97: Chapter 97: Data Doesn't Lie

The atmosphere in the temporary command center was a bit strange.

The massive holographic screen was split in two.

On the left was the data for the Genius Class. The spiritual energy output line showed a red peak surging high before plummeting straight down; now, it was nearly at the bottom. The formation stability was as chaotic as an EKG, eventually dropping to zero. As for consumption, students had used an average of over ninety percent of their strength, and nearly forty percent of the materials were wasted.

On the right was the data for the Ordinary Class. Spiritual energy output was a steady green line. Formation stability was also a straight green line. Consumption? Students had used less than ten percent of their strength on average, and material loss... was zero.

With the data from both sides placed side by side, who was capable and who wasn't was as clear as day, like they'd been stripped bare.

Those who had been cheering for the Genius Class moments ago were now as silent as cicadas in winter.

Director Zhao Lixin looked at the screen, feeling gratified. He knew Engineer Jiang's arrangements couldn't go wrong. This was perfect; the facts were right there, and no one could be stubborn anymore.

He cleared his throat and announced into the microphone, "Students, the first stage of the practical assessment has concluded. Now, let us invite the honorary professor of Kunlun Academy, Academician Chen Jingming of the Xia Academy of Sciences, to provide a summary."

This was specifically arranged by Jiang Ning. She couldn't be bothered with nonsense, so she had Professor Chen, a veteran scientist, step forward. His words carried enough weight to shut up those self-righteous geniuses.

Professor Chen's figure appeared on everyone's phones and the temporary large screens at the construction site.

He pushed up his glasses, looked into the camera, and smiled first.

"Students, you've worked hard."

"Just now, I watched your entire performance. I must say, I am shocked."

"Especially the students of the 'Genius Special Training Class'." Professor Chen's gaze seemed to pierce through the screen, landing on Lin Yuan and the others. "Your performance was very... beautiful."

Hearing this, the Genius Class students slumped on the ground managed to lift their heads. A glimmer of hope appeared on Lin Yuan's bloodless face.

Could it be... that there was still a chance for a turnaround?

"In two hours, without relying on any large equipment, you built such a large and magnificent formation purely with your own skills and spiritual energy. Your control over spiritual energy and those imaginative ideas left even an old man like me, who has spent his life in scientific research, in awe."

"From the perspective of 'artistic creation,' your work is definitely a perfect score. It's beautiful, like a lotus flower, with a classical flavor and spiritual aura. If this were an 'art exhibition' in the cultivation world, you would definitely be the champions."

Professor Chen's words made the Genius Class feel a lot better.

Exactly, we are artists, not like those 'workers.' We pursue beauty and spirituality!

Lin Yuan also straightened his back a bit. He felt that this old professor was an expert who could see the value of his work.

But then, Professor Chen changed his tone.

"However."

Just these two words caused the hearts of all the Genius Class students to sink.

"Students, we must first clarify a fundamental question." Professor Chen's face suddenly turned serious. "What kind of people is Kunlun Academy trying to train? What are we trying to build here today?"

"We are not training artists or performers. We are training engineers of the new era, people who will protect this country!"

"What we are building are not artworks for exhibition. We are building fortresses, shields! Their sole purpose is to protect the people and the land behind us when danger comes!"

"The standard for evaluating a fortress or a shield is simple—is it sturdy, is it reliable, and can it achieve the greatest results with the least effort!"

Professor Chen gestured, and the starkly contrasting data on both sides of the screen was maximized.

"Now, let the data speak."

"First, let's look at the strength. The Genius Class's formation had a defensive strength of 1200 when it first started, which was very intimidating. However, this strength lasted for less than three minutes before dropping. Now, its defensive strength is zero."

"Now look at the Ordinary Class's. Their assembled formation stabilized at a defensive strength of 950 after activation. Although it wasn't as fierce as yours at the start, as long as the academy's power grid isn't cut, it can maintain this level twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year. It will never stop."

"Next, look at the cost. To build that magnificent formation, the students of the Genius Class nearly exhausted all their spiritual energy; several of them even overexerted themselves. What would that mean on a real battlefield? It means that as soon as you finish building the fortifications, you become toothless tigers waiting to be finished off by the enemy."

"Meanwhile, the students of the Ordinary Class mainly used a bit of spiritual energy during the final calibration. Their average consumption was less than ten percent. They are all full of energy now, ready to head onto the battlefield at any moment."

"Finally, and most importantly: sustainability."

Professor Chen pointed at the "Golden Lotus" on the screen, which had already lost its luster, and shook his head.

"This formation is a single unit. It's beautiful, but because of that, it's very fragile. If any part breaks, the entire formation might collapse. Moreover, repairing it is essentially impossible because you didn't leave any standard interfaces or replaceable parts. It's a disposable item."

"Look at the other side," he pointed to the blue light shield. "It's assembled from countless standard modules. Just like our Great Wall, it's built brick by brick. If one module is destroyed by the enemy, the system can bypass that failure point in a second without affecting the overall defense. Meanwhile, our maintenance team can replace it with a new one within five minutes—as simple as changing a light bulb."

"Now, students, tell me."

Professor Chen's gaze became extremely sharp as it swept across everyone's faces.

"A firework that only stays beautiful for three minutes, or a fortress that can protect our home forever."

"Which one is what we truly need?"

The entire industrial zone was deathly silent.

All the students lowered their heads.

The students of the Ordinary Class were filled with the excitement and pride of sudden realization. They finally understood what their hours of sweating had been for.

Meanwhile, the students of the Genius Class were all pale-faced.

Every word and every piece of data from Professor Chen was like a slap across the face, burning hot.

Their proud "artwork" had been proven to be nothing but flashy, useless junk in the face of reality.

Lin Yuan's body began to tremble.

His mind was blank, with only Professor Chen's final words echoing.

Fireworks... and fortresses...

He had always thought he was creating a miracle. As it turned out, he was just setting off fireworks?

"Alright, that's enough for the theoretical analysis."

In the command center, Jiang Ning's voice rang out over the broadcast, interrupting everyone's stray thoughts.

"Next, we will proceed with the second stage of the assessment."

"Combat Stress Test."

"Activate the Attack Drones and conduct indiscriminate saturation attacks on both formations."

"Let's use facts to test whether the fireworks are pretty, or if the fortress... is tougher."