Chapter 1551
Chapter 1551 - 1547: A No-Loss Deal
1,502 words
•
8 min read
Generally speaking, a project can easily drag on for years, or even over a decade, from the initial PowerPoint presentation to its establishment, implementation, and results, without feeling any pressure.
Most scientific research projects do not progress from their establishment to producing fruitful outcomes, but rather from drawing pies in the sky to being canceled midway... Whether it is because the superiors/investors have seen through your tricks, or they are out of the picture before the project concludes, there is always a possibility your ongoing project will be terminated ahead of time.
The reality is, those who initiate these projects may have been waiting for this day for a long time; after all, there’s no need to audit the research funds that have already been spent.
Indeed, even if they work honestly, many leading researchers have their own methods... They create multiple research projects, as few as three or four or as many as a dozen or more, but most of them are empty shells – with a couple of students operating a small lab and the mentor checking on the progress occasionally, just as a ploy to scam funding.
If they are not purely academic swindlers, it is very likely that one core research project consumes the majority of resources from the other ones, whether it’s human resources, space, funds, equipment... Under the dominion of investor/research department’s project approval systems, it becomes the developer’s primary duty to deceitfully acquire the most resources.
Especially in this world, where the rule of Extraordinary beings exists, making all research highly unpredictable, it is difficult for investors to determine whether the failure of your research is truly due to bad luck or was simply a scam from the start.
Especially for these outsourced projects with unique capabilities and highly unusual circumstances... Sometimes even if you send a professional team to monitor that industry expert, in reality, they can’t interfere much.
Those big shots who can receive such high-level commissions have too many ways to fool you - ordinary researchers and the academic elite are simply not of the same species.
For many researchers, obtaining a Ph.D. is the ultimate goal, but for some Big Shots, academia has never been important from the start; they only need results.
"...They sent you to supervise me? They trust me that much?"
When Lu Ping’an confirmed that his "Supervisor" was Su Yuanyuan, he paid a bit more attention to this woman, who was suspected to be in her 30s and a doctoral candidate.
As a member of the Life system, to have completed a Ph.D. at such an age, especially holding dual doctorates both scientific and Extraordinary, is indeed an exceptional talent... but that’s only true within the Martial God Church.
In places like Lin Nu’s Church, there are plenty of academic monsters and geniuses, and various young Ph.Ds are reduced to screw tightening assistants; only those "with funding" and "with results" can earn respect through tangible achievements.
"They think supervising you is pointless anyway, so it’s better for me to learn by following you closely..."
If this had happened several years ago, Lu Ping’an would have greeted the woman before him with the utmost respect, as her status in the Jianghu was without doubt higher than that of his own mentor, Professor Wen.
Even among the nation’s leading academics, she couldn’t compare to someone like Lu Ping’an who had established his own school of thought... Just the Lamp Flower series alone, including the accompanying Spiritual Energy network and Holy Fire development, would allow Lu Ping’an to start a school and use mediocre results to siphon funds for a lifetime.
"Alright, work hard and learn well."
Saying this, Lu Ping’an also handed over a pile of materials.
He lacked everything on his side... but what he lacked the most were always Life System worker bees; since the other party was willing to help proactively, he had no intention of letting it go unused.
"Expected research duration... half a year?!"
Su Yuanyuan was completely stunned with just a glance.
Such a big project and you told the higher-ups it would be an open-ended budget, which they agreed to right after the business deal, and now you’re telling us it can be done in half a year?
"Of course, I have to fight for the most favorable conditions for myself..."
But this answer seemed vaguely unconvincing, giving one a false impression.
You could have steadily progressed while continuously drawing funds – why be so aggressive?
"... My time is far more valuable than these bits of funding and resources. I have no intention of spending the rest of my life in this area; if possible, I hope this is just a phase of outcomes."
Lu Ping’an paused before continuing.
"Of course, I kept some leeway for myself... which I can’t tell the employer."
Saying this, Lu Ping’an began assigning tasks.
"Contact the Martial God Church and have them help collect material from all kinds of species as much as possible. From low-level to high-level, from the first layer to the thousandth, I want it all."
No matter what kind of creation it is, it all starts with imitation, and Lu Ping’an needs more materials.
Top priority, naturally, was the biological samples from each floor.
At the same time, he also planned on "decomposing" them through the courtyard... His "decomposition" lake truly came into play after he had reached this stage.
Previously, it could decompose some materials and foodstuffs that enhanced himself, but the effects were poor and lacked cost-performance ratio. Now, it could decompose the "Biological Modules" of life forms, becoming a part of Lu Ping’an’s industrial chain.
"This is a list of life forms and Magic Plants required. I hope to see the goods I want by the time the Divine Boat arrives next..."
The long list, with a demand for merely a thousand types of materials, was just the first part of this list.
"Does the project need this much..."
Su Yuanyuan’s murmured to herself, but was given a look by Lu Ping’an as if she was an idiot.
"If I don’t take the opportunity to scoop up more of these difficult-to-obtain materials, would you take me for a fool?"
Alright, Lu sincerely wasn’t being particular, he just said it outright.
But Su Yuanyuan just kept nodding and even made a zipper-mouthed gesture to herself.
This wasn’t a typical marketplace... if they actually managed to make this gentleman here unhappy, it’s not just a matter of ditching the project and running away. Just him declaring, "Today is too cold/hot/dry/wet, so it’s a day off," would be enough to make everyone’s scalp tingle.
"I understand, I’ll do it as fast as possible."
A large number of Biological Modules were the foundation of everything.
𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
But how exactly to do it? How to mold hybrids in this life desert, Lu Ping’an had his own ideas.
"Actually, I do have a semi-Elemental semi-Life creature on hand..."
"Hmm?" Little Flame tilted her head towards him, then continued to lower her head and knit her sweater.
Heaven knows where she learned that... A Centaur wearing a backless sweater, and she even asked Lu Ping’an if it was sexy.
Whether it was sexy or not Lu Ping’an didn’t know, he almost got scared to death on the spot.
Recently she had been captivated by knitting products, and Lu Ping’an had received a fair share of sweaters, gloves, hats as little gifts. Although wearing sweaters in such weather was a bit peculiar, Lu Ping’an didn’t refuse either.
What he found somewhat incomprehensible was that these knitted items all possessed quite remarkable utility, not only were they fire-resistant, but they were also identified by his "system" as quality Quasi-Contaminated Items.
"Materials for the sweater? I hunted them!"
With that, Little Fire excitedly showed her bow and arrow, Long Spear combo, and incidentally, sold someone out.
"With cute little Meow leading the way, it’s always a big harvest!!"
Lu Ping’an silently turned his head to look at Meow, whose tail was now on end.
"I let you guys roam freely, I didn’t allow you to climb into the War Zone... These things, probably come from above floor three or four hundred."
Lu Ping’an had "observed" before; the quality of these materials was superior, the Biological Level of their material should far exceed the current 200th floor’s environment.
These two rascals, they actually ran directly to the high-level zones?
"Hehe, we went up to the 1200th floor, impressive right!!"
At this, Lu Ping’an was completely silent, and Meow’s fur bristled as well.
"Impressive... chased back by Quasi-god Creatures?"
"Eh? How did you know?"
"A few days ago, I heard something about a Quasi-God level creature with its tail balded, rampaging..."
— End of Chapter 1551 —