"This..." The director and the surrounding researchers were all dumbfounded. Wasn't it said that a minor special agent with no background was kicked to a remote area like ours for promotion? How does he have such great influence to obtain such a huge piece of remains? An utterly unconnected fellow managed to get hold of such a large piece of remains?!

The director and researchers all pulled long faces. This was no small matter. A piece of remains so large, their generator simply couldn't fit it. If it were a generator from another place, it could definitely be inserted whole. However, theirs was an outdated model, discarded from other places and sent to Witch Star. It had limited internal space and simply couldn't accommodate it.

The director and his researchers exchanged glances. We're done for. We're in for a busy time now—overtime today. It looks like the evening's get-together will have to be canceled.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves. We're going to start cutting the remains," the director ordered.

The Division Chief was still uneasy. "Be serious! This piece of remains is no small matter. If you damage it during cutting and the person doesn't achieve the desired effect during their promotion, they'll sue us for compensation. I'll hold every single one of you responsible!"

The director couldn't help but ask, "Chief, how much is this thing worth?"

"I hear it's twelve doses of "Tier 5 Genetic Potion." The cheapest black market price is 45,000,000. You do the math."

A young researcher breathed a sigh of relief. "Forty-five million? Although Witch Star is poor, surely the department can come up with 45,000,000?"

The Division Chief glared at him. "Forty-five million—per dose!"

The young researcher, who was operating the cutting equipment, felt his hands tremble. "Twelve doses... that's 540,000,000..."

The director panicked. "Steady your hands! If it's damaged, we can't afford to pay for it even if we sold ourselves!"

The researchers inwardly groaned. What kind of rotten job is this? No reward for doing it well, but if we mess up, it's utter ruin!

Cutting these remains required particular care. It wasn't a matter of simply choosing any position and hacking away based on weight, as doing so could likely ruin a precious piece of remains beyond recovery, rendering it worthless. It was necessary to use instruments to scan it first, then begin cutting from areas where the remains' energy signature was weak.

Chen Gu waited outside, bored to death, while inside, the researchers cut with trepidation.

Chen Gu checked the time. It was almost 11:00. What's going on? My promotion was scheduled for the morning, and now it's almost noon. Are they going to delay me until the afternoon? Is it because I'm not from Witch Star that I'm being looked down upon and given a hard time?

Chen Gu curled his lip. I really want to use my son's name to threaten them a bit, to let them know that I have backing too. But... considering the broader picture of family stability, I'd better not. If that unfilial son threw it back in my face, this old father would lose too much dignity.

Chen Gu waited until nearly 12:00. He was getting hungry, and still, no word had come from inside. He felt very frustrated outside, unaware that the director and his researchers inside were even more so.

This wasn't an ordinary piece of remains; it was from a humanoid super life-form, inherently one of the most difficult types to handle. This phalange was a prime example of that challenge! Even with Capital Star's generator, experts would have to rack their brains to cut it. Meanwhile, here on Witch Star, this "remote and impoverished" region, their equipment lagged a full two generations behind Capital Star's. Trying to section this remnant was proving incredibly difficult.

In fact, its pricing at twelve "Tier 5 Genetic Potions" was slightly undervalued, precisely because it was so hard to dissect. The seller had said it could be sold in sections, but in reality, they were also reluctant to undertake such a task.

The director and all the researchers were at their wits' end. Seeing it was almost noon, the director sighed helplessly. "Let's go. We'll take him out for a meal. If it really doesn't work out, we'll just have to bite the bullet, admit our incompetence, and acknowledge we can't handle this job."

The researchers murmured among themselves, asking in low voices, "Director, who's... paying for this meal?"

The director fumed, "I am!"

Chen Gu was really getting angry. Just then, SWOOSH! The door slid open, and the director, accompanied by several researchers, came out. He was all smiles as he went forward to shake Chen Gu's hand. "Comrade Chen Gu, right? Truly a young talent with great potential."

Chen Gu was baffled. What's this all about? Is this the proverbial 'smile that hides a dagger'?

"You're too kind. I am Chen Gu."

The director made a show of checking the time. "It's almost noon! Let's go have lunch first. I'll be the host. We'll all treat Comrade Chen Gu to the specialties of Witch Star."

"There's no need..." Chen Gu began to decline, but the other researchers chimed in.

"That's right! It's not every day we get visitors. We must offer our hospitality."

"It's only right. Witch Star's economy may not be advanced, but our food is definitely worth trying."

"Let's go, let's go! It's not often the director treats. I suggest Drunken Tiger Villa..."

Chen Gu, full of doubts, was ushered along. Only upon arrival did he discover that the restaurant was of an impressively high caliber.

The director was exceedingly polite, ordering expensive dishes. However, before eating, Chen Gu held back his chopsticks. "Director, you have to clarify what's going on first. Otherwise, I won't be able to eat this meal in peace."

The atmosphere became awkward. All the researchers were tech nerds, which was almost equivalent to being... cowards. At this point, they all turned to look at the director.

The director's old face reddened as he hemmed and hawed, "We just... think highly of Comrade Chen Gu and wanted to get to know you..."

A young researcher, unburdened by the pressures of leadership, sighed. "Director, just tell him the truth."

The director, irked, glared at him but finally said, "That remnant... we... can't cut it open..."

"Huh?" Chen Gu was puzzled. After the director explained everything in detail, Chen Gu was also stunned. I made such thorough preparations, yet I never expected to be stumped at this stage!

Chen Gu thought for a moment. "Take me to see it."

"Let's eat first..." the director began, but Chen Gu interrupted him. "Sorry, it's not that I'm unappreciative, but please understand. This concerns my future. If this can't be resolved, I won't be able to rest or eat in peace!"

The director and the researchers fell silent, embarrassed. They understood Chen Gu was being very considerate by not blaming them for their incompetence. However, the situation itself was the loudest slap in the face, hitting them hard.

The group quickly returned to the generator. Chen Gu observed the remnant placed in the center, surrounded by containment equipment to prevent any radiation leakage. The researchers got busy, scanning it with various instruments and explaining all the difficulties to Chen Gu.

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