Cheng Haitang and the others' expressions barely changed, but a tempest surged deep within their eyes.
They had dealt with all sorts of inconceivable cases and heard countless bizarre statements,
but a "system," something that only exists in novels, being spoken so solemnly by a young man, still gave them an unprecedented shock.
An assistant quietly slipped his hand into his pocket and pressed a switch on a certain device.
The atmosphere in the room grew even more solemn.
Cheng Haitang's expression was grave, and her voice was steady: "Xiao Qin, what exactly is this 'Wanwu Fuzhi System (All Things Replication System)' you speak of? And where does its energy come from?"
She didn't directly question him but chose to understand more deeply.
"Theoretically, as long as I can touch it and scan it, I can replicate it. As for the energy…"
Qin Hao paused, "Currently, I only know that it can absorb electrical energy."
"Words alone are not enough."
Cheng Haitang's gaze remained fixed on Qin Hao, "You need to prove it to us."
He pulled a metal lighter from his jacket pocket and tossed it onto the table.
The lighter looked quite old, with a stainless steel surface and several clear scratches, one of which was particularly deep, as if from a key.
"This one, can you replicate it?"
Qin Hao picked up the lighter; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, and the coolness of the metal was distinct.
He held it in his right hand and spread his left hand open.
Under the almost breathless gaze of Cheng Haitang and the two assistants, Qin Hao silently thought: "System, replicate!"
There was no light, no sound.
Just for a split second, an identical metal lighter appeared out of thin air in Qin Hao's open left palm!
"Whoosh!"
Cheng Haitang leaned forward slightly, a sharp glint in her eyes.
One of the assistants nearly dropped his pen, while the other subconsciously pushed up his glasses, as if to see more clearly.
Cheng Haitang simultaneously reached out both hands and took both lighters.
She first weighed them, then placed the two lighters side by side, comparing them carefully.
Scratches!
Those unique scratches, whether their position, length, depth, or even the most subtle burrs on the edges, were identical!
She gently ran her fingernail over the deepest scratch; the tactile sensation was exactly the same.
Then she picked one up, pressed the ignition switch, and with a "click," a faint blue flame shot up.
She tried the other one, and the same flame appeared.
The two assistants also came closer, each picking up one and examining it repeatedly.
The metallic luster, the wear on the corners, the damping feel of the button… everything indicated that these were two completely identical objects,
as if carved from the same mold.
"This… how is this possible?"
One of the assistants muttered, his voice filled with unconcealed trembling and shock.
He looked at Qin Hao, then at the lighter in his hand, as if his worldview had been impacted by a tiny bit.
Cheng Haitang gently tapped the two lighters together in her hand, producing a crisp metallic sound.
She looked up, her gaze becoming incredibly solemn, staring intently at Qin Hao.
"Can you explain this to me?"
Qin Hao organized his thoughts:
"This is the system's ability. Replicating different objects consumes different amounts of energy. For example, this lighter consumes very little energy. I've replicated gold before, and that consumed more energy."
He admitted, "My understanding of this system is actually limited; it just appeared in my mind. Currently, the charging methods I know are contact with a power source, or… lightning."
When the words "lightning" came out of Qin Hao's mouth, Cheng Haitang's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
Charging with lightning?
This was beyond the capabilities of current technology.
Cheng Haitang was silent for a few seconds, then said to an assistant beside her:
"Xiao Li, go to the technical department and get an unopened A7 model high-precision thin-film resistor for laboratory use."
Xiao Li acknowledged and quickly left.
Soon, he returned, holding a sealed anti-static bag containing a precise resistor component the size of a fingernail.
Cheng Haitang personally opened the package and handed the resistor to Qin Hao: "Can you replicate this?"
Qin Hao took it and issued the command again in his mind.
A moment later, a second identical resistor appeared in his hand.
Cheng Haitang immediately had an assistant bring a portable precision testing instrument.
After a series of connections and readings, Xiao Li looked up, his voice a little dry and excited,
"Director, the parameters… the parameters are completely consistent! The error is within the instrument's allowed precision range, so it can be considered identical!"
This result was even more impactful than replicating the lighter!
While the lighter might be described as a masterpiece of craftsmanship, the core of precision electronic components lies in their physical parameters, which are virtually the crystallization of modern industrial technology, where a tiny difference can lead to a huge discrepancy.
Everyone present understood what it meant to perfectly replicate its parameters.
The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the faint hum of the instrument's current.
Cheng Haitang looked at Qin Hao, her gaze complex.
She took a deep breath and slowly asked:
"Xiao Qin, with such… heaven-defying ability, why did you choose to report it to the country? What do you want?"
This question was the core.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hao became calm instead.
He met Cheng Haitang's gaze, his tone sincere,
"Director Cheng, to be honest, at first, I also thought about getting rich with this and living a good life. I did do that, replicating some gold and earning some money."
He paused, a different emotion in his eyes:
"But a few days ago, I saw the news that America was once again choking our high-tech sector. At that time, I felt incredibly frustrated. Why should our Yanhuang Country suffer this indignity?"
"As an ordinary person, I had no ability before and could only curse a few words online. But now with this system…"
Qin Hao clenched his fist,
"I thought it might be able to do something for the country. Those blocked technologies, those cutting-edge devices that we temporarily can't produce, if they could be replicated, would bring immense value to the country."
"Moreover, this system can also be upgraded, but it requires a staggering ten billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is a number that I, as an individual, could never achieve.
Even if I could secretly absorb it, it would cause a huge commotion and couldn't be hidden at all."
Qin Hao showed a wry smile,
"An innocent man is guilty for possessing a treasure. This system is too important and too dangerous. With my personal ability, I simply cannot protect it or unleash its true value.
Only in the hands of the country can it receive the most proper protection, exert its maximum effect, and truly be safe."
"My only request," Qin Hao looked at Cheng Haitang, his eyes incredibly clear,
"If the country can truly benefit from this, I hope you won't forget me, this small guide. Of course, I believe the country will not mistreat any meritorious official."
His words were honest, clear, and logically sound.
There were no grand declarations, but they were filled with the most simple patriotism and clear self-awareness.
Cheng Haitang listened quietly, the sharpness in her eyes gradually replaced by a profound emotion.
She looked at the young man before her, feeling a strong sense of recognition.
She had encountered all kinds of people, from heroes who sacrificed themselves for justice to scoundrels driven by greed.
But someone like Qin Hao, who held such a "heaven-defying opportunity" yet maintained such clarity and made such a choice, was probably unique.
The phrase "An innocent man is guilty for possessing a treasure; this system can only achieve its maximum value and truly be safe in the hands of the country" deeply touched Cheng Haitang.