Chapter 282

Chapter 282

Isabella leisurely sipped her blue beverage. "Why move it? We can build a better miniaturized version of 'Noah,' three times more efficient. Project already approved, codename 'God's Slingshot.'"

Julian remained composed as always. "Mr. Russell is reshaping the rules. The biotech companies acquired last quarter will have all personnel board ship next month. Our mission is to move every 'toy' in the world she's interested in into this ivory tower."

Diana locked herself in the lab for two days, compiling a hundred-page technical requirements list.

On the third evening, she emerged from the laboratory.

Rupert projected a modification plan into the air—a mobile scientific empire centered on 'Noah-01':

'Prometheus': Mobile energy center, equipped with a compact fusion device

'Gaia': Ecological simulation vessel, replicating extreme environments

'Hermes': Data link and logistics transfer vessel, fitted with quantum communications

"It lets you stop accommodating the world." He pointed to the circular space specially designed on the top deck. "Your firewall is becoming your ship."

Diana remained silent for a long while.

"The 'Hermes' landing platform is too small." She suddenly spoke, a trace of mischief crossing her face. "I need a platform that can carry V-22 Ospreys to transport that new electron microscope from Ravenholt School of Technology."

Rupert saw the cunning in her eyes and smiled. "Julian will handle it. Perhaps Ravenholt School of Technology would be willing to establish its first overseas branch."

That invisible barrier still existed, but Diana had found a way to move freely within it.

Rupert's 'Mobile Divine Nation' plan stirred global resources like an engine at full power.

Within three days, Julian completed penetration of Ravenholt School of Technology's three major endowment funds, establishing a special equipment support project under the guise of 'academic exchange.'

The president's office received an application: borrow the latest cryo-transmission electron microscope for six months, accompanied by a ten-year sponsorship contract that the board couldn't refuse.

Isabella used cryptocurrency on the dark web to corner 90% of global bismuth telluride crystal inventory.

When the 'SpiNNaker-2' team struggled with cooling issues, an email from 'DY' conveniently attached new heat dissipation designs, specifying a Starlight Foundation subsidiary as the sole supplier.

Oscar was exhausted from fielding hundreds of emails from Ravenholt School of Technology's legal department while purchasing super-policies covering all risks for that hundred-million-dollar microscope.

The world roared because of her, yet Diana achieved unprecedented tranquility.

That 'ivory tower' forged with money and power insulated her from all disturbances.

He simplified the world into a black box of inputs and outputs, while she only needed to think at its core.

This absolute quiet was like fertile soil, allowing seeds of thought to grow wildly.

A week later, in the laboratory.

Diana stood before the light screen, staring at the paper's core formula for three days.

The 'Neural Decompression' theory explained how the brain processes information.

But 'why' remained unresolved.

Why choose this compression algorithm aimed at entropy reduction?

She pulled up the mitochondrial energy metabolism curves from 'Chimera Project.'

Lightning split the chaos: information, energy, entropy.

What if consciousness itself were a spontaneous negative entropy flow opposing universal entropy increase?

What if brain information processing and cellular energy metabolism followed the same fundamental law?

Her breathing stopped for an instant.

Besides that audacious formula, she wrote another line of even shorter symbols.

The embryonic form of a unified field theory spanning thermodynamics, information theory, and biology—a physical law explaining the essence of 'life.'

She calmly walked out of the laboratory.

Rupert was handling a multi-billion-dollar acquisition. Seeing her, he immediately hung up.

"The previous model's premise was wrong." She pulled up two lines of formulas on the light screen. "The brain isn't an isolated system. Any living system consumes energy while processing information, fighting death. These two things are essentially identical."

She pointed to the new formula. "Information entropy reduction must come at the cost of increased system energy entropy. This is why thinking tires us, why life dies—it's the physical essence of consciousness."

Rupert stared at that formula brimming with magnificent power. After half a minute of silence, he asked, "Who can prove you're right?"

"Prof. Clayton Diaz, Prof. Leonard Smith."

"Good."

He directly dialed. "It's me. I need Prof. Diaz and Prof. Smith at The Russell Group Building now. If they're not here within an hour, starting tomorrow, all social funding for the next ten years for 'Phaethon Project' and the Theoretical Physics Research Center will be fully taken over by Starlight Foundation."

Fifty minutes later, a military helicopter landed on the top floor.

Two 'invited' national treasure professors walked into the conference room with displeasure.

"This approach is extremely disrespectful!" Clayton fumed.

Rupert bowed slightly, yielding the head seat. Diana spoke calmly. "I have a hypothesis that needs verification."

When the formula was projected on screen, the professors' expressions transformed from dissatisfaction to suspicion, finally to awe.

An hour later, Clayton trembled as he removed his glasses. "This is the Holy Grail of physics... I've studied entropy my whole life, yet not as clearly as one young person sees it."

Leonard excitedly pointed at the formula. "If this holds, it explains how the early universe birthed order from chaos! This isn't just biology—it's cosmology!"

As the conference room erupted, Diana remained composed.

But for Rupert, the world-shaking formula mattered not at all.

His gaze traveled over the excited crowd, past the brilliant symbols, focusing intently on Diana.

Gone was his usual profound detachment, replaced by boyish, pure pride.

His eyes reflected her image, filled with starlight brighter than city lights.

His lips curved silently upward.

All his domineering protection found meaning in this moment.

He wasn't imprisoning her—he was brushing dust from the world's most dazzling jewel.

Now, she was shining.

Radiantly.

After the conference room door closed, the boiling excitement ignited by pure intellect still swirled in the air.

Clayton clutched his notebook, looking at Rupert with unprecedented light in his eyes.

"This manuscript—I must personally deliver it to headquarters! No, I'm calling the Director-General right now! This is our country's chance to lead the world in fundamental physics by half a century!"

Professor Leonard was calmer, but his calm was magma beneath ice.

"Diana," he had automatically changed his form of address, tone solemn as if transferring a national treasure. "Your model requires the most rigorous experimental verification."

"I suggest immediately forming an interdisciplinary special task force, with you personally leading. All relevant institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences—personnel, equipment, data—will open to you unconditionally!"

The two masters spoke over each other, already planning a magnificent blueprint worthy of the history books.

Rupert listened quietly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

He only walked to Diana's side, using a gaze only she could understand to inquire her meaning.

"It doesn't need to be that complicated."

Diana spoke, voice not loud, yet instantly silencing both professors.

"A theory's value lies in its universality and falsifiability. Put it under sunlight. Let minds worldwide attack it, verify it. Truth needs no secrecy."

Clayton froze. He wanted to say something, but those eyes of crystal clarity rendered him speechless.

It was a pure confidence in science itself, transcending nation, honor, and interest.

Rupert understood.