The shock and clamor within the laboratory did not last too long. Under Kong Deming's direction, preliminary intentions for subsequent cooperation and resource allocation for the "Body Tempering Method" project were quickly reached.
Without further delay, the high-ranking officials of the Sun Moon Empire departed one by one, preparing to return and make arrangements for the resources that needed to be allocated.
Xu Tianran, however, approached Kong Ming'an with a gentle smile before leaving.
"Young Master Kong's talent is extraordinary. Today's achievement has truly opened this King's eyes. If you have leisure in the future, you are welcome to visit this King's manor for a chat."
His words carried a hint of recruitment and goodwill.
In response, Kong Ming'an merely raised his eyes calmly to look at the future Emperor of the Sun Moon Empire, then nodded slightly.
"Certainly."
He said no more, neither being impolite nor showing any intention of currying favor.
A flicker of light appeared in Xu Tianran's eyes, and he said nothing further, departing surrounded by his retinue.
Jing Hongchen, walking last with his grandson and granddaughter, noticed something unusual about them. A thought stirred within him, and he stopped, smiling at Kong Deming:
"Old Kong, I see the children are of similar age. Perhaps they could interact more in the future. Meng and Xiao also lack a compatible companion at the academy."
Kong Deming did not directly answer, only vaguely saying, "Ming'an has a quiet disposition and dislikes crowds. However, children have their own destinies; it's best to let things take their natural course."
Jing Hongchen smiled in agreement, patted his two grandchildren's heads, and left the laboratory with Meng Hongchen, who kept looking back, and Xiao Hongchen, whose gaze was burning.
The heavy alloy door silently closed, isolating the outside world's disturbances.
On the vast second floor of the laboratory, only Kong Deming and Kong Ming'an, seated in a large metal chair in the corner, remained.
The faint hum of the instruments now seemed exceptionally clear. A peculiar silence fell between the grandfather and grandson.
There was no discussion of the "Body Tempering Method" that had just stunned everyone, nor any mention of the vast resources about to pour in or the subsequent plans.
Kong Deming walked over to Kong Ming'an. Instead of sitting in a nearby chair, he leaned slightly, his usual authoritative gaze now filled with pure concern.
He reached out and naturally patted Kong Ming'an's shoulder gently.
"Ming'an," Kong Deming's voice was deep and gentle, completely different from the Hall Master he had been in front of the others,
"...You've been a little too eager lately."
Kong Ming'an was slightly startled. "Have I...?"
"Zhou Ping told me that you've barely rested during this period."
"..."
Zhou Ping was the Kong Family's butler. Kong Deming was busy, needing to handle government affairs and research spirit tools every day. Often, the Kong Family's matters would be handled by him.
Kong Ming'an fell silent for a moment.
He wasn't a soul transmigrator but had awakened his memories. Thus, for the past six years, he clearly remembered his grandfather Kong Deming's meticulous care for him in between his busy government affairs and research.
Having been an orphan in his previous life, he now had family in this life, something he had never experienced before.
Kong Ming'an slowly revealed a smile and nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, Grandpa, I know what I'm doing. The beginning of anything is always the hardest; once we have a start, the subsequent steps won't be like this."
Listening to his grandson's words, Kong Deming nodded and said nothing more, but gave him enough trust.
"It's enough that you know what you're doing."
"Naturally."
The grandfather and grandson chatted casually about a few unimportant things.
Kong Deming didn't press his grandson about the origin of his astonishing ideas and plans, and Kong Ming'an didn't proactively mention the complex deductions and data.
The two simply chatted, peacefully and quietly.
...In the afternoon, Mingdu, Kong Family manor.
Sunlight streamed through the exquisitely carved window, casting warm patches of light in the study with its soft carpet. After a simple meal, Kong Ming'an summoned Butler Zhou to the study.
This old butler had served the Kong Family for decades, loyal and extremely reliable in his work.
He stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, his tone deferential: "Young Master, what are your orders?"
Kong Ming'an sat behind a desk that was slightly too large for him, his small hands clasped on the tabletop, and directly asked:
"Uncle Zhou, how are the 'Soft Bones Rabbit breeding farm' and 'Blue Silver Grass cultivation base' I mentioned earlier progressing? Are things going smoothly?"
Upon hearing this, Butler Zhou's face showed a knowing and respectful smile, clearly not unfamiliar with the matter:
"Reporting to Young Master, everything is progressing steadily according to your previous plans, and the progress is very smooth."
"The Soft Bones Rabbit breeding farm is located in an area with relatively gentle spirit power. The breeding rabbits introduced have been screened, have good adaptability, and stable reproduction."
"According to your requirements, the feed also contains trace amounts of medicinal herbs that promote gentle spirit power absorption. The growth rate and Physique of the young rabbits are significantly superior to ordinary Soft Bones Rabbits, and their temperament is also relatively docile and controllable."
"As for the Blue Silver Grass cultivation base..." Butler Zhou continued to report,
"It was chosen in a valley with vigorous earth pulse vitality. Using the rotating spirit power nourishing Formation you provided, the Blue Silver Grass is growing exceptionally well. Not only are its leaves thick, but the vitality contained in its roots and stems is also purer and richer."
"The first batch of transplanted high-quality Blue Silver Grass has already taken root stably, and forming a large scale is just around the corner."
Kong Ming'an listened, nodding in satisfaction.
What he needed was precisely this kind of stable, controllable, and quality-enhanced source of Spirit Beast resources.
"Very good." Kong Ming'an's voice carried a hint of satisfaction,
"Continue to advance according to the plan, keep observing, record all subtle changes, and do not spare expenses in terms of investment. Be sure to guarantee quality. After the Soft Bones Rabbit reaches ten-year quality, send a few to my laboratory first."
"Yes, Young Master, this old servant understands." Butler Zhou bowed in acceptance of the order, then quietly withdrew, and the study returned to tranquility.
Kong Ming'an's eyes were calm.
The "Soft Bones Rabbit breeding farm" and "Blue Silver Grass cultivation base" were part of his subsequent plans.
Of course, choosing the somewhat peculiar combination of Soft Bones Rabbit and Blue Silver Grass was essentially a coincidence.
Blue Silver Grass was the subsequent material he had chosen, while Soft Bones Rabbit was used to replace the mice he frequently used in his previous life.
At the time, he had simply asked if there were any Spirit Beasts with short breeding and maturation cycles, and Butler Zhou had investigated and given him the option of Soft Bones Rabbit.
He couldn't resist, so he chose this one.
He had some interesting ideas for his first spirit ring. After all, if it were merely an ordinary hundred-year or thousand-year spirit ring, that would be too boring.
Therefore, he wanted to spice things up.
And the prerequisite for spicing things up was thorough practice.
Raising low-level Spirit Beasts like Soft Bones Rabbit was very simple. With a bit of technology and some serious effort, a batch of ten-year cultivation Soft Bones Rabbits could be produced almost every year.
These ten-year cultivation Soft Bones Rabbits could drop spirit rings when killed, and these spirit rings were the research materials he needed.
Of course, adhering to the idea of waste utilization, the deceased Soft Bones Rabbits could also be used to make cold-eaten rabbit, spicy rabbit heads, and so on... It would truly be putting everything to good use.