40: The first light of dawn and the murderous intent lurking in the shadows

After a long night of hard work, and with Su Mu's remote 'god-tier assist' in breaking through the most critical mathematical bottleneck, Excellence's theoretical model for the 'composite intelligent field' finally achieved a decisive breakthrough.

Outside, the sky was just beginning to brighten. The pale blue dawn light filtered through the gaps in the blinds, intertwining with the cold glow from the LED screen on the workbench. Exhausted, Excellence slumped into his chair, every muscle in his body protesting with soreness, yet his spirit remained in a state of strange excitement. His eyes were bloodshot but sparkled with a bright light as he stared intently at the multi-dimensional function image that had just been generated on the screen.

That image was a perfect marriage of mathematical and physical beauty: multiple curves representing different physical quantities were elegantly interwoven and entwined under the constraints of complex non-linear equations, finally reaching a delicate balance and synergy. The energy distribution of the resonant electromagnetic field, the information encoding efficiency of brainwave harmonics, the sensitivity of bioelectric field Perception... these parameters, which were originally independent, now presented a harmonious and stable dynamic system on the screen.

Although building a physical prototype was still a long way off, the initial self-consistency of the mathematical model and the positive, stable feedback from the computer simulations based on it allowed him to see the feasibility of this path clearly. He felt as if he were standing at the foot of a brand-new peak, gazing up at the steps to the future faintly visible through the clouds and mist. That feeling of sudden enlightenment was like finally seeing the light at the exit of a long, dark tunnel.

A massive sense of accomplishment and pure joy flooded over him like a warm tide, temporarily washing away the anxiety and fatigue of the past few days. He couldn't even help humming a tuneless little melody, his fingers unconsciously tapping a cheerful rhythm on the tabletop.

Driven by this irrepressible excitement, he carefully organized a portion of the derivation process and innovation points—those that didn't involve the core algorithms and belonged purely to the realm of mathematical physics—into a concise technical report. The report avoided all sensitive information regarding the system, ancient texts, and the 'Firefly' project, focusing solely on the mathematical architecture and physical significance of the composite field model.

He sent the report to Xiao Zhang through an encrypted channel. This was both a progress report required by regulations and a subtle desire for recognition—perhaps even a faint, imperceptible display of his own value to his monitors. He was like a child who had just finished a masterpiece, eager to share his joy with someone else.

He had no idea what level of shock this seemingly 'simple' mathematical physics report would cause for Wang Jianguo and the circle of relevant technical experts.

Inside the National Special Bureau's underground command center, the lights were bright. Wang Jianguo looked solemnly at the large screen in front of him, which displayed the key contents of Excellence's technical report. Several senior experts, masters in the fields of theoretical physics and applied mathematics who had been summoned urgently overnight, were discussing heatedly, their faces filled with unbelievable shock and excitement.

"Incredible! The logic behind constructing this non-linear coupling model completely breaks out of the framework of existing field theory!" a gray-haired old professor said excitedly, pointing to an equation on the screen. "Look here, he introduced imaginary time coordinates to handle the phase lag issue. This idea is so bold!"

"What's even more startling is the setting of these multi-dimensional constraints," another expert with thick glasses added. "It simultaneously ensures energy transmission efficiency, information fidelity, and system stability. This art of balance... it's almost... like some kind of advanced intuition!"

After several hours of intense analysis and verification, the experts reached a highly consistent conclusion: the novelty of the theoretical framework, the boldness of the concept, and the depth and cutting-edge nature of the mathematical tools used in this report completely exceeded the current level of knowledge in the international public academic community. It even directly touched the edges of several research fields classified as 'future strategic directions' and 'highly confidential' by major powers!

As Wang Jianguo listened to the experts' reports, his fingers unconsciously tapped the table, his eyes deep and inscrutable. He had originally been inclined to believe that Excellence was a lucky 'technical transmission channel' or 'executor' for the 'system' or the forces behind him. But now it seemed that the terrifying potential for innovation and theoretical construction Excellence displayed might far exceed his imagination. This kid wasn't just a messenger or an executor; he himself might be a massive treasure waiting to be unearthed!

"Immediately raise Excellence's security clearance to the highest 'Zhulong' level!" Wang Jianguo ordered decisively, his tone more serious than ever before. "Double the personnel and provide 24-hour uninterrupted protection. There must be no mistakes! The contents of this report are to be classified as 'Top Secret,' and access must be strictly controlled! Meanwhile, increase monitoring of the 'Prophet Foundation' and its associated personnel and organizations. Use every available resource! I have a feeling that Morpheus Li's reaction will come soon, and it certainly won't be gentle!"

The entire Ninth Division of the National Special Bureau began to operate at high speed like a precision machine. More agents were dispatched to the vicinity of the University Town, the monitoring network was further strengthened, and emergency response plans were revised. A battle to protect Excellence quietly escalated.

Wang Jianguo's intuition was terrifyingly accurate.

At almost the same time, through a deeply embedded internal information channel, Morpheus Li also obtained a summary of the core contents of Excellence's technical report (he couldn't get the full text, but the key ideas and breakthroughs were clearly outlined).

Inside Morpheus Li's study in a heavily guarded luxury manor somewhere in the Free Confederacy. He had been leisurely sipping red wine and looking at the night view outside the window. But when his gaze swept over the briefing on his tablet, his movements froze instantly.

He suddenly stood up from the comfortable leather chair, nearly spilling his red wine. He paced back and forth in the study carpeted with expensive Persian rugs, his eyes flashing with unmaskable surprise and... a hint of urgency, even greed.

"Composite field? The prototype of a trinity of energy, information, and Perception?" Morpheus Li's voice lost its usual composure, carrying a sharp edge of disbelief. "He actually... actually managed to independently touch the theoretical threshold of this direction in such a short time?! He even proposed a feasible mathematical model?!" He read the key equations and conceptual descriptions in the briefing over and over, his fingers trembling slightly with excitement.

"This is at least three years faster than the most optimistic estimate in our 'ascension path' plan! This is no longer just 'interesting' or 'having potential.' This is... a strategic power that must be controlled at all costs!" His eyes became cold and sharp, like a hunter seeing his long-coveted prey.

He stopped abruptly and looked at Evelyn, who had been standing quietly in the shadows. His gaze became resolute and cold. "It seems our previous soft tactics and academic enticements have all failed. The official protection is tighter than we imagined, and he himself is more... 'productive' than we estimated. It's time to switch to a more direct and efficient way of playing."

"Father, what do you mean?" Evelyn's heart sank slightly. She was familiar with this look in her father's eyes; it meant he was going to employ those unquestionable methods that skirted the gray and even black areas.

"Since we can't get him to throw himself into our arms through normal channels, let's create a little 'accident,'" Morpheus Li's voice was calm and steady, yet it carried a bone-chilling coldness. "Let's make the 'safe' environment he's in no longer safe, and let the 'research results' he treasures suffer some 'force majeure' losses. Or, let the officials realize that the cost and risk of protecting him are rising sharply—so high that they'll have to reconsider if it's worth it."

He paused and continued, his tone as if discussing a mundane business decision. "I recall that within The Foundation, there are experts skilled in creating 'precise technical accidents.' They can make a fire look like aging wiring and an equipment failure look like an operational error, can't they?"

Evelyn's fingers tightened slightly at her side. She knew what her father meant by 'precise technical accidents.' Those were the ruthless methods disguised as accidents that The Foundation used to handle thorny problems, clear obstacles, or force key targets to comply. Those 'experts' were the Scavengers in the shadows of The Foundation, masters of various techniques for creating 'accidents,' using everything from precision electromagnetic pulse devices to untraceable chemical reagents.

"The target?" Evelyn tried to keep her voice steady, not letting a hint of emotion leak out.

"There's no need to target him directly for now," Morpheus Li said casually, as if talking about the weather. "But that little, creative 'laboratory' of his, or those amazing 'results' about to be born... they can suffer some regrettable 'malfunctions' or 'fires.' Enough to alarm the officials and throw them into a panic, and enough to frighten that young man, giving him a strong sense of insecurity and doubt about the government's ability to protect him..."

He walked to the wine cabinet, poured another glass, and gently swirled it. The bright red wine reflected a dangerous light under the lamps. "When the time is right, we will then timely and generously extend a 'helping hand,' offering a 'safer' and 'superior' research environment and support that he absolutely cannot refuse. The effect will be much better than it is now."

This was an extremely insidious and vicious tactic. It aimed to physically strike Excellence's research and development capabilities, psychologically dismantle his sense of security, and exert massive pressure on Wang Jianguo, forcing him to make a difficult choice.

Evelyn lowered her eyes, her thick eyelashes hiding the roiling complex emotions—a hint of reluctance, a bit of a struggle, all eventually swallowed by bottomless obedience. Excellence's clean eyes, filled with a thirst for knowledge despite his nervousness at the seminar, flashed before her, as did his focused and somewhat silly profile when he was engrossed in tinkering with equipment late at night... "Yes, Father. I will immediately arrange for the 'Firefly' team to be on standby," she replied in a low voice, her tone devoid of any ripples.

She exited the study and walked down the empty, silent, magnificent corridor, the sound of her high heels clicking on the marble floor crisp and cold. Her slender fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

A truly cold and precise strike against Excellence and the fruits of his labor had quietly begun. Meanwhile, Excellence was still immersed in the immense joy of his theoretical breakthrough and the warm afterglow of his improved relationship with Su Mu, completely defenseless against the storm of cold malice named 'accident' that was about to strike from the darkness.

The dawn light filtered through the window, illuminating the equipment on his workbench that sparkled with the light of wisdom, as well as his defenseless face as he slept soundly from exhaustion. The storm was brewing, and the peaceful morning was, as always, the final illusion before the tempest.