Inside the room, a soft light shone.
An old man with white hair and age spots on his face sat in front of his desk. He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, picked up the recommendation letter on the table and read it carefully. Then, he gently put it down.
A middle-aged man in a suit brought a cup of strong tea and placed it beside the old man's hand.
He asked in a low voice, "Grandmaster, do you need me to send this paper to Mr. Xu for review?"
The old man shook his head.
"I've read Qi Yuan's first paper. His energy matrix design was perfect. It's a pity that it wasn't published in Truth."
"Ai Xin was willing to review a third-order paper. I can't let such an excellent paper slip through my hands."
"It's fun to watch these outstanding young people grow."
The middle-aged man stopped trying to persuade him. There weren't many things that could make Grandmaster happy.
Grandmaster opened the envelope. The moment he saw the title of the paper, his eyes lit up.
"Annihilation weapon?"
The Grandmaster read every word and sentence carefully. He read very slowly, as if he was reading a very difficult thesis.
As time went by, the middle-aged man's expression changed slightly. In the past, when the Grand Master reviewed the thesis, although he read it very carefully, it never took more than half an hour. However, an hour had passed this time, and he had not even finished half of the thesis.
Of course, a second-order researcher couldn't study a very difficult field. The fact that this paper could attract Grandmaster's attention and make him forget about the passage of time could only mean one thing.
This paper had truly moved Grandmaster!
With Grandmaster's achievements and authority in the field of energy, Grandmaster was not far away from winning the Leader's Medal!
Cao Yansheng and Tan Qiu had pushed this paper to Grandmaster because they thought that this paper had the potential to win the Leader's Medal. Now, it seemed that they had made the right bet!
Three hours later, Grandmaster slowly put down the paper in his hand. He took off the glasses on the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and rubbed between his eyebrows.
He sighed and said, "Young people nowadays are really replacing the old!"
The middle-aged man caught the meaning behind Grandmaster's words. If nothing unexpected happened, the Leader's Medal that had been vacant for five years would be Qi Yuan's.
The award had been vacant for five years, and the winner was a second-level researcher from the Black Steel Shelter. This issue of "Truth" would probably ignite the entire armory of the apocalypse.
"I'll go inform the other committee members now," the middle-aged man said.
The Grand Master nodded. The award of the Leader Medal needed to be approved by the votes of many committee members. He could not act arbitrarily.
The middle-aged man had just walked to the door when he saw another committee member reaching out his hand and preparing to knock on the door. His expression was a little excited, and he was holding a paper paper in his hand.
"Mr. Song, are you looking for Grandmaster?" the middle-aged man asked with a smile.
Committee Member Song nodded with a smile.
"I've found a thesis that's close to being awarded the Leader's Medal. I'm here to discuss it with the Grandmaster."
The middle-aged man was obviously stunned.
"Another paper that has touched the threshold of the Leader's Medal?"
The Grandmasters had just discovered a thesis that could be awarded the Leader Award, and before they could discuss it, Committee Member Song sent another thesis. What day is it today? Why is it so coincidental?!
"Feng Yi, did you just say another article?" Committee Member Song asked suspiciously.
Feng Yi nodded.
"Grandmaster also found a very good thesis. I'm going to inform the other committee members to come and discuss this matter."
"I see. It seems that the Leader's Medal is really going to be awarded this time." Committee Member Song smiled.
"Go and inform the other committee members. I'll talk to Grandmaster first."
Feng Yi did not dare to delay. Two theses that were qualified to compete for the Leader's Medal were definitely a big deal. Grandmaster's room was going to be lively.
Feng Yi moved quickly. In less than half an hour, the seven committee members of the Leader's Medal had all arrived at Grandmaster's room.
The eight of them sat around a wooden round table. Qi Yuan's and Feng Qian's theses were placed in front of Grandmaster. The other seven committee members each held a copy and read it carefully.
In the new era of virtual projection, these old people still did not change their habit of reading paper documents.
Grandmaster sipped his tea quietly and did not rush them. He had waited five years for the Leader's Medal. A little more time was not a big deal.
A few hours later, the seven committee members put down the papers in their hands. Their expressions were a little strange.
Grandmaster put down his teacup and asked.
"What do you guys think of these two theses?"
"It's a little hard to choose." One of the committee members sighed.
"I didn't expect two high-quality theses to appear right after the Black Steel Shelter went through a disaster. The Leader's Medal is already set. It's just a matter of who it is awarded to."
"Grandmaster, who do you think the Leader's Medal should be awarded to?" Committee Member Song suddenly asked.
Grandmaster smiled and shook his head.
"Don't think about slacking off this time. Since everyone is here, let's vote by a show of hands. I'll be the last one."
Committee Member Song smiled bitterly and touched his bald head.
"This is difficult. Since the Leader's Medal hasn't been awarded for five years, can we award two medals this time?"
"We can't do that." Another committee member shook his head.
"Although the Leader's Medal has been vacant for five years, it doesn't mean that it's cheap enough to award two medals at the same time."
"We'll still follow the old rules and vote. The Leader's Medal will be awarded to whoever has the highest number of votes."
"In that case, I'll go first." One of the committee members looked around and said in a low voice.
"Qi Yuan is only a level two researcher after all. Although the annihilation weapon he created can pose a threat to machines, it's only limited to those below level five. It won't be of any help to us high-level combatants. Moreover, his research results even used Feng Qian's previous thesis. In comparison, I think Feng Qian is more qualified to receive the Leader's Medal. Therefore, I vote for Feng Qian."
"Old Mu, you still can't change this habit of yours. You're too harsh on young people," someone couldn't help but say.
"In order to solve the problem at the frontline, many people are looking for ways to solve it. Even here, many people have set their sights on the annihilation power. However, after so long, they still haven't come up with a decent result. Qi Yuan's thesis not only solved the problem of the annihilation weapon, but also the source of the annihilation power, the design of a new energy matrix, and the formula of the energy-bearing alloy. He solved so many problems that others couldn't solve on his own. He's definitely qualified to receive the Leader's Medal."
"Therefore, I vote for Qi Yuan."
"I also think that Qi Yuan's thesis is more valuable!" Another member of the review board agreed.
"Don't forget that Qi Yuan is only a level-three aptitude user. He came to God's Sanctuary from the wilderness less than half a year ago. In addition to this thesis, he has published three other papers in Hope. The one about the near-perfect energy matrix was personally reviewed by Ai Xin."
"Such a talented young man. His attainments in the field of energy are no less than any level four researcher. He might even surpass them."
"Therefore, I vote for Qi Yuan. I believe this young man will create more miracles for us!"
"Qi Yuan is indeed a young man full of miracles," a committee member said emotionally.
"If I remember correctly, he's not even eighteen years old this year. When I was his age, it was difficult for me to apply for a level-three research project. Qi Yuan has already published three papers and is even aiming for the Leader's Medal."
"We're really getting old!"
…
After all seven of them had voted, Qi Yuansao won the vote that decided the winner of the Leader Medal with a vote of five to two, even before the Grandmasters had voted.
Seeing everyone's eyes fall on him, Grandmaster smiled and said.
"My vote is also for Qi Yuan."
"I didn't expect this," committee member Song said emotionally.
"The Leader's Medal that has been vacant for five years is now in the hands of a level-two researcher. He's only seventeen years old. I'm afraid he's not the youngest recipient of the Leader's Medal, but the youngest recipient of one of the three major awards."
"Who will make his Leader's Medal?" Grandmaster asked.
The committee members looked at each other and didn't answer immediately.
The Leader's Medal was the highest award in the field of energy. It not only represented the highest honor, but it was also a very powerful energy creation.
The previous recipients of the Leader's Medal were all mid-level or even high-level aptitude users. They could control and use powerful energy creations, but Qi Yuan was only a level-three aptitude user.
Those powerful energy creations weren't something a level-three aptitude user could control.
The Leader's Medal had been vacant for five years. If they made a low-level energy creation for Qi Yuan now, everyone would probably laugh at the Gate of Truth for being stingy.
However, if they made a powerful energy creation for the Leader's Medal, but Qi Yuan couldn't use it, it was also a bit inappropriate.
He finally got the Leader's Medal, but they gave him something he couldn't use. It was a bit inappropriate.
"Make a mid-level energy creation for Qi Yuan as the Leader's Medal."
Grand Master leaned back and explained, "That's right.
"Although Qi Yuan is only a level-three aptitude user now, I believe he'll reach level-four very soon."
"That's indeed the case," one of the committee members said with a smile.
"Since Grandmaster has decided on the rank, then I'll make this Leader's Medal."
Grandmaster nodded.
"Keep a list of the materials you'll need to make it. When the time comes, you can ask for reimbursement from the military."
The committee member smiled. Making a mid-level energy creation worthy of this honor required a lot of precious materials. The cost of making it was even higher than the cost of a mutated energy weapon.
If the military was willing to bear this cost, he couldn't ask for more.
"Qi Yuan's thesis will save countless soldiers of the military. I believe the military will be happy to bear this cost!"
"How long do you need to make this Leader's Medal?" Grandmaster asked.
"Ten days … Five days should be enough. I happen to have a suitable mold that can be used to make the medal this time."
Grandmaster nodded.
"I'll inform the editorial department to delay the publication of this issue of Truth by two days. It'll be delivered to the Black Steel Shelter along with the medal."
"You're not letting Qi Yuan come to receive the award?" One of the committee members asked in surprise.
In the past, most of the award winners would come to the Door of Truth to receive the award in person. Only a few researchers who were too much of a shut-in were unwilling to move.
This was the first time Grandmaster didn't ask for the recipient's opinion and directly asked for the medal to be delivered to the Black Steel Shelter!
"There's been a lot of fighting recently. Coming from the Black Steel Shelter requires passing through the Mech Dynasty's blockade. Qi Yuan is only stage 3. We can't let him take the risk."
"Plus …" Grandmaster looked around.
"Qi Yuan's thesis is related to the war at the frontline. Once it's announced to the public, the Mech Dynasty will definitely make a move on Qi Yuan."
"So, before the medal is officially delivered to Qi Yuan, I hope everyone can keep this a secret. I don't want Qi Yuan to be assassinated by the Mech Dynasty before the medal is delivered to Qi Yuan!"
A few of the committee members nodded. As the war with the Mech Dynasty intensified, the wilderness became more dangerous.
The Mech Dynasty's mechanical creations had been trying to seal the connection between the various Shelters. Although they didn't succeed, they still posed a great threat to the people who went out.
Qi Yuan was only a stage 3 aptitude user. Even if the Black Steel Shelter sent out a few elites to protect him, they could only guarantee that Qi Yuan would be sent to the Door of Truth safely. There was no guarantee that he would return safely.
As for the Mech Dynasty, once they knew about the annihilation weapon, they would definitely target Qi Yuan crazily.
The Leader's Medal had been empty for five years. If Qi Yuan died at the hands of the Mech Dynasty right after receiving the award, not only would Doomsday Munitions be humiliated, the Door of Truth would also be humiliated.
"Also, before the thesis is published, remember to hide some key information. The annihilation weapon can not only threaten the Mech Dynasty's mechanical creations, but also our own mechanics. We must not let the Mech Dynasty get hold of this information," Grandmaster said slowly.
"When you give Qi Yuan the Leader's Medal, remember to communicate with Doomsday Munitions and Flesh Alliance. We want to seal off the Mech Dynasty. We can't use this to build an academic barrier within the Mech Dynasty!"
"No problem, I will communicate with Doomsday Munitions as soon as possible," Committee Member Song said as his gaze fell on another committee member.
"As for Flesh Alliance, I'll have to trouble you, Ol 'Ling."
The committee member called Ol 'Ling nodded.
"Other than that, I suggest that we start cultivating the Tree of Annihilation immediately. Also, we need to create the annihilation weapon that Qi Yuan provided. All of these should be done in the laboratory. Choose trustworthy personnel and form a special team to carry out the production. This will minimize the possibility of the secret being leaked."
"Also, we can target the Mech Dynasty's mechanical creations and design more annihilation weapons."
Grandmaster nodded.
"Qi Yuan single-handedly turned the situation around in the frontline against the Mech Dynasty. We must do the follow-up work well. We can't let his efforts and efforts go to waste!"
"When the Leader's Medal is delivered to him, Qi Yuan will probably become the youngest Level 4 researcher and the only Level 3 researcher!"
The others smiled. They were all old. To be able to see such an outstanding young man like Qi Yuan was also a blessing.