Shi Tiexin and Chu Feihong looked at each other.
Right now, he was the one asking for a favor.
But after one second of thought, he made his decision and said seriously, "I don't think so."
Neither pleased nor angered, Chu Feihong's thoughts were impossible to read. "Are you talking about biodiversity?"
"I'm not so arrogant as to discuss biology in front of you." Shi Tiexin's answer was decisive. "I don't think so because what appears powerful may not truly be powerful."
This was a famous saying from a sage of the Heavenly Stele.
Chu Feihong narrowed his eyes and gestured with one hand. "I'd like to hear the details."
"Alright." Shi Tiexin took a breath, organized his thoughts, and began to explain. "Modified genes, customized babies, innate gifts—it all looks beautiful."
"But there is one problem that people easily overlook, yet is extraordinarily crucial—the imbalance between endowments and motivations."
"All the advantages of genetic modification are endowments, meaning external and rigid conditions. Those factors are indeed excellent. But motivations—the internal factors that drive a person to act and make choices—are drastically weakened."
"Among the Six Fundamental Mind Arts established by the sages, the two most important are Mathematics and Rhetoric. Mathematics values 'comprehension,' while Rhetoric values 'receptivity.' Mathematics gave rise to the natural sciences, while Rhetoric gave rise to the social sciences."
"The natural sciences are too wondrous, too great. They have brought myth-like social development and material enjoyment, so many people place greater importance on the natural sciences, on comprehension, and on reason."
"Yet using reason to explore the laws of nature is not wrong. Using reason to plan society's future, however, is completely wrong."
"The natural sciences cannot overstep their bounds and take charge in place of the social sciences."
"For example, the issue of using genetic