However, the white-haired elder had clearly experienced many similar situations, and quickly regained his composure.
He dropped his previous expression and said straightforwardly: "You need to give us a more detailed reason to convince us. Why should we believe that someone in their early twenties, who hasn't even obtained a doctoral degree, can achieve results faster than Huaxia's most elite team of experts?"
"Because my ability is special. I can directly observe and perceive the existence of Spirit Energy."
"Just based on that?"
"My research experience is far from Professor Zhao's, but why can't I produce results? Galois founded group theory at twenty-one, Newton invented calculus at twenty-two..." Bai Mo tried to play the role of an unrecognized, naive prodigy.
"You want to compare yourself to Newton?" Although the old man hadn't heard of Galois, he certainly knew Newton. Seeing the young man's boundless arrogance, his face hardened slightly.
"I just want to explain that age isn't the decisive factor in whether one can produce results."
"If the funding is in place, I can guarantee that the first batch of results will be produced within three months. During these three months, I can accept your supervision to ensure I'm not some swindler who takes the money and runs."
"Since you're so confident, and for Zhao Jiasen's sake, I'll give you a chance. My assistant will contact you later; you can tell her directly what you need.
As for supervision, there's no need for that."
The old man didn't believe there were many swindlers in the country who could successfully abscond with his investment.
Zhao Jiasen held a considerable standing in academia, and Bai Mo, this young man, also came from a prestigious Huaxia university with no adverse records on his resume. Thus, the old man decided to trust, or rather, indulge himself this once.
Having spent his entire life entrenched in the pursuit of fame and fortune, he had keenly perceived, in the wake of the Spirit River Autumn, that a new round of reshuffling was perhaps imminent. He had to do something to preserve his current status, or even advance further, which is why he decided to boldly invest.
Money, to him, was already inconsequential external possessions; it might as well be gambled.
"The first phase of investment is ten million. If you can produce results, your assistant can contact me to discuss further investment. If you don't produce results, I won't hold you accountable; consider it my mistake in judgment.
However, you also understand that this investment essentially uses your and Zhao Jiasen's reputations as collateral."
As long as Bai Mo didn't abscond with the funds, the old man wasn't actually too concerned about a failed investment; such ventures were inherently gambles on an elusive hope. Bai Mo's performance today was good; at least for this moment, he believed it.
"No problem."
"The contents of our meeting today must remain confidential," the old man said in a commanding tone.
He was tempted by the potential profits, deciding to cooperate with Bai Mo at a family level rather than a national one. Therefore, if any results truly emerged, confidentiality would be essential to maximize his gains.
"Understood."
...
"Is there some secret?" The old man and Bai Mo met each other's gaze.
In Bai Mo's eyes, he saw not a hint of guilt.
"You're not simple at all," the middle-aged military man beside them suddenly interjected, just as the white-haired elder was about to conclude the conversation. "They are no match for you."
After he spoke, the surrounding guards tensed up. They hadn't detected the young man's hidden combat power, far exceeding that of a normal person – this was undoubtedly a dereliction of duty!
The tensed guards gripped their firearms, ready for battle.
The middle-aged man halted the guards' alert movements, giving Bai Mo a chance to explain.
"As I explained before, when Spirit Qi is absorbed into the body, it can comprehensively enhance physical capabilities." After the middle-aged man called him out, Bai Mo instantly seemed like a different person; his gaze sharpened exceptionally, and a sliver of his previously restrained Aura leaked out.
Humans, observing a massive moving object, like a large truck in motion, would instinctively desire to avoid danger. At this moment, facing Bai Mo, who appeared no different from an ordinary person, they experienced the same illusion.
It was a tyrannosaurus Rex cloaked in human skin!
"Our military has many Ability Users, but their physical capabilities haven't seen anywhere near such a massive improvement. I believe you can certainly explain this," the middle-aged man said, successfully hiding his inner fear; no one but himself could perceive it.
This kind of deterrence, affecting the instinctual level, was not something subjective will could overcome.
"This relates to the discovery I just mentioned, a research project capable of increasing the speed at which humans absorb Spirit Qi," Bai Mo replied as if nothing significant had happened, as if only a trivial matter had been exposed.
"It is precisely because I have already conducted experiments on myself, proving its effectiveness through the significant increase in my own physical capabilities, that I can promise to deliver results within three months."
Bai Mo redirected the conversation back to the previous plan, simultaneously using it to legitimize the source of his power.
He currently had no intention of confronting national power; using this opportunity to integrate into the system and ultimately become a high-ranking member was the optimal choice.
This wasn't some apocalypse where the regime had collapsed; no organization or individual could compare to the government, which firmly controlled all of Huaxia, in terms of resources and information. Aligning with them was the best option.
In the later stages, if he could grow to be fully fledged, then he could consider other possibilities.
As for what Bai Mo considered "fully fledged"? He still adhered to the goal of withstanding a nuclear bomb without harm.
...
"Since you're so confident, believing your results are truly effective, and even experimented on yourself, then among these guards, how many do you think you could fight? Four? Six?" He wanted to use his subordinates to test the young man's limits.
"You can try to convince me with the strength in your hands. I also have the authority to add further investment, and my family and I would very much welcome your cooperation." The middle-aged military man smiled, conveying his desire to win Bai Mo over, then gave a look to his guard captain, Wu Ye.
As a soldier, he valued the other party's combat prowess far more than his obscure research. He wanted to win over this young man who made him feel somewhat terrified.
"I'm very sorry, but I truly don't know how to fight," Bai Mo said, still unwilling to expose his psionic abilities. Even though he knew he had seemingly startled them inadvertently, he continued his act.
He needed to portray a character who had unintentionally gained immense power, yet possessed a somewhat naive personality.
"What a pity. Why don't you join the military? It might be a more suitable place for your development."
After being intimidated by Bai Mo's Aura earlier, the middle-aged military man seemed to have developed an appreciation for talent, intending to recommend Bai Mo to the military system.
Witnessing this blatant poaching, the old man turned his head and shot a glance at the middle-aged military man.
...
"Riiiiip!" A sound of tearing fabric broke the silence. The jittery guards once again tightened their grips on their guns.
Everyone looked towards the source of the sound.
"My apologies," Bai Mo said, a hint of awkwardness in his tone.
He had accidentally ripped his own clothes.
"Be careful," the middle-aged military officer suddenly became enthusiastic, even tossing the jacket from his chair back to Bai Mo, telling him to put it on first. This left everyone else dumbfounded.
"Thank you," Bai Mo said, still unable to grasp the hidden meaning behind the gesture. Logically, this was the kind of treatment reserved for peers; such a reaction towards a junior like himself seemed out of place. .