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Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Zhou Tianming Finally Falls into the Clutches of Studying

Zhou Tianming naturally understood the benefits of education, but having been an academic underachiever in his past life, he instinctively recoiled from formal schooling.

When Long Ye made his suggestion, Tianming's first thought was self-study rather than attending school.

Shifting his gaze guiltily to change the subject, he asked, "Grandpa Long, could you make me a list? So I know what exactly I need to learn."

Long Ye narrowed his eyes, an amused expression crossing his face. "You don't want to go to school, do you?"

Tianming flinched. "How could I—"

"Hahaha!" Long Ye burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Just like the kids in my family—they act like it's life or death when school's mentioned."

Without further comment, Long Ye compiled a list of roughly a hundred book titles for Tianming.

"Finish reading these first."

Surveying the dense list, Tianming nodded.

"At least your attitude toward learning is good," Long Ye praised. "Master the basics first, or you won't understand what we're talking about anyway."

With that, he turned and left.

Nearby, Li Chuang added, "No need to rush. The Black Tortoise will take weeks just to dismantle in its current state. You've got plenty of time."

Letting out a sigh, Tianming felt his initial excitement gradually cool.

He really did need to hit the books and recharge his knowledge.

After leaving the shipyard and grabbing a quick bite with Zhou Hanxiang, the two arrived at the Capital Library.

"Stay here. I'll find the books for you."

Before Tianming could respond, she was already walking away.

Left with no choice, Tianming found an empty seat and obediently waited. Soon enough, Hanxiang returned carrying several thick, brick-like tomes.

Thud!

The table trembled as she set them down.

As Hanxiang turned to leave again, Tianming raised a hand to stop her. "Mom, let me finish these first before getting more."

Nodding, Hanxiang picked a random book from a nearby shelf and sat down.

Tianming pulled a book toward him, opened it, and exhaled deeply.

Time to test this out.

With a thought, Seed activated!

His pupils constricted sharply as his mind cleared instantly, [Analyze] automatically taking effect.

Expressionless, Tianming became an emotionless reading machine, his eyes darting rapidly back and forth across each line.

A densely packed page was devoured in seconds.

The quiet library filled with the continuous rustling of flipping pages.

People around them began to frown and glance over.

They saw a five-year-old boy madly flipping through a book as if playing, and displeasure gradually spread across their faces.

Hanxiang offered an apologetic smile and placed her hand on Tianming's book. "Tianming, read properly."

He looked up, his eyes eerily vacant.

Zhou Hanxiang's hair stood on end as a chill spread from head to toe.

Zhou Tianming's heart skipped a beat when he sensed Hanxiang's discomfort, immediately realizing he'd frightened her. He quickly exited his SEED state.

His pupils dilated naturally, emotions surfacing in his eyes.

"Sorry," Tianming apologized softly. "I wasn't randomly flipping through—just reading a bit faster."

"You just now..."

Tianming considered that he'd likely need to use SEED frequently for rapid learning in the future, so he decided to explain directly.

"It's a state I recently mastered—it helps me concentrate quickly and think at high speed."

Hanxiang's eyes widened in surprise, and she lowered her voice. "SEED?! It actually exists?!"

"Huh?" Tianming was equally startled. "Mom, you know about it?"

"Of course." Hanxiang nodded. "Theories about SEED were discussed over a decade ago, but without concrete cases, they faded into obscurity. Dr. Hibiki is an expert in this field."

"I see."

Hanxiang frowned, her expression turning serious. "Tianming, don't use SEED in crowded places from now on. If someone notices..."

He hadn't considered that. While SEED's external signs were subtle, careful observation could reveal something amiss.

If someone as knowledgeable about genetics as Hanxiang happened to see, suspicions would arise immediately.

Better safe than sorry.

He nodded. "Understood."

Hanxiang glanced sideways and slightly lifted her chin.

Understanding her cue, Tianming stood and apologized to those around them before they left the library together.

...

In the blink of an eye, a week passed.

Under his grandmother Gao Jing's doting care, Tianming had gained a few pounds, his cheeks noticeably rounder.

He hadn't returned to the Black Tortoise during this time, instead shuttling between libraries to study. But as he delved deeper, he began noticing a problem.

He absorbed knowledge quickly but lacked structure—like a lawn, broad yet messy.

Without systematic guidance, the knowledge in his mind couldn't grow strong like a tree.

After a week of struggling, he finally relented.

At dinner that evening, he announced, "I want to go to school."

The others froze.

Gao Jing studied him. "Isn't that a bit early? Starting kindergarten at six or seven isn't late."

Zhou Junguo and Zhou Hanxiang stared at her in disbelief.

Tianming remained expressionless.

...

While Tianming and his family debated which school and grade level he should join, the meeting of Earth's three strongest Council Nations began.

Though other nations participated, most were just there for international visibility. Those with differing opinions were left to stew in them.

East Asia skillfully stayed in the background, letting the Atlantic Federation play the villain and take on the world.

Whenever issues didn't concern them directly, they echoed:

"We fully support the Atlantic Federation's decision."

"We partially support the Atlantic Federation's decision."

"Well said!"

"Agreed! That's exactly what we think."

As the meeting concluded, East Asian diplomat Hong Xiuhua—a woman in her thirties—adjusted her glasses, watching the Atlantic Federation delegation depart.

A young woman in her twenties approached and whispered, "Professor, what now? Did the mission fail?"

Glancing at the girl, Hong Xiuhua's eyes curved with amusement. "It's already been accomplished, hasn't it?"

"Eh?" The girl covered her mouth in surprise, disbelief written across her face. "How? The Atlantic Federation suddenly replaced their diplomat, and we didn't even get a chance to speak..."

Shaking her head, Hong tapped the girl's forehead with her finger. "What did I teach you? What matters isn't the conversation itself, but what lies beyond it."

The girl looked utterly bewildered.

Hong Xiuhua sighed. "Their last-minute replacement was itself a response."

Realization dawned on the girl's face.

...

In the top-floor office of the government hall.

Ying Shao Jun sat in his chair, watching the projected screen before him as Hong Xiuhua delivered her analysis report on the Atlantic Federation's actions.

After it concluded, he nodded lightly. "Thank you. Your information has been very helpful."

Once the call ended, Ying contacted Zhou Junguo.

"Prime Minister Ying."

"No need for such formality." Ying waved his hand with a smile. "This isn't official business."

"Thanks to Wei Jun's timely intelligence, we were able to prepare in advance. Regarding the sacrifices of Li Chi and others, I'll have Wei Tong issue an official document."

"Many thanks. I'll relay this to Wei Jun."

"I heard Tian Ming and Long Ye have been repairing the damaged Black Tortoise recently?"

Zhou Junguo hesitated before answering. "Yes. Wei Jun gave the damaged Black Tortoise to my grandson as a token of gratitude."

Ying chuckled, his tone playful. "Seems he played quite a significant role in this."

"Not at all, not at all."

Ying gave Zhou a penetrating look. "Go to the Ministry of Works and obtain an access code. Let him select some technologies from the Level 2 Technology Archive—consider it after-sales service for the Black Tortoise. After all, he's one of our veterans."

"Thank you."

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