Hypotheses require inference—but experiments require data.
Thus, Jiang Xing used a projector to display documents, clearly presenting the data he had recorded while raising the Golden-Patterned Koi population, as well as the data collected during the Dragon Gate Convention, onto the screen.
These rigorous and elegant datasets became the strongest support for his presentation.
"At the beginning, I was simply exploring the evolutionary form of the Golden-Patterned Koi, seeking to uncover the potential of this Pet Beast."
"However, as the experiment neared its conclusion, while compiling the data, I discovered a problem."
"All the Golden-Patterned Koi involved in my records had gentle temperaments… which is clearly not rigorous enough."
"As we all know, thought influences the evolutionary direction of a Pet Beast, and temperament is a key factor that determines thought. Therefore, I decided to extend the experimental process, seek out Golden-Patterned Koi with different temperaments, and complete the dataset…"
While advancing through his PPT, Jiang Xing explained his experimental process and line of reasoning.
Among them, the system's subtle assistance had been reworked by him into "accidentally overhearing a mother and child chatting about the story of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate…" from which he drew inspiration.
This did not arouse suspicion—instead, it earned recognition from many scholars.
The imagined moment of scientific enlightenment is rigorous reasoning, deep thinking, secluded focus, and a sudden flash of insight…
The reality of scientific enlightenment is apples falling on heads, slicing pizza, soaking in bathtubs, watching spinning tops…
What appears to be absurd coincidence is, in truth, the "moment of insight" that erupts when knowledge and thought have accumulated to a certain degree.
Using this experiment, along with his encounter with the Fish King—Jiang Xing smoothly introduced the attempt of the carp leaping over the Dragon Gate, the guidance of Dr. Xu, his reflections on the temperament hypothesis, and the refinement of related experiments…
There was no divine favor, no foreknowledge—
Paired with rigorous experimental data, the audience felt as though they were following his line of thought step by step, steadily completing both the Rainbow Dragon Hatchling Evolution Experiment and the proof of the temperament hypothesis.
Finally, before irrefutable data, a conclusion was reached.
That is—
A courageous temperament is a necessary condition for the Golden-Patterned Koi to transform into a dragon, rather than merely an influencing factor.
Thus proving: the temperament hypothesis is valid.
"Thought determines the evolutionary direction of a Pet Beast, and temperament is inseparably linked to thought."
"Whether thought determines temperament, or temperament determines thought, this experiment has proven that temperament itself is also an important condition in Pet Beast evolution!"
"By confirming this, not only can we incorporate temperament as a key factor when designing evolution paths, but we can also state—"
"The Rainbow Dragon Hatchling is absolutely not unique. In the future, there will inevitably be many more Pet Beast evolutionary forms that use temperament as a condition, waiting for us to uncover!"
Looking at the young figure on stage, speaking with confidence—
Those breeders who did not follow the research route and instead focused on training could not help but feel their blood surge, as if they were witnessing history.
Li Lingyin clenched her fists, her face flushed red with excitement.
In this experiment, she had participated as an assistant—recording data, feeding Pet Beasts—her sense of involvement was at its peak.
Now, listening to her teacher's presentation, a deep sense of pride surged from within.
After all, even her father had never participated in such a research project!!
Well… in truth, Old Li had never participated in any research project at all. Within Dr. Xu's faction, his main contribution had been providing low-cost Pet Beasts to financially struggling juniors, helping them save expenses…
Which was why, upon learning that his daughter had become a research assistant, he had been so pleasantly surprised.
Compared to those outsiders who did not truly understand and were merely there for the spectacle—
The Pet Beast scholars from various research institutes were the ones truly shaken.
They could almost hear the wheels of history turning forward—
Just moments ago—
The towering edifice of Pet Beast studies had been given a new foundation stone, personally laid by this young man!
Among them, Dr. Ail felt the most complex mix of emotion—melancholy and relief.
The temperament hypothesis had been proposed by him in his youth. It had originally possessed well-constructed reasoning and some seemingly obvious evidence. He had believed it would soon gain recognition and become another established theory in Pet Beast studies…
However, because the Pet Beast used as evidence was later proven to not require temperament as a necessary factor—any temperament could complete the evolution—it became impossible to determine the role temperament played. The theory lacked rigor and was ultimately shelved…
And that shelving lasted for decades—
There were simply too many evolutionary theories in the field of Pet Beasts: Will-Based Selection Theory, environmental theory, interference theory, move-based theory, combination theory, item-based theory, genetic theory…
Each theory could branch into numerous hypotheses and serve as a key condition for evolution.
When the situation was unclear, most researchers would not stubbornly fixate on a single hypothesis…
After all, breeding required funding—not every scholar could freely apply for funding for every project. At the very least, it had to gain national recognition.
Dr. Ail was no exception. He had advanced multiple research topics simultaneously, and his energy was limited—he could not afford to devote excessive time to a single hypothesis.
As a result, the temperament hypothesis had been left aside for far too long, even becoming a lingering regret in his heart.
Now, that regret had finally been erased.
'What a pity he's Old Xu's student… otherwise, I might have taken him as my final disciple.'
Just as Dr. Ail was sighing inwardly—
After completing the proof of the temperament hypothesis and turning off the projector, Jiang Xing did not step down. Instead, he continued speaking.
"I feel extremely honored to have completed Dr. Ail's temperament hypothesis."
"However, as my teacher once said, as a researcher, completing a major project does not eliminate my curiosity."
"I cannot help but wonder—"
"Why can temperament become a condition for evolution? What elements does it contain?"
"Besides temperament, could emotion, which is equally tied to thought yet even more intangible, also be an undiscovered evolutionary condition?"
"Beyond known theories such as will-based selection, environment, and items—do there exist other mysterious factors we have yet to discover?"
"Are the so-called endpoints of evolution—Demi-God Tier Species and even Mythical Tier Species—truly limits, or can they undergo 'super evolution' that surpasses their boundaries?"
"The more I think about these questions, the more I realize how shallow my own knowledge is."
"I will continue to work hard, and I hope that one day, I can stand together with all of you here and find the answers to these questions."
"My presentation is over. Thank you, everyone."
After speaking, Jiang Xing stepped down from the stage.
The lecture hall fell into complete silence—there was not a single sound.
Everyone remained immersed in his presentation, unconsciously reflecting on the questions he had raised.
Only when Dr. Ail stood up and began to applaud—one scholar after another rose to their feet, and the applause grew from sparse to overwhelming, like a torrential storm echoing throughout the entire hall!
At this moment, the Evolution Conference came to a complete close. The winner of the Best Achievement Award was beyond any doubt.
In fact, it was not Jiang Xing who was honored to receive the award from the Shanghai Evolution Conference—
Rather, it was this conference that had been honored by the release of Jiang Xing's achievement.
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