"Boss, I wanted you to see the results of our research over this period. Why the expression?" Chen Changsheng asked, puzzled.

"Ahem, your research yielded results this quickly?" Liu Hui coughed to cover his embarrassment, then lowered the hand that had been covering his rear.

"Yes, after gaining the ability to mobilize True Essence, we split into two teams to scientifically study those marvelous arrays. To complete this research, everyone worked overtime, even skipping the Lunar New Year holiday, which is why we could achieve some results in such a short time," Chen Changsheng explained.

"That's wonderful, let me see them right away!" Liu Hui exclaimed with delight.

Chen Changsheng clapped his hands, and the researchers divided into two groups, preparing to demonstrate their recent findings to Liu Hui.

The first team brought forward a small, white, rectangular platform and placed it on the floor in front of Liu Hui. This platform measured one meter long and half a meter wide, but was only ten centimeters thick.

"Boss, please look. This is the first result of our research: the Anti-Gravity Device," Chen Changsheng said, pointing at the platform.

Liu Hui observed closely and found the small platform looked no different from an ordinary tabletop, perhaps just a bit thicker.

Chen Changsheng elaborated, "We studied the Levitation Array provided by the Boss. Although we don't fully grasp its operational principles, we discovered some techniques for array utilization. So, we made some improvements to the application of the Levitation Array and integrated it into this small platform, turning it into an Anti-Gravity Device."

Liu Hui inquired, "An Anti-Gravity Device? That seems to appear frequently in many sci-fi blockbusters. However, this little platform looks completely ordinary; there’s no indication of any high technology within it?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "Boss, some things cannot be perceived by sight alone. Our researchers have embedded the improved Levitation Array onto this small platform. Once we activate this modified version, we can still manipulate it—adjusting the levitation force by inputting or drawing True Essence from within the array. Previously, once the Levitation Array was set, its suspension power could not be adjusted. Now, let me have our researchers demonstrate it for you live."

Immediately, a researcher stepped forward, using his spiritual energy to mobilize the True Essence stored in the energy sphere. He controlled that True Essence to flow into the array on the small platform. As the True Essence entered the array, the small platform instantly and successfully levitated.

Another researcher began placing heavy lead blocks onto the small platform. In the original Levitation Array, once activated, the spirit stones used for formation would vanish into the array, rendering it permanently uncontrollable. But after Chen Changsheng and his team studied the array, they found crucial tricks that allow them to continue controlling the array's strength by either introducing or withdrawing True Essence, thus achieving favorable results.

When the lead blocks were placed on the platform, it began to descend slowly, clearly showing that the levitation force could not counteract the weight of the lead. When the controlling researcher gradually increased the input of True Essence, the small platform started to ascend again. The assistant beside him added more lead blocks to the platform, causing its height to immediately drop. The controller again increased the True Essence input, and the platform floated upward once more. Soon, the small platform was laden with lead blocks. Liu Hui roughly estimated the total weight of those blocks exceeded two hundred kilograms, yet it still remained suspended in the air.

Next, the controller began to withdraw True Essence from the array, and the small platform slowly descended. When the controller stopped withdrawing energy and instead fed True Essence into the array, the platform instantly surged upward. Under the controller’s manipulation, the small platform moved up and down at will, just like a human arm—it could be lifted when desired, and lowered when desired—incredibly convenient.

Seeing the small platform effortlessly suspending over two hundred kilograms and moving freely up and down, Liu Hui was overjoyed. He said, "Dean Chen, this research achievement is excellent and highly practical. Thank you very much."

"Boss, you don't need to thank us. In fact, if you hadn't provided us with such excellent research conditions, guiding us into the magical world of arrays and opening a new window for us, we couldn't have achieved such great results. While we still can't figure out the secret behind the power of the arrays, we have discovered some laws governing array utilization through instrument detection, leading to this practical small platform," Chen Changsheng stated.

"What is the maximum weight this small platform can bear while levitating?" Liu Hui asked.

"Theoretically, as long as the energy stones you provide have sufficient energy and the True Essence storage sphere has enough reserves, this small platform can bear an infinite amount of weight. Of course, this is just theoretical analysis. In reality, the platform is too small; there wouldn't be room for any more mass," Chen Changsheng replied.

Liu Hui considered another issue and asked, "If a person stands on that small platform, will the levitation force generated by the array act upon the person, causing them to levitate as well?"

"The original Levitation Array caused energy overflow, so if a person stood on it and came into contact with the overflowing energy, they would float up. However, we have filtered the array’s energy, eliminating this energy leakage. This means the force generated by our Anti-Gravity Device only acts upon the platform itself. Even if other objects touch the platform, they will not levitate. For example, if we build an aircraft using this Anti-Gravity Device, the passengers inside will not experience weightlessness when the aircraft is suspended; they will feel completely normal," Chen Changsheng explained.

"Dean Chen, can this Anti-Gravity Device be immediately applied in practice?" Liu Hui immediately asked the crucial question.

"We have resolved the fundamental technical hurdles. Next are the issues of external design and interconnections between components, which are simple and should present no difficulty. So, as long as the Boss can supply ample energy stones and large quantities of True Essence, we can immediately implement this Anti-Gravity Device in practice," Chen Changsheng confirmed.

Liu Hui was ecstatic. With this Anti-Gravity Device, he could truly begin his grand development plan.

"Boss, the Anti-Gravity Device is just the achievement of one research group. Our other team has also made breakthroughs. They gained some insights from studying the Solidification Array and manufactured a practical item," Chen Changsheng announced proudly, thoroughly satisfied with Liu Hui's surprised expression.

Liu Hui was overjoyed. He had been content with just the Anti-Gravity Device, never expecting the Academy of Sciences to have another new invention. Could this be his lucky year? So many surprises awaited him right after starting work!

Under Liu Hui’s expectant gaze, members of the other research team stepped forward, carrying a long saber which they placed before Liu Hui.

Chen Changsheng picked up the saber, swung it a few times, and said to Liu Hui, "Boss, while studying your Solidification Array, we realized its immense utility—it can drastically increase material toughness. Its potential applications might even surpass those of the Levitation Array. So, I specifically assigned a team to research the Solidification Array, and this saber in my hand is the result of their recent work."

Liu Hui curiously took the long saber and examined it repeatedly, finding nothing unusual; it looked just like any other saber.

"Boss, you won't discern the mystery by just looking; you must use props," Chen Changsheng chuckled. With a wave of his hand, the researchers pushed forward a trolley loaded with three massive steel rebar rods, piled high upon it.

Chen Changsheng took the saber from Liu Hui's hand and said, "Boss, these three pieces of rebar are the hardest currently available on the market. Their hardness is extremely high, and very few things can damage them. I will now have this saber strike against these three pieces of rebar."

Chen Changsheng had undergone physical modification, so his arm strength was also astonishing. He gripped the saber tightly, roared, and brought it down upon the three enormous rebar rods on the trolley. With a crisp clang, the three huge steel rods, along with the trolley, were severed in half by a single blow from the saber. The cuts were exceptionally flat and smooth, clearly indicating they were cleaved instantly.

Liu Hui let out an astonished sound. He picked up the severed rebar pieces to inspect them, noting how incredibly hard they were. He secretly exerted his strength, squeezing them hard, but found that even with his current power, he could barely leave a mark on the steel, revealing just how high their hardness was. Yet, these seemingly unbreakable steel rods were cut by that unremarkable saber.

Liu Hui took the saber back from Chen Changsheng and examined the blade closely, discovering that the edge remained incredibly sharp, showing no signs of rolling or chipping. He stroked the saber, unable to stop praising it, "What a fine saber, what a fine saber! I never expected this long blade to be so utterly sharp."

Chen Changsheng also said excitedly, "Boss, this saber has undergone special treatment by us. The material used to forge this saber was merely ordinary steel. After we configured the improved Solidification Array onto it, the quality of the steel has been enhanced by at least thirty times. Its current hardness and flexibility are more than thirty times that of ordinary steel, which is why it could cut through those rebar rods with such ease. Ancient treasured blades capable of slicing through iron like mud are nothing compared to this; they wouldn't be enough for it to cleave," Chen Changsheng said excitedly.

"Is the effect of the Solidification Array truly that potent? It can make ordinary steel so tough. Then, when does the solidification effect of the Solidification Array wear off?" Liu Hui asked consecutively.

"That's why I said the Solidification Array has immense application potential. Since we are using the most basic energy stones you provided, this Solidification Array can only manifest a maximum enhancement of thirty times the material strength. Furthermore, the effect's duration isn't very long; if used frequently, the effect will entirely dissipate after about a month. However, if higher-grade energy stones were used, the material strengthening effect and service life should increase significantly. We estimate the array’s maximum enhancement could reach one hundred times the original material, and provided energy is sufficient, its service life could be infinite," Chen Changsheng explained.

"Does this mean the technology for the Solidification Array is mature enough to be applied to other materials?" Liu Hui inquired.

"Precisely. We have also resolved the energy overflow issue in the Solidification Array, so there are no problems using it to fortify materials. The Solidification Array has propelled materials science forward dramatically. It can be used in numerous fields, such as reinforcing the rebar used in building construction—the structural integrity of such a building would be greatly enhanced and it wouldn't collapse easily. It could also be used to manufacture aircraft; even if future airplanes fell from the sky, they might not necessarily break. It could also be used to build submarines; the diving depth of a submarine treated with the Solidification Array would certainly increase significantly," Chen Changsheng grew more excited as he spoke.

"Hahaha... Heaven aids me!" Hearing Chen Changsheng's vision, Liu Hui was so delighted that he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Boss, maintain composure. While I am also very pleased, I am not as outwardly expressive as you are. You must keep a steady mind," Chen Changsheng said in feigned reproof, though he himself was already elated. After all, inventing the Anti-Gravity Device and achieving a thirty-fold material enhancement were astonishing accomplishments. When he first learned of these two findings, his reaction was even more pronounced than Liu Hui's, which is why he hastily brought Liu Hui over to present his treasures.

"Hehe, Dean Chen, both of your research projects are outstanding. These results are very useful to me, so I must reward you handsomely," Liu Hui stated happily.

"Boss, there's no need for lavish rewards. The opportunity to conduct this research is reward enough for us. If it weren't for you, we couldn't have made such important inventions. Countless research centers abroad are working on these things, but they might never discover them in their lifetimes. Yet, we have succeeded! We should be the ones thanking you; you allowed us to realize our dream of research," Chen Changsheng said sincerely.

"Haha, Dean Chen, don't be so modest. Excessive modesty can be akin to arrogance. I have decided: every researcher participating in these two projects will receive a reward of one million US dollars, and the leaders heading the projects will each receive two million US dollars."

As Liu Hui finished speaking, the scientists erupted. They were dedicated scientists whose entire beings were immersed in research, so they didn't overly covet monetary rewards. But the massive sum Liu Hui suddenly announced was a clear testament to his recognition of their work, which filled them with immense joy. Moreover, the one million dollar bonus was an astronomical figure; as far as these scientists knew, even the Nobel Prize money wasn't this high. It seemed that in the Boss's eyes, their research achievements were far more significant than a Nobel Prize.

Chen Changsheng spoke on behalf of the researchers, "We thank the Boss for the enormous reward. However, we just received a substantial bonus before the Lunar New Year, and now there's this much more; isn't it a bit excessive?"

Liu Hui smiled, "For your research results, this bonus is not excessive at all; I consider it well worth it. However, I have one condition: you must maintain absolute secrecy. Do not let any of these findings leak out. Due to certain requirements in the application phase, we will not be publicly announcing these research outcomes for a considerable time. Therefore, you won't immediately achieve fame and fortune. This monetary reward is my gesture for everyone’s inability to become instantly renowned."

Chen Changsheng replied, "Boss, we all understand. After all, these inventions are incredibly hard to believe. We will certainly be discreet."

Liu Hui stated, "I have a grand plan, and the critical technology required for that plan involves the research findings you just produced. It is precisely because of your research results that my grand plan can be implemented."

Chen Changsheng asked, "Boss, what grand plan do you have?"

Liu Hui said, "I need to organize my thoughts. I will visit you tomorrow to discuss this plan."

And so, Liu Hui left Chen Changsheng’s Academy of Sciences, rushing back to his office. He delegated all his affairs to Hu Xian'er to handle temporarily, then locked his office door tightly and pulled out the plan he had drafted earlier, scrutinizing it once more.

Xiao Hei had just undergone its second evolution, resulting in a massive surge in power, bringing him formidable martial strength. Furthermore, Chen Changsheng's research institute had developed specific applications for arrays. Therefore, the plan Liu Hui had been plotting for so long finally had the conditions for implementation; it was no longer just a document on paper.

The next day, Liu Hui returned to Chen Changsheng’s Academy of Sciences. He secured a top-secret room and summoned Chen Changsheng.

"Dean Chen, I have a grand plan that requires your assistance," Liu Hui stated directly to Chen Changsheng.

"Boss, my grand plan needs my help? I'm just a researcher; how can I assist?" Chen Changsheng asked, puzzled.

Liu Hui smiled, "I plan to construct a high-tech city. This city will require the exact research results you just achieved. And I intend to name this city 'Starlight City.'"