The Impostor Presenter

Su Ming walked to Zijin's side and followed her gaze.

Ground crew opened the cargo hold, and pallets piled high were pulled out of the cabin.

"What?" Su Ming asked, sounding displeased.

"This place can hold a lot of sacks, right?" Zijin asked.

Before Su Ming could speak, Zijin glanced at the line of guards following behind him.

She nodded in satisfaction.

"Not bad, they're all skilled at putting sacks on people."

"There were a few disobedient scholars; we just caught them and tossed them into the cargo hold when we left."

"Hey!" Su Ming protested, "Shouldn't we be mindful of our reputation now?"

Moreover, he doesn't understand.

I know you're petty and hold grudges, but who dares to offend you now?

Zijin glared at Su Ming.

"Those dozen or so scholars refused to join no matter how we invited them."

"Given my current status, it's not convenient for me to take action."

Su Ming, however, didn't care.

"Forced relationships are never happy; the personal wishes of scholars should be respected."

"Oh?"

Zijin's eyes held a playful look.

"That's a top-tier alchemy team; their research is highly relevant to Gospel Material!"

Su Ming's eyes snapped open.

"Who said we're not going to use condoms anymore?"

He turned to look at the guards.

"Listen up, everyone! Tie them up and take them back!"

****

Today's meeting is the main session of the academic conference.

The morning meeting announced the results of the previous year's reviews and also revealed the outstanding individuals selected for this year's awards.

paper.

These papers naturally include the two by Zijin and Newman, as well as Stacy's vaccine technology.

The technology is based on scientific principles, but the cultivation process and practical application have been modified to suit the current situation in Taya, and magical assistance has been introduced.

Then came Yisaile's "Hypothesis on Mirage and Magicules".

This article caused a huge uproar, as it established a strong correlation between the activities of the mirage and the changes in Magicules.

The real author, Quail, used a large number of mathematical tools to incorporate the distribution of Magicules concentration, the activity patterns of mirages, and historical records into a diffusion model for calculation.

Because of the enormous amount of computation involved, the entire process was almost entirely completed by computer.

Scholars from another world had never seen this method of academic research before.

They are accustomed to on-site observation, sample recording, procedural deduction, and verification using a small number of tables.

For them, throwing massive amounts of data into a "black box" and then having the black box calculate trends and correlations is practically like divination.

As a result, the Q&A session became exceptionally lively.

Yisaile stood confidently on the stage, his expression arrogant.

"Wasn't this guy an idiot when he was working for Galio?" someone who knew him couldn't help but whisper in doubt.

"Truly, one should look at a person with new eyes after three days' absence," another person exclaimed.

When it came to the details, Yisaile was naturally completely unaware.

But this guy remained completely unfazed. He adjusted his collar and launched into a string of seemingly plausible technical terms.

Terms like "non-uniform perturbation of the model boundary," "abnormal convergence of the Magicules gradient," and "probabilistic shift in mirage samples" are used to describe these issues.

It sounds very rigorous, but when put together, it's completely incomprehensible.

Unfortunately, the scholars in the audience had no experience with computer modeling and couldn't find any flaws.

"He really is a talented person," Su Ming remarked.

****

Compared to the shock caused by the mirage hypothesis, the response to "Analysis of Spatial Rift Magic Array (Pilot Version)" was slightly lower. However, the high quality of this research speaks for itself, so there's no need to worry about its future impact.

The publisher and sole author listed is Lanmo.

Because it was winter, the Blue Dragon Elder was finally able to make a trip from Northern Ice Island.

Su Ming did not go on stage to speak.

When he saw the president of the Supreme Knowledge Association looking constipated and coming to greet him, he pretended to have a sore throat.

Feeling as if granted a pardon, the other party immediately seized the opportunity and temporarily invited Zijin to speak on their behalf.

Zijin readily agreed, as this was something the two had already agreed upon beforehand.

She took this opportunity to publicly respond to and clarify the Spirit Cloud incident.

As for "Spirit Rain," since it is an all-elemental spell, the suspicion has long been naturally cleared up.

"The necromancer's constructive abilities can play a significant role in alchemy, mechanical production, medical assistance, and disaster management."

The Zijin made this final declaration.

"Necromancers were born of war, but they also possess limitless potential for peaceful applications!"

The hall erupted in applause.

****

The meeting will be adjourned temporarily during lunch.

Thousands of participating scholars went to the dining area set up near the conference venue.

They were surprised to find that everything was prepared quite well. Everyone just needed to take a tray, line up, and then they could help themselves to their meal.

First Sunrise's staff wore strange headphones and followed the instructions of this magical prop, organizing everything in an orderly and efficient manner.

The food also surprised everyone.

In addition to the steaming hot regular meals and various soups, First Sunrise also prepared pan-fried volcanic salmon, sweet shrimp sashimi, and fruits such as watermelon, lychee, mulberry, and cherry.

Volcanic salmon are native to the Dwarf Continent, sweet shrimp come from the North Pole, and the fruit clearly comes from the Southern Hemisphere.

The simultaneous appearance of these items on the winter dining tables of the Northern Continent Province is a blatant display of power.

It involves not only transportation capacity, but also preservation processes, cross-regional dispatching, and logistical organization.

Those in the know are increasingly alarmed as they look at it.

The First Sunrise Republic is simply throwing its operational capabilities directly at everyone's faces.

****

Zijin and Su Ming were having a meal in the small restaurant.

In front of the girl was a small dish of strawberries, hers for special occasions.

Through the window, everything happening below was laid out before them, including the scholars whispering in astonishment.

"It feels like I used a bit too much force," Su Ming said.

He simply ordered a higher standard of meals and the use of fresh ingredients from around the world, but Younier seemed to have overdone it.

This girl knows everything about food, as long as she doesn't cook for herself.

"It's alright," Zijin said.

She was eating a strawberry, in a pretty good mood.

"Scholars are a smart group; they know we're deliberately showing off."

"But if they can do it, that's their ability; they won't care about the process."

A staff member came over and handed her several letters. Zijin took them and read them, and immediately became somewhat unhappy.

"Sigh, that alchemy team, they actually—"

Su Ming raised his eyes, "What's wrong?"

Zijin waved the papers in her hand. "Let's submit them now."

That was a signed letter of intent from the other party agreeing to move into the First Sunrise Research Base.

"We can't put the sacks on it anymore," Zijin said disappointedly.

Su Ming was delighted to hear this, "It's a good thing they're willing to volunteer!"

But Zijin was unwilling to give up.

She looked out the window, racking her brains to recall any unresolved old debts.

After thinking for a long time, I still couldn't find a suitable partner.

Zijin could only let out a long sigh.

"Alright," Su Ming guessed what she was thinking and coaxed her, "This just means you were diligent in cleaning up before. Don't be sad about your past self being right."

Suddenly, Zijin's eyes lit up; she saw a tree.

To be precise, it was a potted green plant being held up by someone.

"Hmm!" Zijin smiled and said, "I saw an old acquaintance."

Su Ming looked curiously at the person holding the potted plant.

The other person looked quite ordinary, dressed in a scholar's robe, with a gentle expression, and was not particularly noticeable in the crowd.

The potted plant was quite large, with lush foliage and moist soil, clearly indicating its weight.

The scholar held it as casually as if he were holding a teacup.

Upon closer inspection, Su Ming noticed that the other person's wrist was very thick and muscular, with thick calluses on his knuckles from years of hard work.

"Is he a plant expert?" Su Ming asked.

"Almost." A smile appeared on Zijin's lips.

"Don't let this person get away."

"If the Titled Scholar hadn't been interrupted, she would have earned the title of 'Robin ' ten years ago."

Su Ming's eyes immediately lit up.

"Of course!"

****

The afternoon session included the review and awarding ceremony for Mystery-Peeping Scholar and Great Scholar who were considered for their expertise.

Originally, the process also included the evaluation of Titled Scholar. As is customary, every two or three years, a scholar would be recognized by the public and receive this honor.

However, this agenda was cancelled more than a decade ago.

Su Ming did not participate.

Lanmo was also absent. In the morning, he shrunk his size and squeezed onto the stage to speak, which took a lot of effort for him.

At this moment, a man and a dragon were sitting on a terrace.

The winter wind blew in from the north side of Corona City, sweeping over the eaves and causing several nearby flags to flutter. Most of the scholars attending the conference wrapped their robes tightly around themselves and hurried across the courtyard.

Lanmo, however, felt quite comfortable.

A temperature of three degrees Celsius was even a bit warm for him.

"Your progress isn't enough," Su Ming said.

He leaned against him for warmth, feeling quite comfortable.

Su Ming pulled a memory card from his pocket and waved it between his fingers.

I have some new CDs here, want some?

Lanmo's face showed a complicated expression.

"----I haven't finished that ' Academic World ' game yet."

He sighed repeatedly.

"By the way, do people where you live really enjoy this kind of game?"

Su Ming nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Every child in our area undergoes nine years of training, starting at age six, to lay the foundation for playing this game."

Lanmo was astonished upon hearing this.

"You guys call this 'e-sports,' right?"

"Yes." Su Ming nodded without any change in expression.

He patted Lanmo's hand.

"Your esports skills need improvement."

Lanmo took a deep breath and made up her mind.

I will try my best!

****

A figure approached, emanating a sense of oppression.

Su Ming and Lanmo looked up and saw that the person who had come was the Executioner, Zhapulai.

Su Ming was a little surprised; he hadn't expected to see the other person here.

"Oh, are you a scholar too?"

Zhapulai's face was expressionless.

"Xialike entrusted me with the task of personally protecting the Star Empire's delegation of scholars," he replied.

Su Ming was even more surprised upon hearing this.

"Our security here is excellent, there's no need for you to come in person."

Zhapulai gave a forced, insincere smile.

Why do you think I'm here?

Su Ming blinked.

Zhapulai's voice was calm, "Right now, the Supreme Knowledge Association secretly calls you scholar-human traffickers."

7

"This is blatant slander!" Su Ming said seriously.

Lanmo glanced at him silently, rolled her eyes, and said nothing.

Zhapulai also stepped back.

"Anyway, all my men must be brought back safely." He then revealed his carriages and horses.

Su Ming dropped the pretense, "I've taken a liking to a few of the people in your group."

Zhapulai's eyes immediately darkened.

Su Ming waved his hand, "Don't worry, I'll talk to Xialike Like and get him to agree to release them."

"Related to research on spatial rifts?" Zhapulai immediately understood.

Su Ming nodded.

This is of paramount importance. Currently, both the technology and magic sides are gathering their most elite wisdom to advance this matter.

Neither Su Ming nor Zijin possessed a scholar capable of deeply understanding Chloe's paper, "Analysis of Spatial Rift Magic Array."

I plan to let it go.

Zhapulai looked at Lanmo, "Lanmo, you're actually the second author, right?"

People of the Executioner's rank have no need to hide this matter.

Lanmo readily admitted, "Who told me to be both Saint Rank being and a dragon, with thick skin and tough flesh?"

He was the shield standing in front of Chloe.

Over the past two decades, a large number of Titled Scholar have passed away.

Although every death has various apparent causes.

Such as accidents, death from illness, poisoning, experimental accidents, collapse of relics, and even two deaths in duels following academic disputes.

However, when these deaths were concentrated among the same group of people and the numbers were so large that they could not be ignored, the academic community still realized that something was wrong.

This is why the evaluation of Titled Scholar was interrupted more than a decade ago.

No one wants to push truly top talent into such inexplicable danger anymore.

"We've been conducting a more detailed investigation during this period," Zhapulai said.

"It's not just Titled Scholar; we've found that many other promising scholars have also died."

He paused for a moment, then sighed.

"Alright, now we can confirm that they were killed by the Plundering Clock."

"How many?" Su Ming asked.

"About two or three hundred people," Zhapulai replied.

Su Ming gasped.

Two or three hundred people—these are the most outstanding academics, the kind who would become leaders if they survived!

"The Plundering Clock is truly ruthless!" he shook his head and sighed.

Su Ming now truly understood what Zijin meant when she said, "I am the only living Titled Scholar."

The Plundering Clock has not yet been extinguished.

This is also why Lanmo had to cover for Chloe, while Quail had Yisaile take her place.

Of course, Yisaile genuinely believed that by copying the paper, he was the true author.

To ensure their safety, Su Ming even arranged for Gelie to go to the Radiant Holy City to protect Chloe and Quail.

"Lord Su Ming, His Majesty Xialike, have arrived in the Sea Clearing Kingdom," Zhapulai said.

Su Ming nodded. "I'll go tomorrow."

Zhapulai said nothing more and turned to leave.

Su Ming turned to Lanmo.

"I'll hold a few lectures on spatial rifts over the next few days to see if I can find any scholars with talent in this area."

"I understand." Lanmo nodded. "It's just about scanning one more time to avoid missing any fish!"

"If you catch ten more, I'll give you one of those casual games." Su Ming pulled out another memory card.

"No problem!" Lanmo patted his chest. "Leave it to me!"