Chapter 347: Consolidating Research Resources and

Facing the Future

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The white mouse, having regained its senses, began to play around inside the equipment. It jumped up and down, rolled over, and tumbled about.

It was as if it had taken stimulants.

After observing for a brief moment, Tang Rui continued to focus on the projection screen in front of him, which displayed the internal condition of the white mouse.

“Red Lotus, has there been any change in hormone secretion?” he inquired. “Master, there’s been a change in hormone secretion, but it remains very chaotic,” Red Lotus replied.

Ten minutes later, the white mouse finally had enough of its restless behavior

and began to settle down.

However, its condition seemed somewhat off.

Exactly what was wrong was unclear.

“Red Lotus, is there still hormone secretion?”

“The secretion has stopped.”

“I see… Then continue with the modifications.”

“Yes, Master.”

Countless nanomachines once again invaded the cells of the white mouse, replacing the functions of various cells.

This time, the process went smoothly without any mishaps.

In the blink of an eye, an hour passed.

A brand-new Cyber Mouse was born.

Ninety-five percent of its organs were comprised of nanomachines. Its bones were also reinforced by nanomachines, not to mention its muscle tissues.

Even its skin had been replaced by nanomachines, and the fur on its body was

metallic.

Inside the entire apparatus, there was a considerable pile of flesh and blood

that had been replaced.

“Why do I feel that it’s getting more and more bizarre?”

Tang Rui observed the white mouse, unsure how to describe it.

You would think it’s a plant rat, right?

It definitely wasn’t.

But if you say it’s not a plant rat, it just lies there, motionless, like a statue.

The data within its body was normal.

Its heartbeat and breathing maintained a consistent rhythm.

The blood flow was extremely normal.

There were no bacteria or viruses in its body, all had been eliminated by the nanomachines.

This Cyber White Mouse, healthier than any other, lay there like an idiot, motionless.

“Red Lotus, is the neural signal in its brain stable?”

“Master, the neural signals in its brain are very stable.

“Then why isn’t it moving?”

“I don’t know, Master. Red Lotus hasn’t detected any abnormalities.”

The lack of abnormalities was the greatest anomaly.

It had been transformed to this extent, yet there were supposedly no

abnormalities.

Tang Rui took out a stick and prodded the white mouse inside the equipment, trying to elicit some movement.

As a result, it moved.

When poked, it reacted; otherwise, it remained still, obediently lying there like

a statue.

The brain of this little white mouse had not been modified.

So why had it become like this?

Tang Rui was puzzled.

After all, the body of this white mouse had been extensively modified. It was hard to pinpoint what was wrong, or perhaps everything was wrong.

“Let’s just set it aside for observation for now, then clean the equipment and use another white mouse for experiments,” he decided.

“Yes, Master.”

After Tang Rui had settled in a chair, he waited for the robot to clear the flesh and blood remnants from the equipment.

Meanwhile, he watched the Cyber White Mouse in the nearby cage, still dazed.

It truly had become foolish.

Buzz, buzz, buzz…

At that moment, Tang Rui’s phone vibrated.

He checked his phone to find a call from Lin Chao.

“President Tang, are you busy?”

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s a conference on technological development starting soon online. If you’re free, it would be good to participate.”

“Alright, send me the conference link. I’ll head back right away.

“Okay, sending it now.”

After hanging up,

Tang Rui left the laboratory.

As for the white mouse experiment, he left it to Red Lotus to continue. It didn’t require his constant supervision.

Upon reaching the base entrance, he encountered Lin Chao.

“I’m also participating,” Lin Chao announced before Tang Rui could speak, explaining the situation.

“Is this meeting very important?” Tang Rui asked curiously.

“It’s significant for many,” Lin Chao said thoughtfully.

Alright then.

His answer suggested that while it was important for others, it was not as

crucial for him.

They reached the command center of the Blue Army.

Both took their seats and connected to the video conference network.

Swoosh.

A conference room scene appeared on the big screen.

The meeting hadn’t started yet.

However, more than ten people were already seated in the conference room on the screen.

Not all were from their group; many were outsiders… well, not outsiders anymore, but part of their team.

The scientists in the room had joined their nationality and were now considered their own.

Tang Rui glanced over.

There were six Nobel Prize winners and several top experts in various fields.

This was a formidable lineup.

After a while, the meeting commenced.

The head of the Natural Science Foundation began discussing the meeting s focus, mainly addressing the waste of resources in natural sciences and calling for resource consolidation.

Put simply, it was a plea to stop working in isolation.

This was not only a waste of resources and funds but also of scientists’ valuable time.

He was correct.

But realistically, consolidating resources was not straightforward, with the primary issue being leadership.

Even if one’s strength or lab equipment was inadequate,

Being in charge of a lab meant being the boss.

Now, if resources were to be consolidated,

What would become of these people?

Would they be relegated to menial tasks?

That seemed absurd.

The academic world was not as simple as many might think.

Not to mention, the resource integration proposed at this meeting wasn’t just about domestic collaboration but encompassing all countries on Earth.

That made things even more complicated.

“Have other countries agreed?” Tang Rui inquired of Lin Chao.

“They all agreed,” Lin Chao responded.

“Do they understand what this entails?”

“They do, but what choice do they have?”

“Is this really the best course of action?”

■’It’S better than wasting human talent on civil engineering projects on Mars.

It’s a waste to just leave them there.”

“Isn’t this a bit rushed?”

“The recent incident alarmed the higher-ups. Without the prior warning, it would have been too late to stop the black dwarf when it was discovered.

Thus, the new overarching policy is to advance human technological capabilities. The global economy is now shifting towards outer space. The Ministry of Mines recently convened, aiming to reduce Earth’s resource extraction and vigorously develop extraterrestrial resources, supporting relevant enterprises.”

Lin Chao elaborated on various policy trends to Tang Rui.

We couldn’t emulate America.

Now that we’re unrivaled, continuing on Earth, even if viable, was pointless.

Earth had its limits.

No matter how powerful one is, what difference does it make?

Extinguish everyone?

Impossible.

So, it was better to integrate resources and steer the overall direction towards outer space.

This would give a direction for funds, prevent the waste of research resources, and reduce internal friction..