Joint research proposal
Professor Eleanor Silverskin's earth-shattering "Please enlighten me" not only shattered Finn Liver's worldview but also plunged the "Eastern Secret Medicine" shop into a subtle and unprecedented atmosphere.
The academic authority who once glared at everyone and scrutinized them with a magnifying glass now looked like a humble student seeking knowledge, clutching thick volumes and a list full of questions, gazing expectantly at the still expressionless black-haired girl behind the counter. The scene was so surreal that Finn secretly pinched his thigh several times to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Ling Yao accepted Eleanor's transformation quite readily. In her long career as a scholar seeking advice, she had seen all sorts of people, from those who were trembling with fear to those who were arrogant, then reluctant, and finally changed their minds. Eleanor's transformation—from vehement opposition to existential doubt to finally humbling herself to "ask for advice"—was a bit dramatic, but essentially no different.
She glanced at the classic potions books that Eleanor had brought, casually opened one, scanned the complex discussions and dense formulas about elemental affinity, magical resonance, and the stability of energy structures, and then closed it expressionlessly.
"The direction is wrong," she commented succinctly.
Eleanor was taken aback: "Wrong? But this has been verified over hundreds of years..."
"Too complicated, putting the cart before the horse." Ling Yao interrupted her, picking up a very ordinary calming flower. "I can only see its elemental fluctuations, but I can't see its true 'medicinal properties'."
She began to explain the most basic concepts of "medicinal properties" to Eleanor using her broken but precise universal language, combined with gestures and the occasional simple runes drawn directly in the air to represent the flow of energy: hot and cold, warm and cool, rising and falling, mutual dependence, mutual restraint and mutual destruction...
These common-sense facts, as natural as breathing for Ling Yao, were like a door to a whole new world for Eleanor. She listened with rapt attention, sometimes suddenly understanding, sometimes frowning, and sometimes writing furiously, wishing she could engrave every word Ling Yao said into her mind.
"So... you're not forcibly suppressing the pharmaceutical conflicts, but rather using their 'mutual restraint' relationship to guide them to a dynamic balance?" Eleanor's eyes lit up, feeling as if she had grasped a little of the basics.
Ling Yao nodded, then shook her head: "Balance is the result, not the means. The core is 'order,' ensuring that everything is in its proper place."
Eleanor fell into deep thought again. This way of thinking was so foreign to her, like someone who had been solving complex equations suddenly being told that the answer could actually be summarized in a single line of poetry.
Finn watched in stunned silence. He saw the usually serious, rigid, and intimidating Professor Silver Buds now asking questions like a curious child, even scratching her head in frustration when she couldn't figure out a problem. He thought the world was truly crazy.
Over the next few days, Eleanor became a regular at the "Eastern Secret Medicine" shop. She no longer came with scrutiny and skepticism, but with a notebook and countless questions. She even began trying to reanalyze the familiar potion ingredients using Ling Yao's "medicinal properties" theory, discovering many previously overlooked subtle characteristics that couldn't be explained by elemental theory.
This novel perspective captivated her, but it also brought more confusion. Ling Yao's theories seemed simple, but were actually incredibly profound; often, a single sentence was enough to keep her pondering for ages. Moreover, the biggest problem was the lack of quantitative standards and systematic support! Everything relied on that elusive "perception" and "understanding," which was nothing short of painful torture for Eleanor, who was accustomed to precise data and logical deduction.
"Miss Ling, how is the degree of this 'coldness' quantified? What is the essential difference between it and the 'coldness' of the ice element?"
"What exactly is the nature of the 'guiding force' you mentioned, 'guiding it back to its proper place'? Does it follow some kind of energy law that we do not yet know?"
"Could we design an experiment to verify how the effect of this 'mutually beneficial' relationship changes under different proportions?"
Faced with these endless, seemingly nitpicky questions, Ling Yao usually answered with just a few words or demonstrated them directly. How much the other person understood depended entirely on their comprehension. This laissez-faire teaching style, where "the master leads you in, but the practice is up to you," left Eleanor both anxious and fascinated.
She felt like a baby who had just learned to crawl, stumbling and trying to understand the adult world. Every small insight brought her great joy, but there were still endless mountains to climb.
After several days of this painful yet pleasurable state, Eleanor suddenly had a flash of inspiration!
Since Ling Yao's theory is so profound and self-contained, and modern potion science has powerful analytical tools and rigorous methodology, why not combine the two?
Using experimental methods from potion science, we can attempt to quantify, verify, and analyze the "medicinal properties" and "rules" described by Ling Yao! This will not only help her better understand the mysteries of Eastern elixirs, but may even open up a completely new and unprecedented research path for potion science itself!
The idea made her tremble with excitement. If successful, it would be an academic breakthrough worthy of being recorded in history!
She could no longer sit still and rushed back to her laboratory almost immediately. She worked tirelessly for two days and two nights, drafting a detailed, even somewhat far-fetched, proposal entitled "Proposal on Establishing a 'Research Group for the Integration and Application of Eastern and Western Alchemy' and Carrying Out Related Collaborative Research."
In her proposal, she described the unique value and enormous potential of Ling Yao's Eastern potion theory in an extremely objective (even slightly admiring) manner. She sincerely acknowledged the difficulties faced by the existing magic system in understanding the theory and boldly suggested that the academy provide resources and a platform for her to collaborate with Ms. Ling Yao to systematically study and analyze Eastern elixirs using the methodology of potion science.
At the end of this proposal, filled with rigorous terminology and optimistic prospects, she even attached a preliminary research plan and a... well, a rather substantial budget request list.
Holding the weighty proposal, Eleanor took a deep breath and, with an almost reverent feeling, solemnly handed it to the old dean Maurice's office.
Dean Morris stared at the proposal, whose title alone was astonishing, and the frighteningly long list of funds that followed. His graying eyebrows nearly flew off his hairline.
“Eleanor…” The old dean put down the proposal and rubbed his temples. “Your idea… is very… bold. But have you considered the risks involved? Especially… the pressure from Inquisitor Silas?”
"Dean!" Eleanor was completely absorbed in her academic fervor, her tone more resolute than ever before. "Scientific exploration should not be bound by non-academic factors! The knowledge system that Ms. Ling Yao possesses is far more valuable than we can imagine! This may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Rockefeller Academy and even the entire magical community! If we miss it because of fear and prejudice, it will be an unforgivable loss!"
She spoke eloquently, citing numerous sources, discussing everything from academic value to future development, from the college's reputation to the potential practical benefits (such as developing new, more effective drugs), elevating the proposal to a level concerning the college's future for the next century.
The old dean was stunned by her words. Looking at his prized student, who seemed like a completely different person now, with a burning flame in her eyes, he was momentarily at a loss for words. He could certainly see Ling Yao's value and was happy to see the academy's academic progress, but Silas and the Vatican behind him remained a huge problem.
“…Alright,” Dean Morris finally sighed, “I’ll keep the proposal for now. It needs to be discussed by the council. As for the funding…” He glanced at the astronomical figure, his lips twitching, “it needs to be drastically reduced.”
"Dean! Basic research support is essential!" Eleanor argued forcefully.
After a difficult tug-of-war, the proposal was not rejected on the spot, but entered the discussion process, and the budget was cut to a figure that Eleanor found painful but barely acceptable.
As soon as she stepped out of the dean's office, Eleanor rushed back to the "Eastern Secret Medicine" shop as fast as she could, even disregarding her usual demeanor, and told Ling Yao the news while slightly out of breath.
"...So, if the proposal passes, we'll have a formal laboratory, state-of-the-art equipment, and ample funding!" Eleanor's eyes lit up as she looked at Ling Yao with anticipation. "We can systematically study the medicinal properties of each herb, analyze the energy composition of pills, and even try to unravel the mysteries of your 'guiding power'! What do you think?"
In her view, this is an irresistible temptation for any researcher.
Ling Yao's reaction was quite indifferent. Labs? Equipment? Funding? These things meant little to her. What she needed was energy, resources, and peace and quiet. As for research? She could do it herself; why bother with all that trouble?
But glancing at Eleanor's excited yet nervous expression, clearly afraid of rejection, she reconsidered. Having a formal, college-backed collaborative project didn't seem like a bad thing. At least it would silence some critics and reduce some trouble. Besides, with this stubborn professor leading the way, she wouldn't have to deal with many of the mundane details herself.
As for the research findings? The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. How much we can discover depends on the workings of this world.
"Okay." She used the same word again.
Eleanor breathed a sigh of relief, her face breaking into an unprecedentedly radiant smile, which made Finn, standing beside her, momentarily dazed—Professor Silverstalk could smile after all? And quite beautifully at that…
"Great! I'll go prepare the follow-up matters right away! As soon as the council approves, we'll start immediately!" Eleanor came and went in a flurry, full of energy.
Finn watched her retreating figure, then leaned closer to Ling Yao and whispered, "Miss Ling, we're... already cooperating with the academy's official channels? I'm feeling a little dizzy..."
Ling Yao didn't answer, but instead put a newly arrived magic core containing pure water energy into her sleeve.
Cooperation? Perhaps.
She simply shifted to a more comfortable position and continued her "recovery project." As for the commotion it caused outside, that was their concern.
However, whether it was Ling Yao's composure or Eleanor's excitement, they both knew that this seemingly win-win cooperation proposal was destined to be anything but smooth sailing.
A new storm is brewing in the college council meeting room.
And Silas the Inquisitor's rage is about to reach a new peak.
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