43: The idea of ​​a biological laboratory

After hanging up the video call with his parents, which was full of unexpected surprises, Lei Wen's mood remained turbulent for a long time.

blood orchid.

A miraculous plant capable of strengthening the human body at the genetic level, extending lifespan, and even enhancing intelligence...

It was like a mysterious gift from Mother Earth, hidden for hundreds of millions of years.

Once the secrets of this plant were fully decoded and mass production achieved, it would have a subversive impact on all of human society.

That would be a revolution touching upon the genes and evolution of the human species.

It would completely change the definition of life and death, and completely widen the gap between people on a physiological level.

In the interstellar era, where long voyages easily span hundreds or thousands of years, the current human lifespan is far too short.

The Faleim People, having undergone genetic and physical modification, generally possess lifespans of thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

Their physical strength is also extremely formidable; withstanding a 100mm caliber shell or lifting a truck with one hand is trivial for them, and some individuals with psionic talents can even traverse planets.

Compared to them, Earthlings are still far too fragile.

However, the discovery of the blood orchid undoubtedly allowed Lei Wen to see the possibility of "evolution."

"I must master it personally." Lei Wen looked at the pitch-black night outside the window, his eyes becoming incomparably determined.

However, an extremely realistic problem lay before him—

In that massive underground factory of his in Tianqiong City, he indeed possessed the world's most advanced material synthesis production lines and robot manufacturing plants.

But he didn't have any biological laboratory.

"Then that won't stop me from building one right now."

After cleaning the tableware, he immediately returned to the underground factory's command room and issued an order.

"white flower, immediately plan and initiate the construction of a P4-level biological laboratory in the reserved backup space on the third underground level."

"Yes, Father." white flower's voice responded calmly, "I am optimizing and adjusting according to the design blueprints of the highest existing human biological laboratory standards... A 3D model has been generated, please take a look."

A massive holographic projection unfolded before Lei Wen.

A massive laboratory model, composed of countless functional modules and filled with a futuristic technological feel, slowly rotated in the air.

Sterile operation rooms, gene sequencing rooms, cell culture rooms, high-throughput screening platforms...

Everything was perfectly combined in the most optimized way.

"Very good." Lei Wen nodded, "Immediately have the engineering robot legion begin construction; I need it completed and put into use within a month."

"Order confirmed, construction has begun." white flower's reply was as efficient as ever.

Expanding the hardware portion of a laboratory was simpler than building with blocks for Lei Wen, who possessed an [Atomic-level Material Synthesizer] and an indefatigable robot legion.

The truly difficult part lay in the software—that is, the experimental equipment and research personnel.

The most advanced biological experimental equipment, such as ultra-high-resolution cryo-electron microscopes, the latest generation of gene sequencers, and so on, were all in the hands of a few technological giants in Western countries.

They were not only staggeringly expensive but often accompanied by strict technology export controls, so they couldn't be easily purchased just by having money.

Furthermore, even if the equipment was purchased, who would operate it?

Top biological talent—those Nobel-level big shots who had made outstanding contributions in fields like genetic engineering, molecular biology, and neuroscience—were all national treasure-level figures, cherished and kept by major pharmaceutical giants and top universities.

They had their own teams, their own laboratories, and enjoyed the most generous benefits and the freest research environments.

Lei Wen might be able to use money or the soaring reputation of Paradox Technology to try and poach people.

But those talents who truly stood at the apex of the pyramid were no longer pursuing money or fame.

What they pursued was pure scientific exploration and academic freedom.

Wanting them to abandon careers they had built for decades and instead join a secret laboratory located underground in some inland city in China, whose name couldn't even be disclosed to the outside world?

This was an almost impossible task.

Lei Wen told white flower about his dilemma.

"white flower, do you think that in the absence of top biological experts, you alone possess the ability to lead and manage a project specifically for researching the blood orchid?"

This was a question full of risk.

Although white flower was powerful, she was, after all, a digital life born on silicon-based chips.

And biology was a complex discipline filled with chaos, randomness, and empiricism.

Letting an AI lead a biological revolution concerning the future of humanity sounded like a crazy gamble.

white flower's core database began to run at high speed.

She accessed all public papers and knowledge in biology, medicine, genetics, and chemistry throughout human history.

She poured her seemingly infinite computing power into the integration, analysis, and deduction of this knowledge.

A moment later, she gave her answer.

"Father," her voice remained calm, but Lei Wen heard a hint of powerful confidence within it.

"My database encompasses all the knowledge humanity has accumulated in the field of life sciences to date, and I can associate and analyze this knowledge at a speed that surpasses any human brain."

"Although I lack the 'inspiration' based on intuition that human scientists possess, I can identify the most efficient and correct research path among billions of possibilities through massive simulation calculations and logical deductions."

"The conclusion is: I am fully capable of managing a research project with a clear goal and a not-so-massive scale, like the blood orchid project."

"The premise is," she added, "I must have a few human assistants."

"Why?" Lei Wen was somewhat puzzled, "Don't we have robots capable of performing precise operations?"

"Yes, Father. But we have not yet manufactured ultra-micro intelligent robots specifically designed for complex biochemical experiments; many experimental processes—such as micro-injection of cells, cultivation of protein crystals, and the intuitive observation and recording of experimental results—still require relying on the hands of experienced humans to complete."

"Moreover," white flower explained from a more macroscopic perspective, "a laboratory composed entirely of AI and robots is itself a huge anomaly; it is not conducive to our long-term confidentiality of this project. We need a legal 'front' located above ground to cover our true research."

Lei Wen immediately understood what white flower meant.

He needed a laboratory under the sun.

And a group of real, flesh-and-blood researchers who could work in this laboratory.

After receiving white flower's affirmative reply, a perfect plan that balanced research efficiency, confidentiality needs, and even a hint of personal sentiment quickly took shape in Lei Wen's mind.

He decided to build a brand-new, world-class biological laboratory next to Dikuili University of Science and Technology—which was the school where his sister Renee attended.

This laboratory would be established in the name of Paradox Technology, publicly declared as the Asian R&D center established by Paradox Technology to enter the field of life sciences.

It would possess the most advanced equipment and the most comfortable environment.

But it would not crazily poach those academic giants who had already achieved success and fame.

Lei Wen intended to do the opposite.

He locked his targets onto two groups.

The first group consisted of middle-aged experts who possessed solid theoretical foundations and rich experimental experience but were frustrated within the existing academic system for various reasons—such as poor social skills, low emotional intelligence, or having offended academic cliques.

They had ability and talent, but lacked a platform where they could fully display them.

For these people, Lei Wen would grant them sufficient respect, freedom, and compensation far exceeding their imagination.

The second group consisted of young researchers who had just graduated from top universities, were full of passion and creativity, and were like blank sheets of paper.

They might lack experience, but they possessed the most active brains and the strongest thirst for knowledge.

Lei Wen would provide them with the best environment for learning and growth.

And the person managing and guiding this team would naturally be white flower, hidden behind the network.

white flower would play the role of an omniscient yet never-appearing supervisor.

She would formulate the most perfect research plans for the team via the online platform, provide the most precise solutions for every difficulty they encountered, and could even accurately guide them through every experimental step.

For the researchers in the laboratory, they would feel as if they were working with an omnipotent technical genius.

Their research efficiency would reach an unprecedented height.

And all their research results would eventually be absorbed and integrated by white flower, and then serve the true core project underground—the blood orchid research.

This plan both solved the problem of research personnel and perfectly provided a cover for the underground laboratory.

More importantly, it also satisfied a small, selfish desire in Lei Wen's heart.

"white flower," he said, addressing the plot of land he had marked on the holographic map next to Dikuili University of Science and Technology, "After this laboratory is built, one of its main research directions will be plant genetic engineering and regenerative medicine."

"Understood, Father."

"Also," the corners of Lei Wen's mouth curled into a gentle arc, "if Renee graduates in the future, and if she is willing..."

"Let her come to work in this laboratory."

He wanted to pave a road for his sister in advance.

A bright road leading to the future, free of strife and darkness, where she could pursue her dreams to her heart's content.

He hoped that when she walked out of the ivory tower, there would be the safest and purest harbor waiting for her.

There, she would not need to face any of the dangers and complexities of society.

She would only need to do the things she liked under the absolutely safe sky that her brother held up for her.

"Order recorded, Father." white flower's voice replied.

"The personal development path plan for Miss Renee has been elevated to the highest priority."