Compared to the other departments, the Biological and Mechanical Laboratory had the least number of people, but it still occupied an entire independent building.
Chief Molin's laboratory was located at the lowest level of the entire building. The only way to enter was through the Chief's personal elevator. Unless they had Molin's permission, even the other members of the board of directors could not enter Molin's laboratory.
There were nineteen floors above Molin's laboratory, from the second to the twentieth floor. All of them were reserved for Level 4 researchers. Currently, there were only seven Level 4 researchers in the laboratory, occupying seven of the floors. The other twelve floors were all empty.
Behind every Level 4 researcher was a huge research team, including many assistant researchers, Level 1 researchers, Level 2 researchers, and even Level 3 researchers. There were also many service staff in the living quarters.
For example, Tanqiu occupied the tenth floor, while Feng Qian occupied the sixth floor. Every newly promoted Level 4 researcher could choose a floor they wanted to use as their laboratory.
Above the twentieth floor was the laboratory for Level 3 researchers. Compared to the privilege of Level 4 researchers, Level 3 researchers were treated less well. Usually, three to four Level 3 researchers would share a floor.
Although Level 3 researchers also had their own independent laboratory, some special equipment would not be allocated to Level 3 researchers. It could only be shared by all Level 3 researchers.
Above that was the laboratory for Level 2 researchers. Other than the researchers who joined other advanced research laboratories, most of them were gathered on the forty-first to forty-second floors. The conditions of the laboratory were worse than Level 3 researchers', and some special equipment was not allocated. If one wanted to use it, one would have to apply for it from Level 3 researchers' laboratory.
Above that was where Level 1 researchers and assistant researchers lived. They basically did not have their own independent laboratory, but their living quarters were arranged in the building.
In the lounge on the seventh floor of the research building, Feng Qian was carefully reading a project application document through the projection screen. A man in a white robe sat behind him, as if he was dozing off.
The white-robed man's exposed arms and neck were greenish-black in color. That was the luster of metal parts.
Most of the researchers in the Biological and Mechanical Research Laboratory were flesh and blood ability users. Although there were a few mechanics, they at least kept their heads and flesh bodies.
Although the mechanical body had many advantages that the body of flesh and blood could not compare to, it was like there was an invisible door that blocked the Mechanics who had abandoned their human bodies outside the door.
It was not only the Black Steel Shelter's Biological and Mechanical Research Laboratory, but it was the same in the laboratories of the other Shelters. None of the researchers above Grade 2 were mechanics who had abandoned their bodies.
After watching for a while, Feng Qian moved his gaze away from the holographic projection. He turned around and looked at the white-robed man in front of him.
"How's Qi Yuan's reaction?" Feng Qian asked.
"No reaction." The white-robed man slowly opened his eyes.
"After Tanqiu told him that the project application had been rejected, the two of them had a short conversation. After that, Qi Yuan didn't make a fuss and returned to his laboratory. He hasn't come out since."
Feng Qian said slowly after pondering for a moment.
"Judging from Qi Yuan's previous behavior, he won't admit defeat so easily. Pay attention to his every move and don't let him take advantage of any loopholes."
The white-robed man nodded.
"I've already sent people to the project review team. As long as Qi Yuan applies for a project, I'll get the news immediately. No matter what project he applies for, I'll follow up with a similar project. He won't have any chance!"
"Qi Yuan won't admit defeat so easily," Feng Qian reminded him.
"When he was at the Iron Chariots, Ke Shoulin tried to stop him from entering the Shelter many times, but he was stopped by him every time. Not only did he fail to stop him from entering the laboratory, but he also lost a few Grade 4 Black Gloves. Recently, he's been targeted by the Hazard Management Department and has caused a lot of trouble."
Feng Qian would never underestimate any enemy, especially after he had just suffered a great loss.
Although Qi Yuan was only a Grade 2 researcher, he had Tanqiu behind him. Tanqiu was an opponent who was on par with him.
"I'll pay attention to Qi Yuan's news." The man nodded and paused for a moment before continuing.
"I believe that after a while, when the influence of Ai Xin's comments is gone, Qi Yuan will understand his situation and give in to reality."
"This is a laboratory, not a lawless wilderness. Although the rules can protect his life, it also means that he can't use unconventional methods to get out of this situation. For at least two years, his independent laboratory won't be able to produce any research results."
"As long as I can stop Qi Yuan for two years, he'll be done for!"
"You won't be able to stop him for two years." Feng Qian shook his head.
"When Qi Yuan realizes that applying for a project won't work, he'll definitely switch to Tanqiu's laboratory. When he gives up on fighting alone, although his progress will be much slower, he'll still be able to get rid of your suppression."
"Tanqiu's laboratory can help him block a lot of pressure, but it can never give him the status of a Grade 3 researcher!
Unless Tanqiu is willing to break the rules for him! "The man said slowly.
In order to be promoted to a Grade 3 researcher, other than having to have 1000 academic points, one must also publish a high-quality paper in a top journal.
There was an unspoken rule in all independent laboratories, and that was, the person in charge of the laboratory must be the first author of the paper.
This meant that if Qi Yuan wanted to be promoted to a Grade 3 researcher, he would have to leave Tanqiu's laboratory and take on a project on his own.
Just as the two of them were talking, the man in the white robe's expression changed slightly. He opened his personal assistant and an unsigned email popped out.
The man looked at the content of the email and his expression was a little surprised.
"Qi Yuan has submitted a new project application to the project review team!" The man said.
Feng Qian's eyes narrowed. It had only been two days since Qi Yuan received the news that his first project had been rejected, but Qi Yuan had already submitted a second project application.
For the majority of Level 2 researchers, choosing a suitable research project often required months of time. It had only been five days since Qi Yuan had entered the laboratory, but he had already submitted two projects consecutively. This efficiency was simply astonishing.
Feng Qian used his authority to pull up Qi Yuan's project application and projected it in the lounge so that the two of them could review it together.
The room was quiet again. Although it was also a Grade 2 project, it took the two of them half an hour to carefully read Qi Yuan's project application.
"From the listed data, Qi Yuan's project application has a high probability of being approved by the project review team." The man in the white robe said slowly.
Feng Qian nodded. He originally thought that Qi Yuan had just casually written a project application to test his attitude. He did not expect this project application to be logical and clear, and there was a lot of data to support it. This proved that Qi Yuan had put a lot of effort into this project.
How did Qi Yuan do it?
How many research projects did he have in his mind?
From the berserker to the paper that was personally reviewed by Ai Xin, to the two project applications in five days, Qi Yuan's every step was beyond his expectations.
"Could it be that Tanqiu is secretly helping him?" The man in the white robe asked suspiciously.
"That's possible," Feng Qian said.
Other than this reason, he could not think of a second suitable reason.
"Whether or not Tanqiu is secretly helping him, we can't let Qi Yuan's project application go through!" Feng Qian said.
Academic suppression existed in every laboratory, and many people had tacitly acknowledged the existence of this phenomenon. However, if a third-level researcher continuously used the same method to snatch a second-level researcher's project in just a few days, he would definitely be labeled as an unsightly person.
The man in the white robe was silent for a few seconds before he said slowly, "I'll go prepare the project application immediately."
Feng Qian nodded.
"Don't worry, I'll double the reward that I promised you before!"
After the man in the white robe left, Feng Qian's gaze fell on Qi Yuan's project application again. His sharp intuition told him that something was wrong.
If the first time he stole a project, he had caught Qi Yuan off guard. However, this time, the project application was like knowing that there was a tiger in the mountain but still going to the tiger's mountain.
Even with Tanqiu's help, for a Grade 2 researcher to find a suitable project, it would take a lot of effort and wisdom. Why did Qi Yuan do this?
Was he deliberately provoking him?
Or did he have other motives?
Feng Qian's mind was filled with thoughts, but he still did not get the answer he wanted.
In the laboratory on the tenth floor, Tanqiu was also looking at Qi Yuan's new project application. Like Feng Qian, she was shocked by the frequency of Qi Yuan's project application.
Su Li sat not far away, bored. His eyes were empty, and his attention was somewhere else. After a long time, he finally came back to his senses under Tanqiu's gaze.
"I'll give you a mission. Go and spread the news that Qi Yuan's project was stolen by Xiao Yu again," Tanqiu said.
Hearing this, Su Li said unhappily.
"I'm just a Grade 4 Mechanic. Do I have to spread rumors all day long?"
Tanqiu glanced at him and silently took out a game controller, preparing to operate it.
Seeing this, Su Li's expression changed immediately. He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry about me!
I'm the best at spreading rumors!
I can guarantee that before the sky turns dark, the whole laboratory will know about this! "
Tanqiu nodded and put down the game controller in her hand.
Su Li wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and left the room without looking back.
Two hours later, when Su Li came back again, other than the smell of alcohol on his body, there was a black box in his hand.
Seeing this, Tanqiu raised her eyebrows. Just as she was about to take out the game controller, she heard Su Li shout,
"Can you stop threatening me with this stupid game controller? I've already done it!"
Tanqiu looked at him expressionlessly. After seeing Su Li's unreliable side, Tanqiu did not really believe what Su Li said when he was drunk.
"Can't people trust each other more?"
Su Li complained as he found a spot on the sofa and laid down comfortably.
"After I've done it, I even went to Qi Yuan's laboratory. He asked me to bring you something."
Su Li waved the box in his hand.
"Do you want to know what's inside?"
Seeing Tanqiu looking at him with a faint smile, Su Li could not help but mumble softly. Then, he threw the box in his hand over.
Tanqiu took the box and opened it. Inside were a few strands of black hair, some fingernails, and 100 milliliters of blood.
"I didn't expect him to be so sensible!"
Tanqiu closed the box with satisfaction.
"What else did he say?"
Seeing Tanqiu put down the game controller, Su Li returned to his weak state.
"Nothing much. He just asked me to find a way to find out about the progress of Xiao Yu's projects. This guy must be holding something bad in his heart. He's probably preparing to make a move on Xiao Yu."
Tanqiu was silent for a while. The experimental projects under Xiao Yu's name were all approved through the project application and received project funds from the laboratory. The project review team had just checked the progress of his experiments half a month ago. Although this information could not be seen by others, it was not a secret to Tanqiu.
Tanqiu glanced at the box in her hand. So he was waiting for me here.
Even without these things, she would still help Qi Yuan to a certain extent. However, this kind of free help, which was almost like charity, would not last long. Therefore, Qi Yuan took the initiative to take out those things in an attempt to turn the relationship between the two into a transaction.
Tanqiu muttered to herself for a moment. In the end, she still opened the project review team's verification of Xiao Yu's research project.
Five days later, when Qi Yuan personally submitted the project application to the project review team for the third time, not only the project review team members, but even the passing researchers couldn't help but look at him in surprise.
An ordinary second-level researcher would have collapsed long ago after being bullied by others. Two project applications were snatched away in less than a week.
However, not only did Qi Yuan not collapse, but he also quickly submitted a third project application. This kind of mentality, this kind of efficiency, was simply unimaginable.
When Qi Yuan put down the project application and turned to leave, a third-level researcher with short silver-grey hair leaned over and took the initiative to extend his right hand.
"Qi Yuan, let's get to know each other. I'm Le Huaizhou!"
Qi Yuan was slightly surprised and stopped in his tracks. He was currently in trouble. At this time, not many people dared to approach him.
However, Qi Yuan still reached out and shook Le Huaizhou's right hand.
"Nice to meet you!"
Le Huaizhou smiled faintly.
"I've read your paper. It's indeed a perfect third-order energy matrix. It's completely worthy of Ai Xin's evaluation!"
"Thank you for your affirmation!" Qi Yuan said with a smile.
Le Huaizhou suddenly stopped smiling and said with a serious expression, "We've all seen your accomplishments in the field of energy matrices. However, there are many things that simply can't be changed by our strength alone. Xiao Yu's actions have already abandoned the dignity of a third-level researcher. You don't need to use this method to fight against him."
Qi Yuan's eyes darkened. The disappointment and unwillingness in his heart were written all over his face.
"I've never thought of fighting against anyone. I just want to quietly do my research."
Le Huaizhou sighed and said, "Go to another place.
Although you can't become the first author, it's still better than being held back here by Xiao Yu. "
Qi Yuan bit his lip and shook his head stubbornly.
"I want to try again!
I don't believe that Xiao Yu can really control the laboratory with one hand! "