Chapter 29: The Missing Person Returns

“An all-solid-state battery still isn’t enough? Then what kind of battery do we need?” Yu Xing asked.

He Xingzhou’s first thought, naturally, was a nuclear battery—but that was beyond their capabilities for now.

“Of course, a metal-air battery,” he said. “The energy density and storage capacity of a metal-air battery are four or five times those of an all-solid-state battery, and more than twenty times those of conventional power batteries! Only that kind of storage capacity could power electromagnetic levitation vehicles, or things like exoskeletons and robots.”

Everyone in the group was an expert in a related field, so they understood exactly what he meant.

Most of the battery technology currently used around the world was based on lithium batteries, with semi-solid-state batteries representing the most advanced practical application.

All-solid-state batteries remained an as-yet unconquered challenge. Metal-air batteries, meanwhile, existed only as laboratory prototypes. No one knew how many years separated them from commercial and industrial production.

“We’ve done some research on metal-air batteries as well,” Yu Xing said. “We have preliminary prototypes of aluminum-air, magnesium-air, zinc-air, and lithium-air batteries.”

“But in reality, up to now, not just us but also research institutes in other countries have only been able to conclude in theory that metal-air batteries are superior to current battery technology. No one has found the right direction to truly develop the technology.”

“If we take on this project, when we’ll be able to complete it is still anyone’s guess.”

Yu Xing had already put it as tactfully as possible. In truth, they had no confidence whatsoever that they could develop a practical metal-air battery in the short term.

“I understand everyone’s concerns. In fact, we already have some important materials related to metal-air batteries,” He Xingzhou said.

He could hardly tell them that he possessed technological data from a quantum supercomputer, so he simply called it classified information instead.

None of them held clearance as high as his. Moreover, they were taking part in the highest-level classified operation, the Black Tortoise Project, so they would not ask too many questions.

“Such a thing really exists?” Yu Xing asked in astonishment.

“It does.” He Xingzhou gave him a firm answer. The previous day, he had spent fifty units of energy to unlock the technologies for metal-air batteries and nanocrystalline solar cells.

“Your group’s task is to begin research immediately on lithium-air batteries, a branch of metal-air battery technology, as well as nanocrystalline solar cells, a branch of solar-cell technology.”

“I’ll provide you with the relevant assistance and technical materials.”

“Is that so? All right, then!” Yu Xing and the others were still completely baffled. They were leading experts in the field, yet they had never heard of any country, research institute, or company developing such technologies.

After giving them their instructions, He Xingzhou spoke with each of the other groups in turn, confirming their research topics and ensuring that everything would be properly coordinated.

“That should do it.”

It was the first day the Watchtower Research Institute had officially begun operations, and He Xingzhou remained busy until two in the morning.

The various groups had different ideas. Some of the scientists were particularly stubborn about their research projects, mainly because they believed that several of the goals He Xingzhou had proposed were too ambitious to overcome in a short time. He Xingzhou had no choice but to use his authority as the person in charge to demand their cooperation.

“If I can’t produce meaningful results, then not only will the members of the Watchtower Research Institute, but the other Black Tortoise officers as well, probably reevaluate my plans and my importance to the Black Tortoise Project,” He Xingzhou thought.

But he was not worried in the slightest. By now, he could unlock a minor piece of technological knowledge every few days.

The knowledge he possessed already rivaled that of any leading scholar in the academic world.

“Once the institute’s nanocrystalline photovoltaic power station is completed, I’ll be able to unlock technology even faster. I also need to prove my abilities as soon as possible and apply to the higher-ups for more resources so I can develop even more advanced technologies!”

He Xingzhou tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. In the end, he simply got up, turned on his computer, and began working.

First, he organized the metal-air battery and nanocrystalline solar-cell technologies he had unlocked, preparing them for the research groups to use the next day.

Then he opened Bilibili and logged into his account, “Planet Builder.”

Ever since his last livestream, in which he had built a miniature nuclear fission reactor, He Xingzhou had not logged into the site again. He discovered that his private messages were overflowing.

Countless fans had sent him messages:

“Uploader, are you still there? How long has it been since your last update?”

“Why haven’t you posted anything new?”

“Day thirty-three without the creator. I miss him! I miss him, and I still miss him!”

“Inside scoop: I heard the creator was taken away for tea. My friend goes to his school and saw the special police arrest him with his own eyes!”

“[Shocked] Seriously? I knew it—making dangerous stuff like that was bound to cause trouble!”

“Rest in peace, uploader. I’ll miss you!”

…

Because he had gone so long without updating, the account had lost nearly half its followers.

Besides messages from fans, there were also private messages from the site editor.

Little Mu: “??? Are you there?”

“Why haven’t you posted anything new?”

“Boss, [crying] I already told the operations team that we were going to promote you heavily. Why did you vanish? Did you sign with another platform?”

He Xingzhou replied, “No. I’ve just been rather busy lately.”

Little Mu did not respond for the moment. She had probably already gone to sleep at this hour.

He Xingzhou thought about it. He really ought to post another video. It would raise the public’s interest in science and technology, and some of the technologies might also have a positive social impact, helping prepare society for the disasters to come.

He Xingzhou posted an update:

“I’ve been a little busy lately. I’ll start uploading again in a few days. For the next episode, I’m planning to build a high-tech product related to automobiles. You can look forward to it.”

He Xingzhou’s account still had more than a hundred thousand followers. Although it was already late at night, plenty of people were still awake.

As soon as the update went live, comments began appearing:

“Breaking news! The missing person has returned!”

“My God, look what I found—a wild uploader!”

“You finally showed up! In my opinion, you’re the best creator in the entire science-and-technology section. Hurry up and update! I’ve already learned how to build the nuclear reactor from last time! [Doge]”

“A product related to cars? Is it a model car?”

“Looking forward to it. Update soon!”

…

He Xingzhou closed the webpage and checked the messages on his phone. Some had been sent by teachers and classmates.

Zhang Boyan had sent him several messages about physics. His three roommates had texted to ask how he was doing. Other classmates had sent messages of concern, and a whole pile of former schoolmates had requested to add him as a friend.

There were also messages from his mother, asking whether he needed any living expenses. She said that someone claiming to be an employee of a state-owned enterprise had recently come to move the family to a new home, and asked whether the person might be a scammer.

He Xingzhou replied, “Mom, he isn’t a scammer. This is what I’ve been busy with lately. Just listen to what he says. If you’re still worried, call me when the time comes and I’ll confirm it again.”

His younger sister, He Mengyao, had also sent him a message:

“Big brother, I’ll be taking the college entrance examination in another month. I’m so nervous…”

He Xingzhou replied, “Just stay calm and do your best. When it’s over, I’ll treat you to a feast!”

Only after dealing with all of that did He Xingzhou finally fall into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, he hurried to the Watchtower Research Institute and went straight to see the battery technology group.