46: The Western Alliance has made another move? This time, they've sent a top scientist!

"Who is it?"

When Long Weiguo's voice, filled with barely suppressed laughter, clearly reached his ears through the internal communication system.

Lu Chen, who was leisurely enjoying his “vacation” in his luxurious suite, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

He looked at the surveillance footage of the Kunlun Mountain Base entrance, which heavenly craft was broadcasting live for him on the screen in front of him.

He watched the German old man, dressed in a sharp Armani suit, hair meticulously combed, and wearing a scholar-like "kind" smile.

A strange smile also appeared on his face.

"Oh."

"Isn't this Professor Hans Schmidt?"

"The Director of the Western Alliance's Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research."

"A world-class double expert in materials science and energy science."

"He has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Physics three times."

"He is known as..."

"The man closest to the Nobel Prize."

While casually reciting all the information that heavenly craft had scraped from the global internet within one second.

He stroked his chin with interest.

"This old man isn't staying properly in his research institute."

"Running all the way to this godforsaken place of ours..."

"Why?"

On the other end of the line, Long Weiguo's laughter grew merrier.

"What else could he be doing?"

"Of course, he's here for... 'academic exchange'!"

"Just now, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a formal note from the Western Alliance."

"It claims that, in order to promote friendly exchange among global scientists."

"The Western Alliance specially dispatched a delegation of top scientists, personally led by Professor Hans, to our Xia Country for a... friendly visit."

"Furthermore, they specifically requested to visit our 'newly established' 'Kunlun Mountain New Energy Research Center'."

Long Weiguo deliberately emphasized the phrases "friendly exchange" and "newly established."

The sarcasm was unmistakable.

"Heh."

Lu Chen laughed.

He knew it even without thinking hard.

This was yet another trick concocted by those persistent fools in the Western Alliance!

Seeing that the path of sending secret agents, attempting assassinations, and conducting infiltration was blocked.

They simply switched their identity.

Operating under the guise of "academic exchange."

They want to send a top expert in the field to come in and find out the truth!

Their scheming is truly... loud and clear!

"What do you think?"

Long Weiguo asked:

"Should we meet them, or not?"

"Logically speaking, for a malicious character like this, we should just find an excuse to send him away."

"But..."

He changed his tone.

"I just feel that letting them leave just like that would be... too easy for them."

"I can't swallow this!"

"Of course we'll meet them."

A flicker of cunning, unsuited to his age, flashed in Lu Chen's eyes.

"They traveled thousands of miles and delivered themselves right to our doorstep to be our 'sparring partner'."

"How can we turn them away?"

"What's more..."

The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

"I'm also very curious."

"How much capability this 'man closest to the Nobel Prize' really has."

"How much capability this 'man closest to the Nobel Prize' really has."

...Half an hour later.

Kunlun Mountain Underground Base, Reception Room Number One.

This was the only area in the entire base open to "foreign guests."

The decor was simple yet grand.

It was filled with Xia Country-style confidence.

Professor Hans Schmidt was sitting on a soft leather sofa with a "kind" expression, sampling the top-grade Da Hong Pao tea unique to Xia Country.

Not a hint of nervousness or abnormality could be seen on his face.

As if he truly were just an ordinary scholar here for a friendly visit.

But deep within his gold-rimmed eyes, a subtle, sharp glint flickered, hard to detect!

He was observing!

Observing everything here!

The style of the decor!

The spirit and vigor inadvertently displayed by the security personnel!

Even the faint, almost imperceptible scent of "high-energy particles" in the air!

His super brain, armed with countless pieces of cutting-edge scientific knowledge, was rapidly working!

Trying to analyze the true... secret hidden behind this mysterious underground base from these clues!

"Hahahaha! Professor Hans Schmidt, sorry to keep you waiting!"

Just then, a burst of hearty laughter came from the doorway!

Long Weiguo, wearing a sharp Zhongshan suit, strode in with powerful steps!

Following behind him were Li Zhenbang and Zhang Jingtong, two nationally treasured Academicians who were also internationally renowned!

"Oh! My dear Long!"

Professor Hans Schmidt immediately stood up, opened his arms, and gave Long Weiguo an extremely "warm" embrace!

"My friend! It's been several years since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Indeed! Professor Hans Schmidt, you are as distinguished as ever!"

Long Weiguo also patted his back with a "warm" expression.

The two old foxes, each harboring their own ulterior motives, put on a touching show of "brotherly affection" right in front of everyone.

An outsider would think they were long-lost brothers!

After a round of "nutritious" commercial flattery.

Professor Hans Schmidt finally revealed his true intentions.

He asked, seemingly casually:

"Oh, by the way, Long."

"I heard that your country has recently achieved some remarkable... breakthroughs in the field of new energy?"

"I wonder if it would be convenient to share the joy of success with us 'old friends' who are still groping in the dark?"

Here it comes!

Long Weiguo sneered internally.

This old fox pretended for so long, but finally showed his tail!

He was just about to follow the script pre-arranged with Lu Chen, brush it off, and gloss over the matter.

However, a clear voice, carrying a hint of the unique youthfulness of a teenager, suddenly rang out from the doorway.

"Of course, it's convenient."

Everyone subconsciously turned their heads.

They saw.

A young man, wearing a clean white lab coat and possessing an almost excessively delicate appearance, was leaning against the doorway with a smile.

In his hand, he was holding a steaming cup of goji berry... health tea.

"You must be Professor Hans Schmidt?"

Lu Chen slowly walked in, wearing a harmless, innocent smile.

"I've long admired your reputation."

"You are truly an idol for all our young scientific researchers!"

Professor Hans Schmidt couldn't help but freeze slightly as he looked at the handsome young man who had suddenly appeared before him.

A hint of confusion flashed in his sharp eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything.

Who is this young man?

Judging by his age, he couldn't be more than eighteen or nineteen.

How could he possibly appear in a setting of this high level?

Could he be the... nephew or son of some important figure?

"Who is this..." He looked toward Long Weiguo.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce him to you."

Long Weiguo smiled, looking like an old fox who had just successfully stolen a chicken.

He immediately put an arm around Lu Chen's shoulder and spoke in a tone full of pride and confidence:

"This is the General Manager and Chief Scientist of our 'Kunlun Mountain New Energy Research Center'."

"He is also the main... inventor of that 'remarkable breakthrough' you just mentioned."

"Lu Chen."

"You can call him..."

"Engineer Lu."

What?!

When the terms "General Manager" and "Chief Scientist" came out of Long Weiguo's mouth.

Professor Hans Schmidt's face, which had maintained a "kind" smile, instantly... froze!

He looked at the outrageously young man before him, and for the first time, his sharp eyes revealed incredible... shock!

He is the core of the mysterious pangu?!

This... How is this possible?!

This is practically an international joke being played on him!

Meanwhile, Lu Chen acted as if he hadn't seen the ghost-like expression on the professor's face at all.

He simply walked up to Professor Hans Schmidt, placed the steaming cup of goji berry health tea he was holding gently in front of him.

Then, he looked up at the world-class materials expert and gave him an innocent smile brighter than the sun.

His voice was filled with infinite "reverence" from a "junior" toward a "senior."

"Professor Hans Schmidt."

"I practically grew up reading your papers."

"Especially your groundbreaking paper on 'solid-state electrolytes'—I must have read it at least a hundred times!"

"It was absolutely astounding!"

"However..."

He changed the subject, and a look of "just right" confusion flashed in his innocent eyes.

"I have a small academic question that I've never been able to figure out."

"I'd like to ask for your guidance..."

"I wonder if you would find it convenient?"