The No. 1 Laboratory Building—just like the Constant Temperature Research Institute—was one of the most secretive facilities within the Marching Ant Company. Only Chen Mo, Xiao Yu, and Zhao Min had access through its gates.
Even the company's vice presidents, Julie and Li Lingfeng, weren't allowed to enter.
Inside, the only "employees" were intelligent robots. Many of them were simple-function robots built for specific tasks—some based on designs Chen Mo retrieved from the Science and Technology Library, others created by Mo Nu for internal work.
All robots in the building were under Mo Nu's direct control and operated in perfectly synchronized efficiency.
This was the place where Enchantress Robots were assembled and room-temperature superconductors were produced.
Work never stopped—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With the productivity of intelligent machines, many high-precision instruments were constructed almost immediately after their design phase was completed.
Naturally, Building No. 1 was the most resource-intensive facility in the company. Like a bottomless beast, it swallowed up massive amounts of high-value materials for research and development.
The first time Zhao Min entered the building, she was shocked speechless by what she saw.
Being in there felt like stepping into a science fiction movie—only in sci-fi did such fully automated, intelligent manufacturing environments exist.
In the underground research lab beneath Building No. 1, Chen Mo stood quietly watching the operation of a superconducting computer.
Due to its technical sensitivity, the superconducting computer could never be exposed to the public. Even with room-temperature superconductors, developing it had been a major leap.
This lab had become the brain of the company.
Controlled by Mo Nu and built on superconducting materials, the system generated extremely low heat and consumed minimal energy. It could run around the clock. All its computing power was available exclusively to Chen Mo.
With the help of Mo Nu's advanced artificial intelligence, research across multiple fields had accelerated dramatically.
"Mo Nu, optimize the design details," Chen Mo said, turning to the schematic displayed on the holographic screen.
The holographic display technology he had been developing required the design of three different types of projectors.
Chen Mo had decided to begin with the medium-sized holographic projector. After weeks of intense design work and Mo Nu's constant refinement, it was finally ready for the technical validation phase.
Once the medium model was successful, he would move on to designing a miniature version.
"Okay, Brother Mo."
The holographic design began to subtly shift on the screen. The changes were small—tweaks to part parameters, curve smoothing, and line refinement—but they significantly enhanced the appearance and coherence of the whole.
The projector's design now looked sleeker and more sophisticated.
"Produce the sample based on this design," Chen Mo ordered. The materials had already been stocked during the design phase, so production could begin immediately.
"Understood," Mo Nu replied. A moment later, she added, "Brother Mo, Instructor Li Chengzhi has arrived at the company with four people. They're currently in the reception room."
"That was fast," Chen Mo muttered. "Tell Li Chengzhi to meet me in my office. Also, notify Wang Hai and the others to get ready."
The last time he spoke with Li Chengzhi, they had discussed administering the potential-enhancing drug to his trusted guards. Today, it looked like the plan was finally moving forward.
When Chen Mo returned to his office, he saw Li Chengzhi already waiting on the sofa.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Chen Mo said with a smile.
"Not at all. For someone as busy as you, I'm lucky to get a meeting at all," Li Chengzhi replied playfully.
"Look at you, starting to flatter people. That's a bad sign."
Li Chengzhi chuckled. "Just a joke. What are you working on these days?"
"That's confidential." Chen Mo grinned. "But when the product's ready, you'll find out soon enough."
While they chatted, Wang Hai and his team entered the office.
"These are the people I've selected for potential development," Chen Mo said.
Li Chengzhi nodded. "No surprise there. I know who's close to you. I expected it would be these four."
"You already know Instructor Li," Chen Mo said to Wang Hai and the others. "You'll be following him for the next few days. Once the process is done, come back here."
"Understood," the four responded in unison.
Chen Mo turned back to Li Chengzhi. "I'll leave them in your hands."
"No problem. But the development and physical evaluations will take a few days," Li Chengzhi explained. "So in the meantime, there'll be a bit of a security vacuum around you. I've brought four temporary replacements. They're trained and ready. I'd like them to stand in while your team's away."
Chen Mo nodded. "That's perfect. Are they the ones in the reception room? Ask someone to bring them in."
"Yes, sir." The robot nearby responded. "Demon-5 has already gone to receive them."
A few minutes later, four individuals entered the office behind the robot—three men and one woman. They walked with precise, steady steps, a military aura radiating from their bearing.
Even though they kept their eyes forward, Chen Mo could sense their curiosity. It was understandable—this company headquarters was likely the most technologically advanced place they'd ever seen. Even those from the National Life Sciences Institute would be stunned by the levels of AI and automation here.
Chen Mo glanced over the four newcomers. He immediately recognized them—they were among the first ten volunteers to undergo potential development.
The dark-skinned man was Luo Yong, the very first person to test the drug. The shorter man was Zhang Chaoyi. The woman with short-cropped hair and a heroic aura was Yang Lanlan—the same Yang Lanlan who had been present when Shen Chongxin stole and injected the drug.
Chen Mo was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the government to assign potential-enhanced personnel as his temporary security guards.
"Li-ge, can I poach them?" Chen Mo asked with a grin.
"No chance," Li Chengzhi replied, laughing. "They're not retired—yet. Maybe in a few years. But by then, you might not be able to poach them at all. They could be promoted by then."
He turned to the four: "You've been briefed on your mission, right?"
"Yes, sir," they responded crisply.
"Wang Hai," Chen Mo said, "brief them on the job—what to watch for, daily responsibilities, the works."
"Got it." Wang Hai stood up. The others followed him out with the new guards in tow.
After the debrief, Wang Hai and his team left the company with Li Chengzhi to begin the enhancement process. Luo Yong, Yang Lanlan, and the others returned to standby, ready to begin their temporary duties.
Once the office was quiet again, Chen Mo leaned back in his chair and said, "Mo Nu, when work is done for the day, prepare three doses of the potential-enhancing drug in the lab."