Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Got Stronger Again
If Professor Lawrence had any lingering uncertainty or doubt before, then after he entered the base and came to understand the strength of Caeluna Base, that uncertainty had long since vanished.
He also discovered that Caeluna Base had already prepared a laboratory for him long before his arrival.
He looked up at Stella Sterling. "Were you so certain back then that I would join your base?"
"I wasn’t."
Stella Sterling shook her head.
Professor Lawrence looked at her, confused and a little disbelieving. If she wasn’t certain, why was the laboratory already prepared so far in advance?
Everything seemed to have been planned out.
’But it wouldn’t make sense if Stella said she was certain, either. After all, who could have predicted what would happen?’
’Then again, with this young lady’s confidence, maybe she really did have that kind of faith. Haven’t I joined her base now?’
So he didn’t believe what Stella Sterling said.
"I prepared this lab just in case. Even if I couldn’t get you, Professor Lawrence, I would have cultivated another Professor Lawrence," Stella Sterling said calmly and earnestly.
That had been her plan before she left the base last time. The base could not lack scientific research talent.
She had been having her people keep an eye out for individuals with talent in this area. So even if Professor Lawrence hadn’t joined her base in the end, this laboratory would have been activated regardless.
Then she looked at Professor Lawrence. "Professor Lawrence, I was already planning to establish a research team at our base. I hope you’ll agree to be their teacher."
This was Stella Sterling’s true goal. No matter how brilliant Professor Lawrence was, she still needed to train new people. Newcomers weren’t just fresh blood; they were the future pillars of the base. More importantly, they had agile minds and new ideas.
Professor Lawrence was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Excellent! That suits me just fine."
Professor Lawrence was more than happy to do it. With the state of the outside world, he also hoped to cultivate a group of talented individuals who could make a contribution to the world.
’So what if these talents were being cultivated solely for this young lady, Stella Sterling?’
Besides, while he had been a bit old-fashioned in the past, the events of recent days had taught him to see the situation clearly.
The world was different now. Strength was what made you king.
’Here at Caeluna Base, this young lady, Stella Sterling, may be polite to me, but that politeness comes with conditions.’
’I’m one of her people now. No matter how casual things are day-to-day, I still have to do what needs to be done.’
Stella Sterling smiled, her usual playful demeanor returning. "Of the six people we recruited two days ago, two are talented in this field. I’ll have them assist you."
The two of them talked for a long time afterward, and the more they talked, the more excited Professor Lawrence became.
He found that this young lady agreed with many of his ideas, which made him feel as if he had found a kindred spirit. He began to talk animatedly and at length.
While they were chatting, Stella Sterling had already arranged for Professor Lawrence’s living quarters to be prepared.
Professor Lawrence was, after all, getting on in years. He had been terrified for a period, and the long journey afterward had taken a toll on his body. He couldn’t quite take it anymore, so he went back to rest early.
Before he left, he told Stella Sterling, "Young lady, that old man among the six people you recruited—I’ve confirmed it. He’s my old friend."
"He’s a renowned professor, incredibly knowledgeable, and understands a great deal. He’s skilled in many areas. You mustn’t treat him lightly."
Stella Sterling wasn’t surprised. She nodded. "Don’t worry, Professor Lawrence. I always value capable people!"
After Professor Lawrence left, she summoned Stephen Lawrence, got a general update on the situation at the base over the past few days, and then gave him some instructions.
After dealing with these matters, she returned to her small villa. After several days on the road, she felt grimy. Back in the villa, she eagerly took a hot bath.
While soaking in the tub, she poured herself a glass of red wine, enjoying this brief moment of leisure.
’From now on,’ she thought, ’unless it’s something important or something I’m personally interested in, I’ll delegate everything else.’
’After all, my original goal, aside from just surviving, was to live a happy and comfortable life.’
’With my current resources, I can achieve both. I should enjoy myself when I have the chance.’
That evening, Stephen Lawrence came by again, carrying two boxes. "Boss, this is the shipment from Boss Cheney. We’ve already sent one batch to the warehouse. Boss Cheney told me to deliver this batch to you personally."
For over a year, Stella Sterling had been trading with Mr. Cheney. Mr. Cheney’s people would deliver things here from time to time.
The people at Caeluna Base were also familiar with Mr. Cheney.
During the few days Stella Sterling was away, he had his men send over another large shipment.
And this particular batch was one Mr. Cheney had stressed over and over must be delivered directly into the Boss’s hands.
Stella Sterling opened them and saw that one was mostly filled with jade artifacts and gold, while the other contained sand and soil.
Stephen Lawrence, standing to the side, was surprised to see the contents.
’Boss Cheney said these were things the Boss specifically asked them to collect.’
’Why is the Boss collecting these things?’
’The Boss had me collect special materials before, but what’s the deal with this soil?’
’If she wanted soil, we could dig up a whole pile of it right outside Mount Caeluna. There’s no need to have someone else collect it.’
Stella Sterling didn’t explain. She just waved her hand, dismissing him.
This soil was from Mr. Cheney. She had told him before that she wanted special materials, no matter what they were.
And this soil looked special even to her. She could also feel her space’s excitement and longing.
Without a second thought, Stella Sterling entered her space the next moment and tossed all the soil into the exchange zone.
Before long, she felt the space tremble and roar, and then felt something continuously surge into her body.
For years, she had felt that her physical abilities had been pushed to their absolute limit. But as that new substance flowed into her, she could feel herself getting stronger and stronger.
Stella Sterling was shocked. ’I can’t believe that soil had such a benefit.’
She felt like not even a cannonball could kill her now.
Of course, she wouldn’t be reckless enough to test it. She was afraid it might just be an illusion.
But she could clearly feel that she was indeed much stronger now.
The kind of strong that could topple a building with a single punch. Maybe even stronger than that!
