Ten days later, Wang Qi happily received some eighteen papers. Of those eighteen, thirteen concerned the topological properties of the seven knots, while five discussed the common traits shared among those knots.
Wang Qi rapidly flipped through the papers, considering how to piece the eighteen papers together while also thinking about an introduction to Algebraic Topology. Seeing everyone craning their necks in anticipation of his comments, he chuckled and conjured more than a dozen knots. "Looks like everyone is quite enthusiastic. How about this? These sixteen knots will remain after-class exercises. No one is required to do them all; those who lack confidence can choose for themselves..."
After Chen Feng contacted him for the first time, Wang Qi received such a spiritual message every day or two—containing only a single knot and nothing else.
Su Junyu raised his question. "Junior Brother, where did you get so many... so many strange knots? And why knots? Are you planning to study Knot theory?"
Wang Qi nodded. "I do have that idea. Besides researching the foundations of mathematics, we can also make Knot theory one of our specialties. Although we work on the foundations of mathematics, we still need to dabble in applications. Both the Calculus Lord and the Calculus Master place great emphasis on the practical development of mathematics, and they have also done work applying mathematics to reality. We can do the same."
Wei Cang voiced his confusion. "Knots? Ropes tied into knots? What special use could they possibly have?"
"I've actually spent some spare time thinking about the workings of celestial mechanisms. I can guarantee that Knot theory will shine brilliantly in that field!"
What Wang Qi referred to was a great many physical theories, including String theory.
Quantum chromodynamics, quantum field theory, String theory—all of them would make use