Chapter 106: with translation of chapter title

Since he had already made up his mind, Li Mingyang naturally had no need to continue wasting time in the dormitory.

Moreover, he had already completed a run-through in his mental lab, and now he could actually replicate this new material in reality.

He didn't even have time for lunch; after leaving his dorm, Li Mingyang rushed nonstop to his teacher's personal lab.

Coincidentally, the lab was empty, giving Li Mingyang the perfect chance to freely try out his ideas.

With his prior experience, Li Mingyang found the real‑world operation as easy as riding a familiar bike.

What's more, as a top‑tier national research base, his teacher's lab is equipped with the highest level of technology available domestically.

Operating these devices felt even more natural to Li Mingyang than in his mental lab, even though he had already replicated them there once.

But after all, thanks to his earlier groundwork, Li Mingyang actually appeared more proficient when working in reality.

……

"Yo, you little brat, you've been in seclusion for so long, finally decided to show up? What are you researching? Wait, that's not right!"

Regarding Li Mingyang's sudden appearance in his lab without even saying hello, he had already started using the lab's equipment to build what he wanted.

For such behavior, Wang Qiang felt no blame at all, after all, this was his own disciple inheriting his mantle.

Not to mention merely using his own lab—these are state assets; even if it were Wang Qiang's private lab…

As long as Li Mingyang keeps his current talent and keeps up his present effort…

Even if his little disciple blew up the lab during an experiment, as long as no one got hurt, Wang Qiang would just give a thumbs‑up and praise the blast!

Originally speaking with a teasing tone, Wang Qiang immediately turned serious upon seeing Li Mingyang busy with his work:

"You kid, you wouldn't be making some new alloy material, would you?"

"I thought you spent that half‑month of seclusion studying engine structure and design, but you ended up researching new materials instead?"

As he said that, Wang Qiang's tone was full of disbelief.

Although he already had prior experience, this little disciple of his kept tinkering and ended up producing a battery whose performance far exceeds current standards.

But no matter how you say it, you are a Professional person in the field of aircraft design and manufacture—how can you spend all day not doing proper work?

You don't study good engines or aircraft themselves, yet you've jumped straight into the materials Professional field?

The key is watching Li Mingyang's practiced technique and operation; even Wang Qiang couldn't help but admit that, although his closed‑door disciple has only recently been exposed to materials…

…his level seems quite good—at least stronger than many of the materials researchers in this institute.

Facing his teacher's surprise and questions, Li Mingyang didn't even have time to answer, because he had reached the most critical moment.

This was Li Mingyang's first time replicating this in reality, and no amount of caution would be excessive.

After all, this new alloy material, while excellent in performance, is truly expensive—just a slip of the hand can waste hundreds of thousands!

And those hundreds of thousands buy less than 1 kg of the new alloy—no wonder research on new aircraft worldwide has stalled.

The stronger an aircraft's performance, the higher the demands in every aspect, naturally causing costs to grow exponentially.

Just this small lump of alloy costs hundreds of thousands; if it were an engine on a water‑molecule aircraft, the cost would run into tens of millions or even hundreds of millions.

But if the aircraft's performance is excellent enough, not to mention a single small goal, even several small goals would make building an engine quite cost‑effective.

After all, the experience with the J‑20 already taught us that once a genuine generational gap exists, numbers confer no advantage.

Against a next‑gen fighter, old fighters become mere live targets, and the same holds naturally for bombers.

If we could have an engine far ahead of current world standards, pairing it with the soon‑to‑arrive sixth‑generation fighter in a few years…

Our nation's aerial power could be said to have no rival!

……

"Teacher, give it a try—although this is the first alloy I've produced in real life, after my previous careful calculations…"

"This new alloy before us should be sufficient to meet the engine's material requirements, and its performance will even exceed them considerably."

Saying this, Li Mingyang even feigned regret:

"It's a pity that, according to my original plan, this material shouldn't have only this level of performance, but I don't know what went wrong…"

"Strangely, it produced this result; for a while I couldn't find where the mistake lay, so I can only make do with it for now."

"But if the chance comes later, we can also replace this semi‑finished alloy!"

Hearing his disciple's Versailles‑like remarks, Wang Qiang didn't say much, but immediately grabbed the material and began testing its data from all angles.

From his initial nonchalance to after this new alloy was born, Wang Qiang felt an inexplicable sensation in his heart.

This alloy is exactly what their entire research team needs most—it is the key to solving the water‑molecule engine.

Hours passed, and just as Li Mingyang was about to nod off, Wang Qiang's various tests were finally finished.

Approaching Li Mingyang, Wang Qiang's face was full of complex emotion:

"I once thought I was a rare talent—basically I could pick up anything quickly and even master it soon."

"But now… this old man who has lived most of his life has finally witnessed what a true genius is!"