Chapter 166 - 165: Moxiang Wood

Chapter 166: Chapter 165: Moxiang Wood

"The higher the Level, the more resources they will be allocated, such as food, Energy Crystal Stones, rest time, and safe locations.

"At the same time, a person’s Level also represents their voice in the team and their participation in decision-making. As long as ordinary people make enough contributions in the research field, they can also be promoted to Senior Researchers or Project Managers, entering the core decision-making circle.

"Of course, considering that we are companions who have shared hardships along the way, even if someone is temporarily unable to meet the minimum requirements, we will guarantee their basic living supplies and safety. We will not abandon anyone.

"However, if they want better food, safer shelters, greater strength, and a bigger say, they can only rely on their own efforts to fight for it. Whether for the Awakened or ordinary people, this is a clear path of promotion."

"Old Wu, I think the framework you proposed is quite good," Han Ning nodded in agreement. "As for the specific rules, especially the quantifiable standards for incentives, the weighting of resource allocation, and the exact authorities and promotion thresholds for different Levels... we need to carefully refine these details."

Chairman Wu immediately nodded. "We do need to discuss it more prudently to avoid unnecessary conflicts during subsequent implementation or making some people feel it’s unfair."

Lin Qianqian crossed her arms and chimed in, "Especially how we compare the contributions between the combat and research categories horizontally? Who contributes more: a Researcher who designs a critical Rune, or a combatant who risks their life to bring back rare materials? How should resource allocation lean? There must be a relatively fair standard for all this."

Long also said in a deep voice, "There is also the balance between the minimum guarantee and promotion incentives. Guaranteeing basic survival is the bottom line, but if the incentives aren’t strong enough, it might dampen enthusiasm. The few of us need to reach a consensus on this balance first."

Vice President Zhao, an absolute musclehead, could only nod continuously and echo in agreement, "It’s safer to decide in private before announcing it."

This matter had to be gradually perfected according to everyone’s construction progress. It couldn’t be finalized just by sitting here and talking theory. In the end, Han Ning asked Lin Qianqian, who had experience as a boss, to team up with Chairman Wu, who had some management experience, to draft a prototype of the reward and promotion mechanism. They would follow this preliminary rule at first and gradually perfect it in the days to come.

After the temporary meeting deep in the cave ended, Han Ning stayed behind alone in the makeshift meeting room. He closed his eyes, using his Mental Power for Communication with Nature, and then selected the two most basic pieces of knowledge according to the images left by the natural will.

[Uses of Energy Stones] and [Introduction to Source Race Basic Crystal Runes].

Lines of knowledge surfaced in his mind. Just like scanning with his eyes and flipping through a book, the corresponding information flow would only appear when Han Ning swept over it with his Spirit. He opened his eyes and picked up a thick stack of A4 paper and a pen he had prepared on the side.

The tip of the pen slid rapidly across the paper, making a SCRATCH SCRATCH sound. Han Ning transcribed the Source Race knowledge onto the paper, translated into Chinese through the natural will. This was foundational knowledge that everyone had to learn and would be used in all three major categories.

The foundational knowledge wasn’t too much.

The next day.

Han Ning handed the compiled basic introductory knowledge to Chairman Wu. Since Chairman Wu didn’t need to go out to fight now, his work efficiency was incredibly high. Early in the morning, he gathered everyone in the middle of the cave.

Standing at the very front of the crowd, he spoke in a loud, clear voice. "Everyone, look here."

Below him, both the Awakened and ordinary people stared at the bound papers in Chairman Wu’s hands with intense curiosity.

"Boss Han has brought us the foundational knowledge of the Source Race." Chairman Wu held the papers high. "Starting today, everyone, whether Awakened or ordinary people, including myself, must study these two basic introductions. They are the Uses of Energy Stones and the Source Race Basic Crystal Runes.

"Next, I will divide the team into different groups based on educational background.

"I’m sorry, everyone. It’s not that I’m discriminating based on degrees, but it’s really because people with higher education might have slightly stronger learning abilities. I’m being a bit blunt, and I hope no one minds!" He added, "Of course, theoretically, we are all starting from the same starting line."

Next, Chairman Wu and the several vice presidents began to divide everyone into groups. This was done entirely by educational background, without considering strength. Due to the number of people, they were temporarily divided into four groups: master’s degree, undergraduate, associate degree, and high school/vocational school.

There were zero doctoral students. Professor Ye was one, but he had to conduct botanical research with Han Ning. Even if he needed to learn, he would be given special, individual tutoring, so he wasn’t included.

Among them, the master’s degree group was the smallest, with only eight people. These eight were further split into two subgroups: Master’s Group 1 and Master’s Group 2. There were relatively more undergraduates, with twelve people divided into three subgroups numbered 1 to 3. The associate degree group was similar in size, with thirteen people split into three subgroups, one of which had five members. The high school group was the largest, with twenty-six people divided into six subgroups, two of which had five members.

These groups included both Awakened and ordinary people.

Then, everyone stood in front of a large wooden board and began transcribing the knowledge from the papers pasted on it.

"For the next two days, no one needs to go out. The boss will supply all our food, so everyone just needs to focus on studying," Chairman Wu announced. "In two days, we will hold our first assessment. Based on the results, we will categorize the learning progress and cultivate the groups accordingly!"

Awakened who truly couldn’t learn it could still shift back to the combat direction. Conversely, some Awakened with weaker awakened abilities could switch to research positions. However, the management team didn’t mention this to everyone. If they did, some people might slack off.

After a brief commotion, the crowd quieted down. The only sound left was the SCRATCH SCRATCH of pens rubbing against paper. Outside, fierce winds and hail pounded mercilessly. Inside the warm cave, everyone was studying furiously.

It was a very incongruous sight.

Watching this scene, Han Ning nodded slightly. Chairman Wu was indeed a management talent. He walked up to Chairman Wu and added in a low voice, "This knowledge must be kept strictly confidential. Without permission, no one is allowed to spread it, especially not to people from other gathering areas. Have Old Zhao keep a close eye on things. Don’t let us end up with a traitor on our hands."

Regarding whether the knowledge would be leaked, Han Ning felt it was crucial to keep a tight grip on it from the start to prevent anyone from passing it on to other settlements. Once they grew strong enough, leaking some basic knowledge wouldn’t matter much. However, ensuring that high-end knowledge remained a secret would always be a top priority.

Chairman Wu’s expression grew stern as he nodded heavily. "I understand. We absolutely must be vigilant about this."

"Mm." Han Ning said no more. He turned and walked deeper into the cave toward a relatively secluded area near the rock wall.

There, Professor Ye had already cleared out a small experimental plot according to his instructions, mixing the soil with precious high-energy dirt particles.

Han Ning’s Spirit once again used Communication with Nature to acquire Source Race knowledge. This time, his target was locked onto the "Basic Hull Materials" under the "Materials" category.

Information streams surged. After processing the acquired information himself, he organized it:

[Hoffman Level (Basic Type) Escort Ship Hull Material]

[Main Material: Moxiang Wood (Level 10-Level 15 Extraordinary Wood)]