[AN: Hello everyone, am here again, as you can see I released a bunch of chapters today, because a friend came over to turn on his hotspot for me. Still haven't repaired my phone. Anyways my novel got contracted recently "The Quantum Path to Immortality" so I would appreciate it if you guys and girls(I have female readers, wow.) could read and give opinions and maybe some send some gift my way. Thank you.]
Seeing his home again, Chen Mo's heart swelled with warmth. Despite the exhaustion from the long flight, it all seemed worth it.
It was already 11 p.m. When he walked through the door, he saw Xiao Yu sitting on the sofa in a daze, worry written all over her face. Beside her, Chen Mu and Zhen Zhen sat anxiously, clearly waiting.
"Mom, Big Sis, Xiao Yu, I'm back." Zhang Xinxin ran ahead and threw herself into their arms the moment she saw them.
"You're back."
Zhen Zhen finally relaxed when she saw Zhang Xinxin safe and sound.
"Honey!" Xiao Yu turned around and rushed at Chen Mo before he could even take off his shoes. Her sudden leap made him break out in a cold sweat, but he caught her instinctively.
"Mom, Zhen Zhen, you two look after her," Chen Mo said, gently stroking Xiao Yu's back to calm her down.
"Oh? Oh..." Realizing that her in-laws were present, Xiao Yu suddenly blushed but still held onto Chen Mo's arm tightly. Inhaling the familiar scent on him, her nerves finally settled.
"You're back. That's what matters," Chen Mu said, visibly relieved along with Zhen Zhen.
Earlier that morning, they had heard the news about a missing Nobel Prize winner and were startled. Once they confirmed it was the medical prize recipient, they felt somewhat reassured, but still deeply worried.
"What exactly happened?" Zhen Zhen asked.
"I'm not completely sure. It seems to have been a premeditated kidnapping. The explosion was likely a distraction to create chaos and mislead the guards," Chen Mo explained. That was the most reasonable assumption he could come up with.
"Don't wander off for now. Just watching that news was enough to scare us." Chen Mu added with concern.
"Understood," Chen Mo nodded.
"It's already midnight. You've been flying all day. Take Xiao Yu and go rest. She's been waiting up for you and barely slept last night. She didn't eat properly today either—your health is important, especially with a baby on the way," Chen Mu urged.
"You're one to talk," Chen Mo turned toward Xiao Yu, frowning. "Why didn't you take better care of yourself?"
Hearing the scolding, Xiao Yu looked up at him, her expression slightly aggrieved.
"What are you scolding her for? She's pregnant! What if she got upset? Do you want something to happen to her or the baby?" Chen Mu immediately jumped in, clearly displeased. "She was just worried about you! We all were. Your mom and I didn't sleep either. Think your wings are fully grown now, huh?"
"..."Realizing he had stepped out of line, Chen Mo didn't dare argue. He quietly took Xiao Yu's hand and led her back to the room.
"I was a little impatient just now," Chen Mo said softly. "Rest well and make sure to eat on time. Your health is the most important."
"I didn't mean to be disobedient," Xiao Yu said, eyes misty. "I just had a nightmare last night, and then I saw the news this morning. I couldn't eat, I was too worried…"
Chen Mo's scalp tingled. A wave of panic surged inside him—pregnant women's emotions were delicate, and he had said the wrong thing.
"Alright, don't cry. I was wrong, okay?" he whispered like he was coaxing a child. After a while, her breathing softened. Chen Mo looked down and saw that Xiao Yu had already fallen asleep in his arms.
The news exploded across international media:
Swedish Academy Attacked by Unknown Forces! Nobel Laureate Dorivitz Missing!
The incident caused an international uproar.
For something like this to happen the day after the Nobel Prize ceremony—it was a slap in the face to the Swedish government. Many countries began to question Sweden's public safety situation.
Nothing like this had ever happened before. The local police combed through the entire city but found no trace. It was as if Professor Dorivitz had vanished into thin air.
No one knew why he had been taken. There were no ransom notes, no communication from the kidnappers—just silence.
Chen Mo read the latest reports while sitting in the library of his villa, fingers tapping lightly on the table. He hadn't gone out today and had declined all media interviews through Lanxi.
Even with Ink Girl's help, there wasn't a single lead to go on. The whole thing gave him a sense of unease he couldn't shake.
Unable to figure it out, he stood up and moved to the sofa. Lying down, he closed his eyes and entered the Technology Library.
Ever since [Star Ring] was completed, he hadn't retrieved any new technology. The timing felt right—it was time to accept the next task.
Because of Shu Lao's concealment protocol, Chen Mo only entered the Technology Library when it was time to acquire new knowledge.
The place was as quiet as ever.
Towering bookshelves loomed a hundred meters high, stretching endlessly in every direction. As always, Chen Mo felt small—like an ant standing before an ocean of knowledge. Each visit filled him with awe at the vastness of human potential and wisdom.
At the center of the library, eight books hovered in glowing columns of light. Only four remained active: Military, Mechanical, Medical, and Ecological.
Each of these represented a different domain of knowledge—a challenge from the Technology Library. Completing one book would unlock the full body of theory and practical applications in that domain. Completing all eight would mark the end of the Technology Apprentice stage and grant him access to the next level of authority within the library.
But what came after that?
Even the current apprentice-level technology already surpassed modern human capabilities. Just how advanced would the next stage be? What secrets did the library still hold? The thought made Chen Mo's curiosity burn even hotter.
He moved between the four glowing books, carefully weighing his options. Any one of them could revolutionize its respective field.
After a moment's hesitation, Chen Mo placed his hand on the glowing book in the Ecological category.
The light slowly dimmed as a flood of information surged into his mind. The sudden rush triggered a sharp, tingling pain in his brain, forcing him to clench his teeth and endure.
"Damn…"
His brain throbbed under the load. It wasn't as brutal as receiving the light-controlled nuclear fusion data, but it still hurt like hell.
Five minutes passed before the pain finally subsided. Chen Mo rubbed his temples and let out a long breath.
"'Oxygen Grass'? That's a weird name."
As the pain faded, he focused on the new information—and his confusion turned to joy.
Oxygen GrassField: Ecology, BiologyAccess Level: Technology ApprenticeDescription: A genetically engineered plant capable of improving soil and atmospheric conditions. It can survive in barren or toxic environments, absorbing harmful gases from soil and air while simultaneously enriching soil nutrients.
A plant that could purify air and detoxify soil—so that's where the name came from.
But it wasn't just that. This plant could survive in extreme environments and cleanse toxins through biological decomposition.
It was a breakthrough in genetic engineering—no wonder it counted as a major technology under the ecological domain. It could reshape entire ecosystems.
Chen Mo dove deeper into the data.
The technology used advanced cell hybridization and gene-editing techniques to create an entirely new species of plant.
As expected, nothing in the Technology Library was ever "ordinary."
He made a mental note to also retrieve several supporting technologies in genetic engineering that would be needed to develop Oxygen Grass. Once the basic framework was secured, Chen Mo exited the library.