In addition, Wen Jing will also receive a share of the project revenue from participating in the team, totaling 60 Integral, according to the contract.
Without any controversy, the meeting naturally came to an end.
Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, Brown lamented, "It's a pity time has to be turned back, otherwise I really want to know what the next knot will hold."
At this point, he couldn't help but look at Wen Jing: "Next time we..."
"Ahem, Brown." Song Zhi suddenly coughed lightly, interrupting him. "This project is developing very smoothly. Now the most crucial thing is that you need to focus on improving the compatibility. You need to work hard for the next period of time."
"Huh? Oh! Okay!" Brown was still flattered and didn't realize the meaning behind Song Zhi's words.
The three Operations Department members had already realized what was happening upon hearing this.
The opportunity presented by Guyu caught the eye of the Student Council leadership, and before their meeting was even over, some people were already eager to reap the rewards.
The next time Brown teams up, it won't be them, and it's even less likely that they'll bring along Wen Jing, who's considered an 'unofficial' member.
But clearly, this exploration would not have succeeded without Wen Jing.
Ji Shuang and the other two lowered their heads. They were used to this situation and took it for granted because they were in this system. But at this moment, they couldn't help but stand in Wen Jing's shoes and feel aggrieved for her.
Sensing the subtle shift in the atmosphere of the meeting room, Song Zhi tried her best to smooth things over:
"Haha, what a pity this time. Let's team up again next time when Brown gets stronger."
Brown, oblivious to everything, replied, "Yes! I'll do my best!"
"Alright, shall we adjourn the meeting then? Everyone must be tired, go back and get some rest." Song Zhi stood up and pulled out a chair.
Ji Shuang remained silent, while Eve said with a forced smile, "What a pity."
Hearing the announcement that the meeting had ended, Wen Jing, who was admiring the pink seashell in her hand and pondering how to Wen Jing it next, completely ignored the furtive glances and subconsciously chimed in, "Yeah, yeah, what a pity."
Chapter 75
As Wen Jing left the Student Council, Wen Jing that Brown was different from the other three members of the Operations Department; he was called away separately.
"That's where the trouble lies in joining the organization."
Wen Jing thought to herself, " The Student Council will probably train Brown separately so he can team up with people who are more compatible, right?"
She had actually anticipated this trend after encountering Guyu.
If the exploration of the Knotted Rope Maze brings back rare treasures, they will be exchanged for Integral. However, since this is an opportunity that cannot be brought back, the exploration slots become extremely valuable.
With so many people in the Student Council, even within the Operations Department there are many members who need to be trained. Ji Shuang and her two companions have already benefited once, so they definitely won't get a chance next time.
Those people don't consider how much effort they put in or how many risks they took. The entire coordinate information, the exploration project, and even members of the Operations Department like Brown and Ji Shuang are all resources in their hands.
Although the Operations Department receives various resources for development, the price is that it must obey the Student Council's arrangements and has no say in such matters.
Even Song Zhi, the president, couldn't suppress the issue of the number of participants, and he kept smiling apologetically at Wen Jing along the way.
So she feigned dissatisfaction, saying that next time she wanted to explore something with her... she'd have to pay extra.
Seeing that she hadn't offended Wen Jing because of this, Song Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and readily agreed, personally arranging a car to take her away.
In reality, the other party was unaware that parting ways after only one collaboration with the Student Council was exactly what Wen Jing wanted.
If she participates in every team exploration organized by the Operations Department, wouldn't she really be working for the Student Council? Why only sign an advisory contract?
She's not going to work; she only knows how to scam coordinates by temporarily forming teams.
*
Two days later, inside the research institute, Wen Jing sat down in that familiar research cabin again.
"You've heard about it too?"
Xie Ming stood in front of the instrument, skillfully operating it as he answered, "Of course. You discovered an opportunity within the ruins on your very first team exploration. Many mentors know you're lucky, and several students in your team have also praised you. If you weren't only a freshman, the Mission Department would definitely have many projects for you."
"Drop!"
A moment later, a familiar light appeared, and Wen Jing stepped out of the hatch, where he saw a slender insect shadow projected in the center.
Xie Ming pondered, "Your Wilderness Body's appearance has changed a lot since then... Do you have any clues?"
Wen Jing had already mastered the art of feigning ignorance, shrugging his shoulders and saying, "It just happened like this while we were eating."
She wasn't lying about that; the change in her size was indeed due to her own growth through eating, and the part she evolved using the panel wasn't significantly different from her original size.
"Was it because of the opportunity found in that ruin?"
"It doesn't seem so." Wen Jing shook her head. Ji Shuang and the others had already seen her Wilderness Body, so there was no need to hide it.
Xie Ming nodded, somewhat excitedly saying, "I also think this should be a talent inherent in your insectoid Wilderness Body!"
"What kind of talent?" Wen Jing's heart stirred.
Xie Ming replied matter-of-factly, "I don't know yet!"
Seeing Wen Jing's speechless expression, he said, "It'll be soon. Once I get the information, there will definitely be a response, and then the insect project I mentioned to you before can be submitted for approval."
Wen Jing came here to cooperate with the Wilderness Body testing for this project, since she was the only one with a Wilderness Body sample.
Although she can only get 1 Integral now, Xie Ming said that if the project is successfully approved, she will receive at least 10 Integral as a project subsidy every month. This is the last data check.
However, upon hearing Xie Ming's words, she asked in confusion, "Buy materials? Buy them from the online library?"
"No," Xie Ming shook his head and said, "I bought it from a private scientist."
"Amateur... scientist?"
Wen Jing felt she couldn't quite understand what the other person was saying; this amateur scientist didn't seem to be the kind of amateur scientist she knew from her previous life.
"Yes, those non- Awakened in the public sphere who study ordinary organisms and non-supernatural phenomena." Xie Ming looked at Wen Jing: "The academic community generally doesn't recognize their scholarly status and research, only calling them enthusiasts. But in reality, some of their research is quite valuable for the study of Awakened and the Ancient Wilderness."
"I've been searching for insect research materials within the amateur scientist community, but because it's such a niche field, only one person has done research on it, and they haven't replied to me yet."
Upon hearing Xie Ming's explanation, Wen Jing suddenly understood.
In this era, only research related to Awakened is considered orthodox in academia. Other research that does not involve supernatural energy, even if it had scientific value and significance in her previous life, is not widely recognized by society.
"Doesn't the Mastermind have any information on this?" she asked again.
The Mastermind claims to possess the gene pool of all organisms from both the old and new eras, and can even breed them for exhibition in zoos. Its database should contain biological data related to insects.
"Yes, but I prefer to buy from independent scientists. If no one continues this research, the copyright of the data will only belong to the conglomerate." Xie Ming stopped there.
Wen Jing nodded, indicating that he understood.
Perhaps there are still amateur scientists among ordinary people, namely, some Awakened scientists like Xie Ming who are willing to support them.
*
Ancient Wilderness Registration Center.
Are you traveling alone this time?
Seeing Wen Jing appear here alone, the staff remembered seeing her team up with the Student Council council last time and couldn't help but ask her a question.
The other students in the hall also cast various glances at this scene.
Some were surprised, some felt sorry, and some were gloating.
The specifics of the last exploration were known only to the Student Council council, but Wen Jing of the great success spread throughout the college. Wen Jing, who had previously teamed up with them, was alone this time, which naturally sparked speculation.
Unfortunately, they didn't know where Wen Jing was going next.
She stood on the platform, holding the five seashells she had brought back last time in both hands.
Without the currency unexpectedly obtained from the Knotted Rope Maze, Wen Jing originally planned to proceed with his plan to devour the giant tree first.
But having these five coins in her hand every day made her feel like her wallet was jumping around, and she was really curious, so she decided to explore the Knotted Rope Maze first.
As for what might be left after Brown becomes stronger and leads the Student Council council on exploration, that's not within her consideration.
"Please prioritize a safe return in all actions!"
Amidst the staff's routine reminders, Wen Jing's figure vanished from this world.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, the scene changed, and a translucent insect landed on the knot, its body color naturally changing to the same color as the knot.
"Phew... I wouldn't say I dislike them, but I still prefer to act alone!"
Last time, when she teamed up with four other people to explore, Wen Jing even concealed her strength and deliberately turned off her almost instinctive Basic Invisibility. Otherwise, her teammates would have been completely unable to see her along the way.
This time, acting alone, she doesn't need to worry about anything. Not only does she not need to hide her strength, but she can also evolve if she wants.
After observing its surroundings, the little insect excitedly wiggled its antennae twice.
"As expected, the coordinates of the Gravity Silk allow me to appear directly at the place where I returned last time."
Wen Jing had learned about the mechanism of action of Locator Stone.
Once Locator Stone is at an Ancient Wilderness depth, it can only record an 'original coordinate' and cannot be updated.
The Student Council's team exploration relies on the coordinates of the trial stone wall that Brown first discovered. This means that each time they will first appear in the wasteland, conduct a five-person trial to find the stone wall, and only then can they enter the Knotted Rope Maze.
At that time, I didn't know what the Knotted Rope Maze would be like. I would most likely have to climb the rope again from the end, and I didn't know if the rope layout would change.