Under the spotlights, everyone focused intently, waiting for this ultimate clash between scientists representing the two nations.
"Professor Bergman, first, thank you for calling me a genius." Ji Ting gave a slight nod, his movements as textbook-perfect as his gaze was cold. "But to my knowledge, you were also hailed as a once-in-a-century genius in your youth. Your research into symmetry breaking in condensed matter physics at thirty was indeed impressive. It could be called a 'shortcut' for that era."
Ji Ting repeated the word as though quoting Bergman himself. He paused briefly, letting the silence amplify the pressure, then delivered a fatal blow in his jade-smooth voice.
"But with all due respect, Professor, you seem to have made no substantive breakthroughs since that 'shortcut.'"
A faint chorus of sharp intakes of breath rippled through the hall. Those words amounted to dismissing the last thirty years of Professor Bergman's achievements.
Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Professor Bergman abruptly straightened from his slumped posture! Ji Ting dared to publicly question the scientific career he had taken pride in all his life?
Humiliation and anger instantly overwhelmed his fear. His face flushed, and he snatched the microphone from the attendant without any regard for decorum. "Academician Ji Ting, watch your words! At forty-five, I derived the Werner-Bergman correction theory. It has undergone decades of rigorous verification and application, and even established the foundational framework for modern research into strongly correlated electron systems!"
He seemed so furious that even his breathing trembled. "The Einstein Science Medal I received is the strongest recognition of that theory and its far-reaching influence! You say I made no breakthroughs? Absurd! This is an insult to my decades of sustained work and contributions!"
Meanwhile, the academicians at Primordial Base watched the livestream on the