"Maybe I could even get into the key training program."
"But..." Xu Wei scoffed, her fingers playing with her press ID:
"I don’t know what kind of chips the Star Creation Company put on the table to suppress this matter. If I forcefully publish the report, I’m afraid it will have no effect."
"It’s okay." Li Ming was unconcerned, instead comforting Xu Wei.
"Don’t worry, I’ll definitely publish this report at an appropriate time," Xu Wei promised, very satisfied with her own article, which was quite topical.
But because it contained no hot topics, rash publishing would be a waste.
The two chatted for a while, and then Xu Wei got busy. The opening assessment of the University of Science and Technology was highly visible, covered live by various media, targeting the entire Blue Star Civilization.
While the two talked, a few more people arrived and took seats. They sat quite apart, apparently all quite socially anxious.
Directly above the area, a silver-white platform hovered, quite spacious, with students occasionally looking up at it.
On the platform, Professor Wu, dressed in a black and purple suit, sat primly, one hand resting on the armrest, the other browsing a virtual screen.
"It’s another year of entrance assessments. Last year’s exams feel as though they were just yesterday." On the other side, a middle-aged man in a gray-white suit seemed somewhat nostalgic.
"Professor Bai, of course you feel it was just yesterday. Last year’s top student eventually became your student, and I suppose he’s already preparing for the C-level gene seed now."
The elderly man seated next to him chuckled, with a bearded face.
Professor Bai, his face creasing into a smile, still modestly said, "Professor Xia, you jest. We still have to wait; it’s only been a year."
"82%, indeed fast," Professor Wu suddenly spoke, and the originally warm atmosphere among the professors was instantly disrupted.
Professor Bai’s expression tightened, neither warm nor cold: "Professor Wu, you’re always well-informed, keeping track all the time."
"Just heard here and there." Professor Wu, without lifting his head from the materials, remarked: "The Snow Feathered Falcon is indeed good, but not quite suitable for him. I suggest you consider the Ice Flying Dragon."
Professor Bai stated gravely, "His D-level gene seed is the Wind-beaked Ancient Bee; the Snow Feathered Falcon is the most suitable."
Professor Wu looked indifferent: "Ah, you must have seen the report from the Blue Blood Biological Institute a few years back. There’s an error in that report. If you use the Snow Feathered Falcon, then by B-level, the gene seeds available for selection will be very limited."
Professor Bai’s face showed some annoyance, "Professor Wu, my student doesn’t need your unsolicited advice."
"Ah, ah, gentlemen, you both want what’s best for the kids, there’s no need for hostility." Professor Xia tried to mediate, then added, "Professor Wu’s expertise in genetic biology is well recognized; perhaps, Professor Bai, you should consider it."
The situation would have been better without that last remark. It seemed to provoke Professor Bai, who exclaimed loudly, "Everyone knows what he’s about, seeking fame and acting scholar, feeding off others’ intellects. His reputation is already in tatters, and here he is, giving unsought advice."
Suddenly, a cold presence spread through the area. Professor Wu closed the virtual screen in his hand, slowly lifted his head, pushed up his glasses, and smiled, "What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that. Could you repeat it?"
Professor Bai immediately regretted his words, but admitting fault was not an option now, so he just stiffened his neck.
"You all became professors, having given it your all, but the reason I’m a professor is that the University of Science and Technology doesn’t have a higher title," said Professor Wu, which caused several others on the platform to change their expressions, looking at him coldly.
"What about me?" A virtual projection suddenly appeared in the central main seat, though his hair was graying, he looked middle-aged.
"Dean Chen..." Several professors seemed to find their anchor.
"You’re a bit better than them, aren’t you?" Professor Wu stayed nonchalant.
"Then that’s not too bad," Dean Chen smiled mildly, "Professor Wu has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. This recent trip to Silver Grey Star, he even eradicated a malignancy for the locals, clearly a man of upright intentions."
The professors scoffed, but Dean Chen turned to Professor Bai:
"If it’s as Professor Wu just said, you should really think it over when you return. The school has invested significant resources, so it’s best to follow a smooth evolutionary path."
"Understood," replied Professor Bai with a stern face.
"Professor Wu, as you rarely come out of retirement, why don’t you mentor this year’s top student?" Dean Chen offered.
The other professors’ expressions shifted slightly. The assessment’s top ranks were not just a one-way selection but a mutual choice, with each backed by significant local Blue Star forces, able to achieve mutual success.
"I don’t care about rankings. Even if he’s the top, what of it? He might be outstanding on Blue Star but is trivial on the interstellar level," Professor Wu shook his head: "If I wanted to cultivate him, piling up resources could make him a C-level Life Form."
"We’ll see if there’s a connection,"
Dean Chen’s true body was unknown, his virtual projection casually remarked: "Those kids from Silver Grey Star, did they catch your eye? After all, you’ve dined with them."
"So-so," Professor Wu reopened his intelligence terminal, starting to browse some material.
Dean Chen didn’t continue, but instructed, "Let’s get started."
"Roth, how about it, are you confident about being first this year?"
The blond and blue-eyed Roth was surrounded by several young people, gathered in a circle, Nuo Xing among them, apparently a small group.
This major had even fewer people, named -- Gene Development Studies, requiring no classes, with only one graduation goal, to become a D-level Life Form.