the stars, of the awe and growth he experienced after joining the New Era, and of the hardship and joy of overcoming technical barriers under Qin Feng's guidance.

"... What we are doing is a venture no one before us ever imagined! We are not gazing at the stars—we are walking toward them!" His words brimmed with passion and pride, infecting everyone present.

Finally, he raised the "Starfire" medal high, his voice ringing clear:

"This honor does not belong to me alone! It belongs to the entire Deep Space Exploration Department, to every companion striving for the New Era's Star Sea Dream! We will continue to follow Mr. Qin's footsteps, exploring deeper, farther cosmic mysteries!"

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

Dr. Evans bowed deeply, preparing to step down from the stage.

At that moment, Qin Feng—who had been quietly listening—suddenly spoke. His voice, carried by the microphone, rang calmly through the entire auditorium:

"Evans."

Dr. Evans, mid-step, froze. Stunned, he turned around: "Sir?"

All eyes turned to Qin Feng, wondering why he had stopped Evans.

Qin Feng looked at him, his gaze calm, his tone still flat, yet carrying an invisible weight:

"Your acceptance speech was well spoken."

Dr. Evans paused, then his face flushed with overwhelming pride; he bowed quickly: "Thank you, sir!"

But Qin Feng's next words plunged the entire auditorium into an eerie silence.

"However," Qin Feng paused, his gaze sweeping the crowd as if addressing each person individually, "I hope that next time—or someday in the future—when you stand here again, holding this symbol of honor..."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached clearly into every heart.

"... your acceptance speech will be different."

Everyone held their breath, puzzled.

Qin Feng slowly rose. He did not look at Evans, but gazed upward toward the auditorium's dome, his eyes seeming to pierce through layers of seawater and metal plates, reaching out toward the boundless, profound depths of space.

"I do not need to hear thanks. I do not need to hear allegiance."

His words, like cold spring water, washed away the slightly overheated atmosphere of honor.

"What I need to hear is that you have discovered new physical laws, that you have found more efficient energy forms, that you have cracked the secrets of alien signals, that you have... pointed out flaws in my plans and proposed better solutions."

His gaze returned to the audience, sweeping over faces—youthful or mature, all brimming with thirst for knowledge.

"Honor is affirmation of the past."

"But the future of the New Era demands transcendence, questioning, and... independent advancement."

"When one day you can say plainly—'This award is mine, because my discovery has reshaped the boundaries of our understanding'—or say—'Mr. Qin, your original concept could be improved this way'..."

Qin Feng's voice carried a new, almost hopeful tone.

"... that will be the moment the New Era truly becomes strong."

"That will be the 'acceptance speech' I most wish to hear."

His words ended. The auditorium fell utterly silent.

Everyone was stunned by Qin Feng's utterly unexpected words.

He was not rejecting honor—he was elevating its meaning. He was not dampening passion—he was guiding it toward deeper horizons. He did not want obedient followers, but pioneers who could stand beside him—and even surpass him!

Evans stood on stage, his excitement fading, replaced by deep contemplation and sudden understanding.

Su Wenqian watched Qin Feng's back, her eyes gleaming with brilliant light.

The researchers in the audience felt a new flame ignite within them.

Qin Feng said nothing more. He sat down and signaled the ceremony to continue.

But the atmosphere of the entire award ceremony had changed.

A deeper, more self-driven force began to take root in every heart.

Acceptance speech...

So this was how it could be said.

So this was what the Master truly expected of the New Era.