Chapter 93: The Core Team

At the foremost long table of the banquet sat the eight researchers of Frank’s core team.

The eldest among them, Russell, was nearing fifty. He possessed no supernatural abilities, having reached his current position entirely through profound scholarship and extensive experience. Within the team, traditional researchers like Russell formed their own faction.

Conversely, supernatural researchers like Jiang Lei and Mary belonged to another. While the two factions occasionally clashed due to differing research philosophies, they shared a collective fate—when one prospered, all prospered; when one suffered, all suffered. Thus, a certain level of harmony was maintained within the laboratory.

"Russell, I recall you were quite critical of Little Li joining the core team. How are you feeling about it now?"

Li Nanke was currently away from his seat, having stepped out to use the restroom.

As the only female researcher on the team, Mary was very fond of Li Nanke. The young man possessed excellent natural talent and a sharp mind; he mastered any equipment operation he was taught almost instantly. He often assisted her with her work, never once looking down on others despite his "Omnipresent" class ability, and performed his duties as an intern with flawless diligence.

What researcher wouldn't like an assistant like that?

Seizing the moment, Mary raised her red wine glass and took a sip, gesturing toward Russell.

Russell adjusted his glasses and replied with the measured tone of an old pedant: "Little Li’s learning attitude is to my liking, but it is a pity he lacks a higher education. It is essentially impossible for him to make any real contribution to fundamental theory."

The traditionalists already held biases against the supernaturalists' reliance on external power, and the "Omnipresent" class was notorious as the most broken of all supernatural abilities. Russell was not targeting Li Nanke personally; he simply did not approve of his nature.

Mary raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "Don't try to brush it off. Who asked you about that? This time, Little Li was the first to decipher the properties of a Forbidden Item, and our team will benefit greatly from it. I heard you've nearly accumulated enough merit to be promoted to Research Mentor."

The senior researchers present were all "disciples" of Frank, holding C+ level status. Once they accumulated enough merit, they could be promoted to B-level Research Mentors, capable of taking charge and leading their own laboratories.

Russell coughed twice and maintained his posture, adding, "Compared to him using his Omnipresent talent to find the answer, I would prefer Little Li to continue his studies and rely on his own knowledge to decipher Forbidden Item properties. That is what makes a qualified researcher."

At that moment, Director Frank, dressed in a sharp suit, stood on the stage, speaking eloquently into the microphone. Suddenly, he paused, checked his communicator, and seemed to receive a message. A smile appeared on his stern face. He tapped the microphone twice and announced:

"I have some good news to share. After research by our team—some members may not be aware, as this was a secret project of the core team—we have fully deciphered the 5-792 Forbidden Item, 'Painful Thorns.' We have discovered its hidden properties, and after audit by the Research Department, the accuracy of these findings has been confirmed."

"This is yet another great achievement for us."

The research team below erupted in a stir, their gazes turning toward the foremost long table.

New research results meant not only generous bonuses for the entire team but also the accumulation of merit needed for promotions. Yet, they had done nothing; they didn't even know when the core team had quietly studied another Forbidden Item and discovered its hidden properties.

A "hidden property" was a feature of a Forbidden Item that had been overlooked, even after thorough study by teams led by other directors. Discovering one was incredibly difficult; after all, no research director was lazy, and team members were the elite of the elite. Moreover, a single Forbidden Item was usually subject to competitive research by multiple teams.

Under such circumstances, that their core team had managed to find an overlooked hidden property spoke volumes about the difficulty involved.

For a moment, they looked toward the core team with newfound respect. There was a reason these people were in the core team; they had quietly pulled off a major feat. One wondered which director had studied that item previously—they were likely in for some trouble now.

While non-core members were puzzled by this sudden windfall, the core team members knew exactly what was happening: "Painful Thorns" was Director Frank’s reward to Li Nanke.

Russell understood that Li Nanke had surely used his Omnipresent talent to uncover the hidden property. Faced with the grateful gazes of his colleagues and Mary’s teasing look, even Russell felt a bit embarrassed, as this credit had nothing to do with him.

Hearing Director Frank’s announcement, he set down his knife and fork, sighed, and took a sip of wine. "Little Li is indeed good material for a researcher, but I maintain my original view that he should focus on studying fundamental knowledge."

"However," he conceded, "given that Little Li possesses such exceptional talent, we need not be too harsh. Some are skilled in theory, others in practice. To reach the pinnacle in any one aspect is already a remarkable feat."

Mary, who was straightforward and sharp-tongued, had been ready to snap at his first half-sentence, but upon hearing his change in tone, her brow relaxed and she drained her glass.

Russell sighed inwardly. The talent of the Omnipresent class was a fatal blow to traditional researchers, but what could one do? That was simply the gift of the gods. Faced with a steady stream of merit handed to him on a silver platter, what more could Russell, who desperately needed the promotion, say?

Even a traditional old researcher like him had to betray his original principles, praising Li Nanke while secretly admitting the results were "truly sweet." After all, he couldn't eat from someone else's bowl while smashing it; Russell considered himself an intellectual, not a rogue.

Seeing the leader of the traditionalists relent, Mary was in high spirits. She tapped Jiang Lei, who was busy eating, and whispered, "Hey, you're closest to Little Li. Does he have a girlfriend?"

Jiang Lei set down his chopsticks, looked at her with a puzzled expression, and teased, "What, trying to rob the cradle? Little Li likes them busty, thin-waisted, long-legged, and fit. You haven't been to your yoga class in ages..."

Mary nearly spat out her wine and slapped the back of Jiang Lei’s head. "Jiang Lei, you want to die?"

Mary was thirty-five and already married; her interest in Li Nanke was purely that of an elder sister appreciating a younger brother. She knew Jiang Lei was joking—the two were close and often traded barbs. "I just think Little Li is likable and ambitious. I have a cousin about his age, and I was thinking of introducing them. Otherwise, a young man as good as him might get led astray hanging out with you all day."

Jiang Lei rubbed the back of his head and retorted, "What do you mean 'led astray' with me? You don't understand the joys of a man's life... ow, ow, okay, okay, don't hit me. I'll tell you. As far as I know, Little Li is still single."

Mary lowered her hand, satisfied. "Then it's decided. Talk to Little Li later and see what he thinks. If he's interested, we'll set up a meeting..."

Before she finished, she noticed Jiang Lei staring blankly toward the corner of the hall, his expression truly remarkable.

Jiang Lei twitched his mouth and muttered, "Mary, I think your cousin is out of luck. I was just joking, but I didn't think Little Li was actually serious... that is some massive fortune he's landed."

Mary followed his gaze and saw Li Nanke returning to the hall with Minian, the young lady of the Wistaria family, from a secluded corridor.

The two walked side by side, chatting happily, and Minian’s bright, radiant smile was impossible to miss. Her form-fitting black evening gown accentuated her moving curves; as she walked, the tight hem of her dress swayed, revealing fair, slender legs. As they laughed, Minian gently touched her chest, the crystal pendant of her necklace resting deep within her cleavage.

Only one thought remained in Mary’s mind: Jiang Lei was right. Little Li really did like them busty, thin-waisted, long-legged, and fit...

Damn it, all men are the same—truly superficial!