Chapter 115: 1417

At Cheng Huanan’s command, the entire national materials laboratory sprang into action. Titanium powder, standard aluminum powder, carbon black, graphite sheets, polymers—various materials were neatly arranged on the workbench. Ball mills, reaction furnaces—all instruments were switched on, readiness complete.

“Wu Tong, you take command. I’ll assist with communication!” Without hesitation, Cheng Huanan handed over the experimental command to Wu Tong. To allow the rest of the team to perform at their best, he humbly stepped back to a supporting role.

Their old-school tradition was clear: meritocracy above all, the capable lead, the mediocre follow. Outsiders do not command insiders. Everything was result-driven; pretense, status, or face held no place here—mere nonsense!

“Thank you, Elder Cheng!” Elder Cheng had already built a platform for her to stand on; how could she betray such devoted spirit of sacrifice? She could only give her all, turning the design model into a groundbreaking actual material to repay his earnest dedication.

Wu Tong did not falter. She stepped forward steadily and issued the first order.

“Senior Ruan, please prepare three batches of material: pure titanium powder mixed with commercial 7017 aluminum powder at a 3:7 ratio. Add polyethylene resin and ensure thorough mixing. Keep the resin content at 3.5%.”

“Sister Lv, please prepare...” Wu Tong glanced at another girl’s badge and called out. She would personally prepare the suspension.

...

Step by step, under Wu Tong’s precise command, the materials underwent intense high-temperature treatment in the reaction furnace, protection with a special mixed solution, followed by micro-arc oxidation to form an ultra-nanoporous structure, nitrogen charging, and press forming. A silver-gray billet gleaming with metallic luster appeared before everyone’s eyes.

“Wow... wow!” The exclamations echoed in the hearts of all present.

Everyone involved in the experiment was exhilarated—the material had truly taken shape!

The first material model designed by this prodigy had directly materialized! After countless failed attempts, with ruined furnaces and lost efforts, they had to admit: gods and mortals are indeed different. This genius, who had made waves in the mathematical world and earned widespread acclaim, now ventured into materials science—and was weaving her own miracle!

---

For those who had strained every nerve and clawed their way into the academicians’ labs, they were already seen as successful by most students. Yet only they knew the vast gulf between themselves and true genius. Reality was now vividly illustrating this contrast.

After the final β annealing process concluded, the experimental material was officially declared formed. Cheng Huanan’s eyes blazed as he immediately ordered, “Load it onto the tensile tester!”

In the testing lab, Ruan Chengxu personally secured the material in the tensile machine. Cheng Huanan started the machine, which steadily increased the force.

“100 MPa, 200 MPa... 700 MPa...”

When the figure surpassed seven hundred, everyone watching was overcome with excitement but struggled to contain themselves, lest they disturb the machine as it continued to apply force.

“1000 MPa... 1200...”

The final maximum tensile strength recorded was 1417 MPa. Everyone stared in disbelief at the number.

“1417 MPa! My God, such high tensile strength in a titanium-aluminum alloy—not even a precious titanium alloy! I’m witnessing a miracle, a miracle is born!” This outburst expressed what everyone felt.

Wu Tong smiled at the final figure. Thankfully, her all-out effort had achieved the simulated expectations—and even exceeded them.

“How could it surpass the best simulated data by so much?”

An increase of nearly 200 MPa was a breakthrough. In their usual experiments, real data falling 200 MPa short of simulation still brought tears of joy. Now, the actual result not only matched but exceeded the simulation by a substantial margin—truly worthy of worship.

“My goddess, from now on, you are my only deity!” Lv Qingqing exclaimed emotionally. She had started as a mere assistant on Elder Cheng’s orders.

She had thought that, coming from an ordinary background, her only merit was diligence and caution. She set rules for herself: no idle talk, regardless of others’ behavior; always be responsible, so as not to be expelled from the lab.

Fortunately, Elder Cheng was straightforward and intolerant of nonsense. His lab was not as cutthroat as she had feared.

But today, Wu Tong personally showed her that no matter if one came from a humble county, as long as one was truly outstanding, all would look up in admiration! Unable to contain the surge within, she voiced her resolve aloud—to strive and refine herself until she, too, could be revered like her goddess.

---

Others felt similarly stirred and complex.

They had thought today was merely Elder Cheng giving face to the prestigious mathematics institute elder and the rising star Wu Tong. Yet who would have imagined that the final result would nearly bring them all to tears?

The announcement of success ignited cheers and jubilation throughout the testing lab. To personally witness the birth of a world-class record material, even to have participated—it was a source of immense pride!

They resolved not to wash their hands just yet, letting the glory and fortune clinging to their skin linger a while longer. Tomorrow, they would work on their own projects, hoping to achieve similar success.

“Everyone, no need for thanks. This is the result of our collective cooperation!” Wu Tong smiled gently and bowed in gratitude. Without their concerted effort, this material would not have been born at this moment.

To witness something created from nothing, to see the model she designed become a real material, filled her with boundless joy.

This joy was as profound as every leap forward in mathematics, solving world-class problems—perhaps even more stirring, for it was the creation of tangible results.

Theoretical achievements were always somewhat ethereal. But applied science, which produced concrete outcomes with real value, brought a solid, exhilarating sense of accomplishment and powerful practical impact.

What pleased her most was the validation of her absolute directional and predictive abilities. Combined, as she had expected, these proved to be a trump card in applied research and development. Especially as she personally led the experiment, it could push precise values to their peak.

“Continue with the other tests. You all know the rules: hand over all communicators and do not leave this area for now!” Cheng Huanan calmly but firmly issued the next instructions, immediately organizing arrangements.

These young people did not yet grasp the material’s confidential significance, but he knew all too well. The capitalist forces never ceased their attempts to undermine them; they had paid a bloodied price. Secrecy was paramount—that was the rule, and Wu Tong’s safety was the highest priority.

(End of chapter)