The Last Condition

Shen Qi asked Professor Hackman for some actual sample of Graphitic Carbon Nitride. It was a pale yellow powder that was non-toxic but not edible.

"DFT calculations are needed here."

"The electron exchange correlation functional considered in the geometric optimization calculation is based on the PW91 function with generalized gradient approximation. This setting is flawless; functional theory is my forte."

"Based on this model, the basis functions are calculated using the TZP basis set with all-electron orbitals, and the convergence criterion for the energy is 10 to the power of negative fourth eV."

Shen Qi was operating the ADF on the computer, performing TDDFT calculations on Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots... Beep beep beep!

Computer host alarm.

The screen went black.

"What's going on? Did it break? Are you forcing me to just imagine it?"

Shen Qi was speechless. His paper, which he had completely imagined, was successfully published in PRL. He used the powerful Computer Science simulation function, but it crashed.

"Looks like the human brain is still the most reliable; the computer just messed up."

Shen Qi applied for a replacement computer with a more powerful one, and this time it finally worked.

Through extensive Computer Science simulations, Shen Qi gained a deeper understanding of the properties of various specific condensed matter. Combined with a vast amount of physics and chemistry literature, Shen Qi rapidly accumulated more in-depth knowledge of physics and chemistry.

Before the Christmas holidays, Shen Qi received a gift: the Cole Prize in Number Theory awarded to him by the American Mathematical Society.

The Cole Prize in Number Theory is awarded every five years to mathematicians who have made outstanding contributions to the field of number theory within a five-year period, and the winners must be members of the American Mathematical Society.

Shen Qi is a foreign member of the American Mathematical Society. He made numerous outstanding contributions to number theory within five years, and he undeniably received the Cole Prize in Number Theory.

The Cole Prize in Number Theory is a prestigious award, systematically rated as an A-level Math Prize.

System: "New achievement! The host has won the A-level Math Prize, the Cole Prize in Number Theory. The base reward is 500,000 Academic Excellence Points, multiplied by the main mathematical talent coefficient of 2.0, resulting in a final reward of 1,000,000 Academic Excellence Points. The remaining Academic Excellence Points are 37,309,092. Please confirm."

My academic points are about to surpass 40 million; it's time to spend some!

Shen Qi is stuck at level 13 in the math quest, and even after using up his academic points, he still can't reach level 14.

Then let's spend it on physics. Shen Qi took out 1,987,265 academic points to upgrade his physics level from 11 to 12.

"Keep smashing, physics 12 to 13... wait, what's going on?" Shen Qi noticed the problem.

The system displays the conditions for advancing from Physics level 12 to 13:

1. 4 million / 4 million (experience points or top student points)

2. Have worked as a physics professor for at least one year.

"I remember there were no requirements for advancing from level 12 to 13 in math, but there were for advancing from level 13 to 14. Why are there requirements for advancing from level 12 to 13 in physics?"

The system displayed the following message: "The host has chosen mathematics as their primary talent. After reaching level 13 in the primary talent subject, further upgrades require fulfilling certain conditions. After reaching level 12 in other non-primary talent subjects, further upgrades require fulfilling certain conditions."

Oh, I see.

The only primary talent subject receives preferential treatment from the system; as long as the top student points are sufficient, they can immediately reach level 13.

The other subjects can only be upgraded to level 12. Upgrading beyond level 12 requires completing tasks.

There are two conditions for advancing from Physics Level 12 to Level 13. The first condition is quite standard: having 4 million academic points is a given.

The second condition is that one must have worked as a physics professor for at least one year.

Shen Qi's physical skill level has increased to level 12, which is considered quite powerful among master-level players.

The system's requirements for Shen Qi are not harsh: a master physicist seeking a professorship and serving a full year without being dismissed.

"But... if I want to become a physics professor, I have to resign as a math professor. Physics and math really are a love-hate relationship, unless..."

Shen Qi was unwilling to give up his status as a mathematics professor. The only solution he could think of was to become an honorary (chair) mathematics professor at one university and then find a permanent physics professorship at another university.

This is the only way to achieve dual-discipline, dual-professorship.

This task is quite challenging, haha...

Shen Qi has a lot to do. He is currently just an ordinary professor in the Princeton Mathematics Department, and as for physics, he is just a doctoral student at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study. He does not yet have the qualifications to apply for a physics professorship.

"I need to quickly reach level 14 in math, solve another super difficult problem, and then apply for Honorary Professor."

"I need to achieve more in physics, obtain a doctorate, and apply for a regular physics professorship."

Shen Qi formulated a medium- and long-term plan, which was then implemented.

The three conditions for advancing from level 13 to level 14 in mathematics have been met. The first two conditions have been met, the top student has accumulated more than 30 million points, and has won 5 Math Prize of A level or above.

Only condition three remains: guide students to publish at least one paper in one of the four major mathematics journals.

After the Cole Prize in Number Theory was awarded, reporters surrounded Shen Qi.

"Professor Shen, this is your tenth Math Prize. Say a few words!"

"Professor Shen, what is the next challenge we need to overcome?"

Shen Qi replied, "I've been in the United States for three years and have won 10 Math Prize, including one Fields Medal. I don't mean to boast; I simply hope to share my understanding of mathematics with more people. Thank you."

Back in Princeton, Shen Qi summoned Yu Lei and Ralph to his office. "I haven't been looking after you two for a while. How far have your projects progressed?"

Yu Lei, brimming with confidence and excitement, said, "I've basically got this done. Didn't you suggest the 'Shen Qi direction' last time? I completed my part of the paper following your logic. Professor Little Guy was stunned, hahaha."

"Yu Lei, let me see your paper." Shen Qi felt gratified; Yu Lei's efforts were satisfactory.

Yu Lei handed his paper to Shen Qi, Shen Qi Ralph Yu Lei, "And you, Ralph?"

Ralph was somewhat frustrated. "Professor Shen, I studied your logic, relying on Exchange Superalgebra, and comprehensively applied Matrix Elements, Frobenius Morphism, and Baby Verma Module to complete the proof of that lemma, ultimately obtaining the result of the Irreducible Representation of the Frobenius Kernel in the supergroup. However, Yale does not accept my conclusion."

"Oh, really?" Shen Qi quickly glanced through Yu Lei's paper, put it aside, and said, "Ralph, let me see your paper. Yu Lei, you can go back now; I'll review your paper carefully later."

Ralph submitted his paper to Shen Qi, who carefully reviewed it with full concentration. After a long while, Shen Qi said, "Ralph, you've done a very good job. Although there are some minor flaws, they don't affect the overall quality. So please tell me the specific details: what point or aspect of your paper does Yale disagree with?"