Chapter 12, "The Scavenger" Project, launched!

Seeing Lin Yuan adjust his mindset so quickly, for the first time, a trace of approval appeared in Director Chen's eyes.

To be able to face a massive fortune of one hundred million and a drastic change in life while calming down so quickly—this young man's mental fortitude was much better than he had anticipated.

"Very good." Director Chen nodded. "Before we begin working, we need to gain a comprehensive understanding of you. Not just physically, but more importantly, regarding that 'deep space salvage system'."

He looked toward Academician Wang.

Academician Wang understood immediately. He turned on a projection device on the table, and a blue light screen was cast into mid-air, clearly displaying the system interface that Lin Yuan had previously described.

"Comrade Xiao Lin, this is a one-to-one replicated model of the system interface based on your description." Academician Wang pointed at the light screen, his expression serious. "Now, I need you to tell us every detail you know about this system. Do not leave anything out."

"All right, Academician Wang." Lin Yuan steadied himself and began to recall.

"First, there is this mental strength intensity. When I first saw it, it was 8, and it is still 8 now. I don't know how this number is calculated; the system only says that for an ordinary person, it is 5."

A female researcher in a white lab coat beside Academician Wang immediately wrote it down in her notebook and said in a low voice, "His basic mental strength is 60% higher than the average person. This is very likely one of the key reasons he was chosen by the system. We need to conduct a comprehensive brainwave and quantum neural mapping scan on him."

Director Chen nodded slightly, signaling for Lin Yuan to continue.

"Then there is the status. After I came back last time, it showed 'severe mental backlash', and my head hurt like crazy. Now it has changed to 'mild mental backlash', which just means it still aches a little."

"Regarding the mechanism of mental backlash, we speculate that when the drone is damaged, the feedback of damage information flow exceeds your brain's processing capacity, causing neurological overload trauma." Another researcher wearing glasses analyzed, "We need to establish a mathematical model to quantify the relationship between the drone's damage level and the mental backlash grade. Only then can we set a safe return threshold for future salvage operations."

Listening to the various technical terms popping out of their mouths, Lin Yuan felt as if he were listening to gibberish. Quantum neural mapping, mathematical models—he couldn't understand a single word.

He could only continue to talk about what he could understand.

"This drone, 'scavenger no. 1', is now LV2. The energy reserve limit seems to have increased as well; it was 100 before, and now I estimate it to be 200, though it isn't explicitly written on the panel."

"The energy core is linked to the level; upgrading can increase the energy limit. Write that down." Academician Wang said to his assistant.

"The payload capacity is still 50 kilograms; that hasn't changed. The stealth capability has changed from 'extremely low' to 'low (slight improvement)'. This is what I upgraded last time using that black board."

"Using the structural information of the 'Oracle-class Raider ship armor' to generate a primary stealth coating..." Academician Wang muttered to himself, his eyes full of fanaticism. "This means the system can not only absorb energy but also analyze material structures and convert them into applicable technology! This is reverse engineering! It is the most efficient reverse engineering!"

The scientists present all became excited.

If the salvaged materials were the "fish", then this analytical capability was the blueprint for making the "fishing net"! The significance was completely different!

"Comrade Xiao Lin, continue." Director Chen raised his hand, suppressing the slightly restless scientists.

"The functions are still basic grasping and basic scanning. That scanning is, when I get close to something, a few lines of text will pop up in my mind, introducing what that thing is. For example, that board last time told me it was 'unknown alloy armor', 'Oracle-class interstellar raider ship outer armor'."

"In other words, the system comes with a massive database capable of identifying items that exist within its database." Academician Wang's breathing became a bit rapid. "Then has it scanned anything that is not in its database?"

Lin Yuan thought for a moment: "It doesn't seem so. Every scan has had a result. Oh, right, in that 'Cosmic Graveyard', besides the warship wreckage, there are also some... things I don't know how to describe. For example, a tattered city floating in the sky, and a skeleton larger than a mountain. I didn't dare to get close, so I don't know what the result would be if I scanned them."

"A floating city of a magical civilization? The remains of a giant god from a biological civilization?" A young scientist couldn't help but speculate.

"Quiet!" Director Chen glared at him, and the young scientist immediately shrank his neck.

"Finally, there is this salvage area and warning." Lin Yuan pointed to the last two lines on the light screen. "It is still 'No. 001 Novice Area - Silent Star Sea', and the danger level is 'low'. But that warning, 'Void Devourer', let me tell you, that thing is really... too terrifying."

At the mention of the "Void Devourer", Lin Yuan's face turned a little pale.

"That thing is just a blob of black shadow, alive, and it moves. It has no eyes or mouth, but I can just feel it 'looking' at me. Once it comes over, the warship debris around it, no matter how big it is, disappears the moment it touches it. It doesn't explode; it just vanishes directly, not even leaving a speck of dust behind. I was almost sucked in last time, and that feeling... was like my soul was about to be pulled away."

Lin Yuan's description made everyone present feel a chill.

An unknown creature capable of directly "devouring" matter and even affecting the mental plane.

"A higher-dimensional predator..." Academician Wang's expression was incomparably grave. "It devouring matter is likely not destruction on a physical level, but directly erasing the existence of matter from a spatial or even conceptual level. This kind of creature has already exceeded the scope of understanding of us three-dimensional beings."

"We must avoid direct contact with this creature at all costs." Director Chen made the judgment. "Comrade Lin Yuan, from now on, your safety is the top priority in every salvage operation. No valuable target can be exchanged at the cost of your life."

Lin Yuan felt a warmth in his heart. He had originally thought that he had become a "tool", and would the people above care whether he lived or died? Now it seemed that the country's emphasis on him far exceeded his imagination.

"I understand, Chief."

"All right, we have a general understanding of the system's basic situation." Director Chen stood up and walked to the giant simulation screen. The image on the screen switched from pastoral scenery to a complex organizational chart.

At the very top of the organizational chart was a bright red box wrapped in layers of encrypted symbols, with three large characters written on it— "scavenger".

"Now, I will officially introduce to you the project that serves you."

Director Chen's voice became solemn.

"Approved by the highest level, the 'Special Civilization Relic Excavation and Analysis Project Team' has been officially established, with the external codename 'scavenger'. This project possesses the highest level of authority and resource allocation rights."

"The project team reports directly to me." Director Chen pointed to himself. "I, Chen Weiguo, serve as the general director of the project team."

He pointed again to Academician Wang: "Academician Wang Zhiyuan serves as the chief scientist of the project team, responsible for the technical analysis and application research of all salvaged items."

"The project team has six subordinate departments: the Intelligence Analysis Department, responsible for establishing the 'Cosmic Graveyard' database based on your descriptions and salvage information, and evaluating salvage value and risk; the Technical Support Department, responsible for providing you with all technical support, including upgrading your 'personal terminal'; the Logistics Support Department, responsible for all your daily living needs and physical and mental health; the Security Department, with three internal and external layers, responsible for your safety and the safety of the entire base 24 hours a day by top-tier special security personnel; the Conversion and Application Department, responsible for converting the technology analyzed by Academician Wang's team into practical, usable results; and... the Liaison Department."

Director Chen paused here, his gaze falling on Lin Yuan once again.

"You, Comrade Lin Yuan, will be the only member of the Liaison Department, and also the most important member. Your position is 'scavenger' project special-grade liaison officer. Your only task is to operate the 'deep space salvage system', serving as the only bridge for us to communicate with that 'Cosmic Graveyard'."

"The entire project, with thousands of top scientists, engineers, and soldiers, will all revolve around you alone. Every one of your salvage operations will tug at the nerves of the entire nation."

Chen Weiguo looked at Lin Yuan and said word by word: "Comrade Lin Yuan, from now on, you are no longer an ordinary citizen. You are the first tentacle our civilization extends into the universe. On your shoulders, you carry the future of the entire nation."

Listening to these words, Lin Yuan only felt his blood rushing.

Before, he was just a small scrap yard owner who was burnt out over a debt of tens of thousands, with the biggest goal in life being to scrape by for food and warmth.

But now, he had become a key figure who determined the future of the nation.

The sense of shock and mission brought by this change in status was far more staggering than that one hundred million deposit.

"I..." He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found that any grand words seemed so pale.

In the end, he just nodded heavily and said with all his might: "Yes! I guarantee to complete the mission!"