Beside him were the university chairman, director, principal, and other senior officials.
With so many different research projects and technological innovations on display, the entire university seemed to have taken on a completely different atmosphere today.
After several researchers finished their presentations, Wan-Qing stepped onto the stage.
With him was a rectangular wooden box mounted on small wheels.
His Hydroponic Farming Unit was installed on top of it.
Standing in front of the microphone, Wan-Qing smiled slightly.
Wan-Qing: "Hello, everyone. Today, my presentation is on—Hydroponic Farming."
He looked toward the model in front of him and said,
"Farming without soil may sound like a new concept. But in reality, the idea itself isn't new."
Water was slowly flowing through the transparent pipes, and the plants' roots could be clearly seen inside them.
Wan-Qing continued,
Wan-Qing: "We've seen this method before. Professor Lin Boshi and my junior, Jun-Yu, previously conducted research on hydroponic farming and presented it at this very exhibition. So today, I haven't come here simply to define the same technology for you."
He paused for a few moments.
Wan-Qing: "I want to show you how much further we can improve the same technology."
Professor Lin Boshi's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Hearing Wan-Qing's words, a trace of irritation appeared on his face.
He thought to himself,
Lin Boshi: "I've already been disappointed by Jun-Yu. And now you're going to disappoint me too, Wan-Qing?
What changes could there possibly be in today's soil-less farming system that Jun-Yu and I failed to notice?"
Meanwhile, three words appeared on the large screen behind Wan-Qing:
"SOIL. WATER. AIR."
Wan-Qing gestured toward the screen and said,
"Our agriculture does not depend solely on land. Agriculture survives through soil, water, and the environment. Yet all three are now under increasing pressure from various forms of pollution."
Then, the first image appeared on the screen.
It showed soil damaged by polythene, plastic, various types of waste, and the excessive use of chemicals.
Wan-Qing: "The excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides can have long-term effects on the natural properties of soil. Not only that, these chemicals can also reach nearby water bodies through rainwater or irrigation water."
"In other words, if the very land we use to produce food gradually loses its fertility, then we must also consider alternative approaches for the future of agriculture."
A moment later, the second image appeared.
This time, the entire screen displayed a polluted water body.
Instead of clear water, layers of plastic, garbage, and various types of waste could be seen floating across it.
Wan-Qing said,
Wan-Qing: "The problem of water is no less important. Agriculture requires a huge amount of water. But not all the water used for irrigation actually benefits the plants. Some of it seeps deep into the soil, some evaporates, and nutrient runoff can also affect water quality."
He looked toward the image of the polluted water body.
"On the other hand, the quality of water in rivers, lakes, and other water bodies is gradually deteriorating because of improper waste disposal and industrial waste."
"Water is essential not only for agriculture, but for our very existence. Therefore, alongside using water, it is also our responsibility to conserve it and control pollution."
Then, the third image appeared.
It showed scenes of smoke-filled cities, industrial facilities, and a polluted environment.
Wan-Qing stared at the image for a few moments before speaking.
Wan-Qing: "Just like soil and water, air is also connected to agriculture. Air pollution is increasing because of industries, transportation, and other human activities. Its effects, directly or indirectly, also impact agriculture and the environment."
"So the question is—can we develop a system where we can produce food in limited spaces while also making the use of water and nutrients more controlled and efficient?"
He slowly turned toward the Hydroponic System.
"And that question is where our journey toward the second-generation system begins."
Professor Lin Boshi was no longer as indifferent as before.
He leaned forward slightly and looked at the model with greater interest.
Wan-Qing said,
Wan-Qing: "Soil-less farming is not the final stage of agricultural development. There is always room to make technology more efficient and more environmentally friendly."
A visitor stepped forward curiously.
"What do you mean by the second version?"
Wan-Qing smiled faintly and said,
Wan-Qing: "In the previous Hydroponic System, the main focus was on eliminating the need for soil and providing plants with the necessary nutrients through water and a nutrient solution."
He pointed toward one section of the model.
Wan-Qing: "But in this version, we haven't simply eliminated soil. We've also incorporated a water-recycling system and a nutrient-control mechanism."
He gestured toward the water circulating through the transparent pipes.
Wan-Qing: "The water that the plants cannot fully use isn't simply discarded. Through a collection system, the water flows back into the main reservoir."
"Then, depending on the requirements, the water's pH and nutrient concentration are monitored and adjusted before it is sent back into the system."
Professor Lin Boshi's eyes were now fixed on the model.
One of the judges asked,
"Then how much water can this system save?"
Wan-Qing answered without the slightest hesitation, his voice filled with confidence.
Wan-Qing: "The exact amount depends on the environment, the crop, and the way the system is managed. So we don't want to make a claim based on a specific number."
"However, because the same water can be reused in a controlled manner, this system has the potential to reduce water wastage compared to conventional open-field irrigation."
Another judge asked,
"But what happens if excess nutrient solution leaves the system?"
Wan-Qing replied firmly,
"That is another one of our modifications."
This time, an image of a small sensor appeared on the screen.
Wan-Qing: "The system includes a mechanism for monitoring nutrient concentration. In other words, instead of adding fertilizer based on guesswork, the nutrient solution can be adjusted according to actual requirements."
"This helps reduce the risk of unnecessary nutrient use while allowing us to maintain better control over the system."
Wan-Qing remained silent for a few moments.
Then he looked at the entire model and said,
"I didn't come here to prove the previous exhibition wrong."
This time, both respect and determination could be heard in his voice.
"Instead, I wanted to take that research to the next stage. The first time, the question was—'Is it possible to grow crops without soil?'"
He extended his hand toward the green plants.
"This time, our question is—can we make this method more efficient while reducing the pressure on soil, water, and the environment?"
Then he smiled slightly and said,
"Perhaps Hydroponics is not the answer to every problem of the future. But if we want to build the future of agriculture, we can't simply invent new technologies."
He looked at the audience and said,
"We must also learn how to use existing technology in a more responsible way. Thank you."
For a few moments, silence fell across the entire hall.
Then, one by one, applause began to fill the room.
Professor Lin Boshi stared steadily at Wan-Qing. The disappointment that had been visible in his eyes just moments ago was completely gone.
He had researched Hydroponic Farming with Jun-Yu before. That research had been quite impressive. But today, Wan-Qing had presented the same technology from a completely different perspective—not merely as an alternative to soil, but as a potential system for achieving greater control over water and nutrient management.
A trace of pride slowly appeared in Professor Lin Boshi's eyes.
He admitted to himself,
Lin Boshi: "I was wrong. Wan-Qing didn't simply follow Jun-Yu's research. He has taken it one step further."
Meanwhile, Wan-Qing noticed Shu-Yang standing among the crowd at the far end of the hall, looking at him cheerfully while applauding.
Wan-Qing smiled faintly as well before stepping down from the stage.
When Wan-Qing came backstage, Jun-Yu gave him a thumbs-up and said,
Jun-Yu: "Amazing, Senior. You did an incredible job taking this technology forward through your research."
Wan-Qing smiled slightly and replied,
Wan-Qing: "It was all because of the inspiration from you and Professor. If you two had never researched soil-less farming, I might never have thought about taking this technology to the next level. I wish you all the best, Junior."
With that, Wan-Qing moved away from Jun-Yu.
A little while later, he returned to the hall and sat behind Professor Lin Boshi.
There were already two empty seats behind the professor.
Those two seats had been reserved for Wan-Qing and Jun-Yu.
A few moments later, the host's voice once again echoed throughout the hall.
"And now, we are about to witness a special research project in the field of robotics. The most notable aspect of this research is that it is not merely a machine designed to follow human commands. Instead, it has been developed to assist humans in situations where their physical limitations make certain tasks difficult."
The host looked toward the stage and announced,
"The lead researcher behind this project is—Jun-Yu."
Applause began to fill the hall.
Jun-Yu emerged from backstage.
Wan-Qing's eyes immediately fixed on his face.
The boy was clearly nervous, but the exhaustion on his face was even more obvious. Wan-Qing had never seen Jun-Yu this nervous before.
Yet Jun-Yu was trying to hide his exhaustion behind a smile.
Wan-Qing knew that this exhaustion wasn't from today alone.
Even so, Jun-Yu was standing on that stage now.
Jun-Yu stepped forward and stood in front of the microphone.
A single word appeared on the enormous screen behind him:
"ROBOTICS"
Below it, another line appeared:
"FOR THE PLACES HUMANS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO ALONE."
Jun-Yu looked at the audience and said,
"Robots! When we hear this word, what do we usually think of?"
One after another, images of industrial robots, automated machines, and human-controlled machinery appeared on the screen.
Jun-Yu: "A machine that we give commands to."
The screen changed.
An image of Mars appeared.
Jun-Yu continued,
"But what if there is a place where sending a human being is extremely difficult? We have sent robots to Mars, but it's not just other planets. Even on Earth, there are places that are incredibly difficult to reach."
The next moment, another image appeared on the screen.
It showed a remote mountainous region, a field of rubble, and a narrow, difficult-to-access path.
Jun-Yu: "What if there is a task that isn't impossible for a human, but is extremely difficult to carry out?"
His eyes shifted toward the machine placed on one side of the stage.
Then he asked the audience,
Jun-Yu: "Then should technology simply follow human commands?"
With those words, he pulled away the cloth covering the machine.
Everyone's attention immediately shifted toward it.
A powerful, compact robotic platform was gradually revealed before the audience.
From its appearance alone, it was obvious that the robot was built to be highly capable and powerful.
It wasn't designed to look exactly like a human, but its structure had a humanoid form.
Its locomotion system was heavy and stable.
An advanced sensor and camera array was positioned at the front.
A versatile robotic arm was mounted along the side of its body.
Small lights blinked across different parts of the machine.
A wave of subdued astonishment spread throughout the hall as the audience saw the robot.
Jun-Yu said,
Jun-Yu: "I wanted to create a robot that wouldn't replace humans."
He looked toward the robot and continued,
Jun-Yu: "Instead, it would help humans work in places where it is difficult for a person to operate alone."
The screen displayed the robot's various capabilities one after another.
Jun-Yu: "Observation, assistance, heavy-duty tasks, movement through difficult environments, and preliminary assessment in dangerous situations."