Two months passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now Federation Year 59.
Over these two months, the busiest people in the entire Fourth Fleet had been the research team led by Bai Zixuan. The team had now grown to more than 2,000 members, with several top-secret SSS-class projects progressing in an orderly fashion.
First, the Warp Drive Engine had undergone more than 3,000 short-range warp tests without a single accident. The first phase of testing had officially concluded.
Bai Zixuan was now intensively preparing for the next phase of long-range warp testing, with the target set at a point roughly one light-year outside the Epsilon Eridani Star System.
After all, the Oakes Empire traveled between star systems entirely through the Star Path. Therefore, even if the Federation appeared in the vast space outside a star system, it would not be discovered.
Second, the gene enhancement serum had completed its first round of human trials. Though its effects were not as good as the one the system had given Lin Fan, it still delighted everyone beyond measure. Physical capabilities improved by an average of 120–150%, and lifespans could reach 250–300 years.
Finally, the first nuclear fusion reactor had been completed and was about to undergo testing. If no problems arose, mass construction would begin, and humanity would enter the age of nuclear fusion.
Thanks to the Industrial Robot Technology provided by Lin Fan—officially referred to within the Federation as second-generation Industrial Robots—once things like the Warp Drive Engine, nuclear fusion reactors, and Energy Shields were finalized for mass production, the entire Fourth Fleet could be refitted within two to three years.
"Lin Fan, you haven't handed me a storage card in a long time!"
When Bai Zixuan saw Lin Fan and Liang Xue enter the research center, he immediately walked over and said this with a resentful look on his face.
Lin Fan smiled helplessly upon hearing that. What did he mean, I haven't handed you a storage card in a long time? The people who knew would understand, but anyone who didn't would think I was always bringing you dirty movies.
"Elder Bai, isn't it because you have too many projects on your hands right now and can barely keep up?"
"Hm?"
From the sound of it, there was something good coming. Bai Zixuan's eyes immediately lit up.
But Bai Zixuan was not staring at Lin Fan. He was staring directly at the pocket of Lin Fan's pants, the very pocket from which Lin Fan had pulled out storage cards five times before.
Seeing where Bai Zixuan's gaze had settled, Lin Fan's face darkened.
Fine, I surrender.
"Here!"
Lin Fan pulled a storage card from his pocket and handed it over.
"Hahaha, I knew you wouldn't let me down! What good stuff is it this time? Is it a top or a bottom?"
Pfft, top and bottom my ass. Lin Fan felt that over the past two months, Bai Zixuan had been becoming more and more like Li Fulai.
"Hm? Quantum Communication? I swear, nothing you bring out is ever simple. But the timing is perfect. We can test it together with the second phase of the Warp Drive Engine experiments!"
"Elder Bai, aren't you going to ask Commander Liang for people and money?"
"Right, I nearly forgot!"
As he spoke, Bai Zixuan pulled out his communicator and made a call.
Lin Fan stood beside him with a mischievous grin. He was about to hear Elder Bai's classic line again.
What had Elder Bai said the last few times? I, Bai Zixuan, want money! Give me people! Then he would hang up.
How domineering!
Unfortunately, before the call even connected, Lin Fan felt a sharp pain at his waist.
Seeing Lin Fan's wicked grin, Liang Xue naturally knew what he was up to. She immediately reached out with her right hand, pinched his waist, and viciously twisted ninety degrees.
Hiss. Honey, you've turned bad. You even learned such a dangerous move.
"Hello, I'm Bai Zixuan—"
"Elder Bai, you want people and money again, right? What has that brat Lin Fan come up with this time?"
Before Bai Zixuan could finish, Liang Xingchen cut in. Both Lin Fan and Bai Zixuan were stunned.
Liang Xingchen had actually interrupted him? He had actually cut off Bai Zixuan's domineering declaration?
Well, one person was covering her mouth and giggling nearby—Liang Xue.
Seeing Liang Xue's expression, Bai Zixuan shot Lin Fan a fierce glare. The meaning could not have been clearer: Keep your woman in line!
"Ahem. Lin Fan has developed Quantum Communication Technology. I believe you understand very clearly what that represents."
"What? Quantum Communication? Fine, I'll immediately arrange for experts in the relevant fields to report to you."
After saying that, Liang Xingchen hung up, leaving Bai Zixuan standing there with an expression that suggested his entire worldview had collapsed.
Not only had he stolen my classic line, that little punk even hung up on me? Who would believe it?
Watching Bai Zixuan question his life, Lin Fan smiled as well. Fine, his future father-in-law had actually been quite domineering for once.
After settling the matter of Quantum Communication Technology, the three of them went to an observation room. Lin Fan had come today to watch the first activation test of the nuclear fusion reactor.
Through the huge pane of reinforced glass in the observation room, they could see a group of researchers in white coats bustling around a circular device.
"All circuits have been checked!"
"Startup energy supply preparations complete!"
"Gravitational field confinement device checked!"
"Helium-3 loaded!"
"Pre-start preparations complete!"
"All personnel, evacuate immediately!"
As various inspection reports continued to sound in the observation room, Bai Zixuan immediately ordered everyone to withdraw once all checks had been completed.
Lin Fan and Liang Xue also stepped up to the glass observation wall and looked down at the device below.
"Begin feeding startup energy!"
"Yes, energy is being fed in. Currently at 3%. Circuit status is good!"
"37%, no abnormalities!"
"89%, no abnormalities!"
"100%, startup energy input for the nuclear fusion reactor is complete!"
"Start!"
"Yes, the nuclear fusion reactor has been activated!"
The instant the nuclear fusion reactor started, it exhausted the massive amount of energy that had just been fed into it. Then, visible to the naked eye, a faint blue glow appeared within the device.
Bai Zixuan was somewhat nervous now, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the nuclear fusion device below.
The only person at the scene who was probably not nervous was Lin Fan. Would I be afraid of something produced by the system failing? No way. Unless Bai Zixuan had altered the design or cut corners! But that was impossible too!
As time passed, the blue glow within the nuclear fusion device grew brighter and brighter. Eventually, it formed a blue-green sphere of light roughly one meter in diameter, radiating a dazzling glow.
"Report: startup complete. The device is currently operating stably!"
"Don't relax yet. It isn't a complete success. Measure the output power immediately and begin timing!"
"Yes, current output is 100,000 kilowatts and still rising rapidly!"
"900,000 kilowatts, still rising. 3 million kilowatts. 9.8 million kilowatts."
"Report: output power has ultimately stabilized at 9.8 million kilowatts."
"Good. The output has reached the design standard. Now we'll see whether it can be maintained. Humanity's previous record only lasted a little over two hundred seconds."
Only one final step remained before complete success. As long as it could maintain operation for one hour without any problems, it could be confirmed as successful.
For Bai Zixuan and the other project participants, this hour was pure torment. Everyone stared nervously at the constantly updating data on the monitoring equipment.
When the timer's alert sounded, announcing that one hour had passed, every expert present felt as though several years had gone by.
"We succeeded!"
As soon as one expert spoke those three words and everyone present heard them, deafening cheers instantly erupted throughout the laboratory!
"We succeeded!"
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