Chapter 137: Immersion

The spatial framework defining the regular arrangement of atoms in a crystal is called a crystal lattice. A lattice is composed of the repeated stacking of the smallest geometric units of identical shape and size; this fundamental unit, which fully reflects the characteristics of the lattice, is known as a unit cell.

From molecular structures to the unit cell of every atom, the lattice... unit cell...

Calming her mind and diving deep, Wu Tong became obsessed with the beauty of this microscopic world. Previously, the materials she understood were primarily macroscopic; this was her first time venturing into the microscopic realm, and her world was once again expanded.

Once again, Wu Tong felt a tinge of shame for the shallowness of her previous foundation. Knowing the "what" without understanding the "why"—having achieved two new materials through mathematical prowess and special deductions, only to be praised by others—she realized she had been overestimated. There was indeed still so much for her to learn.

Ions, molecules, subatomic particles, microscopic morphology, phase composition, phase transitions, micro-regions, phase interfaces, surface chemical composition distribution, crystallization segregation... the spatial distribution of elements within materials... the chemical and bonding environments surrounding ions...

The specialized knowledge involved in this field was vast; some of it Wu Tong had touched upon briefly, while other parts were entirely new to her. With one hand performing deductions and the other flipping through books to find information as needed, she rapidly absorbed the essence of the discipline. Her knowledge tree for materials science grew swiftly, maturing from the trunk down to the finest branches.

Time became a non-entity to Wu Tong; she had surrendered her entire heart and spirit to studying, experimenting, and deducing. She repeated this cycle endlessly. Aside from her morning exercises and intermittent contact with her family, she was effectively cut off from the outside world, fully immersed in a state of absolute concentration.

Her life became a fixed routine between the library, the laboratory, and the dormitory cafeteria. Occasionally, if she stayed in the lab too late, she would simply take a nap in the office Professor Cheng had set up for her to restore her energy.

Recognizing her extraordinary learning speed, the school had long since granted her unrestricted library access. Wu Tong would bring her suitcase to the library, haul back a load of books, study them until she had thoroughly digested the contents, and then return for another batch. She would exchange them every three to five days, or at most a week—a pace faster than the time it took for ordinary students to read and grasp just two or three books.

Wu Tong’s state of study stunned everyone in the laboratory. Spontaneously, as if they had all been tightened like springs, the others increased the intensity of their studies and approached every experiment with greater rigor, not daring to slack off. If Wu Tong—who was far more gifted than them and already leading major national projects with two super-materials to her name—could still remain so immersed and diligent, what right did they, as ordinary people, have to be lazy or rest?

Under these circumstances, even Professor Cheng began to wonder if he should reflect on his own efforts. Was his study of mathematics not quite diligent enough? He wasn't completely old yet; he still needed to pick it back up. The entire laboratory, from top to bottom, began to engage in a cycle of intense self-improvement.

This sense of urgency swept through the School of Materials Science. Many students, seeing their seniors or classmates who were already considered elite for having joined Professor Cheng’s laboratory, still keeping their noses in books even while eating, couldn't help but tease them, asking if they would leave any path to survival for the "academic slackers."

The group could only offer bitter smiles. They wanted to slack off, but the top genius—the "Goddess Wu"—had left them no room to relax. If she was more gifted than them yet worked even harder, her excellence was well-deserved. The elite would only become more outstanding and climb higher. If they didn't exert themselves and fell behind, even if she said nothing, they wouldn't have the capability to remain in the laboratory.

Success brings advancement; failure brings retreat. Competition in this world is ever-present, and they would not receive special treatment just because they were the first to join her project team. A top-tier experimental team is never a place for resting on one's laurels or selling one's seniority. If they wanted to keep pace with the Goddess and stay by her side to access the most cutting-edge materials and experiments, they had to exert more diligence than the average person.

The bird that starts early finds the worm; the phoenix is reborn through fire. Transformation and growth are never easy; this was a hardship they had to endure. If they weren't understood, so be it; it would be enough if their future results were beautiful and sweet. If it was hard now, then so be it—since they lacked the talent, they would have to make up for it with effort!

Ultimately, Wu Tong reduced the problems of materials science to the mathematical logic she excelled in.

Lattice parameters: a1=a2=a3≠c, α=β=90, γ=120...
Al-Cu-γ-Fe-Face-Centered Cubic
Body-Centered Cubic: Cr, Mo, Cs, α-Fe, δ-Fe;
...
One week, two weeks, three weeks—time had become void...

Stacks of manuscripts were born from her studies and deductions, piling high on the shelves in her dormitory. There were countless hundreds, perhaps thousands of pages—the accumulation of her ceaseless efforts during these days.

Gradually, a piercing light of wisdom appeared in Wu Tong's eyes. She thought she was on the verge of understanding the mysteries; this time, she was truly going to grasp it!

Having entered a state of epiphany and total absorption, Wu Tong began her final breakthrough.

Another day passed from sunrise to sunset. Wu Tong, who usually left at a set time, did not emerge. This caught the attention of the security personnel responsible for her safety. While monitoring the movement at her door, they also tried calling her, but received no response.

They immediately reported this anomaly upward. With authorization, they found a suitable angle and used binoculars to conduct a preliminary check of her living room window to confirm if she was in any distress. The bedroom was a highly private space and was not the first choice for inspection unless in an emergency.

Fortunately, they immediately saw her sitting at her desk by the window, writing incessantly, which relieved their concerns about her safety.

"Stand by!" Zheng Hongming decided. The security team reported to him daily, and he remained in contact with Professor Cheng. He knew Wu Tong was researching something; she might have made some progress and was focused on it. They should not disturb her for the time being.

According to what they knew, whenever Wu Tong had a breakthrough with the Zhou Conjecture or the Twin Prime Conjecture, she would enter such a state of oblivion. Perhaps she had made a discovery and was once again in that zone. If they disturbed her, they might break her train of thought and cause the loss of a world-class achievement—that would be a massive regret!