183: Showdown and "Mirror Image" Clash

Excellence's earth-shattering alarm, delivered with the sharp, piercing power unique to a child, was like a bolt of lightning tearing through the night sky, instantly shattering the carefully maintained veil of professional restraint in the meeting room! The air seemed to freeze, and time itself appeared to stagnate at that moment. Everyone's eyes, filled with shock, confusion, and a sudden surge of vigilance, focused in unison on the intruding Excellence, before quickly shifting even faster toward Professor Chen Jing standing in front of the projection screen.

In this suffocating silence, Professor Chen Jing—or rather, the senior Infiltration Expert from the Prophet Foundation who had infiltrated under the guise of "Chen Jing," code-named "Thousand-Faced Fox"—saw the scholarly rigor, calmness, and slight detachment on her face vanish like a sand painting scattered by the wind. It was replaced by something entirely different: a coldness and sharpness that seemed to seep from her very bones, a near-instinctive aura of danger honed through countless perilous situations. Her back seemed to straighten further; her gaze was no longer inquisitive or focused, but like an ice-tempered blade, shimmering with the light of calm assessment and calculation. In an instant, her entire presence completed a total transformation from "scholar" to "agent."

She did not panic, nor did she even show much surprise. She merely arched a finely groomed eyebrow slightly, her lips slowly curling into an extremely indifferent yet meaningful curve. Her gaze first swept over the heavily guarded Wang Jianguo and Evelyn with a scrutinizing air, before finally landing like a precision probe on Excellence, who was being shielded tightly by Evelyn and Su Mu as if he were a priceless treasure. In that gaze was a mix of hard-to-conceal surprise, the heat of having discovered a precious prey, and a deeper, colder sense of evaluation.

"Director Wang, you truly live up to your reputation. The vigilance of 'Homeland' is impressive." she spoke, her voice remaining steady but stripped of all academic gentleness, carrying a metallic texture and a hint of mockery. "And this... young gentleman," her gaze lingered on Excellence for a few extra seconds, her tone carrying a sense of amusement as if she had rediscovered a new continent, "is truly amazing... such perception. It far exceeds our previous assessment reports. It seems the growth rate and potential of the 'seed' have indeed... exceeded all our expectations."

She unhesitatingly used the code name "seed," which The Foundation used internally for Excellence, effectively admitting her identity and purpose. However, her subsequent words were not as hostile as one might imagine; instead, they revealed a strange "candor" and strategic "softening."

"Observation and Assessment": A New Strategic Pretext

"There is no need to be so tense, Director Wang, Dr. Evelyn." Thousand-Faced Fox spread her hands in a gesture of harmlessness, though her eyes remained sharp. "I admit, I am from the Prophet Foundation. But please believe me, I did not come here to execute a forceful assault or capture mission in the style of Morpheus Li." She mentioned the name that had cost Homeland a heavy price in a flat tone, as if speaking of an insignificant failed case.

"Mr. Morpheus's failure proved at the cost of blood that for a... treasure like the 'seed,' a crude frontal assault is not the best policy; rather, it could cause irreparable losses for both sides." She paused deliberately, observing the reactions of Wang Jianguo and Evelyn. "The Foundation... is not a monolith. After the previous setbacks and some... internal reflection, different voices have emerged. I, and the faction I represent, believe there may be another... more constructive way to interact."

"My primary purpose for this trip is observation and assessment." she emphasized, her gaze sweeping the meeting room once more before landing on Excellence. "We need to personally confirm the true state of the 'seed,' his growth potential, and the uniqueness and stability of his abilities. At the same time, we must evaluate whether 'Homeland' possesses sufficient capability and... foresight to protect and develop this potential. On this basis, we can explore whether there exists... some possibility of 'cooperation' in the future."

Confrontation of Ideologies: Protection or Imprisonment?

"Cooperation?" Wang Jianguo let out a cold, distrustful sneer and took a step forward, his tall frame exerting a powerful sense of pressure. "By using hidden scanners to secretly probe our core areas? By using carefully disguised geological questions to fish for intelligence on our underground structures? Is this the so-called 'sincerity' of your Foundation's 'cooperation'?" His words were like a sledgehammer, smashing into Thousand-Faced Fox's seemingly reasonable rhetoric.

Facing the questioning, Thousand-Faced Fox remained composed, as if she had long expected such an inquiry. "Merely necessary caution and verification methods, Director Wang." she responded flatly, as if stating an obvious fact. "Before committing to any form of 'cooperation,' one always needs to confirm the true value and potential risks of the investment target, do they not? We need solid evidence that the 'seed' is not an exaggeration, and that 'Homeland' is not... a conservative Fortress that merely buries its treasures."

She shifted her tone, her gaze becoming more piercing and... provocative, directly posing a sharp question intended to create division at an ideological level, aimed straight at the core logic of Evelyn and Su Mu's protection of Excellence:

"For example, we have observed that the 'seed'—or rather, little Excellence—has demonstrated astonishing, unconventional potential for perception and interaction. However," she drew out her words deliberately, her gaze sweeping past the lush but clearly bounded greenhouse outside the window, "is keeping him confined in such a... safe, yet relatively small and isolated 'greenhouse' truly the best choice for him? Shouldn't his abilities be exposed to a broader world, interacting with more complex systems and playing a more significant role? Could your overprotection, in a sense, also be a form of... imprisonment and waste of his potential? Are you content to let him forever be just a... carefully nurtured 'specimen,' rather than a 'force' that can truly change certain landscapes?"

These words were extremely insidious and deceptive. They cleverly twisted Homeland's necessary protection for safety into "conservatism" and "imprisonment," attempting to spark any curiosity Excellence might have for the wider world while also challenging the legitimacy of Evelyn and Su Mu's decisions as guardians.

Evelyn immediately took a step forward, her eyes as sharp as knives, meeting Thousand-Faced Fox's gaze without flinching. Her voice was clear and firm, carrying unquestionable scientific rationality and the determination of a guardian:

"True protection is creating a safe, stable environment filled with love and scientific guidance, allowing him to grow healthily and master his power step by step! It is not like your Foundation, which views him as a 'tool' to be dissected, studied, and utilized at will, impatiently exposing him to an environment filled with unknown and malicious risks! That is not developing potential; that is stifling and destroying it!" Her words carried immense weight. "As for the 'cooperation' you speak of," a trace of mockery appeared at the corner of Evelyn's mouth, "it is nothing more than plunder in a more refined, hypocritical cloak! What you want has never been a win-win, but unilateral data extraction and ultimate control!"

Enticement and Traps: The Guise of Information Sharing

Facing Evelyn's fierce rebuttal, Thousand-Faced Fox did not get angry. Instead, as if she had heard the expected answer, she shrugged indifferently.

"The right to speak often depends on strength and bargaining chips, Dr. Evelyn." Her tone was flat, yet it hid a sharp edge. "We have demonstrated our infiltration capabilities (even if they were unexpectedly seen through by this young gentleman this time), and we have seen that you indeed possess considerable defensive strength. Continuing in a stalemate or confrontation benefits neither side; it will only consume each other's resources and may even trigger more uncontrollable conflicts."

She threw out a proposal that seemed more "sincere" and "constructive": "Perhaps we can switch to a more pragmatic approach: limited, non-core information sharing." She carefully observed the changes in Wang Jianguo and Evelyn's expressions. "Our Foundation can provide some non-core but definitely enlightening historical data and data models regarding 'constant ripple' theory and basic research in consciousness fields. This information might help you avoid some detours and gain a deeper understanding of the nature of Excellence's abilities."

"In exchange," her gaze flicked back to Excellence, "we only hope to obtain periodic (for example, quarterly), non-sensitive, macro-level growth assessment data of the 'seed'—such as trends in ability stability, ranges of basic parameter changes, and some insignificant behavioral observation summaries. It would not involve any specific technical details, training methods, or core physiological data." She emphasized, "For both sides, this would be a beneficial supplement and reference, equivalent to opening a... safe, controlled window of communication."

This proposal sounded extremely cunning. Cloaked in the guise of "fair trade" and "academic exchange," it attempted to trade some "old knowledge" that The Foundation might have already discarded or deemed non-critical for first-hand macro data on Excellence's continuous growth. This macro data seemed non-sensitive, but in the hands of The Foundation's top analysts, it could likely be used through long-term tracking and comparison to deduce Homeland's research directions, the effectiveness of their training methods, and even the weaknesses and patterns of Excellence's abilities! This was undoubtedly a sugar-coated poison, a carefully designed data trap intended for long-term infiltration!

Wang Jianguo didn't need to hesitate at all. His face was cold and stern as he rejected it flatly in an unquestionable tone: "There is no need. Homeland's research has its own rhythm and path. We do not need, and will never accept, any form of 'charity' or 'guidance' from The Foundation. Keep your data for your own research." He made a gesture for her to leave, his tone hardening: "This conversation is over. Please leave 'Homeland' immediately. Otherwise... we will be forced to take mandatory measures."

The Aftermath of Threats and the Shadow of Departure

Seeing her schemes of sowing discord and her enticements exposed and rejected one after another, the last trace of feigned peace on Thousand-Faced Fox's face vanished completely. Her eyes instantly became like Siberian ice, bone-chillingly cold and devoid of any warmth.

"In that case... that is truly a pity." she said slowly, her voice devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet every word carried heavy weight. "However, rest assured, this contact... was not entirely without gain." Her gaze, like a venomous snake once more, accurately and slowly swept over Su Mu and Evelyn who were shielding Excellence, before finally fixing on Excellence's small face, which was filled with tension and confusion.

"At the very least, we have confirmed once again that the value of the 'seed'... is indeed worth The Foundation's continued highest level of attention." The corner of her mouth curled into an extremely cold, almost cruel arc. "And... his weaknesses seem to be... exceptionally obvious." This statement did not point to anything specific, but the malicious gaze made the meaning of the threat crystal clear—Excellence's deep affection for and reliance on Su Mu and Evelyn was his most easily attacked soft spot.

No more words were needed. Thousand-Faced Fox elegantly straightened her perfectly neat collar, as if everything that had just happened was merely a somewhat unpleasant academic debate. Under the cold and vigilant "escort" of the base guards, she turned composedly and walked toward the already opened security door. Her two assistants had also long since been brought under control and were led away with her.

A battle of hearts and wills, fought without the smoke of gunpowder yet fraught with extreme danger, had come to a temporary close. Thousand-Faced Fox and her team were "politely escorted" out of the borders of "Homeland." However, the words she left upon her departure weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone who knew the truth, like a cold curse. She had not only explicitly declared that The Foundation had not given up but also revealed a shift in their strategy—from blatant frontal assaults to more hidden, "rational," and harder-to-guard-against infiltration, observation, and psychological warfare based on weakness analysis.

Excellence's path of growth was destined to remain exposed to greedy and patient gazes from the depths of the darkness. The challenges facing "Homeland" had not decreased with the enemy's departure; instead, they had entered a more complex and severe new phase. The true storm was perhaps only just beginning to brew.