Chapter 3: The Technology Tree System

Facing Lü Yongchang's request, Guan Hualiang swallowed hard.

As the only knowledgeable observer, Guan Hualiang's shock had reached its peak! Who could have imagined that an undergraduate student could derive the intricate details of controlled nuclear fusion technology on the spot?!

"What… what do you need me to do?" Guan Hualiang's voice was hoarse, perhaps due to the shock.

Lü Yongchang's gaze was firm as he said, "Professor, I request a review of my derivation process!"

…

At the Materials Institute of Sandao University, a sharp ringtone broke the silence in an office.

"Hello?"

"Professor Guan?"

"What? Are you serious?!"

"…Wait for me, I'll be right there!"

"Alright, I'll go get Dean Tian!"

This single phone call completely disrupted the previously calm Materials Institute of Sandao University.

A similar scene unfolded in the nuclear physics laboratory of Sandao University.

"Professor Guan, you're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"A new material capable of withstanding nuclear fusion, derived on the spot by a sophomore?"

"Am I dreaming, or are you not fully awake yet?"

"Alright, alright, I'll come over and see for myself!"

…

More than twenty minutes later.

Guan Hualiang and Lü Yongchang sat quietly on chairs in the classroom. The other students, after deleting the videos and photos from their phones, had all left the room.

"Professor, those students…" Lü Yongchang glanced uneasily at Professor Guan Hualiang.

"Don't worry, someone will handle it later."

After a moment of silence, Guan Hualiang spoke again to confirm, "Yongchang, did you come up with all this on your own?"

Although he had witnessed Lü Yongchang completing the derivation steps alone, he still found it hard to believe that a sophomore could possess such advanced knowledge! Even though this was Sandao University, the top university in the country, undergraduates were still just undergraduates, with limited exposure to such high-level knowledge.

Sitting across from Guan Hualiang, Lü Yongchang met the professor's gaze with deep, unwavering eyes and nodded firmly.

"Professor, I came up with all of this on my own."

He wasn't lying!

In his previous life, he had made significant contributions to the research on controlled nuclear fusion! This achievement had greatly boosted his credentials when he was being considered for the position of chief scientist.

After all, humanity's survival in underground cities depended on mastering controlled nuclear fusion!

"I hope so!" Guan Hualiang gave Lü Yongchang a deep look.

By now, he had recovered from his initial shock and naturally had more questions. However… the truth would be revealed during the upcoming joint review by the professors. Whether it was fraud or genuine genius would become clear then!

As he thought this, Guan Hualiang closed his eyes to rest. Age had its limits, and his energy wasn't what it used to be.

Seeing Guan Hualiang resting, Lü Yongchang's eyes flickered, and he slowly closed his own eyes as well.

Deep in his mind, a lingering question remained.

At the moment of the helium flash, he had lost consciousness. But before he woke up in this new life, what was that glowing green interface he had seen?!

As soon as Lü Yongchang closed his eyes, darkness enveloped his vision.

The next moment, as he focused his thoughts, a faint green light emerged from the depths of his mind.

Before him, the strange tree-like diagram appeared once again.

This time, he finally had the chance to examine it carefully!

Just like the last time he had seen it, the bottom of the tree diagram was highlighted with white text: "Controlled Nuclear Fission" and "Controlled Nuclear Fusion."

The layer above, however, displayed a line of dim text:

[Nuclear Energy Mastery: Fusion Reactor Miniaturization Technology]

A flash of astonishment crossed Lü Yongchang's eyes.

Fusion reactor miniaturization technology!

This was exactly the technology he had been researching at the end of his previous life!

Without exaggeration, fusion reactor miniaturization could propel human technology to a whole new level!

But… unfortunately, due to time constraints, he had made no progress.

Recalling his previous experience in this space, Lü Yongchang quickly focused his thoughts on the dim line of text.

No miracle occurred.

No knowledge about fusion reactor miniaturization appeared in his mind.

Just as Lü Yongchang was feeling puzzled, a faint line of text appeared between "Controlled Nuclear Fission" and "Fusion Reactor Miniaturization." A dim white line connected the two.

[Prerequisite: Analyze Sonoluminescence Phenomenon]

Connecting this to the appearance of controlled nuclear fusion technology in his mind, Lü Yongchang began to form a hypothesis about the system in his mind.

This Technology Tree System could only guide him in the right research direction—it couldn't simply grant him knowledge out of thin air!

But that was enough!

In scientific research, the worst mistake was heading in the wrong direction!

With the right direction, Lü Yongchang believed that, with his abilities, he could solve any so-called scientific!

The next second, his gaze moved upward on the Technology Tree.

[Electric Propulsion System]

[Quantum Communication Technology]

[…]

At the very top of the Technology Tree was a line of bright text: [Level 1 Civilization].

Lü Yongchang swallowed hard, his eyes filled with disbelief.

This was only Level 1 Civilization?!

What would Level 2 Civilization entail?!

As this thought crossed his mind, an even dimmer line of text appeared at the top of the Technology Tree.

[Preliminary Mastery of Energy Weapons]

The moment he saw this line, Lü Yongchang's pupils contracted sharply.

Energy weapons?!

Then… what about Level 3 Civilization?!

A hint of "greed" flashed in his eyes.

As a scientist, even the mere mention of future technology was irresistibly fascinating to him!

The system gave no response.

Lü Yongchang's eyes showed a trace of disappointment.

Just as Lü Yongchang was immersed in exploring the system, a soft knock came from outside the classroom.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

…

Both Lü Yongchang and Guan Hualiang opened their eyes and turned their gazes toward the classroom door.

"Come in, the door's unlocked," Guan Hualiang said in a deep voice.

The next moment, the classroom door slowly opened.

Several professors with graying temples walked in, their expressions serious.

The elderly man at the forefront immediately turned his attention to the blackboard behind the podium.

After a quick glance at the blackboard and the projector screen, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

Then, he turned to look at Lü Yongchang.

Seeing Lü Yongchang meet his gaze without a trace of fear, the old man's surprise grew.

"Professor Guan, is this the… genius student you mentioned?"

Guan Hualiang nodded lightly. "Dean Tian, let me introduce you. This young man is a sophomore in the physics department, named Lü Yongchang."

He then turned to Lü Yongchang and said, "This is Dean Tian Zhixuan of the Materials Institute at Sandao University. If your new material is reliable, he'll be the one to confirm it!"

....

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