Chapter 81: Appraisal

Su Jin's joining was like an adrenaline shot for the Cornerstone Project. She made no personal demands whatsoever; her only condition was absolute control over the laboratory and research freedom, along with Qin Feng's promised "beyond-imagination technological support."

This suited Qin Feng perfectly.

While the Biological Evolution Laboratory of the Future Technology Research Institute was still under intense construction, Qin Feng had already used his authorization to temporarily retrofit a P4-level ultra-high-spec biosecurity laboratory inside the Headquarters Building, meeting Su Jin's requirements for her to begin preliminary research and validation.

At this moment, Qin Feng stood inside this temporary laboratory. The air carried a faint scent of disinfectant; various precision instruments emitted low hums; cold metal and glass reflected the overhead lights, creating an almost sacred atmosphere of scientific pursuit.

Su Jin had changed into a spotless white lab coat, her long hair tightly bound at the nape, her gaze focused and sharp—more formidable than the cold scholar she had been in the reception room, now bearing the edge of a scientific warrior. She was performing complex pre-processing on a sample at the workstation.

"Is this part of the 'technological support' you mentioned?" Su Jin didn't look up; her voice sounded muffled through the mask, but her curiosity and probing tone were unmistakable. Before her lay the physicalized data of the 【Primary Gene Optimization Fluid Formula (Fragment)】 she had redeemed from the System Mall—not a paper document, but a peculiarly shaped, unknown-material Silver Storage Chip.

"You can understand it that way," Qin Feng replied through the internal communication system, standing outside the safety isolation window. He had not entered the core operation zone—that was Su Jin's absolute domain. "It's a theoretical framework and partial synthetic pathways for targeted gene enhancement, but it lacks the most critical Energy Stabilization Module and Targeted Delivery Mechanism."

Su Jin finished her current step, then picked up the chip and inserted it into a dedicated reader. Instantly, a waterfall of impossibly complex gene sequences, molecular structures, energy field equations, and symbols and derivation formulas she had never seen before cascaded across the massive Holographic Screen.

After just a few seconds, Su Jin's breathing quickened slightly; her cold eyes suddenly blazed with astonishing brilliance, like a traveler who had trudged for years through a desert and finally beheld the fabled oasis.

"This… this is impossible!" she muttered involuntarily, her fingers flying across the control panel as she zoomed in on certain details. "This understanding of telomerase… this bypass design circumventing the Central Dogma… and this concept of energy-mediated, damage-free cell membrane penetration… too advanced! Too perfect! This cannot be supported by any existing biological theory!"

She snapped her head up, her gaze burning through the thick glass, fixed on Qin Feng as if trying to pierce him: "Where did this data come from?!"

Qin Feng had anticipated her reaction. He answered calmly: "You don't need to investigate the source. You only need to tell me—given your abilities and this 'fragment,' can you complete and realize it under current technological conditions?"

Su Jin didn't answer immediately. She refocused on the Holographic Screen, her brows furrowed, murmuring to herself, her fingers hovering in the air as if simulating complex calculations and derivations. The entire laboratory was filled only with the hum of machinery and her occasional excited, puzzled breaths.

Seconds ticked by.

Qin Feng waited patiently. He knew the value of this System-derived "fragment" far surpassed any current biological technology in the world. It was challenging Su Jin's cognitive limits—and would inevitably unleash her greatest potential.

More than half an hour passed before Su Jin finally exhaled deeply and slowly lifted her head. Sweat glistened on her temples, but her eyes shone with startling intensity—a fanatic's confidence, the certainty that she had found the door to truth and could push it open.

"Theoretically… feasible!" Her voice trembled—not from fear, but from overwhelming excitement. "Though the key components are missing, the overall theoretical framework is self-consistent and ahead of its time! It points to an entirely new direction! For the Energy Stabilization Module, I can attempt to simulate it using a modified retroviral vector combined with a specific harmonic resonance field… for Targeted Delivery, perhaps nanoliposomes paired with cell membrane-specific protein recognition…"

She began expounding her preliminary concepts, many bold and innovative, some sounding like fantasy—but Qin Feng could sense her thoughts were wildly extending and completing along the path indicated by the System's data.

"But," Su Jin's tone shifted, becoming utterly serious, "it requires verification. Vast, extremely precise verification. Especially regarding the impact of energy fields on gene sequence stability and targeting accuracy—any failure in a single step could produce unpredictable consequences, even create monstrous entities."

"What do you need?" Qin Feng asked succinctly.

"The latest gene sequencer, high-precision atomic force microscope, a Resonance Chamber capable of generating and precisely controlling specific energy spectra… and," she listed a string of cutting-edge equipment, several of which were state-controlled in certain nations, "most importantly, experimental subjects. Initially, we'll need large numbers of animal tests, perhaps even… primates closer to humans. And I require absolute security clearance and confidentiality measures."

"No problem," Qin Feng replied without hesitation. "All equipment will arrive within a week via multiple channels. The experimental subjects and security matters will be fully coordinated by Colonel Lei Zhan's security firm—guaranteed to be flawless."

He watched the woman in the laboratory, her face radiant with awe after encountering knowledge beyond her era, and understood. This "appraisal" had not only confirmed the feasibility of the System's technology—it had fully ignited the fuse of Su Jin, this "intellectual nuclear bomb."

"Dr. Su," Qin Feng's tone carried a hint of approval, "go ahead. Remember, our goal isn't merely to complete this formula—but to use it as a foundation and forge a new era of biotechnology… of our own."

Su Jin nodded firmly, her gaze returning to the vast, star-sea-like holographic data, resolute and unwavering.

For her, fame and fortune were fleeting clouds; only touching the unknown, unraveling the mysteries of life, was her eternal pursuit. And Qin Feng—and the "divine revelation" he brought—were unquestionably the stage she had dreamed of.

This "appraisal" did not merely verify the authenticity of technology—it confirmed the perfect alignment between two supreme entities: capital and intellect—united by a shared goal.

A scientific storm capable of altering the course of human life was quietly gestating within this temporary laboratory.

And Qin Feng knew: the moment Su Jin truly completed and realized this "fragment," what he held would no longer be merely wealth and power—but the authority over life itself.